In Chapter two we saw Him inspecting four of these churches. These were the church of:
1) Church of Ephesus
2) Church of Smyrna
3) Church of Pergamos
4) Church of Thyatira
Today in chapter three we again want to walk with the Lord as He walks among these churches. He will be walking among the last three Churches and we want to walk with Him. We will be looking at:
• Church of Sardis
• Church of Philidelphia
• Church of Laodicea
Let’s get started…
The church of Sardis
Text: Revelation 3:1-6
Introduction: When we write a personal letter, we conclude it by signing our name at the bottom. That lets the one we are writing to know who we are. But, when the Lord writes, He tells them, up front, Who He is! Look at verse 1, we read, "...These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars..."
This particular church, the church of Sardis, is so typical of many churches today that you will find in every city in America today. That is, people saw it as being a LIVELY CHURCH, but yet the Lord saw it as being DEAD.
Sometimes it is hard for us to DISTINGUISH A DEAD CHURCH from a church that is ALIVE. There are two kinds of dead churches.
1. The easiest to detect to detect to be a dead church is the church that has gone through the same rituals for the last fifty years. As soon as you walk into a church like this, you know that God has long since departed the premises.
2. The hardest to detect is the one that has been camouflaged with all kinds of EXCITING PROGRAMS that make it appear to be alive. It gives the appearance of being ALIVE, but IT IS DEAD!
Such was the case with the church of Sardis. Look at two things that we need to consider before revival can take place.
FIRST, CONSIDER THE PASTOR. Again, the letter is being addressed to the pastor. In verse 1 we read, "And unto the angel (Pastor) of the church in Sardis..."
The Lord knows there is little hope for a church getting on fire until the pastor gets on fire. Before there can be fire in the pews, there first has to be fire in the pulpit.
The Lord is writing directly to the pastor of the church of Sardis to fire him up so he can, in return, fire the church up.
SECONDLY, WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE PLACE. Sardis was a city made up of two sections.
(1) The ORIGINAL SECTION was developed on a level area about fifteen hundred feet high up the side of the mountain. It was next to impossible for any enemy to penetrate their security and attack them.
(2) The SECOND SECTION was built when the city outgrew the first area on the side of the mountain. It was built at the base of the mountain, in the valley below.
But, in spite of the fact that it was nearly impregnable, the city had been captured twice. Both times it was captured, the guards were asleep. The CHURCH OF SARDIS certainly could relate to what the Lord said in verse 3, "...If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."
The church of Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but this reputation was deceiving, because they had gone to sleep spiritually and were dead.
Let's look at...
I. THE REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH.
Look again in verse 1, "...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
Did you know that names can be deceiving.
Illus: Often women can be given lovely names like Violet, Sweetie Pie, Honey, Darling, etc.,
When their parents gave them they had high hopes. But when you get to know some of them, you realize what a mistake it was to give them a name like that.
Names can be deceiving.
The church of Sardis got stuck with a name of being ALIVE when they really were dead.
Often we see churches with names like Unity, Harmony, Charity, etc., and the name seems fine, but sometimes you attend a few services at churches with one of these names, and you wonder how they got names like that.
We are known by our names. And again, we are reminded of a story.
Illus: Years ago, there was a man in the West known as BIG BAD JOHN. Everyone who knew him, did not want to cross his path. One day he was supposed to be coming to town. The streets were empty and not a person was in sight, when just then a big, tough-looking man came down Main Street riding on the back of a wild buffalo, and he was beating the buffalo with a rattle snake in each hand. He rode up to the local saloon, jumped off the back of the buffalo, walked up and with one hand ripped the door off its hinges. He quickly walked to the bar, and when his forearms came crashing down on it, it split in half. He ordered a pitcher of buttermilk, and with one big gulp it was gone. Then he hurried back toward where the door had been. The bartender timidly asked, "Where are you going in such a hurry?" The big man hurriedly answered as he jumped back on his buffalo, "Man, I am getting out of town. Don't you know that BIG BAD JOHN is on his way here?"
