(adapted from a sermon series by Tom Ellsworth)
SERIES: “DISCOVERING JESUS: The Other 3:16’s”
TEXT: REVELATION 3:14-22
TITLE: “THE CHALLENGE OF JESUS”
OPEN: A. I’m a fan of the “Rocky” movies
1. As a former Golden Gloves boxer, I can tell you that the fight scenes are a bit over-dramatized
but I’ve enjoyed the exploration of the characters and the story lines that go with the movies
2. One of my favorites is Rocky 3
a. Rocky has been the heavyweight champ for several years now
--He’s married Adrian
b. He’s moved from poverty and obscurity to wealth and fame
--Where Rocky once lived in a run-down neighborhood, he now lives in a Hollywood-style
mansion
c. He’s defended his title 10 times since winning it from Apollo Creed
--As the movie opens, there is a montage of Rocky handily defeating all title challengers
d. In parallel, there is also a montage of another fighter – Clubber Lang – who is systematically
destroying everyone he fights
--Lang is angry because he thinks he deserves a title shot
e. At a time when Rocky is ready to announce his retirement, Lang publicly Rocky’s wife and
tells Rocky that he’s not man enough to give him a title shot
--Rocky angrily accepts and sets out to train for the fight
f. Sadly, Rocky’s training regimen is sorely lacking
--He approaches it in circus-like fashion; signing more autographs than he hits punching bags
g. Clubber Lang is in serious training
--He’s focused on the fight and the goal of winning the championship belt
h. At fight time, Lang destroys Rocky in just three rounds
--Rocky, dejected and humiliated, tries to decide what went wrong
i. In steps Apollo Creed, Rocky’s nemesis in Rocky 1 and 2
j. Creed gives his assessment of things:
--“Eye of the tiger, Rock. Eye of the tiger. You used to have the eye of the tiger. You used
to be hungry to win. You used to have the want-to. You used to be willing to pay the price
to train. You used to fight with abandonment. You used to. But the winning led to fame
and fame led to affluence and affluence led to indulgence, and self-indulgence led to
weakness, and weakness led to defeat.”
k. Creed takes over Rocky’s training regimen
--He takes him to a run-down, smelly, boxing gym in an impoverished neighborhood where
hungry young men are looking to make a name for themselves. Creed gets Rocky back to
the basics – gets him focused and interested in the hard work of training to be a champ
l. As you might guess, Rocky has his re-match with Clubber Lang and recaptures his world’s
title.
B. This morning, we finish up our series: Discover Jesus: The Other 3:16’s
1. Our 3:16 passage this morning is Rev. 3:16 – “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor
cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
2. We’re going to be looking at a congregation that at one time existed in a town called Laodicea
3. They were a group of Christians who had become satisfied with the status quo
a. They were comfortable
b. They were well-off
c. They thought that they needed nothing
--they were quite all right as they were
4. But Jesus delivers a powerful message to this congregation
--They were not anywhere as well off as they thought they were
a. In fact, they had everything backwards
b. Where they thought they were wealthy, they were poor. Where they thought they were
healthy, they were sick. Where they thought they had the best of clothing, they were really
naked. Where they thought they should be the envy of others, they were pitiful. Where they
thought they were in great shape, they were wretched.
C. As with almost all the other 3:16 passages we’ve looked at, we need to look at this one in it’s
context
--Rev. 3:14-22 – “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘These are the words of the Amen,
the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither
cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither
hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have acquired
wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind
and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and
white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes,
so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I
am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in
and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on
my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.’ He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
1. What challenge did Jesus make to the church at Laodicea?
2. Why is that challenge important to the church in the 21st century?
--Obviously, Jesus wanted the challenge to continue past the 1st century because He says, “He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
3. Let’s look together at this passage and see what we can learn
I. REVELATION GIVEN
--Jesus tells us about Himself
A. The Amen
1. The term “amen” affirms a statement as being absolutely true and reliable
2. We hear Jesus saying multiple times: “Verily, verily…” or in some translations “Truly, truly…”
--In the original language, it is literally this word “Amen”
3. We use “amen” to close prayers – affirming the truth of what has been expressed
4. Sometimes, a preacher’s audience will say, “Amen” to indicate agreement with what is being said
5. In Jn. 14:6, Jesus says that He is “the way and the truth and the life”
--He is not just speaking truth. He is the truth itself.
