Jesse Crooks Ministries

09/28/2026

09/19/2026

The King at Your Door
(Rev. 3: 20-21
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (K.J.V.)

Introduction:

Our text comes at the end of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. It simply says that someone is standing at a door, knocking. That door is the door to His church and our hearts. This person stands at the heart’s door of every person and knocks. I want to ask three simple questions about this text. First question:

1. Who is this King? Who is this one that John says stands at our heart's door and knocks?

It's Jesus, the King of the Universe. But think about it. The Christ, who made the world and all that is in it (John 1:1-3 KJV), stands at our heart’s door, knocking and asking for entrance. We must understand that He, who has all power and all authority, will never force His way into our hearts and lives.

We should be honored that He would want to come in. I am deeply honored when someone I consider important comes to my home. Several years ago, on Monday night, an old friend of mine, my former supervisor, called to say they would be coming through Thomasville on Friday night. They wanted to know if it would be convenient for them to spend the night in our home. You understand that this friend’s wife is a home economics major. We have been in their home, and it is spotless. Nothing is out of place. We live in our home, which is a nice way to say we are not perfect housekeepers. What could I say? Sure, that would be fine. Then I made my second mistake. I told Linda that they were coming. I promise, she made Jaye Lynn, who still lived at home then, and I got up right then and started cleaning the house. Then she dared us to mess it up before Friday. We were honored that these friends would want to spend the night in our home.

Listen, the King of Glory is standing at your heart's door, knocking and asking, "May I please come in?" Friend, we should be honored that He wants to come into our hearts and lives. One of my fears is that many churches are refusing to open the door and invite Him in when He knocks.
2. Why does this King want to come in?
Why does this King want to come in not just to visit but to live in our hearts? Jesus wants intimate fellowship with us. The text says He wants to “sup” or dine with me and me with Him. In other words, He wants to share a meal with us.
After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. He had breakfast prepared for them. Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some the fish which ye have now caught.” (John 21:10 ASV) Jesus wants to share with us and us with Him.
Who do you invite over to eat with you? We never call the Mayor of Thomasville and invite him over for a cookout. Can't you see an old country boy like me inviting Governor Stein down for a meal? When I get ready for a meal, I invite my close friends.
Jesus wants to become your close friend. I don't believe it is disrespectful to say Jesus wants to have hamburgers with you in your backyard. You will never have a friend like Jesus.
Jesus wants to give you the power to overcome. According to John’s own definition, to be an overcomer is to be a Christian (1 John 5:4). We become overcomers when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. However, most of us have discovered that we can't completely overcome sin. We want to do better, but we can't. Living the Christian life is not easy; it's impossible. Only as Jesus is allowed to come in and take more control of our flesh can we have victory over our sins.

One of my favorite preachers was Dr. Adrian Rogers. He had almost perfect outlines and a voice that, I think, would sound like God’s if God were to speak audibly again. I listened to Dr. Rogers and started thinking I could do that. One Sunday, I took one of his sermons and preached it up in Lenoir. I thought I was so eloquent.
I have this little thing I like to do. When we were out of everyone’s earshot, I asked my wife, “How did I do?” That’s when she told me how good I was. Etc. That day, she was unusually quiet. When I asked again, she said, “Jesse, you are not Adrian Rogers.” I’ve got news for her! If Dr. Rogers lived within me, I could preach like him. Only He who has overcome can give us the power to overcome. The more of Him I let come in and take control, the more I can live like Him.
Jesus invites us to His Incarnation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It would be a great honor to be asked to sit on the platform while someone is sworn in as governor or president. Most of us will never know such an honor. But those who are overcomers will be asked to sit with Him as He is crowned KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 3:21). What a day! Sometimes I can hardly wait! Not only will we be asked to sit with Him at His Incarnation, but the Scripture teaches that we will reign with Him (1 Cor. 6:2 & 3). I hope He puts me over Thomasville, N.C. I’ve some things I want to straighten out.3. How do I let Him in? ¬

I had difficulty deciding to whom these words are addressed: to the world or the church, the saved or the lost. It could be to both.

What a sad picture, Jesus standing outside the Church for which He died, asking, "May I come in?" “Just as these churches existed in John’s Day, they all exist today. We have busy churches that have left their first love (Ephesus) and often end up lukewarm toward Christ.” Like the church of Laodicea, we are more dependent on our wealth and other things than on Him. Many of us have asked Him to be our Savior, but we have not allowed Him to become the Lord of our lives. We are still bond slaves to our old master, sin. What a shame! We will have pie in the sky by and by, but we are missing the chicken in the kitchen now because He's still not Lord of all. Someone has rightly said, "If He is not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all."

Of course, if you are reading this sermon and you are not a Christian, you need to open the door and let Him in to become your Savior and Lord. You do this simply by turning from your sins and asking Him into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. Then you must believe He will do what He promised in His Word.
The latch is on the inside.