Seriously, everyone has a reputation, and the church of Sardis had a reputation for being ALIVE, but it really was DEAD. Let's look at this Church that Christ looked at and pronounced, "...thou art dead."
We have looked at THE REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH but now let look at…
II. THE REMAINS OF THE CHURCH.
When something dies, all you have left is the REMAINS to look at. God said the church of Sardis was DEAD and rigor mortis had set in.
In verse 1 we read where God said, "...thou...art dead." What happens at the time of death?
A. The spirit departs.
The life of any church is the Holy Spirit. They have replaced the power of the Holy spirit with ritualism.
WHY are professing Christians not winning souls as God has commanded them. Because the Holy Spirit does not work through a dead church.
The sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit is in Acts 1:8 tells us, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and YE SHALL BE WITNESSES unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The church of Sardis was dead…when death occurs, the SPIRIT DEPARTS. Also...
B. The senses depart.
In our culture we do something that does not make a lot of sense, that is, we fill the room where the body is with sweet smelling flowers.
The fact is, regardless of how sweet those flowers smell, the corpse cannot smell them. When a person dies, his senses die also.
When death occurs THE SENSES DEPART.
Also, when death occurs...
C. The strength departs.
When a person is at the point of death, he gets so weak he can hardly pick his hand up. Once he dies, ALL STRENGTH DEPARTS.
When a church dies, it looses its spiritual power.
Illus: You can cut a snakes head off, and you will still see all kinds of activity. Some might believe that snake is still alive, but THAT SNAKE IS DEAD.
Illus: We are told by scientists that the Polar Star's light takes 33 years to get to our earth. That means that star could have burned out thirty-three years ago, and WE WOULD NOT KNOW IT.
Many churches are like the church in Sardis. They have a light that they were alive from years ago, but now they are very dead and they do NOT KNOW IT!
They are dead!
We have looked at…
• THE REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH
• THE REMAINS OF THE CHURCH
But now let us look at…
III. THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH.
Look at Rev. 2-3, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."
God saw a little spark of life, and He was trying to nurse them back to life by CAUTIONING them to do FOUR THINGS.
A. The first caution. In Rev. 3:2 John writes, "watch," that is, "Rouse yourself and keep awake."
Illus: Years ago the crown jewels were brought to America. The whole time they were here they were under WATCH - twenty-four hours a day. Why? Because they are valuable, and thieves are waiting for a chance to steal them if an opportunity is given.
The church of Jesus Christ has been entrusted with the gospel of Christ, which is something that is far more valuable than the crown jewels, and the church is sound asleep, and has let the devil come in and steal it from them.
B. The second caution. In verse 2, He cautions them, "Be watchful (arouse), and STRENGTHEN..."
How do you strengthen yourself? You force yourself to exercise your muscles.
D. The third caution.
In verse 3 He also cautions them to "Remember..." Why? That would give them something to compare themselves to.
They can remember how they once sang songs unto the Lord, gave to the Lord, witnessed for the Lord, worshiped the Lord etc.
E. The fourth caution. In verse 3, He commands them to "repent."
Once they could come to recognize how far they had drifted from the Lord, and how they had allowed other things to enter their lives, then - GOD SAYS TO REPENT!
He CAUTIONS them, that if they do not listen to these cautions, He will come like a thief - as the city of Sardis had been conquered twice because the guard was sound asleep. The message here is, that they need to stir themselves and shake themselves - get roused up for the Lord!
Their worship service was no more than SPIRITUAL SLEEP-WALKING, and God wanted them to WAKE UP!
In this church where SPIRITUAL SLEEPINESS had taken over, now professing Christians are to begin doing everything they could to get out of SPIRITUAL SLEEP WALKING. They could go through a complete worship service sleep walking, and not even know what they were doing. But, there is a ray of hope. Look at...
II. THE REMNANT OF THE CHURCH.
In some of the worst churches that you can find, thank God, you can find a remnant that are faithfully serving the Lord. Such was the church in Sardis.
Aren't you glad God does not group us all together and into one big bundle, but that He sees us as individuals?
