But I strongly disagree with some of these good Bible teachers that I have a high respect for and I will explain in a few minutes why I disagree.
For example, according to their view…
• The first church on the list is the Ephesian church would represent the time when the apostles were alive and ministering.
• Then, the church at Smyrna would represent the post-apostolic era when the church was persecuted by the Roman empire.
• Laodicea, being the final church on the list, supposedly describes the lukewarm church of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in which we live.
I whole heartedly disagree with their view. There is too much surmising in this view!
LET ME EXPLAIN WHY I DISAGREE…
For example, if the Laodicean church is supposed to represent our church age, the age of Luke warmness and deception…
I the Laodicean church represent out age...
Why is there some great church like ours in this age:
• On fire for God,
• Preaching and teaching the Word of God,
• Spreading the Word of God through television, radio, internet and the printed page.
• Sending missionaries around the world with the gospel.
So, to imply that the Laodicean church represent our age this would not be a fair assessment.
Why?
Because every age has had false churches, deceived churches and Luke-warm churches.
So, I do not believe the seven churches represent ages, but they are seven churches we can learn FROM.
Illus: These seven churches are like a buffet meal that we can pick and choose the good and the bad to learn from.
While humans (and churches) may have certain similarities, no two are exactly alike.
Illus: Scientists tell us that even though identical twins share the same genetic code, they are still not precisely the same in every way. The same is true with churches.
In reality, these letters are exactly what the book of Revelation implies them to be: letters to seven churches in every age what is the good and bad in God's sight.
All seven of the churches that John addresses existed at the exact same time in history and in the same proximity to each other; yet they were very different from each other.
It has often been said, “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, lest it result in nonsense.”
It makes perfect sense that Jesus would speak through the last remaining apostle to provide these pastors specific instructions to help them and us today to lead their congregations through GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES.
So, with this in mind let us see what we can learn from the CHURCH IN LAODICEAN.
Let me ask you a question?
How many of you are familiar with the PC movement?
PC is short for Political Correctness.
You can define this movement with one statement – you don’t do or say or do anything that might be considered offensive to anyone.
This sounds great! We certainly want to be sensitive to the feelings of those around us…don’t we!!!
But sometimes this POLITICAL CORRECTIVENESS take THIS too far.
Let me explain…
Illus: One example, I can think of is the fact that kids aren’t allowed to play Cowboys and Indians anymore on the playgrounds.
Why?
Because those who we use to call Indians are now to be referred to as Native Americans so as not to offend.
I have no problem calling these people Native Americans if that is what they would like to be known as.
I don’t want to deliberately offend anyone!!!
However, because of Political Correctness even now the NFL are being forced to change their logos, mascots, and names if they refer to anything to the Native Americans.
Such as the NFL Cleveland Indians or the Washington Red Skins.
Also, the Political Correctness movement has also given birth to phrases such as:
• Vertically challenged instead of short,
• Mail carrier instead of mail man,
• Hearing impaired instead of deaf.
• Homosexual — Gay
• Homeless — Outdoor urban dwellers
• Caretaker — Site engineer
• Housewife — Domestic engineer
• Tramp — Homeless person
• Unemployed — Economically inactive
• Preferential treatment — Affirmative action
• Merry Christmas — Season’s Greetings
The Political Correctness movement has even made its way into the churches which I strongly oppose.
For example, if you say that Jesus is the only way to heaven, some will say that you are insensitive and narrow minded.
And you certainly cannot use words in the pulpit as HOMOSEXUALITY, TRANSGENDERISM, and HELL AND ABORTION because this offends some people.
This is why I say POLITICAL CORRECTIVES have carried this thing to far.
Why?
Because it will soon be impossible to preach about sin without offending someone.
Some churches are giving in to the PC movement.
The church at Laodicea may have been the first PC church.
Let’s take a look at God’s Word in Revelation 3:14-21.
“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.”
These are some tough words.
• I rebuke (In other words, who are you to rebuke me!)
• Repent (In other words, who are you to tell me to repent!)
Let’s take a closer look at the Laodicea church and this warning from the Lord.
• Laodicea was about forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia and about one hundred miles due east of Ephesus.
• It was in a fertile valley along with Colosse and Hierapolis, and the great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center. This made Laodicea an important center of trade and communication.
Laodicea was actually known for...
(1) For its wealth.
It was the financial and banking center of the whole region and had money to burn.
• So wealthy was Laodicea that after the great earthquake of A.D. 17, which destroyed it, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves.
Illus; This would be like New Orleans refusing government aid after Katrina and replacing all the buildings and infrastructure themselves.
They were rich and had no need for any help.
• Much of its wealth came from the production of a fine quality of famous glossy black wool which would be exported throughout the known world.
