The Door Was Never Locked

Two buildings are side by side. One's got a sign: No Trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted. That's the country club. A background check is required. You must prove your worth or stay outside.

Right next door — a hospital. The doors are open 24/7. Nobody's ever crawled in bleeding and gotten turned away for not looking presentable enough.

That's religion versus Jesus, right there.

John 6:37 settles it: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." No credentials listed. No cleanup required beforehand. Just — come.

We've made church a country club more times than we want to admit. We size people up before we size up their need for a Savior. We want them fixed before we let them close. That's never been Jesus. He turned over the money-changers' tables. He cast out devils. But a repentant sinner? Not one time did He ever turn one away.

Pastor, look at your doors. Are they automatic, or do folks need to clear a velvet rope first?

Saint, stop waiting to feel worthy enough to come. You never will on your own steam. Come limping. Come ashamed. Come with nothing in your hands but your brokenness — that's how every one of us got in the door.

Doors open 24/7 — hear the full message:

Pastor Fortunato
Founding Pastor & Preacher of the Word.
Pilgrim Baptist Church — Cookeville, Tennessee

https://pilgrimbaptist.church/
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/pilgrimbaptist/