This is why the godly can come to church and receive a blessing and the ungodly can come to the same church service and they will not get any blessing.
In the church of Sardis, where the majority of the professing Christians were going through meaningless rituals week after week, God looked down and saw some were right where they were supposed to be spiritually.
Look at verses 4-6, "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Conclusion:
Since we are saved by grace, it has confused some as to why verse 5 says, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white rainment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Some say that certainly if a person does the four things that were suggested by Christ, and if those four things they did saved them from having their names blotted out, that would be teaching salvation by works. What does this verse mean?
In John Walvoord's "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," he gives a very good explanation. He said, "On the basis of this, some have considered the book of life not as the roll of those who are saved, but rather, a list of those for whom Christ died, that is, all humanity who have possessed physical life. As they come to maturity and are faced with the responsibility of accepting or rejecting Christ, their names are blotted OUT IF THEY FAIL TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR; whereas those who do accept Christ as Saviour are confirmed in their position in the book of life, and their names are confessed before the Father and the heavenly angels."
Christ died for all. It is believed that all humans He ever created are listed in this book of life, and the names of those who do not accept Christ are blotted out.
I. THE REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH.
II. THE REMAINS OF THE CHURCH.
III. THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH.
IV. THE REMNANT OF THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH OF PHILADELHIA
Text: Revelation 3:7-13
Introduction: The churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna were two churches that the Lord Jesus did not have any words of condemnation for.
Does this mean they were perfect? Absolutely not! There can be no such thing as a "perfect" church as long as the membership is made up of mortals.
The church of Philadelphia was not perfect in one sense of the word, but in another sense, spiritually, the church was perfect for the spiritual level it was on.
Illus: For example, a baby may cry and scream. That is, ok for the child to conduct themselves like this because at this stage in the life of a child they may be considered to be perfect.
Illus: The Bible tells us that job was a perfect and upright man. Does that mean that he was absolutely perfect. No, it means at this stage in his Christian life he was perfect for that stage of his life.
The church of Philadelphia was not perfect but at the spiritual level they were, they were PERFECT!!!
There are FOUR interesting facts that need to be considered before we can appreciate some of the things in this letter to the church of Philadelphia. Such as...
(1) WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE NAME OF THIS CHURCH.
The word "philadelphia" means: "Brotherly love, or one who loves his brother." The name is a constant reminder that they were to love each other.
(2) WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE LOCATION OF THIS CHURCH. It was located over a large "fault."
Illus: In 17 A.D. a large earthquake hit this area, and it was so devastating that it completely destroyed the city of Sardis, and ten other cities. Philadelphia was not totally destroyed, but for years the city had constant tremors, which caused walls to continue to tumble in on people. Because of the earthquakes and tremors, the people were able to relate to two things the Lord spoke of in verse 12.
(1) First, He spoke of those who were OVERCOMERS SPIRITUALLY as becoming PILLARS "...in the temple of my God..." Because of the constant threat of buildings falling in, the people would build pillars in their homes to help support them. Generally, the people with large pillars in their homes were safe in their homes during the tremors. God was saying that overcomers were strong and could stand the spiritual "tremors" Satan would send, and because of that, one day they would be safe as a "...pillar in the temple of my God..." The Christians could relate to the term "pillar" that God used.
(2) Second, to those who would be OVERCOMERS, He said in verse 12, "...he shall go no more out..."
They could certainly relate to this as they had to run in and out of their houses, as the unending tremors terrorized their lives. But, one day they will not have to live under such conditions.
(3) WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE NEW NAME GIVEN TO THIS TOWN.
After one large earthquake, Philadelphia was totally destroyed. The emperor, Tiberius gave aid for the rebuilding of Philadelphia. Out of gratitude, the name of the city was changed to Neocaesarea, the new city of Caesar.
In verse 12, we see they could relate to these words, "...I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
After seeing Philadelphia rebuilt and given a new name, they could relate to the new name "...of the city of my God...". Who has made it possible.
(4) WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF PHILADELPHIA.
