Knock, Knock -- Who's There?
Preaching
Lions And Cows Dining Together
And 111 Other Sermon Ideas
Object:
Purpose Statement: How do we handle the religious zealots who knock at our door?
I was at a ministers' retreat one time when one of our clergy friends came up to our circle of five gathered in idle conversation and singled out "Bill," one of our enthusiastic members, saying to him, "I have a new knock-knock joke. You start it." Bill, eager to enter in, quickly said, "Knock, knock." Our friend replied, "Who's there?" to which Bill obviously had no reply. He had been had, and we all laughed. Though taken in, Bill looked around the room for someone on which he could pull the same stunt. He rushed over to another informal group of five as I tagged along saying to myself, "Oh, this will be good." Bill accosted one of the groups quickly, saying, "I have a new knock-knock joke. Knock, knock." The other person dutifully replied, "Who's there?" Obviously Bill had no reply. He had been had a second time.
What do you say to the enthusiastic religious person who knocks on your door to tell you you are not in the right church until you join their church? They quote scripture better than you can and will not take "No" for an answer. Do you not answer the door? Do you open the door and rudely turn them away? Do you just patiently listen and feebly argue until they get tired and go away?
a. First, respect them. They may come a-callin' from God. They may have the message all garbled and be unaware of their confusion, but their heart is in the right place. They mean well. They just don't appreciate their narrow intolerant perspective. But you love them anyway, and treat them with respect. Of course, there is a small outside chance they are speaking for God. Remember how God came knocking on Samuel's door (1 Samuel 31-10) and Sam had a difficult time recognizing God. If nothing else, it can be an inadvertent reminder to you to get off your apathy. But be kind even when they get pushy. I always deal lovingly with telemarketers; some of them really believe in what they are selling. I say quickly and kindly, "Thank you, but I am not interested at this time," and hang up immediately preserving their time so that they might call you.
b. Second, be secure in your faith. If they bewilder you with their scripture and arguments, whose fault is that? Each of us needs to have a working faith; a religion that answers questions and gives us assurance. Paul said for us to work out our faith with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12); or to be very intentional in knowing our God and God's will for us. Through Bible reading, prayer, church school, and retreats, we should be prepared to match wits with whoever knocks on our door. It is we who should have a message for them. Turn the "knock, knock" around. Once you have worked out your faith, you will be eagerly desiring for someone to knock at your door.
c. Third, ask probing questions. Challenge them with difficult questions: "How does God take care of us?" "If God is loving, why does God allow evil and pain in the world?" "Are some good people lost?" And don't settle for simple non-answers, keep pushing. They won't know it, but you are doing them a favor. Ask yourself the same questions and see if your faith has some intelligible answers.
d. Fourth, don't wait until they knock on your door. This is not about preparation for debate. This is about having a sustaining faith. Some people have lost their faith due to unfortunate incidents they could not handle. Someone's child is killed in a car accident and they don't know why, so they blame God. They surrender their faith because of poor theology. It is more than just believing in God or Jesus. We are told (Luke 12:11-12) that when we are challenged we should not worry because the Holy Spirit will give us the right answers. I think not -- unless we have developed a relationship with the Holy Spirit beforehand. Start immediately building a sustaining faith and when you hear the knock, knock, no matter who's there, you can say, "I'm ready!"
I was at a ministers' retreat one time when one of our clergy friends came up to our circle of five gathered in idle conversation and singled out "Bill," one of our enthusiastic members, saying to him, "I have a new knock-knock joke. You start it." Bill, eager to enter in, quickly said, "Knock, knock." Our friend replied, "Who's there?" to which Bill obviously had no reply. He had been had, and we all laughed. Though taken in, Bill looked around the room for someone on which he could pull the same stunt. He rushed over to another informal group of five as I tagged along saying to myself, "Oh, this will be good." Bill accosted one of the groups quickly, saying, "I have a new knock-knock joke. Knock, knock." The other person dutifully replied, "Who's there?" Obviously Bill had no reply. He had been had a second time.
What do you say to the enthusiastic religious person who knocks on your door to tell you you are not in the right church until you join their church? They quote scripture better than you can and will not take "No" for an answer. Do you not answer the door? Do you open the door and rudely turn them away? Do you just patiently listen and feebly argue until they get tired and go away?
a. First, respect them. They may come a-callin' from God. They may have the message all garbled and be unaware of their confusion, but their heart is in the right place. They mean well. They just don't appreciate their narrow intolerant perspective. But you love them anyway, and treat them with respect. Of course, there is a small outside chance they are speaking for God. Remember how God came knocking on Samuel's door (1 Samuel 31-10) and Sam had a difficult time recognizing God. If nothing else, it can be an inadvertent reminder to you to get off your apathy. But be kind even when they get pushy. I always deal lovingly with telemarketers; some of them really believe in what they are selling. I say quickly and kindly, "Thank you, but I am not interested at this time," and hang up immediately preserving their time so that they might call you.
b. Second, be secure in your faith. If they bewilder you with their scripture and arguments, whose fault is that? Each of us needs to have a working faith; a religion that answers questions and gives us assurance. Paul said for us to work out our faith with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12); or to be very intentional in knowing our God and God's will for us. Through Bible reading, prayer, church school, and retreats, we should be prepared to match wits with whoever knocks on our door. It is we who should have a message for them. Turn the "knock, knock" around. Once you have worked out your faith, you will be eagerly desiring for someone to knock at your door.
c. Third, ask probing questions. Challenge them with difficult questions: "How does God take care of us?" "If God is loving, why does God allow evil and pain in the world?" "Are some good people lost?" And don't settle for simple non-answers, keep pushing. They won't know it, but you are doing them a favor. Ask yourself the same questions and see if your faith has some intelligible answers.
d. Fourth, don't wait until they knock on your door. This is not about preparation for debate. This is about having a sustaining faith. Some people have lost their faith due to unfortunate incidents they could not handle. Someone's child is killed in a car accident and they don't know why, so they blame God. They surrender their faith because of poor theology. It is more than just believing in God or Jesus. We are told (Luke 12:11-12) that when we are challenged we should not worry because the Holy Spirit will give us the right answers. I think not -- unless we have developed a relationship with the Holy Spirit beforehand. Start immediately building a sustaining faith and when you hear the knock, knock, no matter who's there, you can say, "I'm ready!"
