Make an Appointment with the Lord and Keep it
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
This is one of the most popular verses in the book of Revelation. But as popular as it is, we often miss what it is saying, not because we overlook what it is saying, but to whom. We often picture Jesus standing outside an unbeliever's house (heart) asking to come in. In other words, this passage is seen as an invitation for salvation. But in context, we’ll see that is an improper understanding. The problem is, the unbeliever is not who Revelation 3:20 is written to.
In the first few chapters of Revelation, John records messages from God to seven churches. These were real churches with real Christians that existed in John’s day. And in Revelation 3:14-22, the church of Laodicea is being addressed. To fully understand the meaning of Revelation 3:20 for us today we must first understand who the original audience was. When we do this, what you will see is that there are a lot of similarities between those ancient churches and ours today.
When Jesus says “behold I stand at the door and knock,” He’s actually addressing a church consisting of His followers, and not unbelievers. Why would He say this to them? Let’s look a little further into the Laodicean church and who they were to understand.
Laodicea was located in a heavily resourced area and the people who lived there had comfortable lives. They prided themselves on their ability to provide for themselves; so much so that when an earthquake destroyed their city in 60 AD, they refused help from the Roman Empire, insisting instead to pay for the rebuilding themselves. This attitude of self-sufficiency spilled over into the church. They thought they had it all together and figured out. But in a stern rebuke, prompted by love, the Lord points out their weaknesses saying, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (v. 19)
What was it that they needed to repent from? Dependence on their riches and prosperity? Perhaps, but I see something much more severe. Remember, these were believers who made a profession of faith and who could claim, “Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) But now, why was Christ outside their house (heart) saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock?” Jesus had once entered their lives, keeping His promise, “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4) What was He doing outside knocking?
The self-sufficiency and dependence on other things besides the Lord by the Laodicean Christians had caused them to shut Him out of their lives. In short, they had thrown Him out of the house! Oh, how this must have been a punch in the gut to that church when they received this letter from the Lord.
Yet, here He is, in compassion and love, knocking on the door, and in essence, offering them a second chance. An opportunity to once again invite Him in. How welcome is the Lord in your house (heart)? Is there any part that He is not welcome in? Or perhaps, He resides there, but you have found that the time you spent with Him has been wavering, or has even become non-existent, as your time in prayer declines or even diminishes.
RB Munger has written a little book entitled “My Heart, Christ’s Home” based on Revelation 3:20, and likens Christ’s dwelling within to an actual home. In it, there is a chapter called “The Living Room” which speaks of his prayer life. I’d like to share it with you:
I can relate to what RB Munger wrote. Many years ago I was preparing to compete in a professional powerlifting contest and gradually, my time in prayer was replaced with time in the gym, as I spent three hours a day, every day, training to be as strong as I could be. God wasn’t going to let me get away with that. His Holy Spirit kept bringing the conviction that Jesus is longing to spend time with me when I prayed. But I would respond, “I’m six weeks away from the contest, I’ll pray more after I have competed. You understand, don’t You Lord?”
Oh, the Lord understood. He understood that I would ignore Him waiting for me in my “Living Room” as I chose to rather spend time with the idol of powerlifting. And after He dealt with me, I learned that I needed to schedule a time to be with the Lord in prayer, and keep it!
You see, scheduling an appointment means that you keep it, and do not plan for anything else during that time. Scheduling an appointment provides for a specific time and place to meet, rather than meeting “when you find time.” Scheduling an appointment helps us to keep our commitments, without finding excuses or rationalizing why we do not meet.
I urge you to schedule an appointment with the Lord, and keep it. To support you in this, we have booked several appointments for you throughout the week, and every week, to meet with the Lord. Below you will find those appointments. The Lord is waiting, schedule your appointment today!
Other Specific Prayer Gatherings/Happenings
Yours, In His Service,
Erol Senses
Church Administrator
This is one of the most popular verses in the book of Revelation. But as popular as it is, we often miss what it is saying, not because we overlook what it is saying, but to whom. We often picture Jesus standing outside an unbeliever's house (heart) asking to come in. In other words, this passage is seen as an invitation for salvation. But in context, we’ll see that is an improper understanding. The problem is, the unbeliever is not who Revelation 3:20 is written to.
In the first few chapters of Revelation, John records messages from God to seven churches. These were real churches with real Christians that existed in John’s day. And in Revelation 3:14-22, the church of Laodicea is being addressed. To fully understand the meaning of Revelation 3:20 for us today we must first understand who the original audience was. When we do this, what you will see is that there are a lot of similarities between those ancient churches and ours today.
When Jesus says “behold I stand at the door and knock,” He’s actually addressing a church consisting of His followers, and not unbelievers. Why would He say this to them? Let’s look a little further into the Laodicean church and who they were to understand.
