Today our journey is completed. We have arrived at our final stopping point; we will hear the final word of God to the seven churches of the book of Revelation.
You know, it seems highly appropriate to me that we make this momentous arrival at the time when the attention of Christians everywhere is focused on the great sacrifice of the Son of God. Though we recognise that this Easter Weekend as it is celebrated is not the actual time of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, yet we have opportunity this weekend to call to mind in a unique way the events through which our Saviour passed that we might become heirs to eternal life. It is at this time of year that for many, a deeper understanding of just what He went through for you and for me is gained – a deeper recognition of our wretched and sinful state, which drove Him to make such a sacrifice – and it is at this time that a commitment to Christ is made, renewed, or strengthened. As with the message of Easter, so the message to the Church of Laodicea is one that serves to remind us, even this morning, of our true condition, as well as to direct our attention the only true Cure, the only true Deliverer, the one and only Saviour.
And so I invite you, to meet this Saviour anew today, as we turn this morning to the third chapter of Revelation, to begin reading at verse 14 (read vv. 14-22)….
If we were to compare the seven churches of Revelation with the seven corresponding eras of the Christian church, we would find that the message of the church of Laodicea is the message that pertains prophetically to our time in history. According to Scripture, it is this age in which we are now living, which is the age of spiritual Laodicea. It should come as no surprise, then, that though many of us may not have read the letter to Laodicea before, yet the words are still very familiar. The rebuke of Jesus against lukewarmness is a common cry today, shouted against the church from both pew and pulpit. And of course, who hasn’t heard the famous appeal, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”? In fact, as I read the passage just now, I am sure that many of you stopped paying attention because your mind already knew many of the words and simply filled in the rest. It’s a message that we have become familiar with – perhaps too familiar.
And yet as we read the letter to Laodicea, we discover that the Spirit of the churches is calling us this morning – calling us to do more than just recite the message from memory, to do more than just repeat the catch phrases we have gleaned. This morning, the Spirit of God is calling on us to dig deeper, to hear the message – not to just let the words go in one ear and out the other, but to stop and deeply reflect on what this message is calling us to. So instead of tuning out, let us lay aside what we think this letter is saying, wake up our spiritual sensitivities, and tune in to the word God is actually declaring to us today.
Our Lord begins His letter with the words, “I know your works”. In any letter, it is often the first sentence that will set the tone of the message being given. It is often the first few words spoken that reveal what is of greatest importance to the writer’s heart. And here we see that God’s primary concern is with what? – with our works! Of all the ways God could have begun this letter – of all the things He could have expressed over which He takes greatest issue with His church, we discover that it is our works – what we are doing – that are of utmost importance to Him. In fact, as you look over the letters to the churches, you will find that five of the seven letters begin with the words, “I know your works”.
This is a sobering testimony, and it stands in stark contrast with the mindset of many a modern Christian. “We are living in the age of grace” is the herald of many contemporary churches; “our works are no longer important; just confess that Jesus is Lord, and you are saved” they say. The commonly accepted theory for too many Christians is “once saved, always saved”, and it has wreaked havoc on the cause of Christ. They will tell you that to make a profession of faith is enough; that to be baptised is sufficient, and that further works are unnecessary. To the once-saved, always-saved subscribers, the good works do no more to merit the kingdom of heaven than the evil works do to keep you out. I know a young woman who told me once that it doesn’t matter that she smokes and drinks and lives with her boyfriend; she professes that Jesus is Lord, and so she’s still saved.
And yet as I study the messages to God’s churches, I discover that the works of His professed followers are of great significance in His eyes. Make no mistake about it, friends: what we do is absolutely important as far as God is concerned. We are told that our works do not just make a difference, no; to God, our works are the difference.
Now, I can imagine that to some of you, that sounds legalistic. It sounds like I’m saying that our works are what save us. That’s not what I’m saying at all. Nowhere in Scripture are we told that we are to work for our Salvation. The only work that was needed for our Salvation was accomplished on the cross of Calvary two thousand years ago by Someone far more capable than you or I. Now follow me closely: our works do not save us. You could never “do” enough to “earn” salvation, and to even attempt to do so is to render the cross of Jesus Christ useless.
So why place such an emphasis on works, then? The answer to that question is found in the next statement God makes to Laodicea: “I know your works” He says; “and it is your works that reveal the truth of your situation.” “You are neither cold nor hot” is His declaration. He knows this because He knows what the church is up to. As He has watched the church at Laodicea operate, He’s come the conclusion that this is a church that needs help. Now, is He judging this church? No; He merely sees what they’re doing, and is making a statement based on what He sees going on. And of course, the Word of God tells us what is going on in our lives can reveal a lot about what’s going on in the heart.
The works that the Laodicean Christians were involved in revealed a great deal about the state of their hearts. In fact, as God took stock of Laodicea, what He witnessed caused His stomach to sour. You see, Laodicea had become what we call a “Lukewarm Church”. A few weeks ago we talked about the church of the Frozen Chosen; today we meet the church of the Bathtub Believers. In a bathtub, you don’t want the water too hot or too cold, but just warm enough to sit in comfortably. Like someone taking a lazy soak in a warm tub, Laodicea had become apathetic and lethargic. The church was content with the title of Christian, was good at making a profession of faith, but had failed desperately in doing anything with what they professed.
