Series: Rev’d Up
Thesis: We need to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ daily so we do not fall asleep at our assigned mission. We need to know He is coming back soon!
Having a vision of Jesus will also give us the inner strength to stand for the
Gospel in a hostile world even to the point of death.
Key verse of Revelation: Text: Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the
blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Summary of churches see power point map:
1. Ephesus – The loveless church
2. Smyrna – The persecuted church
3. Pergamos – The compromising church
4. Thyatira – The corrupt church
5. Sardis – The church of the walking dead
6. Philadelphia- The faithful church
The churches of Revelation should speak to all of us of the importance of being an Irresistible Church! We have been working through this book as a staff the last few weeks:
In the book Wayne Cordeiro reflects upon his experiences with the New Hope Church in Hawaii and he offers TWELVE CHARACTERISTICS of in Irresistible Church.
By “irresistible” he means more than people being drawn to the church, although this is likely to happen, but hopefully as a “by-product” of something more important. The author hopes that as churches bear these characteristics, they become irresistible to heaven. This book is about a church heaven can’t help but be deeply involved with, a church that God can’t help but bless and use for His eternal purposes. It’s a church that makes the angels shout Encore!
It is Cordeiro’s description of what happens when the Hand of God blesses a church, of the “principles that keep us postured for His grace and rectify things when His hand seems to be lifting.”
The Twelve Characteristics - An Irresistible Church…
Trait 1: Hungers for the Presence of God
Trait 2: Remembers Who She Is
Trait 3: Lives Heart First
Trait 4: Practices Gratefulness
Trait 5: Promotes Healthy Relationships
Trait 6: Is Always Learning
Trait 7: Promotes Spiritual Self-Feeding
Trait 8: Connects Everything to a Soul
Trait 9: Chooses to Love
Trait 10: Takes Risks
Trait 11: Humbles Itself
Trait 12: Has a Plan
We are still looking at the 3rd “Blessings of Revelation” – It’s the Blessing of Staying Awake for Christ! (Rev. 16:15)
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Note: Nakedness is a symbol of spiritual shame and worthlessness in Scripture see (Ezekiel 16:35; 2 Corinthians 5:3).
Sermon: Rev’d Up 8
Thesis: The last and final church addressed by Jesus is the lukewarm – naked – blind and deceived church of Laodicea. They thought they had it all and were right were God wanted them to be but He reveals how they have a distorted view of themselves and they actually make Him gag – they need to repent – open the door for Jesus before He spit them out of His mouth.
Introduction:
We have been looking at the various messages Jesus gave to some of the churches in Asia Minor.
The ministry of the church is a ministry of people. When a church lives, it lives because the people within are vital and active. When a church dies, it withers and dies not because the brick and mortar and carpet and pews get old and begin to crack and rip and crumble. A church withers and dies because the people wither and die.
Chuck Swindoll shares the following story: I think a vivid illustration of this comes from a true story of a young minister in Oklahoma who went to this little, though long-standing, church in hopes of really reviving the ministry of it. He has stars in his eyes and great hopes for the future. He thought he could turn it around. And he gave it his best effort and his best shot week after week, to no avail. Finally, he had one last idea, and it seemed to work. He announced in the local newspaper on Saturday that the church had died, and on Sunday afternoon there would be a funeral service at the church itself, and all who wished could attend. For the first time in his years there the place was packed. In fact, people were standing outside on tiptoes looking through the window to see this most unusual funeral service for a church. To their shock, because most of them got there twenty or thirty minutes early to get a seat, there was a casket down front. And it was smothered with flowers. He told the people as soon as the eulogy was finished they could pass by and view the remains of the dearly beloved that they were putting to rest that day. They could hardly wait until he finished the eulogy. He slowly opened the casket, pushed the flowers aside, and people walked by, filed by, one by one, to look in and leave sheepishly, feeling guilty as they walked out the door, because inside the casket he had placed a large mirror. As they walked by, they saw the church that had died.” Illustration from Lloyd Cory, page 88, Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations and Quotes.
Scripture Text: Laodicea the lukewarm naked blind church
"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." (Rev 3:14-22 NIV)
1. Historical Background:
a. The city of Laodicea was founded in about 261-246 B.C. probably by Antiochus II who named it after his wife who he divorced in 253 B.C. She is famous for then poisoning Antiochus.
b. It city was the county seat of it's area and was located on an important travel intersection of the area. It was located on the main Highway between Ephesus and Syria.
c. Because of it's strategic position it became a great commercial and financial center especially during The Roman Empire time.
d. It evolved into a manufacturing center where it produced woolen garments made out of a local soft wool which was glossy black. In it's competition with it's neighbor cities Hierapolis and Closse who also produced wool but not this type they became the major producers and exporters to others. This project helped the city into economic prosperity.
