SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). THEPLACE: Laodicea (vs 14a).
(2). THE PERSON: One who is holy, faithful, true witness & ruler (vs 14).
(3). THE PROBLEM: self-sufficient & short-sighted (vs 15-17)
(4). THE PROMISE: I will come in (vs 18-21)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Doors Quiz illustration.
• (Photos available in the PowerPoint).
• Door #1: 10 Downing Street
• Trivia: The London home of the British Prime Minister.
• The Georgian-style black door features a lion’s-head knocker.
• This secure entrance has been made from steel,
• Since the IRA’s Downing Street attack in 1991.
• The door can only be unlocked from the inside!
• Door #2: 221B Baker Street
• This door belongs to,
• One of the most well-known detectives in fiction history,
• Sherlock Holmes created by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
• When the series was originally written,
• Baker Street only went up to number 85,
• But in the 1930s the road was extended,
• And 221b was added.
• Door #3: Kennedy Space Centre
• The largest door in the world,
• Is at the Kennedy Space Centre.
• It is 465 feet tall, and it takes 45 minutes to fully open it.
• Door #4: Tom’s Mouse hole door (of Tom & Jerry Fame)
• Since 1940, this is one of the most best-known doors,
• On TV.
• Is the entrance into the home of Tom,
• The mouse from Tom & Jerry.
• Door #5: The oldest preserved door
• In 2010, during some construction work on a parking lot,
• In Zurich, Switzerland,
• Builders uncovered this door.
• According to those in the know,
• The door was probably built as far back as 3063 BC.
• About the same time,
• That the construction of Stonehenge began.
• TRANSITION:
• Jesus writes a letter to this Church at Laodicea,
• And it contains one of the best-known verses from the Bible.
• (verse 20).
“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 that person, and they with me.”
• The thing we often overlook about this verse,
• It was written to a bunch of Christian’s,
• And not to a bunch of unbelievers!
• An application of the verse can be made to unbelievers,
• Open the door of your heart and welcome him in.
• But that is an application.
• The true meaning of the verse is to believers,
• To shake off their complacency and repent.
Let me remind you of the key truth in these seven letters to seven Churches.
• The seven churches described in Revelation chapters 2-3,
• Are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle.
• Though they were literal churches in Asia Minor at that time,
• There is also spiritual significance for churches & believers today.
• Ephesus (Revelation chapter 2 verses 1-7),
• The church that had forsaken its first love.
• (chapter 2 verse 4).
• Smyrna (Revelation chapter 2 verses 8-11),
• The church that had material poverty but spiritual power.
• (chapter 2 verse 10).
• Pergamum (Revelation chapter 2 verses 12-17),
• The church that needed to repent.
• (chapter 2 verse 16).
• Thyatira (Revelation 2 verses 18-29),
• The church that had a false prophetess.
• Faced the issue of compromise.
• (chapter 2 verse 20).
• Sardis (Revelation chapter 3 verses 1-6),
• The church that had fallen asleep, was spiritually dead!
• (chapter 3 verse 2).
• Philadelphia (Revelation chapter 3 verses 7-13),
• The church that persevered through persecution.
• (chapter 3 verse 10).
• Laodicea (Revelation chapter 3 verses 14-22),
• The church that is described as lukewarm.,
• Well, we will find out what that means in a few minutes.
• (chapter 3 verses 16).
(1). The Place - Laodicea (vs 14a).
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write.”
We have noted in previous weeks.
• The word, angel also means messenger,
• So, this probably refers to the messenger,
• The person who would read this letter out to the gathered Church.
It was Antiochus II who founded the city in the middle of the 3rd Century BC.
• He was a Greek king.
• This empire was a large kingdom (the Seleucid Empire ),
• Which was formed after the death of Alexander the Great.
• He named this city after his wife Laodice.
• Sounds romantic but…
• He later ended his first marriage to Laodice to marry Berenice,
• Who was an Egyptian princess.
• Today,
• Laodicea is located near the modern city of Denizli in Turkey.
LAODICEA WAS ACTUALLY KNOWN FOR 4 THINGS:
FIRST: WEALTH.
• Laodicea was situated on the most important road in Asia.
• The main trade route linking Ephesus and Syria.
• i.e. You entered the city by the Ephesian gate,
• And left by the Syrian gate.
• So, to travel this important trade route,
• Meant you had to go through Laodicea.
With so much trade (and therefore money) passing through the city.
• Laodicea became the financial and banking centre,
• Of the whole region.
• It was known for its currency exchange and money lending.
