"Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 AMP
Today, Jesus is standing at the door of many churches knocking. He desires to come in and eat with believers—to be intimate and close to us—the church. But why is the door not opened to Him? How is it that the rightful owner who purchased the church with His blood is standing outside? Why is Jesus continually knocking?
A "lukewarm" church (Revelation 3:16) is a church that has abandoned the message of the cross. The cross is no longer the central part of sermons and teachings, which has left Jesus on the outside with the door closed, knocking and waiting.
The cross is the message of power (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18), and if it's lost its place of "first importance" (1 Corinthians 15:3) in the church, the very foundation of the church is compromised. If we invite others to fill its place, "good speakers" and "good programs," we close the church's door to the One who purchased her with His precious blood.
"He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:21 AMP
In Revelation 3:21, the promise to the overcoming church is connected to the power of the gospel. Jesus died on the cross and overcame death through resurrection power, then ascended to the Father, was accepted and seated on His throne. Our overcoming of the world, the flesh, and the devil is tied to the ongoing hearing of this message.
Oh, friend, may the church worldwide return wholeheartedly to the message of the cross that we might see many people die to sin and rise with Jesus to new life. This course is an invitation to open the door to Jesus, through returning to the message of the cross, that we might experience wonderful and intimate fellowship with Him.
Let’s begin by examining the church's chief responsibility known as “The Great Commission”, given by Jesus prior to His ascension into heaven.
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Question 1: According to Matthew 28:18-20 what is the primary function of all believers in Jesus Christ, the church?