e. The city was also known for it's famous school of medicine. This developed from the temple, "the god of the valley". The Laodicean physicians followed the teachings of Hierophilos. He had promoted the teaching that compound diseases required compound medicines for treatment. Thomas notes, "A well known medicine developed by the physicians of this school was applied to the eyes to cure eye diseases " (298)
i. The temple of the Phrygian god " Men Karou" was the center of this city. Many of its prominent people were connected with this temple.
f. Commerce, manufacturing and medicine combined help to propel Laodicea into one of the wealthy cities of its day. Since the city was very prosperous it then created and attracted many wealthy individuals.
g. The city was once destroyed by an earthquake but received no help to rebuild because they were so wealthy.
h. The church in Laodicea was believed to have been established by Epaphras from Colossae (Col. 4:12-16).
2. The Revelation of who giving this message to this sleeping naked church.
a. The Amen" - The Message say's, "God's Yes" - The phrase is used of Christ to signify that he is par excellence. He is God's Yes. The Hebrew root word of the phrase Amen is translated "truth" as being fixed, certain, unchangeable. In simple language Ho Amen means that what this speaker says will be absolutely accomplished. His message is absolute and certain. No ifs, ands or buts. God says it and it will occur-- guaranteed!
i. Thomas makes this observation "Since the principal indictment against the Laodicean church is it’s lukewarm attitude, Christ's attributes of sincerity and truth come to the forefront as He deals with those whose alleged devotion to Him is only superficial and not substantial" (300).
ii. The Point in this title -- Christ is the true and certain one even if the church fails:- II Cor. 1:18-22:
1. But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
2. Christ has no flaw he is perfection. There may be flaws in churches but there is no flaws in Christ.
3. Here is an amazing truth I need to remind you don't judge by assuming that because the church is flawed that he is flawed. He's NOT! Here is another amazing thought, "God uses imperfect people like you and me to accomplish His perfect will." No imperfect church or person will hinder God in doing what he has said. It will happen.
b. The faithful and true witness.
i. John 14:6"I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
ii. As a “witness” the Greek word here is “Martyrs” -- we get our English word from this word which is martyr - which means one who has died, given up his life for the truth.
iii. There have been many martyrs through history but the “Amen martyr” is Christ the "Yes of God!" He is the one Faithful and True Martyr. He is the one confronting this church and it’s lukewarmness. He has never misrepresented the Truth of His message and since He is always trustworthy and faithful to truth. He now must confront a church that does not represent faithfulness and truth.
iv. Interesting note since Christ's martyrdom there has been an estimate of 40 million martyr's to date.
v. Barna notes, "Because at least 40 million people Had their faith radically challenged and they refused To back down from following Christ no matter what the cost of the relationship. To those saints, the very purpose of life was wrapped up in their understanding of the fullness of the Christian life. These martyrs viewed their relationship with Jesus Christ as one worth dying for. Their faith was more than simple series of religious truths that enabled them to gain earthly riches, to be seen in the right places at the right times or to gain new insights into human character. Their faith was the defining thread of their lives. Their refusal to renounce their faith, even at the costs of their lives, dramatically illustrates how they defined success and purpose in life" (Barna, 29).
vi. I Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
c. The ruler of God's creation (1:14)
i. He is the agent of God's creation John 1:1-3;14.
ii. It is also affirmed in Col. 1:15-20: “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. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
1. Many have misunderstood this text because this text clearly means Jesus is the Beginning, the Author, or Source of everything God has created and He has created all things. He is the one now addressing this church.
3. The message to the sleeping church was to wake up or be removed forever from the Kingdom of Heaven.
a. Their condition is the worst of all the other churches. It's the condition
first of all of lukewarmness. Not hot! not cold!
i. Other ways of saying this are, half-hearted, indifferent, apathetic, unenthusiastic, spiritless, lackadaisical, uninterested, inattentive, and the list could go on.
ii. This church had a mediocre view of spiritual things.
1. Thomas notes this, "These people had avoided the extremes of outright spiritual destitution, but they had also avoided unrestrained spiritual fervor" (305).
2. Their commitment level was suffering from No Commitment. Someone has termed this "the Leukemia of non-commitment."
3. The church thought of itself as rich and in need of nothing from Christ. Although many of the members may have been materially rich, the “wealth” it claimed for itself should be spiritual not material. What is in view here is Laodicea’s spiritual pride and complacency.
4. The members needed to buy true riches - true riches are spiritual not material. This is explained in metaphorical terms as gold refined in the fire (3:18). Christ is the refiner of the human soul, which he purifies as the refiner does gold (Malachi 3:3). What needed refining was Laodicea’s faith so that it would become genuine (1 Peter 1:7).
iii. Lukewarm - Archaeologists have discovered some interesting facts out about this church and their water supply which can help us to understand the term lukewarm.