The Jews claimed to be the true followers of God, and they claimed they had the keys of David which were given to them, and they had the right to open and shut the door to God and His kingdom.
God certainly must have had this in mind in verse 7 where we find that we, the people of God, are to look to Christ, Who has the "keys" and Who opens and shuts the doors.
It is hard to fully understand this letter to the church of Philadelphia without first considering these FOUR things. Keep them in mind as we go through these verses.
Let's first see...
I. HE IS THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS.
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
Verse 7 describes the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice the description certainly is not the kind of description we would give of someone.
Illus: For example, if I asked you to describe the late John Wayne, you would probably say he was a tall, handsome fellow, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a deep voice, and that he spoke with authority.
If anyone described Christ as being five foot eleven inches tall, having dark hair and blue eyes, they would be describing Him like an ordinary man.
Christ was like an ordinary man, but He was also MUCH MORE! The Bible describes Him as THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS. You see, in everyday life we are constantly being confronted with doors that are OPEN, or doors that are SHUT. The Lord wants us to know that He is THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS.
Illus: We know of people who have accomplished a great many things in their lifetime, but who could not have accomplished what they have, had God not opened the doors for them.
The good news in our text is that Jesus is the KEEPER OF THE KEYS, and even though we do not relish the idea of having a door slammed in our faces, we can all be thankful that He knows what doors should be opened, and what doors should be closed.
Notice TWO things about Him as the keeper of the keys.
A. The righteousness of the king.
In verse 7 we read, "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true..."
Is it important that it is established that Jesus, the "Keeper of the Keys," is the One that is holy?
You see, as we go down the path of life and the Lord opens and shuts doors before us, we can rest assured that He will NEVER open a door to something that is UNHOLY or FALSE.
Illus: A man had lost his job and the finances were about gone. He came to church all excited and said, "Pastor, God gave me a job!" The pastor was glad to hear the good news, then he asked what kind of job the man had. The man told him he was driving a beer truck. As lovingly as he knew how, the pastor said, "Brother, I do not believe God gave you that job." The man said, "Why do you say that?" The pastor replied, "Because, God is THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS and He is HOLY and TRUE and He does not open doors that lead to unholy things." So, the man, instead of seeking God for another job, got mad at the pastor.
God wanted His people to know He was the KEEPER OF THE KEYS, and the doors He opened were doors of HOLINESS and TRUTH. Also, look at...
B. The resources of the king.
(Verse 7) In Isaiah 22:22 we read this precious verse of scripture, "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open."
Illus: Every time we get a new president you would be surprise how many rush to Washington wanting to be: FOB – FRIEND OF Bill, FOG - GEORGE, FOD - DONALD.
Why would men and women rush to Washington? Because, we all like to have someone who has great resources, who can help us. Did you know that we Christians have someone who has the great resources. Not only CAN He help us, He also WANTS to help us!
God wanted that church that loved Him, to know that He was the KEEPER OF THE KEYS. and He could provide their needs even though they were living under some FEARFUL and STRESSFUL conditions.
Also notice, not only is He THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS...
II. HE IS THE KING OF KNOWLEDGE.
In Rev. 3:8-10 we read, "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
Notice, the Lord commended the church of Philadelphia for FIVE THINGS.
A. "I know thy works" (v. 8). We are not saved BY our WORKS, but we are saved FOR WORKS!
Someone said, "Faith alone saves, but faith that saves is not alone." Something is wrong when a person professes to have faith but does not have any works to support their claim.
Look at something else about this church that the Lord knew, he said...
B. "...behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it..."
We do not know what kind of door it was that God opened for them, but it is for certain, He set before them some kind of open door!
Illus: We have all seen churches that struggle to keep their doors open, and others buy a piece of property and put up a building, and it is hard to get all the people in the door.
What is the difference?
There is a big difference. God is the One who opens and shuts doors. If God shuts a door, regardless of how hard we try, we cannot open it.
"I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it..." Also, notice something else the Lord commended this church for.