An artist painted a picture of this text of Jesus standing at a vine-covered door tenderly and patiently knocking. He placed it in his gallery. When his friends began to view the painting, they thought they had found a mistake; the latch had been left off. Oh no. replied the artist,” the latch is on the inside.” As I said, He will not force His way into our hearts/
Conclusion:

I believe Jesus was with you as you read this sermon. He is knocking at your heart’s door. Will you open the door? Is there someone reading this who would invite Jesus into your heart as Savior and Lord right now? Is there a Christian who says He's not really been the Lord of my life? You need to make an act of recommitment. Make Him the Lord of all and over all. What a wonderful way to start a new! He won't force His way into our lives. Only you can open the door and let Him in.
1Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 805). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books

09/12/2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., were lambasted Friday for appearing to share a moment of levity at the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan during the solemn reading-of-the-names of victims.

Mamdani was already facing criticism from some 9/11 victims’ families over his attendance when a television feed showing the reading of victims’ names cut from a young man sobbing at the memorial to the mayor and congresswoman appearing to grin and laugh as they spoke, though their conversation was inaudible.

"Disgraceful," said Steve Guest, a former top staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "AOC and Mamdani look happy."

09/11/2026

We Remember
Linda and I were in Laurinburg, NC. I was doing a revival at East Laurinburg. That morning I was in the bathroom shaving and getting ready to attend the pastors conference when Linda broke out “Jesse, a plane had just hit the Twin towers in New York City. “At first, we thought it was some kind of a joke or maybe an accident. As the news continued, we learned it was a terrorist attack, and the Pentagon had also been hit with another plane. A third plane was headed toward the Capital, and the passengers attacked the terrorists and the plane crashed in Pennsylvania. By this time, we had all the people around us were expecting more attacks. At the Pastors conference we watched the news and prayed. I also suggested that we turn the revival service that night into a prayer meeting. Neither of us will ever forget that horrible day.
Jesse Crooks

08/01/2026

God bless Israel
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Gen. 12;3
27 Cursed be everyone that curseth thee,And blessed be he that blesseth thee Gen 27:29
103 Democrats voted recently to defund Israel which is over half. Four republicans sided with the Democrats.
Mayor of New York City Mamdani is wanting to have Natanyahu arrested for war crimes when he comes to New York.

America's Future Depends on Israel

I believe that America’s future depends in large part on one simple factor: our relationship to the tiny nation of Israel. And given the political trends in recent years, I believe that America is putting her future at risk. We supported Israel in the mid 20th century when she was reformed politically in her homeland. And if we do not return to our previous supportive policies toward Israel, our future as a nation is in peril. You may be wondering whether my thinking is upside down. I mean, after all, America is the world’s greatest superpower, Israel is a sliver of land accommodating only a few million citizens. (Dr. David Jeremiah)
Wake up and smell the coffee, Jesse Crooks

07/24/2026

This is probably not the best sermon I have ever preached, but it is the most important.
Marching Orders-
(Matthew 28: 18-20)

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Introduction:

When Jesus had finished his earthly ministry and was about to return to His place at the right hand of the Father, He commissioned His disciples and His New Church with the words of our text. We call them “The Great Commission.” I think that when we begin to understand these verses, we begin to understand what the Church is to be doing. Here, if you will, are marching our orders (our command to stand in the gap!) I want to point out four truths that are evident about this text.

1. These words are imperative.

You see, those were His very last words before He went away, His last will and testament. I believe He said, “While you wait for My return, I want you to tell the lost world about me and make disciples of them. I believe the number one priority of the Church is to tell people about Jesus. The Church's second priority is to tell more people about Jesus. I believe, you’ve guessed it; the number three priority of the Church is to tell the whole world about Jesus. I can’t think of any other reason Christ would have left His bride, the Church, in the world to suffer the things we have had to suffer, other than to win this world to Him.

I am alarmed when I read that it took forty-seven Southern Baptists one year to win one soul to Jesus. In 2024, an estimated 43% of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches reported zero baptisms, according to SBC Voices and social media reports that analyzed Lifeway Research data. Someone said, “We have turned the Great Commission into the Great Omission.” I think it’s time to rethink our priorities. The late, great Dr. Vance Havner said, “A lot of the activities in Churches are about as useless as rearranging the deck furniture on the Titanic. Listen, folks, if it’s fruitless, it’s useless. Any program in our Churches that does not ultimately, ultimately point people to Jesus and make disciples of them needs to be reevaluated.

2. Not only are they imperative, the words are also personal

The text says, “Therefore, (you) go and (you) make disciples of all the nations.” (Matt. 28:19) Wait, Jesse, are you suggesting that we all go be missionaries? Well, I think we all should be willing if that’s God’s plan for us. Can I say something to you? Until we are willing to go next door with the Gospel, we are not ready to go into all the world.
Those who remember their Greek better than I do say these words can read, as you are going.”

Parents, that home which God has placed you in charge of, that’s your world. You are to make disciples of all your children. Folks, that place where you work, those places where you shop and do business, those friends you hang out with, that’s your world. As you go into your world, you are to make disciples.

