When God Stops Knocking

 Sermon Handout

Re 3:20 (NKJV) — 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.

In this message, I want you to recognize that God’s invitation to salvation and a relationship with him is not endless. Drawing from John 12:36-43 and Revelation 3:20, I want you to see that while Jesus gently knocks on the door of our hearts, our continual rejection of what He requests can lead to divine silence and separation.

The people in Jesus' day saw miracles but did not believe; as a result, He hid Himself from them. I hope this message will encourage all of us to stop procrastinating, confess Christ boldly, and resist the temptation to please the world over God.

I feel a deep sense of urgency and want to remind all of us that every day is an opportunity to respond before the knocking stops, because the time is coming when the door will be closed permanently and a chance for our repentance will be gone.

Additional scriptures referenced:

John 12:36 – “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light… and He was hidden from them.”

 Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”

 John 12:37–43 – They did not believe… then they could not believe.

 Isaiah 6:10 (quoted in John 12:40) – “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts…”

Why You Need To Act Now!

Romans 1:21, 24 – They knew God but did not glorify Him, so God gave them up.

Amos 8:11–12 – A famine of hearing the word of the Lord.

Proverbs 29:1 – He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck will be destroyed suddenly.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 – “Do not quench the Spirit.”

Genesis 6:3 – “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.”

Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while He may be found…”

Why You Must Put Christ First!

Luke 12:16–21 – The parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns.

Matthew 16:24 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…”

Luke 9:26 – “Whoever is ashamed of Me… of him the Son of Man will be ashamed.”

Matthew 10:32–33 – “Whoever confesses Me before men… I will confess before My Father…”

Now, please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as you consider your response to some of the questions from my message.

• Are there areas in your life where you’ve sensed God knocking, but you’ve delayed letting Him in?

• What are some ways you may have said 'Not now, God' through your actions or inaction?

• In what ways do you see yourself conforming to the world rather than living as a child of light?

• Have you been more concerned with the approval of people than the approval of God?

• Is there a conviction the Holy Spirit has placed on your heart that you’ve been ignoring?

• What does it mean to you that Jesus departed and hid Himself in John 12:36?

• How does spiritual procrastination show up in your life? What excuses are you making?

• In what areas of your life today is the Holy Spirit urging you to confess Christ openly—not just with your lips but with your life?

• Are you currently honoring the calling God has placed on your life? Why or why not?

• What step of obedience do you feel God is asking you to take right now before the knocking stops?

I also want to remind you that this is part of the current study I am doing in my DADS class (Disciples Advancing in Doctoral Studies) each Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:00. You are most welcome to attend or follow our stream on Facebook and preferably YouTube. 

If you desire further information, please contact your Deacon or Pastoral Care here at the church. 205-838-1386

I pray for an abundance of the Lord’s blessings upon you and your entire household!

Bishop Lowe