Clothing, much like today, was very important. Although they did not have brand names like we do today, they had specific materials that showed how rich they were.
Such as, wearing black wool from Ephesus was the equivalent of wearing an Armani suit or a designer dress right off the runway in Paris.
(2)Laodicea was also famous for its school of medicine and particularly for a special ointment known as "Phrygian powder."
This was famous for its ability to cure eye defects.
• It was made into a salve that could be rubbed around the eye area and cure all types of eye ailments. Because of its effectiveness, this salve was in great demand!!!
This was quite a place to live!
Illus: We ride around the country and it thrills us to see church buildings everywhere. While we are thrilled to see them, we might not be so thrilled about some of them if we knew what the Lord knows about them.
The Lord knew the church of Laodicea was a DECEIVED CHURCH.
However, this is the only church mentioned in the Bible that received no compliments from the lord Jesus.
Illus: Now it is a bad thing when you cannot find something nice to say about a church.
The Laodicean church was a DECEIVED CHURCH.
LET’S LOOK AT…
I. THE CAUSE OF THEIR DECEPTION
Notice, in verse 14, "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.
A lot of the deception in the church can be placed at the feet of some pastors. I MEAN A LOT OF THE BLAME!
• Just like there are a lot of good doctors there are also some lousy ones.
• There are a lot of good pastors but there are some LOUSY ones.
It is believed that Archippus was the first pastor of the Laodicean church.
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."
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.
The ministry is the most SERIOUS OCCUPATION THERE IS.
A pastor has to take it seriously that he has in his hands the power to:
1) Send souls into hell
2) Send souls into heaven
Paul told Archippus to "...Take heed..."
Notice, when Paul told Archippus to TAKE HEED he also said that “THAT THOU FORFIL IT.”
He is saying GOD HAS A PLAN FOR HIS CHURCH AND YOU NEED TO TAKE GOD’S WORK SERIOUS.
“Take Heed” means to PAY ATTENTION, TAKE IT SERIOUS!”
Illus: Every year thousands of people on their jobs do not TAKE HEED the danger of their job and because they are not taking their job serious people are injured and killed.
Only God knows how many millions will go to a devil’s hell because some preacher did not take the preaching of God’s Word seriously.
God shared two things with the pastor of the church in verse 14...
A. The complainant.
The complainant is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
He would have loved to have been able to tell them what a great church they were, but he had only complaints against this church.
Again, it is a bad thing when you cannot find anything nice to say about a church.
Before the Lord registered these complaints He tells us about Himself who He is…
He tells us THREE THINGS about Hhimself…Such as…
(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 word that declares and guarantees the truth.
Illus: For example, we hear people use this word 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 FROM THE LORD is the truth.
The Lord is not going to tell them what THEY WANT TO HEAR, BUT TELL THEM THE TRUTH.
Illus: For example, I know some parents that have a little girl and they are always saying, OH, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! But the fact is their little girl is a long ways from being beautiful. One day that little girl is going to grow up and look in the mirror and realize her parents have been lying to her.
They do not need to tell her she is ugly, but it a lie to tell her she is beautiful.
The Lord, who had only bad things to say to this church, wanted them to know what He was saying and what they were hearing was 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.
• They would spread the truth one day and a lie the next.
But Christ wanted them to know that He was the opposite of what they were, and that He was a faithful witness THAT KNEW THE TRUTH AND TOLD THE TRUTH.
• He did not speak the truth one day and a lie the next.
• He was the faithful and true witness that 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.
Notice he refers to himself by saying He is the beginning of the creation of God."
Either we place our faith in a:
1) SPECULATION
2) REVELATION.
Let me illustrate…
• Evolution comes from speculation. That is, evolutionists do not have the facts, so they can only COME FROM SPECULATION OR GUESSING.
• Revelation is what the Lord Jesus said, that He is the Creator of all. That is a Fact!!!
For a creation to exist there has to be a CREATOR!
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 ABOUT WHO THEY ARE.
We have looked at the COMPAINANT now let us Look at...
B. 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.
Illus: We can drive across this country and we can see all kinds of church buildings. But none of us can ride by these churches and KNOW THE FACTS HOW THEY STAND WITH GOD.
But God knows the FACTS about every church when it comes to their SPIRITUAL CONDITION.
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.
Illus: 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. He/she is happy with things just the way they are.
In the lukewarm church the people are...
• Only half committed to WORSHIP.
They stay out of church about as much as they come, and when they do come, their minds or a thousand miles away from where they are siting.
• Only half committed to living a DEDICATED Christian life that will please the Lord.
• Only half committed to SUPPORTING the church financially.
A lukewarm church is a deceived church. In God's sight, they are not. They are DECEIVED.
You know what is bad about being deceived, THEY ARE DECEIVED AND DO NOT KNOW IT!!!