3. These words are empowered.

I have said, “I believe I could preach to ten thousand people.” Crowds do not bother me, as long as I have a solid oak pulpit between them and me. What intimidates me are one-on-one conversations with people I do not know. When I try to talk to a stranger, I stumble over my words. Every time the Spirit prompts me to give a personal witness, the devil says, “Jesse, you know they will not understand you. You are just going to make a mess of it.” I used to go soul-winning with a pastor and pray we would not find anyone home. Don’t laugh; some of you do the same thing, and you do not even have a speech problem.

One of the highlights of our ministry was our work with the Caldwell County Prison Unit in Hudson, N.C. We would go about once a quarter, and I preached to the inmates. We would experience good fellowship with the men who had become Christians since their incarceration, and hopefully we helped them grow spiritually. I would often tell them, I was the only crook (Crooks) in there that got to leave after chapel. They seemed to love my humor.

I began asking about going into the yard. It seemed like the thing to do. Well, word came that we had been granted permission to go in the yard before our services on Sunday night. We went to the yard, for the second time, on a cold Sunday afternoon in early January. The first person I encountered was a Muslim who had come to hear me preach that morning. I looked around for another worker to help me, but they were all busy talking with other inmates. So I said to the Lord, “You are going to have to help me.” I began to dialogue with that inmate. I don’t believe my speech has ever been plainer or I have ever been more confident about what I believe. I shared things that I didn’t know I knew. I didn’t win him to Christ, but I got him thinking. Jesus promised that if we do this, He’ll go with us. He’ll give the courage, the boldness, and all that we need to do the job. (Matt. 28:30b) I tell you this command is empowered

4. Last, but not least, these words are impending or urgent.

I cannot read these words without them jumping from the page with a sense of urgency. I believe Jesus is saying, "You go, and you go now.” Over two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35b) If this was so then, how much more so is it now? I know enough about farming to know that if farmers don’t get out and reap the harvest when it’s ready, they lose the crop. I think we are just about to lose the crop.

All the Biblical scholars that I listen to or read after believe that we are living in the very last moments of history. For whatever it’s worth, so do I. Someone has said that the clock of eternity is striking midnight and it has already struck eleven times. When Christ vacates the mercy seat to return to earth, there will no longer be any hope for those who are without Him. The Bible teaches that they will be doomed and damned to a devil’s hell not made for human consumption. Read your Bible; hell was created for the devil and his crowd. Hell is an awful place. If we could pull back the curtains of this awful place and could look in for ten seconds, every one of us would show up for soul-winning visitation next week.

Whether Christ comes tomorrow or tarries a thousand years, when people slip out into eternity, for them Christ has already come. I am sorry; I can’t find anything in this Bible about purgatory being a second chance. I wish I could. Every day precious souls slip out into eternity without Christ, and we argue about what color to carpet the sanctuary or paint the nursery. God forgive us and help us. Let’s make the main thing the main thing.

Conclusion;

How long has it been since you gave a personal verbal witness? Well! I witness by the way I live. I witness as I preach or teach. Good! You should. However, I believe each of us is required to share the Gospel one-on-one with those we meet as we go into all the world. I want to commit to you and my church to give a personal verbal witness within the next two weeks.

It was suggested to me some years ago that I choose a lost friend I know. That I pray for them and look for opportunities to share Jesus with them. Then trust the Lord to do the rest.

06/10/2024

“Revival Sermons To Revive The Church” by Jesse Crooks.
Dear friends of Jesse Crooks Ministry,
It is with great joy that I announce that Jesse’s book of Revival Sermons is now available for you to purchase and recommend to your friends, church members, pastors, and family members.
For over 50 years, Jesse has been preaching revivals, and at the suggestion of a pastor friend, he has compiled a book of his most powerful sermons. These sermons, which have been instrumental in reviving churches, encouraging pastors, and strengthening communities, are now available in a printed format for you to read, treasure, and share.
The sermons are filled with Scripture, stories, and humor that will encourage you and strengthen your faith. God has gifted Jesse Crooks for what He has called him to do, which has been decades of preaching with the Goal of Revival. Let me recommend the book to you and ask for your help spreading the word, ordering the book, and writing a positive review on the Amazon website.
The book is available in two formats for a very reasonable price. It is available on the Amazon Website. The E-book or digital book is available for 4.99, and the paperback is 9.99. By purchasing this book, you are not only enriching your spiritual journey but also contributing to the work and ministry of Jesse Crooks Ministry. The two links below will take you to the E-Book and the paperback on the website. Please share this exciting news with all your friends and pray for this book to touch many lives for years to come.
Pastor Dave Williams
A Friend of Jesse Crooks Ministries
https://www.amazon.c/dp/B0D6LXMM93/ref=monarch_sidesheet
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6LYDNQ7/ref=monarch_sidesheet

This book is full of fresh ideas for your revival sermons or your weekly worship service, I recommend this book to you. You will find the Gospel clearly and simply expounded and shared in this book. It is inexpensive and will be a great addition to your preaching library.