Abiding in Christ

Text:  Rev. 3:20. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me."

Introduction

Someone painted a picture that portrays Jesus Christ standing outside the door of a human heart, knocking to gain entry. It's a good picture. Perhaps you have associated the picture with my text just as the artist did, and that’s ok. But it isn’t exactly what Jesus had in mind.  

Secondary

Although Revelation 3:20 is often used successfully in appeals for the unsaved to come to Christ, that application of the text is only secondary. Jesus spoke to people who were already saved. He was concerned about born-again Christians who neglect the fellowship He offers.

Fellowship lost

Most of us do not sit down with Jesus often enough either to become familiar with Him or to learn His plans for us. We need His input and He is anxious to give it, but He awaits our invitation. Do you want to fellowship with Him? Then do as Jeremiah advised: You will “seek” Him, and “find” Him, only when you “search for” Him “with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Vital need

Each Christian needs to spend quality time with the Lord regularly. A consistent personal relationship with Him should become a vital part of our lives. Accepting His offer for intimacy can help to empower us for survival in this sinful world and energize us as successful witnesses to the lost. Learn to welcome Him into every part of your life each day, not as an occasional visitor but as the Chief resident. Allow Him to direct your thoughts and your actions.

Talk and listen

Although you may not have a lot of time for spending on your knees in a prayer closet you can talk to Jesus wherever you are. Listen for a reply when you do, not only then but also later. One way God speaks today is through His written word. Read it. Meditate on it. Let the word “dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16a). Our Lord may answer a particular prayer using Scripture as you read it or by causing you to recall other Scripture you have “hidden in your heart.” (Psalm 119:11).

Do it regularly

Regular two-way communication with Jesus will improve your relationship with Him to the point where He directs your thoughts and blesses your endeavors to please Him. Then, “whatever you do,” “in word or deed,” you will “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17).

Letters

Chapters Two and Three of Revelation record letters from Jesus to seven churches in Asia Minor. He dictated them to John near the end of the first century, while John was in exile on the Island of Patmos. Chapter three, Verses Fourteen through Twenty-two, contain my text. It begins like this:

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked’” (Rev. 3:14-17).

Church

The Laodicean Church was not a single congregation of believers; it was a loosely connected community consisting of all born-again Christians living in and around Laodicea.

Those people had faith in Christ but they did not meet His standards for worship and service. Like many of us, they seemed to be “practical atheists.” Although they professed to believe in Him, they had little time for God other than in their Christian gatherings. (For most of us that’s only once a week). Eventually they became so indifferent in their relationships with God as to be almost worthless to Him.  And He did not approve.

Enthusiasm

How, do you suppose, did the Laodicean Church get into this awful condition?  What had become of their enthusiasm? 

The word “enthusiasm” comes from two Greek words, “en” and “theos.” It actually means “God in you” to the point where he possesses you. Can you see it? Christians who are not filled with God are not enthusiastic. Because something other than God consumes them they make very poor witnesses for Him.

Dynamic

Christians who are enthusiastic about serving God usually have good reason to be. Their relationships with Him are dynamic. In other words, they are “physical forces in motion,” being animated and energized by their indwelling Lord.

How about you?

Are you a dynamic Christian?  Do you encourage Jesus to work in and through you constantly in order to reach the world for Himself? If not, your witness for Him likely does very little to change things around you. It may not even influence your closest friends and family members for Him.

Evidently God did not possess the Laodiceans.  He was not in control of their lives. He was not even visible in their life-styles. That awful condition did not develop over night. It came about so gradually they may not have been aware of it.

Supposition 1

Perhaps they figured they had “arrived” spiritually?  Did their assurance of salvation make them lazy? Weren’t they interested in the fate of the lost ones they knew? If they saw no need to seek Jesus daily, as the director and the sustainer of their spiritual welfare, they must have forgotten where they came from. Isaiah warns us not to repeat their mistake: “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look unto the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51:1).

Focus

As Christians we must learn to focus our attention on Jesus moment by moment, remembering why we needed him in the first place. He “dug” us, you and me, from the horrible “pit” of sin’s hopelessness. He is the only Rock on which we can even begin to stand securely. (Psalm 40:1-2). As the Bible suggests, “Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). Do that. Lean on Him as your helper and your guide in every circumstance.

Supposition 2

Perhaps the Laodiceans considered their public gatherings sufficient to fulfill their obligation to our Lord? Many Christians make that mistake today. Our weekly church services are only indirectly for God’s benefit. They are meant primarily for our good, even when they result in making us become better able to serve Him.