B. The faithful and true witness
1. Expression used in the Old Testament
2. Witness
--The word means someone who gives testimony as in a court of law
a. Jesus was a witness in the sense that He was the ultimate testimony concerning who God is and
what God is doing
b. Jesus is a faithful witness
--was faithful even to death on a cross
c. He is a true witness
--no truer witness ever existed
C. The ruler of God’s creation
1. The word translated “ruler” is a word that designates “source or origin”
2. Jesus is the “source” or “origin” of creation
a. Jn. 1:3 – “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
b. This word also has the sense of being in first place or position of supremacy
c. This sense is best expressed in Col. 1:15-18 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for
him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the
church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might
have the supremacy.”
D. It’s certainly good to know who was delivering this message.
--It’s a message that needed to be heard and obeyed – simply by the authority of the One who gave the
message
II. REBUKE DELIVERED
A. How many of us are coffee drinkers?
1. The coffee business has exploded in our nation
-- You can get lattés, cappuccinos, espressos, and all kinds of blended coffees. There are also all
kinds of flavored coffees available
a. You can get coffee steaming hot – the old fashioned way
--Sometimes so hot, they have to put a warning label on it so foolish people don’t do foolish things
b. Or you can even get iced coffee
2. The one kind of coffee no one likes is lukewarm coffee
-- There is something about lukewarm that turns us off – whether it be a cup of coffee or a lukewarm
bath or a lukewarm can of soda pop.
B. Laodicea
1. Laodicea was a great center of banking and wealth
--The city was so wealthy that when an earthquake almost completely destroyed it in 60 A.D., its
citizens refused the help of the Roman government to rebuild. They chose to do it entirely by
themselves
2. It was also widely known for its production of black wool
--The sheep that were native to this area were black in color and their wool was thick, black, and rich
and used to make some of the finest clothes around
3. Laodicea had a famous medical school and clinic
a. The medical cult of the Greek god Asclepius was located here
--I’m sure you’ve all seen the medical symbol of a staff with entwined serpents around it; that was
the symbol of Asclepius
b. This medical school and clinic was especially well-known for an eye and ear salve that was made
there
4. The only problem that Laodicea faced was its water supply
--Laodicea was part of a tri-city area
a. 10 miles away was the city of Colosse (the letter to the Colossians)
--They had an abundance of refreshing cold water
b. 7 miles away was the city of Hierapolis
--They were famous for their steaming hot water
c. Laodicea, however, had terrible water
1). They piped in cold water from Colosse and hot water from Hierapolis but by the time it got to
Laodicea, it was just lukewarm
2). It traveled through a six-mile aqueduct became filled with minerals and chemicals
--It sometimes caused vomiting
5. These tidbits about life in Laodicea go a long way in helping us understand what Jesus was saying to
them
C. What does Jesus mean by “lukewarm”?
1. Lukewarm: as in “waffling”
a. Waffling is a new word that has taken on a new meaning in the last few years.
--It has come to be used most frequently in the arena of politics.
1). Growing up, a waffle was simply a confectionary delight, with tiny squares for trapping lots of
syrup.
2). But the noun waffle has such synonyms as: gobbledygook, nonsense, flimflam, blather, and
drivel.
3). As a verb it means verbose but aimless – it has come to describe a person who is indecisive.
b. A few years back, there was a newspaper article that highlighted people who prefer to eat mainly
vegetables but are not strict about it, occasionally eating meat.
--Instead of vegetarians, they are called flexitarians.
1). There are those who would never let meat even get near their mouth; and there are those who
have meat every time they eat, because it’s not a meal without it.
2). And then there are the flexitarians.
--in many areas of life, that’s a good way to be.
a). In marriage you have to be a flexitarian; in raising children, you have to be a flexitarian. In
working among the multiple personalities in most jobs and careers you have to be a
flexitarian.
b). However, when it comes to our spiritual and moral convictions, being a flexitarian won’t cut
it.
c. Central air conditioning comes standard with most homes anymore
--Most of us don’t like extremes in temperature
1). So, we mix a little hot air and a little cold air and we find that temperature that is a compromise
and keeps us comfortable
2). What had happened at Laodicea was that they became spiritually, morally, and ethically
comfortable
3). Ray Steadman makes this observation: “This church was compromising its teaching for the
sake of peace. They had enough truth to salve the conscience without becoming fanatics; but
enough coolness to calm their wills without freezing people out. It was a comfortable church.