Laodicea was located in a heavily resourced area and the people who lived there had comfortable lives. They prided themselves on their ability to provide for themselves; so much so that when an earthquake destroyed their city in 60 AD, they refused help from the Roman Empire, insisting instead to pay for the rebuilding themselves. This attitude of self-sufficiency spilled over into the church. They thought they had it all together and figured out. But in a stern rebuke, prompted by love, the Lord points out their weaknesses saying, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (v. 19)
What was it that they needed to repent from? Dependence on their riches and prosperity? Perhaps, but I see something much more severe. Remember, these were believers who made a profession of faith and who could claim, “Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) But now, why was Christ outside their house (heart) saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock?” Jesus had once entered their lives, keeping His promise, “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4) What was He doing outside knocking?
The self-sufficiency and dependence on other things besides the Lord by the Laodicean Christians had caused them to shut Him out of their lives. In short, they had thrown Him out of the house! Oh, how this must have been a punch in the gut to that church when they received this letter from the Lord.
Yet, here He is, in compassion and love, knocking on the door, and in essence, offering them a second chance. An opportunity to once again invite Him in. How welcome is the Lord in your house (heart)? Is there any part that He is not welcome in? Or perhaps, He resides there, but you have found that the time you spent with Him has been wavering, or has even become non-existent, as your time in prayer declines or even diminishes.
RB Munger has written a little book entitled “My Heart, Christ’s Home” based on Revelation 3:20, and likens Christ’s dwelling within to an actual home. In it, there is a chapter called “The Living Room” which speaks of his prayer life. I’d like to share it with you:
The living room was intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. He (Jesus) said, "This is, indeed, a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together."
Well, as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in close companionship. He promised, "I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together.”
So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room. He would take a book of the Bible from the case. We would open it and read together. He would unfold to me the wonder of God's saving truths. My heart sang as He shared the love and the grace He had toward me. These were wonderful times.
However, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I'm not sure. I thought I was too busy to spend regular time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand. It just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss days now and then. Urgent matters would crowd out the quiet times of conversation with Jesus.
I remember one morning rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. I passed the living room and noticed that the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly, in dismay, I thought to myself, "He is my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as my Savior and Friend, and yet I am neglecting Him."
I stopped, turned and hesitantly went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?”
"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Even if you cannot keep the quiet time for your own sake, do it for mine.”
The truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He wants me to be with Him and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find time when, with your Bible and in prayer, you may be together with Him.
I can relate to what RB Munger wrote. Many years ago I was preparing to compete in a professional powerlifting contest and gradually, my time in prayer was replaced with time in the gym, as I spent three hours a day, every day, training to be as strong as I could be. God wasn’t going to let me get away with that. His Holy Spirit kept bringing the conviction that Jesus is longing to spend time with me when I prayed. But I would respond, “I’m six weeks away from the contest, I’ll pray more after I have competed. You understand, don’t You Lord?”
Oh, the Lord understood. He understood that I would ignore Him waiting for me in my “Living Room” as I chose to rather spend time with the idol of powerlifting. And after He dealt with me, I learned that I needed to schedule a time to be with the Lord in prayer, and keep it!
You see, scheduling an appointment means that you keep it, and do not plan for anything else during that time. Scheduling an appointment provides for a specific time and place to meet, rather than meeting “when you find time.” Scheduling an appointment helps us to keep our commitments, without finding excuses or rationalizing why we do not meet.
I urge you to schedule an appointment with the Lord, and keep it. To support you in this, we have booked several appointments for you throughout the week, and every week, to meet with the Lord. Below you will find those appointments. The Lord is waiting, schedule your appointment today!
- Corporate Prayer: Last Wednesday of the month at 7pm
- Men’s Brunch Prayer: Third Saturday of the month at 10 am
- Ladies' Time of Renewal Prayer: Second Saturday of the month at 10 am
- Men’s Prayer: Thursdays at 8 am
- Ladies' Prayer: Tuesdays at 9 am
- Global Partners Prayer: Wednesdays at 7 pm
- Life Group Prayer: Thursdays at 7 pm
- Praying for the Service: Sundays at 9 am
- Online Men’s Prayer: 7 days a week at 9 am and 7 pm (contact Kim or Eric)
- Prayer Station: Saturdays at 10 am from Spring to Fall
Other Specific Prayer Gatherings/Happenings
- Staff Prayer: Tuesdays at 10:30 am
- Elder Prayer: Saturdays at 9 am
- Regional Leaders/Pastor Prayer: Wednesdays at 10 am
Yours, In His Service,
Erol Senses
Church Administrator