C. “For thou hast a little strength”.
The word translated "strength," is from the Greek word, "Dunamin" from which we get our word dynamite. God said that they had a little power. It is believed that the church of Philadelphia was not large in numbers, nor did they have an impressive building, or all kinds of programs. It is believed that they were a little group of humble folks, who loved the Lord and served Him with what doors God opened for them.
The one thing that is important in every church is this, THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS BEING PREACHED AND TAUGHT! When the Word of God is being preached you will see THREE things:
1) It will drive the hypocrites out of the church.
2) It will feed the spiritually hungry and keep them humble.
3) It will show the lost how they can be saved.
God said the church of Philadelphia had a little STRENGTH. Also notice...
D. "...and hast kept my word..." Not only was the POWERFUL WORD OF GOD PREACHED, It also was KEPT!
E. In order for a church to be what God would have it be, it has to have two things:
1. A minister who will PREACH THE WORD.
2. A congregation that will PRACTICE THE WORD.
When either of these ingredients are missing in a church, that church is in trouble. Also, notice something else God saw in this church. He said...
F. "...and hast not denied my name."
Acts 4:12 tells us there is no other name, than the name of Jesus whereby a person can be saved.
Acts 4:12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
Many think because:
• They have joined a church that makes them a Christian
• The do good works that makes them a Christ.
But there is not other name under heaven can a person be saved other than the name of Jesus
The church of Philadephia did not deny the name of Christ.
Those who trusted in the name of Christ were the children of God!
Look at verse 9 to see how Christ felt about those who ridiculed His people, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."
Jesus said He would make those Jews to come and worship at their feet that they might know that He is the Savior of the world. One day every knee shall bow at the feet of Jesus. Mankind has a choice now but when this judgment day come they will have no choice….THEY WILL BOW!!!
Why? In verse 10 we read, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
In other words, BECAUSE YOU HAVE KEPT MY WORD, I now will KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TRIBULATION.
In Luke 21:34-36 we read that we are to watch and pray that we may escape the awful things which are coming on the earth. (Tribulation Period) If we escape something, we certainly do not go through it.
Conclusion:
I. HE IS THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS.
II. HE IS THE KING OF KNOWLEDGE.
The Church of Laodicea
Text: Revelation 3:14-22
Introduction: Many of us have taken a bite of something, and the moment it was in the mouth we had to "spew" (spit) it out.
With this in mind I would like to draw your attention to the church of Laodicea. Jesus spoke of this church as being a church that caused Him to "spew" them out, because they were "lukewarm."
Illus: There are very few people around who like lukewarm coffee. Some like it iced, and most like it hot, but very few go into a restaurant and order a cup of lukewarm coffee. Why? To most, lukewarm coffee is nauseating.
The church of Laodicea was lukewarm spiritually, and they nauseated the Lord.
There are several historical facts that we need to consider about this town, because some of this shows up in this letter to the church. For example, Laodicea was known as a:
• Banking center,
• Clothing manufacturing center,
• Medical center of that day.
It was known especially for an eye salve produced there. We see all of this in this letter. This is probably why, in verse 17, the Lord referred to the people of the church as being "poor, blind, and naked."
The Lord found something good to say about the other six churches we have preached about, but notice that when He came to the church of Laodicea He could not find one good thing to say about it. It made Him sick!
The Lord could not find one thing to commend it for. He had only words of condemnation for it.
The Lord knew the church of Laodicea was "lukewarm," and He let us see His displeasure.
I. THE CAUSE OF LUKEWARMNESS.
They had no one to blame except themselves. Notice, in verse 14, who the Lord was addressing - "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans' write..." The "angel" that was being addressed was the pastor of the church. The pastor is God's messenger.
It is believed that Archippus was the first pastor of the Laodicean church.
The terrible sin of being lukewarm could have started with him, because in Paul's writing he seemed to indicate that Archippus was not taking the work of God seriously. Paul told him to "...Take heed..."
Paul wrote him in Colossians 4:17, and said, "...Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."
God addressed him and expected him to then address the congregation. God shared two things with the pastor of the church in verse 14...
A. The complainant. He wanted us to know before He registered His complaints.
(1) He is the truth. Look at verse 14, "...These things saith the Amen..."