Our public gatherings should be directed by, and under the control of, The Holy Spirit - as we participate in worshipping God “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23). When sincere worship has tuned our hearts to hear Him, God uses the “Spirit of prophecy” to equip us for serving Him in the world. (1^st Corinthians 14:3). As Revelation 19:10 says, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” So New Testament “prophecy” is exercised, primarily, through the preaching of God’s Word.

Not unique

The Church at Laodicea was not unique in its failure to serve The Lord properly. Five of the seven Asian Churches Jesus addressed had severe problems. Only two of the seven, Smyrna (2:8-11) and Philadelphia (3:7-13) were not warned to repent for one reason or another.

Satanic doctrines

The Church at Pergamos permitted the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans to corrupt its members. Balaam’s doctrine promoted sexual immorality and idolatry. (Rev. 2:14). The Nicolaitan doctrine robbed ordinary Christians of their ministries. (Rev. 2:15). I believe Jesus mentioned those two doctrines together because Satan designed both of them to thwart God’s plans.

Balaam

Numbers 22 through 25 tells the story of Balaam, a soothsayer who could actually hear from God. Balaam messed with Israel for money and lost his life. (Numbers 31:8). When, after their forty-year stint in the Arabian Desert, Israel was about to invade Canaan, Balak, the King of the Moabites, hired Balaam to curse Israel. God told Balaam to refuse Balak’s offer but Balaam disobeyed. Then, after he failed the assignment, Balaam advised Balak how to do the job himself. As a result, the Moabites and the Midianites enticed the Israelites to participate in idolatry and sexual immorality. Many of them died as a result.

Satanic Plan 1

When we consider Balaam’s story in light of God’s plan to bless the world through Israel, it isn’t difficult to see through Satan’s plan. God separated Israel from the rest of the world to protect them from impurity. Satan wanted to corrupt the family line through which the virgin mother of Jesus was to be born.

Although Balaam’s advice did corrupt Israel, God protected His plan by eliminating the twenty-four thousand Israelites who participated in the immoral activity. It wasn’t a pretty scene. God’s Priests executed the sinners on the spot. Balaam did not escape judgment either. He was killed later, when Joshua captured Canaan. (Joshua 13:22).

Satanic Plan 2

The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans was designed for similar purposes. It would interfere with the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Age of Grace. In Revelation 2:6 and 2:15 Jesus said He hated that doctrine. If you want to know why, examine the word “Nicolaitans.” It comes from two Greek words, "nikos," and "laos."  Nikos means "a conquest," "Laos" means "the people." The English word “laity,” comes from “laos.” The doctrine of the nicolaitins distinguished the “laity” from “clergy.” It delegated ministry rights to priests of man’s making, and it idled many ordinary Christians.

The Priesthood of the believer

As we know, the man-made distinction is artificial. The church of Christ has no “laymen.” Under Him, all Christians are “priests.” Each of us can approach God through Jesus. In fact, we must share the gospel with the lost. All of us are accountable for personal involvement in ministry. Don’t get hung up on the word “ministry;” it means “service.” God wants us to serve Him by serving people; using whatever talents He gives us to do our jobs.

Conquest

The conquest of Christ’s Church effectively stole the work of ministry from ordinary Christians and may have delayed His Second Coming by thousands of years. It still discourages Christians from doing the one thing that could help speed Christ’s return. As He said, the  “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Mat. 24:14).

Other churches

The Church at Thyatira permitted a Jezebel to seduce her members. She and her victims were threatened with severe punishment. (2:20-23). The Church at Sardis was dead spiritually.  They were told to “strengthen the things which remain and to repent.” (3:1-6).

The Church at Ephesus was commended, not only for “its labor, patience, and faithfulness” (2:1-3) but because it hated “the deeds of the Nicolaitans.” (Vs. 6).  However, the Ephesians lost their first love. They no longer served Christ with their “first works.” (2:4-7). They were busy, faithful and patient - at whatever they were doing. But they were not excited about it. And Jesus warned them of their need to become excited again. I believe the "first works" of the Ephesians involved an enthusiastic sharing of the gospel. Anyone who is “possessed” by Jesus simply cannot keep quiet about it.

Gospel

The gospel is the "godspell,” the story of God in the person of Jesus. He came to bring salvation and other benefits of His kingdom to people who would receive them on His terms. John the Baptist learned about those benefits when he sent messengers to question Jesus. John wanted to know if Jesus would fulfill all of the Messianic Prophecies. Jesus replied by describing what was already taking place. He said: "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." (John 11:4-6).

Authority

Jesus assigned the task of evangelism to us. It includes doing all of the things John’s disciples saw Jesus do. Every believing gospel preacher should expect to see “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk; the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear; and the dead raised up,” as Jesus said in John 11:4-6.

But Jesus did not stop there. In Mark 16:15-18 He issued a command that applies to you and me. Any Christian who cannot find direction for himself in that command simply isn’t looking. He said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will follow those who believe:  In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Are you listening?