You could have attended this church for years, and it would have probably been very
pleasurable, but nothing much would be happening. You would not be challenged, or rebuked,
or corrected, or exhorted, but only encouraged and respected because it was a comfortable
church.”
4). When compromise results in comfort instead of conviction then we have become lukewarm.
People may like it, but the Lord does not.
--It may make the members comfortable, but it makes the Master sick to His stomach.
d. Theodore Roosevelt wrote, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even
though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer
much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.”
2. Lukewarm: as in procrastinating
a. At the beginning of 2004, the Boston Public Library opened a new exhibit to commemorate the
85th anniversary of a strange event. Boston’s “Great Molasses Flood” killed 21 people and injured
150.
On January 15, 1919, an enormous steel vat, containing 2.3 million gallons of molten molasses,
burst. Hot, sticky waves of syrup thirty feet tall, destroyed buildings, crushed freight cars, wagons,
automobiles, and drowned people. One author called it the “Dark Tide.”
The enormous tank, 50 feet high and 240 feet around had been poorly designed. Company
officials reacted to the constant leaks by repainting the tank to match the color of the leaking
molasses. “Out of sight, out of mind.” These people knew the molasses vat was dangerous, but
didn’t do anything about it.
b. Are there any hazardous situations we “paint over” to give the appearance of normalcy?
--Church, what we ignore today may drown someone tomorrow.
1). We know the church at Laodicea was ignoring some of the obvious signs
--they were procrastinating out of a sense of willful ignorance.
2). It’s one thing to not know, it is quite another to choose not to know.
3). They took great pride in their medical advancements, their wardrobes full of fine clothing and
their stockpiles of fine gold – they were comfortable.
--They had plenty to keep them healthy, wealthy and stylish.
4). But God said, “You are blind, poor, and naked!”
5). They had procrastinated long enough – God had given them a chance to get their lives in order,
and they had deceived themselves into a very comfortable existence.
c. Lukewarmness is costly.
--Never put off till tomorrow what you need to work on today.
d. I’ve seen a bumper sticker that reads: “Procrastinators Anonymous (Meetings start tomorrow).”
1). Life is too precious to keep putting off what is most important…like spending time with the
family, encouraging a friend, lending a helping hand, writing that letter or placing that phone
call that will change a person’s life today.
2). But most of all, don’t put off building the right relationship with the Lord.
--Spiritual procrastination can have long term consequences.
a). James 4:13-14 – “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that
city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know
what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little
while and then vanishes.”
b). Life is short, so get off the fence – do it, say it, write it, make it, commit to it now!
3. Lukewarm: as in uncaring
1. Some people just don’t care
a. They don’t care that their spiritual life is going nowhere
b. They don’t care that people are lost and dying and going to Hell
c. They don’t care about the sufferings of other people
d. They simply just don’t care
2. Uncaring comes from being spiritually blind and spiritually deaf
a. The medical center in Laodicea was famous for their eye and ear salve
b. But physical sight and physical hearing are something completely different from spiritual sight
and spiritual hearing
3. Uncaring people put the things of Christ after their own things
a. They are selfish and seek only after their own comfort
b. When they look for a church, they look for one that will make them comfortable
1). They don’t want a church that will challenge them, ask them to evaluate their spiritual
condition, or expect them to participate in the ministry of the church
2). They simply want a church that appears respectable and where everything is nice
3). There are no “high-risk” plans on the drawing board
4). No dynamic ministry opportunities being prayed for
5). Just nice and respectable
4. Jesus says, “You are neither hot [lit. “burning hot”] or cold [lit. “icy cold”]
a. The adjectives ‘hot” and “cold” do not describe spiritual fervor or a lack of spiritual fervor
b. The contrast is between the hot springs of Hierapolis and the cold, pure waters of Colosse
--both extremes have value to those who need them
c. The church at Laodicea wasn’t providing refreshment to those who were spiritually weary nor
