“IT’S ALL ABOUT ME” CHURCH
In review from the past weeks we see the criticism from Jesus to the Seven Church. The first church at Ephesus had Left Their First Love they like all the seven churches received different promises as to being Overcomers. The church at Smyrna received NO CRITICISM just exhortation and the promise to the overcomers. The church at Pergamum received criticism that some held the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolatians. The church at Thyatira criticism was their toleration of seductive, immoral, idolatrous, and impenitent (not sorry) that
women Jezebel. The church at Sardis, They Were Dead they had incomplete deeds, and many were asleep. But still if they would remain faithful they would be Overcomers. The sixth church letter was sent to the church at Philadelphia and just like Smyrna there was NO CRITICISM but the promise of an Overcomer they would be made a pillar in God’s temple that He will not leave them, they will have the names of God, His city New Jerusalem, and Christ’s name written on him. We now look at the church that was Lukewarm, self-sufficient, wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. This church fits a description of many churches, and their members today the church of Laodicea. However even with Laodicea being in such grave danger Jesus still gave them a way out as an Overcomer if they finished well keeping his word Jesus promised them they will sit down on Christ’s throne with him.
Laodicea was located approximately 90 some miles directly east of Ephesus, around 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia. Laodicea was the richest of all the other churches. It was as we call today the mega banking center in Asia. They were also known for their clothing industry, it is confirmed fact Laodicea had a particular breed of black sheep that were raised in and around countryside of Laodicea. The black wool was woven into special clothing was very popular among the rich that could afford it. It was also known for the medical, and pharmaceutical practice, they were known for their eye and ear salve.
Please turn to Revelation 3:14-22
14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
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.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
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.
Let Pray
As we finish up the last of the Seven Churches we will explore:
I. Jesus Tell Who He Is
II. Jesus Tell Them They Are Neither Cold Nor Hot
III. They Were Rich In Materialistic Things Of The World
IV. Jesus Pleads With Them To Get Right Before It Is To Late
V. Jesus says you must Repent (a change of mind, heart, and soul)
In the letter to Laodicea Jesus unlike the other churches Jesus gave some form of commendation but, to the Church that was neither COLD or HOT He gave nothing.
I. Jesus Tells Who He is.
A. Jesus was the first of all the Amen
1. We say Amen at the end of a Prayer
2. We say Amen when we agree with a statement a Pastor, or Sunday School teacher makes agreeing on the truth
3. Jesus is the establisher of all God’s promises to us as believers
B. Jesus is Faithful
1. We can count on Him always, He will neither leave us, or forsake
us.
2. He is a faithful and true witness
3. On a witness stand you are ask to “tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth”
C. God is portrayed as the King of Creation
1. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with
God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made
2. Jesus is the source of the new creation that God is creating for us
3. 2nd Corinthians 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
II. Jesus Tells Them They Are Neither Cold Nor Hot
A. Jesus bluntly tells Laodicea I Know thy works. (Many churches today are like Laodicea.)
1. They attended Church regularly, but many were just content to occupy a seat in the church.
2. They were just playing church. Many held on to their money expecting the other members of the church to keep the church going. Many thought how will this benefit me
3. The Bible says they were neither Cold nor Hot
a. I love COLD BUTTER MILK, I would not like HOT
BUTTER MILK
b. The drinks we drink taste much better either Cold or Hot
(Vicki and I like Ice Coffee)
4. They were LUKE WARM Christians
ILLUSTRATION by Pastor Ray Stedman writes (Archaeologists while studying these ancient city discovered at Laodicea they had no local water supply, the engineers at that time constructed an Aqueduct ( a pipe or channel designed to transport water from a remote source, usually by gravity) so buy the time the water left the hot springs at Hierapolis, some six miles away. If you were staying in a motel in Laodicea and turned on the tap to get a cold drink, and tasted the water, you would probably spit it out again because it was tepid, lukewarm. Traveling that distance, the hot water had partly cooled down, and it would be nauseating, repulsive.) (www.raystedman.org)
5. Jesus Said in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art
Lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth (spit out, or in a better phrase vomit it out it was making Jesus sick
6. Again this doesn’t mean they will lose their Salvation but their
Works that were not of Christ will burn up. No crowns to lay at Jesus Feet.
III. They were Rich in Materialistic things of the World
A. The Church at Laodicea believed in Peoples Rights People Rule (doesn’t this sound familiar in our Baptist Churches today?)
1. These church members had the idea because they were rich in
Materialistic worldly processions they didn’t need anything.
2. This wealth that many possess gave them a false sense of security.
3. However; Spiritually (they were poor as dirt)
4. Jesus said they were WRETCHED (living in a degradation poverty
In Jesus Christ, yet Materialistic they were rich
B. Jesus said they were Miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked
1. A lot of people that have great possession are miserable worrying
about how that can keep what they have and how they can accumulate more.
2. There were poor in Jesus Christ
3. They were blind, Satan had placed blinders on them
4. They were naked, many then as now would say “as Frank Sinatra
Sang in his song “I did it my way” “I do not need God”
5. Many put their faith in man not in God
IV. Jesus pleads with them to get right before it is to late
A. Jesus is saying buy of ME I am the purest, as gold is refined in the fire Jesus is saying I am the Creator, I am the one that loves you, I am the One that died for your sins. Put your complete trust in me.
1. Jesus Christ gives us that forgiveness, He gives us Grace, Salvation
we do not deserve.
2. With this gift from Jesus we are rich, we have a home that Jesus is
preparing for us.
B. Jesus gives us new clothing
1. We are given new raiment that will be white as snow washed by the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ.
2. This new White, clean, garment that is a symbol of Purity will cover those imperfections in your life
C. Laodicea was known for it Eye Salve (Ointment)
1. Jesus is talking about His Spiritual Eye Salve that would give them
their sight where they had been wandering so long in the dark.
3. Our Eyes must be opened to be able to see the truth
V. Jesus says you must Repent
A. When we disobey God there is always a consequence just like when
We do not honor our Mother and Father.
1. There is always discipline, it no different with Christ
2. Jesus is telling us how much He loves us, He wants the very best for us.
3. I for one fail Jesus every day of my life but yet His love does not
diminish for me.
B. Jesus says “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come into him, and he with me.
1. Jesus is asking to come into your life
2. He could come in without you asking but he won’t He gives us that
Choice either to accept him or deny this special gift that He alone offers us as sinners.
3. All we must do is let Jesus in
4. Change from the way we were
5. Allow Jesus to take control of our lives
6. Be watchful looking for His return
C. Jesus said To him that Overcometh
1. Jesus is making us a promise just as He has done in the previous
Churches. Jesus is saying I will grant for you to sit with me in my throne.
2. Just like Jesus overcame His death, burial, and the grave so shall
We.
3. Jesus Resurrection makes it perfectly clear we also who are saved
By the blood of Christ we too will be caught up (rapture of the church,) resurrected to be with Christ 1000 years and forever be with the Lord in Heaven.
Conclusion: Perhaps you feel Jesus speaking to your heart, asking to come in, He wants so much for you to surrender your life to him. Time is getting short Jesus is getting ready and so must we. People will tell you I have plenty of time but we have no assurance of tomorrow. This is the biggest decision you will ever make I pray you will make this decision today. Jesus is knocking at your door please invite Him in. As Vicki comes to lead us in Jesus is calling please come