Jesus referred to Himself as "the Amen." Why? Because "amen" is a term that declares and guarantees the truth. For example, We hear people use this often when a Bible preacher is preaching God's Word. People will say, "Amen." This is a comment that indicates that what they are hearing is the truth.
So, Christ referred to Himself as "the Amen." Also...
2. He is the witness.
Look at verse 14, "...These things saith...the faithful and true witness..."
Remember, the Laodicean church was lukewarm - neither hot nor cold. They would serve God one day and not serve Him the next. Christ wanted them to know that He was the opposite of what they were, and that He was a faithful witness. He did not speak the truth one day and a lie the next. He told the truth every day. He was the "...faithful and true witness..."
As the complainant He also wanted them to know...
3. He is the beginning.
Again, verse 14, "...These things saith...the beginning of the creation of God."
What we believe about the origin of man basically comes down to two things.
Either we place our faith in:
• A SPECULATION - Evolution comes from speculation.
• A REVELATION - Revelation is what the Lord Jesus said, that He is the Creator of all.
God wanted them to know that there was no guessing about what He was going to say. He said, "...These things saith...the beginning of the creation of God."
The complainant wanted them to know those things ABOUT HIMSELF, before He gave the complaints He had ABOUT THEM. Look at...
C. The complaint.
In verses 15-16 we read, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
God knows the spiritual condition of every church. Notice what He bases the spiritual condition of the church on. He said, "I know thy works..." Their works revealed to Him that they were neither cold nor hot.
Have you noticed that people who are on fire for God cannot do enough for Him, and those who are backslidden can barely be forced into doing something for Him?
Why? The person who is "lukewarm" is indifferent, self-satisfied, and complacent.
-Only half committed to WORSHIP. They stay out of church about as much as they come, and when they do come, they sleep through the service.
-Only half committed to EVANGELISM. They are not filled with enough interest in the Lord to compel them to spread this gospel.
-Only half committed to the TEACHING AND PREACHING OF GOD'S WORD..
-Only half committed to living DEDICATED Christian lives that will please the Lord.
-Only half committed to SUPPORTING the church financially.
A lukewarm church is a deceived church, look what the Lord says about the Laodicean church in verse 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."
Remember, Laodicea was known for three things:
-Wealth.
-Clothing, and
-Medicine.
The Lord is probably alluding to all of these in verse 17. He said they were content with their riches, clothing and medicine, having need of nothing. He said that really they were, "...wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
THE CAUSE OF THEIR LUKEWARMNESS was their false assessment of themselves.
II. THE CURE OF THEIR LUKEWARMNESS.
With their riches, clothing, and medical advancements, they made a false assessment of themselves; they felt they did not need anything. But, after the Lord told them how they looked in His sight, they knew they were in a deplorable condition!
Look at verse 18 where we read, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white rainment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see."
The Lord was counseling them about three important things in their lives. Bu from him…
A. True wealth. God's Word asks, "What shall it profit us if we gain the whole world and loose our soul?" Unless a person has spiritual wealth, he really does not have true wealth.
B. True clothing. We can have the most expensive, name-brand clothes available, but if we do not wear the righteousness of Christ we are naked.
C. True medicine. The Laodiceans were very proud of the fact that they produced some of the best eye salve in the world. But listen, you can have 20-20 vision physically and still be blind spiritually!
The Lord was counseling them to look at their wretched condition and realize they are in miserable shape. But, if they would SEE THE SPIRITUAL THINGS, they could have the best of things in the Lord.
Regardless of their condition, the Lord wanted them to know He loved them. Look at verse 19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten..."
He wanted them to know the reason He was chastening them was because He loved them, and His advice for them was to REPENT! Look at the end of verse 19 and on through 21, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 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."
Conclusion: The Lord Jesus did not have one compliment for that church. Why? Because they were "lukewarm."
I. THE CAUSE OF THEIR LUKEWARMNESS - VS 14-17.
II. THE CURE FOR THEIR LUKEWARMNESS - VS 18-21.