• Cicero (The great Roman statesman, scholar, and writer)
• Used to cash huge bank drafts (his travellers cheques) there.
• You could say Laodicea had money to burn.
• It was so wealthy,
• That after it was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17.
• The people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city,
• Choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves.
Ill:
• Can you imagine one of our towns or villages today,
• Having been flooded out by a river that burst its banks.
• Think of the damage to homes, businesses, transport,
• The energy infrastructure.
• Can you imagine that place turning down government aid,
• Saying, “It’s OK, we can sort this out ourselves!”
• TRANSITION: That is Laodicea,
• So, it was a super-rich city,
• And they had no need of any outside help.
SECOND: WOOL.
• The city was famous for its wool.
• This wool was special,
• A fine quality glossy black wool.
• No one knows whether its rich colour,
• Came from a particular strain of sheep that they bred,
• Or whether they dyed the wool in a special way.
• What counted was the quality of the wool is indisputable.
• In fact, they cornered the market in this commodity,
• It became a trademark fo the city.
Ill:
• Think of a town where the ladies all wore expensive fur coats,
• (or similar expensive garments).
• Or maybe a town where the men all wore Armani suits.
• (Made from this special wool).
• TRANSITION: That’s Laodicea,
• The people were distinct by their expensive clothing.
THIRD: WELL-BEING.
• Laodicea boasted,
• Of one of the most recognised medical schools in the world.
• They produced a world-famous lotion,
• Known as "Phrygian powder."
• Reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases.
• And so, people came from all over the Roman world,
• In search of remedies for their ailments
FOURTH: WATER.
• While Laodicea appeared to have everything,
• It lacked the most basic of resources - water.
• Laodicea was purposely built on the most important road in Asia.
• The main trade route linking Ephesus and Syria.
• The problem was there was no local water supply!
So, water had to be piped into Laodicea.
• Cold water could come from the abundant supply at Colossae,
• But Colossae was 10 miles away,
• So, by the time it arrived at Laodicea,
• It was lukewarm and full of sediment.
• The other option was to pipe water from Hierapolis,
• But this was about six miles away,
• So, that water, too, on arrival to Laodicea,
• Was lukewarm and full of sediment.
Whether they piped in the cold or the hot water,
• It always arrived at Laodicea lukewarm.
• When water is lukewarm and full of sediments,
• It neither refreshes nor heals. It is disgusting!
Quote: Ian Barcley (Bible teacher):
“It was a standing joke in Laodicea that unsuspecting travellers approaching the city from the west would often try to drink from the outer pools in the area known as the Phrygian Gate.
The luke warmness of the water worked as an emetic and made them vomit, much to the amusement of all who knew about the dangers of drinking tepid water”.
(2) THE PERSON (vs 14b).
• As with the other six letters in this chapter:
• Christ the author of the letter introduces himself,
• By using three-word pictures.
"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen--the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation:”
• These introductions that Jesus chooses to use.
• Are a key to the interpreting the rest of the letter.
• So, let’s look at what he says about himself.
FIRST: Jesus calls himself the "Amen."
• Jesus identifies Himself in vs 14 as the "Amen",
• This was a title of God.
• The prophet Isaiah used it (Isaiah chapter 65 verse 16),
• He speaks of "the God of Amen."
• Hebrew word ‘Amen’ means, “Truly,” “so be it,” or “faithful.”
• We are all familiar with this word.
• We enthusiastically utter it after grace or a long prayer,
• And occasionally it is said,
• When a congregation want to express our agreement,
• With a meaningful statement that the preacher may say.
• (Pause…and wait – lol)
• TRANSITION:
• And at the start of this letter:
• Jesus introduces himself then as the one who tells the truth.
• The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Ill:
• This was a word that Jesus used frequently in the gospels.
• In the more modern versions of the gospels,
• He begins many statements with the words,
• "Truly, truly, I say unto you."
• The King James Version renders it, "Verily, verily."
• In Greek, it is "Amen, Amen."
• It indicates that Jesus is saying something extremely important.
• And it always marks a significant truth.
• TRANSITION:
• Jesus introduces himself then as the one who tells the truth.
• The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
SECOND: Jesus calls himself, “The faithful and true witness”.
Ill:
• A witness must have three qualities:
• (a). He must have seen with his own eyes,
• What he speaks about.
• (b). He must be honest,
• So that he repeats with accuracy,
• What he has heard and seen.
• (c). He must have the ability to communicate,
• What he has observed.
