The Laodicean Church Series

Thursday, April 13, 2000

The Laodicea Church

Rev 3: 14-22

Re 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Let’s notice first of all Jesus announces Himself as the AMEN

thou art neither cold nor hot:

Before they were saved, they had been cold. When they accepted Christ, became hot. Now they had slipped into a dangerous place.

No longer hot enough to respond to the Spirit’s moving by not cold enough to realize their real need.

They were not accomplishing anything for God nor were they responding to the calls of repentance.

Mt 25:14 ¶ For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. :26 His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.

:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Lord could not use this people nor could He bless them, so Jesus has to vomit, reject such followers.

Laodicea was a wealthy center of commerce. Prosperity was the cause of the lukewarmeness in the Laodicean congregation. They had become rich and increased with goods.

They were so taken up with material matters that they were neglectiving their spiritual lives.

This Church suffered no persecution. It was not troubled by false doctrine or false apostles. Wonder why?

They said we have need of nothing. God saw them wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

It is dangerous to compare ourselves among ourselves.

GOD GIVES THE A CHALLENGE

Re 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

: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.

:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

God’s mercy is still be offered

Buy of me gold tried in the fire. Purity

That they be clothed in white raiment

anoint thine eyes

Do not take advantage of your sight, vision of Christ.

Then Jesus comes with a warm and lovely word, :19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Jesus is not a Savior that is afar off, but is present right at hand.

I stand at the door, and knock

This is now not later. This is Jesus real desire, not to vomit them out, but to dine with them. Jesus is a restorer. No matter where you have drifted.

Notice Jesus does not force His way into the church or the person’s life, but knocks.

To every overcomer He promises I grant to sit with me in my throne.

:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

We talk a lot about feeling the Spirit and you can, but do you hear the Spirit speaking tonight.