Clueless! Series

Hot or Cold? Clueless!

lanny smith

Seven / Church at Laodicea / Revelation 3:14–22

• Clueless People

The Church At Laodicea

Revelation 3:14 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:

• Laodicea [MAP]

• Successful center of banking, textiles (black wool), medicine (esp. eye ointment).

• No local source of fresh water. Warm hot springs water from the north, cool spring water from the south but was lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. Tasted terrible.

• Jesus speaks as the AMEN. Lit. the binding word, the “so be it.” He is the divine source (new creation).

• Essentially, his judgment is accurate and final.

• He has some things to say to this clueless church.

You’re Not Doing Anything!

Revelation 3:15–16 NLT

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!

• Cluelessness defined.

• Things you do = “work.” But it’s useless, half-hearted.

• Note: Hot can be good and cold can be good depending on the circumstances. Lukewarm is almost never effective.

• Drinking from the hose. Had to wait for the water left in the hose to clear out before you get to the cold tap water.

• The problem is that they have become static. No longer growing because they have become self-satisfied.

• NT always expects maturation of disciples.

John 15:5 NLT

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 NLT

8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

• But Jesus is so frustrated he is ready to spew them out.

You Don’t Have a Clue!

Revelation 3:17 NLT

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.

• What’s the problem? Cluelessness based on their circumstances. Measured by material things.

Luke 12:15 NLT

15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

• Self-sufficiency - I’m rich! Secure, have everything I need.

• Reality: Wretched, miserable poor, blind and naked.

• They lacked in every way spiritually. Lit. pitiful, uncomprehending, no “covering” before God.

Get With the Program!

Revelation 3:18 NLT

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.

• Jesus gives them the choice to reconsider their status. They can decide if they want His life and blessing or to continue down the path they’re going.

• Gold - invest in the right kind of treasure.

Matthew 6:20–21 NLT

20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

• Garments

Colossians 3:12–14 NLT

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

• Ointment

2 Peter 1:5–9 NLT

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

Let’s Get Together!

Revelation 3:20–22 NLT

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.”