• TRANSITION:
• Jesus describes himself as the perfect witness:
• He always tells the truth,
• The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
• And he is faithful and reliable,
• And tells us straight, gives us the facts!
• His testimony is clear and true.
THIRD: Jesus calls himself "the ruler of God’s creation."
• The N.I.V. uses the word ‘Ruler’;
• The K.J.B. the word ‘Beginning’.
• It literally is ‘origin’ or ‘source’ of God’s creation.
• Jesus is the origin,
• The beginning of all things.
• The great creator!
Jesus presents himself here as the creator, the one,
• Who can make lukewarm and sediment water,
• Clean, refreshing, and new again!
(3) THE Problem: self-sufficient (vs 15-17).
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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.”
• This is the second Church out of the seven mentioned,
• In chapters 2-3,
• Where Jesus has nothing good to say about them!
• (The other Church was Sardis.)
• Sadly, not finding anything good to say about them.
• Means, Jesus has no choice but to condemn them.
FIRST: They were self-sufficient (vs 15a).
“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.”.
The Laodiceans were not criticized because of their wealth.
• The problem lay in the effect their wealth had on them,
• It allowed them to feel falsely self-sufficient and self-reliant.
• The Christians of this city,
• Had permitted wealth to dull them spiritually.
• They became prideful and independent.
• In fact, they behaved as though they did not need God.
• They had enough wealth, they had enough of everything,
• Or so they thought!
• i.e. Remember they did not even need,
• The money of Rome to repair their city.
• And they would not admit it,
• But they really did not need to depend on God,
• They had their, “Daily bread.” Before they even prayed for it!
• i.e. Verse 17:
“You say, ‘I am rich;
I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’”
• They had the means to buy whatever they wanted,
• Or so they thought!
• As we will see in a moment,
• They were advised to buy different goods to what they had,
• i.e. “gold refined in fire,”
• Which likely refers to the fire of trials.
• If life had been harder,
• Perhaps they would have cried out to the Lord.
• Instead, ease and comfort cooled their zeal for Christ.
SECOND: They were short-sighted (vs 15b).
“But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.
Ill:
• Myopia or short-sightedness.
• It is a form of defective vision in which distant objects are perceived out of focus.
• TRANSITION:
• The Laodicean church was short-sighted,
• They were evaluating themselves by the world’s standards,
• Rather than God’s standards.
• Verse 17:
“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.”
In the world’s eyes this Church was doing fine:
• They were wealthy, self sufficient, comfortable, accepted.
• But the church of Jesus Christ,
• Is meant to be more than just a country club.
• Run for the benefit of its members.
The church of Jesus Christ is to be…
• (a). A light (Matthew chapter 5 verses 14-16)
• ““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
• We are to be shining hope into a world of spiritual darkness.
• But too many Churches have opted for,
• ““You are the light of the Church.” Mentality,
• Forget the lost world because, “I’m alright Jack!”
• (b). The church of Jesus Christ church is to be salt,
• (Matthew chapter 5 verses 13-16).
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
• The church of Jesus Christ church is meant to be distinct,
• Making a difference in the world, in people’s lives.
• But too many Churches have lost their saltiness!
• And focused only on themselves.
Jesus calls these people out:
• Instead of being spiritually rich,
• These Christians were spiritually bankrupt in all aspects.
• Remember the three things that made this city famous:
• Their wealth, their eye ointment, and their fine cloth.
• Well Jesus is saying to them that in his reckoning,
• They are poor, they are blind, and they are naked!
Ill:
• Like Hans Christian Anderson’s story of the Emperor’s New Clothes,
• These affluent, well-dressed believers were exposed.
• Their sense of spirituality was an illusion.
• And they were spiritually naked before the Lord.
(4). THE PROMISE: I will come in (vs 18-21)
The Laodicean Church had a problem and Jesus Christ had the solution!
• Jesus provides a way of escape from judgement,
• Not judgement in losing one’s salvation.
• But judgement in losing one’s reward.
“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. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent”.
If we want to be spiritually useful (hot or cold) and spiritually rich,
• We need to buy 3 things.
• Notice how Christ makes this so relevant to the situation at Laodicea:
• The 3 things we need – gold, clothes and ointment.
• They are exactly the three things most important to Laodicea.
• But notice, however,
• That the Laodicean varieties are useless!
• They need the spiritual versions,
• Which are only available from Jesus.
SOLUTION #1: Buy the right things.
Three things that they needed to buy -
• (a). We need to buy Gold refined in the fire.
• These Christians had money and plenty of Gold,
• But their gold was no good.