Illus: Jim Jones was the founder of the People's Temple where more than 900 of Jim Jones' followers died in a cult murder/suicide in 1978 in Jonestown, Guyana.
Over 300 children were murdered.
Jim Jones is one of the most extreme examples of spiritual deception. But he is certainly not alone.
In the Bible there are repeated warnings about those who will seek to deceive us spiritually.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns about false prophets.
There are two things that characterize them:
(1) They are genuinely deceptive.
Jesus said they will come to us in sheep's clothing.
Paul writes that they "masquerade as servants of righteousness."
(2) They're dangerous.
Jesus says they come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they're ferocious wolves.
BUT DID YOU KNOW…
Today deception is currently being restrained.
There are two things that are restraining the devil from making things worst then they are.
(1) God’s Church
God’s church is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD that drives back darkness
Secondly…
(2) The Holy Spirit
2 Thessalonians 2:5-7 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
We believe the restrainer is none other than the Holy Spirit, or we could say the Holy Spirit working through the New Testament church.
It makes sense to say that the Holy Spirit is holding Satan from carrying out his MASTER PLAN WHEN THE BOOK OF REVELATION 13 TELLS US ALL THE WORLD WILL WONDER AFTER HIM.
However, during this church age Paul says, the Spirit will “step aside” from His restraining work, allowing sin to have dominion over mankind.
“The secret of lawlessness is already working, only it cannot be revealed until he who now withholds disappears from the midst.”
The Holy Spirit will still be present in the earth, of course, but He will be taken out of the way in the sense that his unique sin-restraining ministry—through God’s people—will be removed.
The Antichrist will be given free rein during the tribulation; the lawless one will “use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders” to deceive the people of the earth (verses 9–10).
The anti-Christ has not yet come but the spirit of the anti-Christ is very much working and DECEIVING PEOPLE.
In fact, the devil has deceived so many that the Lord tells us in……Matthew 7:22-24 many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
WHAT IS BAD ABOUT BEING DECEIVED?
Again, A DECEIVER PERSON DOES NOT EVEN KNOW THEY ARE DECEIVED.
Illus: This is Haddon Robinson: "When Satan approaches us, he never comes dragging the chains that will enslave us. … He comes offering us pleasure, expansiveness, money, popularity, freedom, and joy. In fact, he never hints about the consequences; he only promises [he] will fill all the desires of our hearts. That is how we are destroyed."
Illus: One man said this about the GREAT DECEIVER, "The people don't know the devil is there, even when he has them by the throat."
HOW DID SATAN DECEIVED THE CHURCH LAODICEA?
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."
Illus: If you or I had been able to pull up to the Laodicean church, the members would have told YOU how much their building cost.
Some of the deceptive ways Satan deceives people is:
• Because they have a beautiful church building this is an indication of God’s approval on them.
• Because they have thousands in attendance this is an indication of God’s approval.
• Because they have a large budget this is an indication of God’s approval.
At the same time, if Christ had walked to the Laodicean church He would have said that that this church was a "wretched" church!
Remember, Laodicea city was known for three things:
• Wealth.
• Clothing,
• Medicine.
The Lord is probably alluding to all of these inverse 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 DECEPTION was their false assessment of themselves.
But the Lord is always willing to help us, if we are willing to face up to the truth.
Let us look at…
II. THE CURE OF THEIR DECEPTIVENESS.
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!
He counseled them to buy:
• Spiritual WEALTH
• -Spiritual CLOTHING
• -Spiritual MEDICINE
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.
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 PERSUE THE SPIRITUAL THINGS, they could have the best of things in the Lord.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
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 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 the church of Laodiceans.
Why?
Because they were "lukewarm” and straddle the fence.
God wants us to be like Joshua as he told the people Israel, YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, BUT FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE ARE GOING TO SERVE THE LORD.
Serving the Lord is a PERSONAL MATTER!!!
The Lord Jesus would have some very harsh things to say too many churches today.
Why?
Because "lukewarm" describes them also.
Someone said…
• They pray without fasting.
• They give without sacrificing.
• They witness without weeping.
And should we wonder that we sow without reaping!
It is time that lukewarm Christians stop straddling the fence and decide whose side they are on!
The Lord had some very harsh things to say to the church in Laodicea.
Why?
I. THE CAUSE OF THEIR DEVEPTIVENESS - VS 14-17.
II. THE CURE FOR THEIR DECEPTIVENESS - VS 18-21.
So often, we think of repenting as asking the Lord for forgiveness when we do something wrong. This is part of forgiveness. In the Greek, this word meant to turn completely around – to do a 180.
So, repentance involves asking for forgiveness and then turning away from what we were doing and going in a completely opposite direction.
Every lukewarm church needs to repent of straddling the fence.
Why?
Because we can learn this from the church of Laodicea.