The Nicolaitan Doctrine still prevents Christians from exercising their ministry responsibilities. Laziness may contribute to satisfaction with the arrangement. However, if you believe Jesus, you should expect to see lost sinners “believe,” and become “baptized” in His Name, as a direct result of your witness to them.

If you believe Jesus, you should also expect to see sick people recover when you act in faith to “lay hands on” them in His Name.  If that hasn’t happened in your ministry, you may need the power gifts he provides when we submit to His command to receive the “Promise of” the “Father.” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:38-39).

Roman influence

Although the Roman Church gets credit for instituting the nonsense that robbed Christians of their ministry, Protestant Churches still help to perpetuate it. Many so-called “evangelical” preachers are content with the status quo. Some may be ignorant of the facts. Others don’t want to forfeit money, power, or influence. In both cases, Christians are not equipped for the work of ministry and Christians are not encouraged to perform the acts of ministry God expects of them.

You as a minister

It isn't necessary to stand behind a pulpit to preach the gospel.  You can preach, share, or what ever else you wish to call your actions, wherever you are, with anyone who will listen. Successful sharing may not require a prepared sermon either. Many lost sinners have come to Christ simply because they saw the gospel in action in a committed Christian.

It certainly isn't necessary to be an ordained member of the clergy to participate in the work of the kingdom (which only includes preaching). Jesus called us a kingdom of priests. (Rev. 1:6 and 5:10). You are authorized by our Lord, and responsible to Him, for sharing the gospel with people who need to hear it from you.

Get excited

Christians get excited when they see positive results from their personal efforts to lead lost sinners to Jesus and when they minister successfully to the needs of God’s people. Those Christians are anxious to serve Jesus and fellowship with Him. Others, like the Laodiceans, are seemingly unaware of their condition, not realizing what they are missing.

Counsel

The counsel Jesus offered the Laodiceans, as recorded in Rev. 3:18-22, could help wretched, poor, blind, naked Christians today: "Be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Verse 20).

Because Jesus commanded us to build His kingdom we need His indwelling presence. We must be empowered from within in order to fulfill our assignments. However, Jesus abides only in lives that are submitted to Him. Those are the lives that prosper in His service.

It doesn't happen by default. Our Lord does not force Himself on anyone.  You must initiate the activity that brings you close to Him and keeps you there. As my text implies, there are two definite steps required to begin your search for intimate fellowship with Jesus: “Be zealous and repent.” Make up your mind to follow Jesus closely and consistently.  Repent of the sins that bar the door. Invite Him to enter and    rule your Life. And let Him to do it.

Produce

In John 15:5 Jesus compared Christians with branches that feed on the vine of which they are a part.  We have no roots of our own. We must stay attached to the vine. In order to produce fruit for Him we must abide in Him, relying on Him for nourishment, empowerment and direction. Cooperation brings rewards. He said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7).

Aborted promise?

Some of us don't benefit from that promise because we either don't give His Word a chance to take root in our lives or we don’t obey it. His Word can change our lives, shape our attitudes, and conform us to His image – if we cooperate with the message and abide in the Author.

Peace

Abiding in Christ brings peace and satisfaction not available to Christians who struggle alone. It results from our awareness of His abiding presence within us. The world may give us a bad time temporarily. The ravages of time will exact unwelcome changes in our bodies eventually. But our hope is eternal.

Jesus overcame the world for us. (John 16:33). He restores our souls when we allow Him to lead us in paths of righteousness for His sake. (Psalm 23:3). “No weapon formed against us can prosper. God will condemn every tongue raised against us in judgment. This is our heritage as His servants. Our righteousness is of Him.” (Isaiah 54:17).  

Rest

Abiding in Christ day by day helps us resist the sins of our fallen nature, sins that damage our relationship with the Savior and interfere with our fruitfulness. Do you understand what I'm saying?  I am not even implying a need to become better than we are through our own efforts. If there is a way to do that I don't know about it. We simply need to rest in Christ, giving Him room to do, in and through us, what we cannot do ourselves. We cooperate by drawing near to Him and staying there consistently. As Isaiah 26:3-4 says, of God, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.  Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

Listen and obey

Listen when Jesus Christ knocks at the door of your heart. Open the door and let Him in, not for a temporary time of refreshing but to always receive strength to serve Him, as you need it.

Don't allow the Nicolaitans to keep you from fulfilling your calling. Share what you have in Christ with people who need to hear it from you. Do that successfully and you may get so excited about it that you will reclaim some jobs you have left to the Pastor for so long.

- - -

David E. Beneze, 1006 Fairview Ave., Canon City, CO.  Latest revision, 02/15/2007.