1. Six miles in one direction from Laodicea was the city of Hierapolis which had Hot mineral springs. These springs were useful for medicine baths. But for Laodicea a city short on water these springs did not help their need for water. The problem lied in what happened to the water as it flowed six miles to Laodicea. As this Hot Spring water flowed across the plateau to the cliffs of Laodicea it started to cool losing it's heat and healing power. By the time it reached Laodicea the water was lukewarm and poisonous. Some how after losing it's heat it retained a lot of impurities which made it poisonous to drink. Therefore the city could not use this natural water supply to quench the thirst of its city's inhabitants. It was not a blessing but really a danger for anyone who drank it.
2. Six miles in the opposite direction of Laodicea was another water source called the Springs of Denzili were icy cold water flowed. But once again as the water flowed to Laodicea and traveled 6 miles over the plateau it became lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. Not only was this water lukewarm but it had also picked up lime in it's six mile journey causing the water to become poisonous. If someone drank it they would become very sick.
3. From these two sources we discover that when this church heard about their condition it was very severe because they were like the water. They were useless to quench people’s thirst for the Lord and give life. As a matter of fact they made the Creator sick to his stomach.
b. There condition was also serious in light of the view they had of themselves. Their self-image was distorted.
i. They felt that because they were rich and wealthy that they had it all. They actually believed that because they had money and things that they were God's holy set apart and chosen saints. Heh they said if your prosperous God is with you.
ii. It means your one of God's favorites. Your relationship with him is great! It's the one's struggling that half to get their relationship with God right not, "WAW!!!!!!!!"
c. Their wretched condition made the Creator sick.
i. This church was unable to discern that they had made the Creator sick.
ii. They had become lukewarm to Him and His word. They lacked care or concern for the things of God. They deceived others and themselves into thinking that the measuring rod to see if you were spiritual lied in how much money was in your bank account.
iii. They had become a church that was self-indulgent, self-centered and believed this is what Jesus taught. They had no commitment to Christ and His great commission to win the lost. Their commitment was how much money could they make. That was the goal of Christianity!
1. Churches present state-- Barna did a recent pole and 90% of the USA claims to be Christian. He then did another pole and asked certain Christian concepts - Here are the results: He asked Christians what Jesus' Great Commission was from Matthew 28:19,20 - 86% responded with the wrong answer or did not know. He then asked what John 3:16 said - 75% did not know. He then asked what "the gospel" was 31% did not know.
4. Christ tells this church to wake up and do the following:
a. Buy what he is selling not what the world is selling and this investment will be an investment that will make them rich.
b. This church needed to put it's faith in God and not the world. It needed to quit depending on it's own resources and the world's and buy from Christ. It needed to quit resting on it's own abilities (it's own a faith in their own faith) and it needed to quit trusting in the world's resources.
c. This church needed to get its clothes back on. Literally this church needed to put the white clothes of Christ’s righteousness back on. Repent and were white!
d. This church needed eye salve to heal the their spiritual blindness. Healing only comes when the Holy Spirit the healing anointing salve comes in to our eyes. Then we can see clearly.
e. The way to receive all the above and life is by repenting and answering the door in your heart. When you answer it and let him in all the wonderful things just mentioned occur.
f. Revelation 3:19-20 is a loving section in this whole message you need to to hear it!
i. The church is to know that Jesus loves them and that is why He is rebuking them for their sins.
1. They need to be earnest!
2. They need to repent!
a. Why?
b. He is standing at the door of their heart – knocking on it’s they wake up.
c. But they must hear His voice – they need to hear the knocking – they must wake up and open the door so He can bless them again and forgive them again.
d. All they have to do is open the door and He will come and eat with them – fellowship with them like before. They can restore this broken relationship with “The Amen, the Faithful Witness, the Ruler of God’s Creation.”
5. The promise from Jesus is found in Revelation 3:21-22 – they get the following if they do the above process - Christ promises that they will reign with Him, next to Him on His throne.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Jesus never gives up on His church and He is always knocking on the door to our heart if we start falling away. We need to see that riches and wealth do not measure spiritual maturity or even prove we are in right relationship with Jesus. Being lukewarm with the Lord makes God sick and He will spit us out if we do not repent.
Why do we need to know this truth?
We need to see that love is always knocking and seeking to restore any broken relationships – Jesus wants fellowship with us – he wants intimacy with us. He wants us 100%.
What do we need to do?
We need to wake up, be sincere with Jesus and ourselves, open our blind eyes so we actually see our shameful nakedness and then repent. When we repent He forgives and will come fellowship with us again.
If we do this truth what will happen?
One day we will reign with Jesus on His throne.