were they providing healing for the spiritually sick
--They were simply just there: lukewarm; tepid, insipid, and nauseating to Jesus
III. REPENTANCE REQUIRED
A. Basically, Jesus says: “You can’t stay the way you are.”
1. We sometimes sing a song at invitation time called “Just As I Am.” Jesus wants you just as you are
but He loves you way too much to leave you in the same condition He found you
2. The phrase “tough love” applies to Jesus’ approach to the church at Laodicea
--“Tough love” is when you show love for someone else even if it means correction, reproof, or
discipline
3. Heb. 12:5-11 – “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’ Endure
hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If
you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and
not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them
for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may
share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. “
B. Jesus still loves us – even when we make Him sick!
1. Isn’t that a great message of hope?
2. No matter how bad I’ve blown it, no matter how bad I’ve messed things up, Jesus still loves me!
3. Jesus simply asks me to humble myself, admit my sinfulness, and trust in Him to make me what He
wants me to be
4. Jesus says, “Be earnest and repent”
a. Earnest means that I’m deeply serious and sincere
b. Repent means that I recognize that I was going the wrong way and want to go the way Christ
wants me to go
c. When we’re earnest and we repent…..
IV. REWARD PROMISED
-- Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I
will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with
me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
A. Holman Hunt painted the portrait of Jesus that we know called “The Light of the World”
1. Jesus is standing outside of a door, holding a lantern, and knocking
--there is no knob on the outside of the door
2. That door represents the door to the heart and the knob is on the inside
3. Jesus will never force Himself in
--He simply stand at the door and knocks, patiently waiting for you to open the door and invite Him in
B. Jesus mentions eating with Him
1. The evening meal, in Jesus’ day, was the time when you ate leisurely and socially
--It was a time to spend with family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere that often took up hours of
time
2. The evening meal was a symbol of intimacy
--Jesus offers that kind of intimacy to anyone who will open the door and invite Him in
C. Jesus’ promise to the Overcomer
1. Jesus was victorious over sin and death
2. Jesus promises us that if we maintain our intimacy with Him, we, too, shall share in the reward of the
overcomer
3. 2 Tim. 2:11-12 – “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if
we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us…”
CLOSE: A. The challenge of Jesus to the church at Laodicea and to us in the 21st century church is avoid the
indifference and apathy of a lukewarm spiritual life.
--Don’t be a fence sitting Christian.
B. Here is your assignment for this week; here is a formula for getting off dead center, for building a
fire under your lukewarmness.
1. Be intentional – plan to make a difference.
--Don’t wait around until an idea suddenly comes your way. Sit down and create a plan that
works for you. What do you like to do? What are your talents? How do you like to spend
your time? How much time can you devote to making a difference? There are folks in
convalescent homes that could use some encouragement, there are ways for you to get
involved around here, there are people who need you to be a friend. Be intentional.
2. Be focused – take the rifle approach and not the shotgun.
--Focus on one area that you can do well, and do it.
3. Be sacrificial – give your time and energy to make a difference.
a. I have learned from both observation and personal experience that when you spend most of
your time in self-centered endeavors, you become lethargic, pessimistic and also bored
--in other words, you become lukewarm.
b. When you invest yourself in others, your life will begin to heat up and become the most
meaningful.
C. Now is your moment to get off the fence.
--Now is your opportunity to say, “I will never again be lukewarm about the important spiritual
issues of life.”
1. Maybe you struggle with compromising your faith and you give in to the world.
2. Maybe you struggle more with procrastinating, and you put off till tomorrow what you ought to
be doing today…whether that has to do with addressing sinful areas of your life or whether it
has to do with touching another person’s life.
--Don’t fall into the dangers of the comfort zones.
3. Or maybe you struggle most with apathy.
--You don’t hate people, but neither do you love them as much as Jesus would have you love
them. That’s called apathy.
4. One of the greatest quotes from the movie Facing the Giants is when the coach says, “I’m tired
of being average!”
a. And I hope you will join me in saying that I’m tired of being an average Christian.
b. Church, I’m tired of the status quo.
--I want to make a difference, and I want this church to make a difference.
c. I hope the Lord would never have to look at the Martinsville First Christian Church and say,
“You are lukewarm, and you make me sick.”
--We need to ensure that we never get that way
d. But that demands responsibility on each of our parts.
--What needs to change for you today?
e. Let’s pray.
