Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church Series

A. Revelation 3:14 (READ)

1. Of the seven churches of Asia Minor, the church of Laodicea was the only one that Christ has

NOTHING good to say about it whatsoever.

a. Sardis was a DEAD church, but Jesus said “some of them were still alive and had not been

polluted by their culture”- Revelation 3:4.

b. There is not a single COMMENDATION from the Lord for ANYONE in this church.

2. Yet, as we will see, Christ doesn’t want to GIVE UP on them, and HOPES that they will let Him BACK into their LIVES.

B. BACKGROUND OF THE CITY:

1. Laodicea was LOCATED 48 miles south of Philadelphia and 96 miles east of Ephesus.

a. Today the ancient city is located near Denizli, Turkey (Shouldn’t that be a turkey instead of

rooster? Actually, Denizli is a name of specific breed of rooster developed in this city.)

b. You can still visit many of the RUINS of Laodicea. (The Temple dedicated to Zeus and his son

Apollo.) The city was originally called “Diospolis—the city of Zeus.”

2. The city of Laodicea was known for FOUR characteristics.

a. Famous Banking and Financial Center.

COMMENT:

The city was extremely WEALTHY. It was a major TRADE ROUTE that led from Ephesus to

Syria, meaning that the majority of the EAST/WEST trade had to pass through their CITY.

It was so wealthy that it refused any AID from the Roman government to REBUILD the city when it was devasted by an EARTHQUAKE in AD 61. They were very SELF-SUFFICIENT.

b. Famous Medical Treatment Center.

COMMENT:

Especially known for the treatment of the EYE. They produced a SALVE called “collyrium”, which eased the PAIN of the EYE. People came from all around to receive these TREATMENTS.

c. Famous Textile Center.

COMMENT:

Very expensive CLOTH and MATERIAL were produced in Laodicea. They specialized in costly BLACK WOOL—a garment popular among ROMAN ROYALTY and the WEALTHY.

d. Famous Health Resort.

COMMENT:

There were warm MINERAL SPRINGS just north of Laodicea. It was a place where many weary TRAVELERS came to REST and SOAK to relieve fatigue and muscle strain. However, the water in these springs was undrinkable. Therefore, fresh water had to be piped from neighboring cities

along the Lycus River by Roman AQUEDUCTS.

According to Sir William Ramsay, renowned historian and archaeologist, HOT WATER was piped in 5 miles from Hierapolis and COLD WATER was piped in 10 miles from Colossae, but by the time the WATER reached Laodicea it was all LUKEWARM.

MESSAGE:

I. THE CONDEMNATION OF CHRIST- Revelation 3:15-17 (READ)

A. They are LUKEWARM- vv. 15-16

1. Christ said, “you are neither COLD or HOT”.

a. They are not COLD, which is characterized by complete and utter APATHY or UNBELIEF.

b. They are not HOT, which is characterized by fervent PASSION and ZEAL.

2. Yet, Christ said, “I’d rather have you COLD or HOT.”

a. Greek word Christ uses for “HOT” is zestos, which means BOILING HOT.

-It’s the same root word Paul uses in Roman 12:11- “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your

spiritual FERVOR (there’s the word), serving the Lord.”

COMMENT:

Even as Paul told the Roman Christians to “keep their spiritual fervor”, Christ would rather have the Christians of Laodicea (and really, for EVERY CHRISTIAN) to be “boiling hot” than

“lukewarm”. He wants them on FIRE for Him and His church.

When BELIEVERS are on FIRE for the Lord, you will see it in their LIVES and WORSHIP and SERVICE to Christ and His church. Those who are “BOILING HOT” don’t have to be BEGGED and COAXED to SERVE the Lord. They SERVE, not out of a COLD sense of DUTY, but out of FERVENT LOVE for Jesus who DIED for them.

b. Greek word Christ uses for “COLD” is psuchros, meaning more than just COLD (which is

actually a different Greek word), but means CHILLED or ICY COLD.

COMMENT:

Now, it seems to me that Christ would much rather have His followers to be LUKEWARM than ICY COLD, but that’s not the CASE. A person who is ICY COLD knows where he or she stands SPIRITUALLY, but not so with a LUKEWARM Christian. Such a person is SATISFIED

with his or her SPIRITUAL LIFE.

Often a person who is COLD has more HOPE of CHANGE than a LUKEWARM Christian. The term “ICY COLD” indicates one who has NEVER given his or her LIFE to Christ. There is always HOPE that such a person will LEARN the TRUTH and be CONVICTED of SIN and then

TURN to Christ and SERVE Him with FERVENCY and ZEAL.

It is more difficult to CONVICT a person with just enough RELIGION or SPIRITUALITY that gives him or her a FALSE sense of SECURITY that everything is OKAY and PLEASING to Christ. But it DOES NOT please the Lord.