Sermon – Revelation 3 – Laodicea
- Today,
we will conclude our look at the seven Churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3:
- Ephesus careless Jesus knows their works
- Smyrna crushed, but crowned Jesus knows their worries
- Pergamum compromising Jesus knows their whereabouts
- Thyatira corrupt Jesus knows the woman there
- Sardis crippled Jesus knows their withering
- Philadelphia committed Jesus knows their weakness
- Laodicea complacent Jesus knows their wretchedness
- The
Laodicean Church may be most known about due to the visuals … being lukewarm …
being spued out of Jesus’ mouth … not recognizing their horrible condition …
thinking they are good enough on their own … and Jesus standing at the door and
knocking and knocking and wanting the church to open the door and share a meal.
- The
city of Laodicea was located in the Lycus valley, about 45 miles SE of
Philadelphia and about 100 miles E of Ephesus.
It was a wealthy city, that even refused imperial help after an
earthquake destroyed the city. It was also
known for its medical school which produced an ointment used for eye defects. They had a market which sold fine goods,
including wool garments. It is even said
that this city was a retirement location; and those that lived there thought
they had served their purposed or reached their goal – and were indifferent on
social issues. And then they had their
water system, which brought hot mineral water from Hierapolis; and cold water from
Colossae.
- Revelation
3:14-22 (NLT) … (14) Write this letter to the angel of the church in
Laodicea. This is the message from the
one who is the Amen – the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new
creation: (15) I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor
cold. I wish that you were one or the
other! (16) But since you are like
lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! (17) You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing! And you don’t realize that you are wretched
and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
(18) So I advise you to buy gold
from me – gold that has been purified by fire.
Then you will be rich. Also buy
white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and
ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. (19) I correct and discipline everyone I
love. So be diligent and turn from your
indifference. (20) Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I
will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (21) Those who are victorious will sit with
me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. (22) Anyone with ears to hear must listen to
the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
- The letter to the Church in Laodicea is from THE AMEN – the faithful and true witness.
- Amen
is transliterated from Hebrew into both Greek and English; and is associated
with the ideas of truth / reality and faithfulness / reliability. When God says “amen” it means it is and shall
be so – affirming the truth and reliability of what He said. When man says “amen” they mean so let it be
and confirms their agreement with what was said.
- Have
you come across passages that being with “truly, truly,” or “verily, verily?” If so, that is Amen, Amen being translated;
and when Jesus used it, He wanted His listeners to pay close attention. Remember, Jesus spoke with power and
authority.
- Have
you ever had an idea, but did not think anyone would listen because you did not
have the clout? Have you listened to a
speaker or read a book where someone with more experience or education is
quoted to get you to believe a certain thing?
I am sure we all have, but here, Jesus is speaking on His own behalf –
as the ultimate source of truth.
- Jesus
also says He is the and depending on your translation – the beginning, source,
or ruler of God’s creation. All three of
those are possible definitions of the Greek word “arche.”
- Jesus
is faithful, sovereignty, and has all the power … we would best to not forget
that.
- While
looking at the other Churches, we would read about something they were
commended for, and then a “but I have this against you,” … Here, the Church in
Laodicea is not commended at all. The
entire letter is a complaint and call to repentance.
- Just
like with previous Churches, Jesus knows the deeds of this congregation as
well; and He knows they are apathetic.
They just do not care. Is that
the philosophy of this congregation or anyone of us? Is this the American Church? Is this the Western Church? Do we not care what happens, to either
ourselves or our communities? Is this
the Church (or individual believers) that would rather watch TV than pray or
study? Is it the Church (or individual
believers that have no problem sitting through a 3-hour ballgame, but an
hour-long service or study is too to ask; or not something they have time
for? It is the Church and individuals
that have their priorities out of line; and have lost sight of what God has
done for them and what He wants to do for them and through them … that is true.
- Jesus
says they are lukewarm … they are too hot to be considered cold … they are too
cold to be considered hot … they have no zeal, no passion, no enthusiasm … they
may even seem bored with God and His Church … they may not care about
sanctification or personal holiness … they may have no concern for others or
want to serve … they lack a hunger for biblical knowledge … even going through
the motions is done without fervor … prayers have no power … songs are barely
sung … nothing is sacrificed … nothing is gained … and the outside world sees
this and you can’t blame them for not wanting to join …
- Since
they have no passion, no zeal, no fire; Jesus is going to spit them out of His
mouth … but if you go to the Greek, the word “emeo” means to vomit … that’s the
disgust that the Lord has for this congregation; and I believe it is the same
sentiment that will be given to those He tells to depart because He does not
know them … heed my words, my friends … do not be vomited out … do the right
things for the right reasons and for the right outcomes.
