Laodicea Baptist Church

Laodicea Baptist Church

July 26, 2015 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must not become self-reliant or self-righteous, but instead, depend on Jesus.

Focus Passage: Revelation 3:14-22

Supplemental Passage: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB)

Introduction: Laodicea is associated with Colossae and Hierapolis, which exactly accords with its geographical position, 18 miles W. of Colossae, six miles S. of Hierapolis. It lay in the Roman province "Asia," a mile S. of the river Lycus, in the Maeander valley, between Colossae and Philadelphia. A Seleucid king, Antiochus II, Theos, named it from Laodice his wife. Overthrown often by earthquakes. It was rebuilt by its wealthy citizens, without state help, when destroyed in A.D. 62 (Tacitus, Annals 14:27). This wealth (arising from its excellent wools) led to a self satisfied "lukewarm" state in spiritual things. (Fausset’s Bible Dictionary)

I. Self-Sufficient

a. Attitude = I am wealthy; I need nothing.

b. Truth = You are wretched and poor

i. wretched - deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind (Merriam-Webster)

c. Application = Be zealous and repent!

i. Recognize all that we have comes from the Lord!

ii. We must not rely on money for our happiness and certainly not our joy.

II. Self-Dependent

a. Attitude = I have all I need; I need no one.

b. Truth = You are blind and naked

c. Application = Be zealous and repent!

i. Recognize that we need Jesus everyday!

ii. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

III. Self-Righteous

a. Attitude = I am good enough; and that’s good enough.

b. Truth = You are neither hot nor cold

c. Application = Be zealous and repent!

i. Recognize that we are only righteous because of Jesus; without Him, we are completely lost!

ii. Strive to be Holy! “Be holy for I am holy”

Application/Invitation: In these last days, we must be certain that we do not rely on ourselves for practically anything. Our strength comes from the Lord; our joy comes from the Lord; and our salvation comes from the Lord. Heed the words of Jesus, “Be zealous and repent!”