• The "gold refined in fire" is something Peter referrers to in his letter,
• When speaking about persecution.
• (1 Peter chapter 1 verse 7):
• This statement from Jesus to the Laodicean’s.
• May suggest that they needed some persecution.
• They were too comfortable.
• Nothing makes God’s people examine their priorities faster,
• Than suffering!
• (b). We need to buy White Clothes.
• The white clothes are a contrast to their spiritual nakedness.
• And also, a big contrast to the black woollen clothing,
• They wore and exported to the world.
• White clothes always speak of righteousness.
• Right standing before God.
• (c). We need to buy ointment.
• The city of Laodicea was famous for its eye ointment:
• The eye is one of the body’s most sensitive areas.
• And this Church needed a refocus.
Ill:
• 2 small coins placed in front of your eyes will blot out the whole world.
• TRANSITION: We can allow wealth, or other items,
• To prevent us from seeing clearly!”
SOLUTION #2: Be the right person.
• (a). An Explanation (vs 19a):
• “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline”.
Ill:
• To bring lasting healing,
• May often require painful medical treatment or surgery.
• But after the initial discomfort or pain,
• Then comes the healing and health.
• Jesus reminds the Laodicean’s,
• They might be lukewarm towards him,
• But he is hot towards them,
• And because he is hot, that is he loves. he also corrects (vs 19).
• (2). An exhortation (vs 19b):
• “ So be earnest, and repent”.
• This verse is like the final warning we give our kids.
• i.e. “I’m gonna count to three and then….”
• In other words,
• It is time to make your mind up and do something,
• Jesus wants actions not words!
• (c). An invitation (verse 20).
• “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…”
“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”.
Ill:
• Whenever you read this verse,
• You cannot help but think of,
• William Holman Hunt’s famous painting,
• “The Light of the World.”
• Hunt was a famous Victorian artist and founder of the Pre-Raphaelite art movement.
• (no idea what Pre-Raphaelite means but it sounds good!)
• In the painting, Christ is holding a lantern,
• And knocking at a door.
• And you may well know that in the painting,
• There is no handle on the outside of the door.
• It can only be opened from the inside.
• TRANSITION:
• The application of the painting illustration is simple.
• Christ is knocking at the door of the human heart,
• He is asking for entrance.
• He waits to be invited, he will never force his way in.
Note:
• Preachers often use this as invitation to become a Christian.
• But that is an APPLICATION of this verse.
• Secondary in the verse’s usage.
• Because the context of the verse,
• Is NOT how to become a new Christian,
• But how to be restored again as an older Christian.
The context of this verse is for people who are already Christians:
• Although they are lukewarm ones.
• Christ is pleading for them to open their heart’s door to him.
• To open their lives up to him fully,
• So that he can come in and commune with them.
• Literally dine in intimate fellowship with them.
Note:
• Notice he speaks to the individual; “If anyone”.
• He appeals to us individually to get ourselves right with God!
• Yet verse 22 also makes it clear.
• This is a message for the whole Church.
• “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
• Revival always starts with an individual,
• And like the measles it can quickly spread!
• Question: Will you be the one?
• (d). An elevation (verse 21).
• “I will give the right to sit with me on my throne…”
“ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Jesus continues his promise…
• We often quote verse 20 and stop part way through,
• We finish at the fact Christ wants to fellowship with us,
• Well, that is mind-blowing,
• But the verse goes on to say even more!
• That to the one or two etc. that responds to his call for change.
• Change from a lukewarm faith to one that is refreshing.
• Those Christians who overcome the battle against indifference,
• Compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward.
• They will enjoy a place with the enthroned Jesus.
• Most of us would be happy being in the same room as Jesus,
• Yet, in his goodness he promises us more!
Ill:
• We all face various forms of trials,
• They could be personal struggles, societal pressures,
• Or spiritual battles.
• Yet, the promise to the overcomer,
• Is one of victory and the reward.
• TRANSITION:
• Jesus is using symbolic language.
• To sit alongside him on his throne,
• Is a picture of authority and recognition.
• Just as Jesus won his fight and won!
• We can be assured,
• That we will be with him and reign with him.
• This should motivate us,
• As an encouragement to pursue a faithful life,
• Knowing that such efforts lead to divine rewards.
This is the worst of the seven Churches,
• Yet it receives the most outstanding of all the promises,
• That shows that the worst believer can repent, and not be excluded,
• And enjoy reigning with Jesus – Hallelujah!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://gcurley.pxwave.com/wgfvmgfh/?f=dl
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/cLJ6gkkQME4