- Being
HOT or COLD would have been a good thing.
The cold water from Colossae would have been good for drinking, cooking,
or cleaning. The hot water from
Hierapolis was used to clean wool or set the dyes; and the residents of
Laodicea may have even gone to Hierapolis to sit in the hot mineral baths and
be refreshed.
- I’ve
also read that the ancient Greeks liked their wine either HOT or COLD; and
offering someone a lukewarm drink was an insult and would have been spit
out. The wine would have been placed in
a hot water bath to be heated; or in a cold-water bath or snow to cool.
- The
COLD Christian could be seen as someone that helps people or meets needs. The HOT Christian could be seen as someone
who doesn’t fade and brings healing to people by praying for them and leading
them to Christ. Someone that is lukewarm
doesn’t care about anyone else’s physical or spiritual needs.
- This
Church is rebuked because they no longer cared about or relied on God. Their gold, wool, and ointment would sustain
them … their own riches were enough … they had made idols and were storing up
treasures on earth, not in heaven.
- They
were blind to their true condition, which was wretched, miserable, poor, blind,
and naked. They thought they had it all
figured out and could do everything on their own. Let’s not be like that. Let’s have the right perspectives and
attitudes. Let’s not allow fame or greed
or pride or stuff or money come before God … let’s use what we’ve been given to
help others; and not just horde it or lord it over anyone.
- Those
in Laodicea thought they were rich, but Jesus says He offers true riches; and
wants them to purchase gold from Him. 1st
Peter 1:5-9 compares faith with refined gold.
This church needed to repent of their trust in worldly things and place
that trust in Jesus.
- Jesus’
gold would be free from impurities – nothing but pure gold. A physical fire can burn away the impurities
or allow them to be separated. A
spiritual fire burns away the impurities from the world and cleanses us for the
Lord’s work.
- Fine woolen garments were sold in Laodicea, but Jesus tells the church they need clothes. The wool was dyed dark, but Jesus would be providing white garments which represents purity, righteousness, or wisdom … the Bride will white robes washed in Jesus’ blood. ents.
- Even
though the medical school in the city produced the best ointment, Jesus says
they are blind. If they purchase His ointment,
they will be able to see. They will no
longer be blind to sin and their wretched spiritual condition. They will be able to see clearly and realize
that Satan had them blinded and headed toward death and destruction.
- Verse
19 says that Jesus rebukes or corrects or disciplines those He loves; so if you
are convicted, then take that as a sign that Jesus loves you and wants better
for you. It is never pleasant to be
disciplined, but once on the other side we are better off; and it is better to
be given another chance here, when we have the opportunity to repent, then to
die apart from Jesus and be punished for eternity.
- If
this church or any individual is indifferent, lukewarm, doesn’t care … then
change and change right now … have your focus be on Jesus and what you can do
for His kingdom and others …
- Jesus
is standing at the door and is knocking.
He isn’t barging in. He isn’t
demanding to be let in. He is a
gentleman. He doesn’t force Himself or
His ways on you; but His ways are best and we would be wise to follow them.
- If
you let Him in … if you follow Him … if you obey Him … if you give up what He
asks … then you will share a meal; and this just isn’t an ordinary dinner … I
believe it refers to the great banquet of the Lamb … the eternal wedding
feast.
- If
we are victorious, we will reign with Christ, just as He reigns with God the
Father.
- We
have ears and we have heard the Word this morning. It is up to us to act accordingly. If we need to change, then we should. If we refuse, if we are stiff-necked, then
our own detriment is coming.
- Being
lukewarm doesn’t happen in one day; and the flip side is just as true … we
don’t become pray warriors or bible scholars quickly either … it is a process …
becoming lukewarm may start with missing a service here or there and then
before you know it, you never go … or you miss a few days of prayers and then
before you know it, you never pray … or the same with bible reading or giving
or serving … it’s a gradual process where other things are put before God …
- To come out is the same … allow God to lead and prune … allow Him to sanctify you … take each day at a time and put God first and seek His Will in each and every thing. Build that hunger and passion. Be HOT (or COLD) for the LORD!