Jesus Is A Gentleman

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

In today’s passage we read that Jesus is a gentleman. Jesus comes to us and asks to come into our lives. Revelation 3:20 – Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Jesus will not force His way into our lives – into our hearts. He offers – He stands and knocks – He waits for us to answer His call – and only then will He come into our lives and live with us. Jesus is a gentleman.

The artist that originally painted Jesus knocking on the door – knew that Jesus limited Himself. The original portrait had no handle on the outside of the door where Jesus was knocking. It appeared that the door had not been opened – at least for some time. The hinges were rusted and the nails as well. Jesus – in the original painting – was carrying a lantern – the light of the world was at the door of our heart – knocking and waiting. If your copy at home or one you’ve seen has a door knob on the outside – it is a fake – a bad copy.

So – Jesus is knocking – wanting to enter our lives. He comes with the free gift of salvation. He comes – wanting to shine light in our darkened world. He left heaven to live and die for you and for me. He loves us so much – He left glory and laid down His life for us – this gentleman.

Revival Coming to Trinity

Matthew 28:18–20

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Today’s passage is called the Great Commission. It is often seen as the marching orders for the Christian church. We are called to go and make disciples of or for Jesus Christ (whichever makes the most sense to you – lol). In the early years of the Christian movement called Methodist – making disciples – followers of Christ – seemed to be the main focus. Revivals and Camp Meetings were all the rage and altar calls were commonplace in Methodist worship – as pastors challenged parishioners to be transformed after the likeness of Christ. I remember revivals and camp meetings and altar calls and still use them today. I wonder how many pastors still call the people they serve to holiness?

Early Methodists were called to holiness – they were part of the holiness movement in the United States for instance. We were taught to study the Word of God (the Bible) and to strive to live our lives after what it taught. We were even encouraged to avoid some of the ills of our society. The way it was explained to me (as a third-generation Methodist pastor) – Methodists were encouraged to abstain from alcohol – from playing cards – from dancing – even from playing pool. The reason – again as it was explained to me – was because these social activities were often associated with bars and night clubs – with gambling and behavior and places that were not appropriate for folks striving to follow Christ and seeking holiness (makes sense to me). We were encouraged to avoid even the appearance of evil or sin (both Biblically and personally by pastors and parents). We were encouraged to keep Sunday set aside for the Lord. In my home growing up – Sunday was a day for Worship and Sunday School in the morning – a family lunch – a nap time – youth group – and worship in the evening. Sunday was a day set aside for being with God and with other Christians.

Advent – A Season of Waiting

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Advent is the season of waiting. During normal Decembers – without the pandemic – I would often make the mistake of going near the Mall in Annapolis. Mind you – I wouldn’t always be going to the Mall in Annapolis – just near it for something. I would sit through three light changes because only a few cars could get through at one time because the cars before them hadn’t gone very far and blocked them from moving further.

Advent is the season of waiting. During this season we usually do lots of waiting. We will wait in lines at the Malls and Shopping Centers – we will wait in traffic going here and there – whether we are headed where everyone else is headed or not – and we will wait for Christmas parties and activities (and more during a regular season). We might have waited in line for our Covid-19 vaccine or booster. Waiting is not new – we have been waiting for Christ’s return for over 2,000 years.

Advent is the season of waiting. Have any of us ever wondered why it has taken over 2,000 years for Christ to return? Talk about waiting! Today’s passage gives us some insight into the love of God and why we are still waiting. Here is today’s passage in partial context. It is a great teaching about one of the reasons for Advent – the waiting on Christ’s return!

John 3:16 and Our Border Crisis

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Americans have won the 2021 Ryder Cup tournament. They did it dominating fashion. If you watch any – you understand how dominate they were. Even if you don’t normally follow golf – I hope you watch some of this tournament.

If you watch golf at all – you are well aware that at many golf tournaments – someone will probably have a sign behind the golfers (where the cameras catch it) that reads John 3:16. This passage hits home with often as I continue to watch the national and international scene unfold around us. I understand nationalism and I think I understand our need to protect our borders and our people from terrorists and other threats. I listen to the debates about building a wall – denying certain people entrance into the USA – and the need to keep track of certain people. It can be very confusing at times and very mind blowing.

As Christians who are from a certain nation – we are often caught dealing with our national interests and our Christian global interests. Christ died for the whole world (although all will not accept His free gift of salvation). Christ died for the people we are trying to keep out of our nation – even the criminal elements. He died for the sins of the whole world – if we simply accept His Lordship in our lives. It is a hard place at times. It is tough taking a stand because there are arguments on both sides of most discussions.

Guilt and Satan Need to Be Behind Us

Philippians 3:13

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

A number of people who are members of the churches I have served and some friends of mine are dealing with the guilt of the past. Several have come to me to talk about it over the years. This is one of the biggest issues many of us face – forgetting the past and straining toward the future. Some of us tend to live in the past and the past – most often – will only hold us down and hold us back. Forgiving ourselves is often the problem. Long after we have confessed our sin to God and repented (grieved and turned away from our sin) of them and God has offered grace and mercy – we still tend to hang on to the guilt. Anyone with me this morning? I know this is speaking to me as I write it.

Paul was focused on being holy – being perfect – striving after Jesus with all that was within his power. In striving for perfection – he couldn’t – he wouldn’t – allow himself to dwell on past sin – having confessed it and repented of it – he was focused on the task ahead.

Satan wants us to dwell on our past sins. Satan wants to steal the joy of forgiveness – mercy – and grace. Satan wants us to live in guilt and without the freedom that comes from forgiveness. Think about it! Is there where some of us dwell – where some of us live?