This, we are told, is unacceptable to God. The message of Laodicea tells us today that a profession of faith in Jesus Christ without an accompanying lifestyle is not only intolerable to Him, it’s repulsive. And in the same way that the body expels that which it cannot tolerate, purging the stomach of that which does not agree, so we are told God will purge from His body of believers all whose lives are not lived in accordance with their profession.
With God, being a Bathtub Believer is not an option. In fact, God states in no uncertain terms that He would rather have us absolutely hot, or absolutely cold. In other words, He would rather see us completely embrace and live the Gospel message, or else have nothing to do with it at all. Did you know that? Did you know that someone who is completely antagonistic toward the Gospel gets more credit with God than a Bathtub Believer any day? It’s true, and here’s why: if you’re in one camp or the other, God can do something with you; but if you’re somewhere in the middle, you’re useless to Him.
It’s a known fact that some of the most stalwart Christians in history are those who once fought against the Gospel the most violently. Scripture tells of Saul of Tarsus, a man who wanted to single-handedly wipe Christianity off the map, but somewhere along the way came face-to-face with Jesus Christ. And once he encountered the amazing grace of God, that same man who fought against the Christian message with every ounce of strength in him went on to use every ounce of strength he had to proclaim that same Gospel right up until his very own death. Make no mistake about it: there is no middle ground with God; He wants all, or He’ll take none.
As we said, the works are an outward demonstration of the condition of the heart – it is a reflection of their state of mind. Going on in the letter to Laodicea, God explains in verse 17 exactly what their mindset is. Read with me there please at verse 17….
Now don’t miss the significance of what was just said here. A moment ago we learned that our works are the outward expression of what’s going on in our hearts and minds. Laodicea had a problem with a lukewarm attitude toward a Christian lifestyle, and here in verse 17 we’re told why. A literal translation from the Greek would read something like this: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have everything; and you can’t add anything to what I have.’” The problem with the Laodiceans is that they think they’ve already got everything they need.
Now when we hear the words, “I am rich”, we often think in terms of material wealth; that is, money and other possessions. But I believe the wealth being spoken of here is of a far different nature than mere silver and gold. To understand what kind of wealth we’re talking about here, we need to go over to the book of Colossians, chapter 2. Turn with me there please, to the second chapter of Colossians, starting at verse 1 (read vv. 1-3)….
It seems that the Colossian church had a lot in common with the church at Laodicea; in fact, we are told in Colossians chapter 4, verse 16, that the two churches exchanged the letters Paul had written to each of them. It would be safe, then, to conclude that what we read in Colossians also applied to Laodicea. And what we read in Colossians chapter 2, is that the wealth they were given was not found in silver or gold, but in “the full assurance of understanding” and in “wisdom and knowledge”. In other words, they were blessed with great spiritual understanding and insight. Now, with this in mind, let’s go back and re-read Revelation 3:17, and see what the passage is trying to say….
If we understand the wealth being spoken of here to mean spiritual wisdom and knowledge, then what Laodicea is saying is that they think they’ve got it all; they think they know it all; they think they’ve got it all figured out. In the realm of spiritual truth and sound doctrine, they’ve cornered the market, so to speak. More than an attitude of material satisfaction, the church of Laodicea has fallen into a state of spiritual arrogance. They’ve been blessed with great insights into the word of God; they hold the true doctrines; they obey all of God’s commandments. They consider themselves better and more acceptable to God than those around them, and “more spiritual” than those in other churches who may not have such understandings.
What’s more, they begin to think they’ve reached a state of complete understanding. They’ve become spiritual know-it-alls, as it were; and because of this, we are told, they have been blinded to how ignorant of the things of God they really are. Notice how God speaks to them: “You may think you’ve got it all figured out” God says. “You may think you understand it all; but in reality, you don’t know the half of it.” In fact, He says, what we do know is worthless; our understanding is absolutely pointless; our great spiritual insights are a waste of time. We are shameful, but do not know it. We are naked, but refuse to see it. We are wretched, but refuse to admit it. We deceive ourselves into thinking we have everything, when in reality we have nothing at all.
How does a church get to such a place? How do Christians who have such knowledge of the Scriptures not see our true condition? The answer, I believe, is found in verse 20….
Now, like I said earlier, this verse is often used as an appeal – Jesus standing there patiently, knocking at the door, waiting to see it open so that He may enter in. It’s a beautiful picture, and a moving appeal; but we’ve used it so often that there are two things we miss – two very important things. The first thing we miss about this appeal – who is Jesus talking to here? The CHURCH!! This appeal is directed at the people of God; not to unbelievers, but to professed followers of Jesus. This is an appeal that Jesus is making to you and me. Understand that – Jesus is speaking to His church.
The second thing we miss (and I believe this is the most important of the two) – where is Jesus standing when He makes this appeal? He is standing outside the door. Somehow, Jesus has been kicked out of His own church, and now He’s waiting to be let back in.
Brothers and sisters, the problem with the church in Laodicea is that they became so absorbed in having a knowledge of Jesus, that they ended up pushing Jesus Himself right out the front door. The church was so obsessed with the knowledge of salvation they had, that having that knowledge took the place of the having the Saviour in their lives. They became so arrogant about the fact that they were keeping God’s law, that the law took the place of the great law-Giver. Self has taken the throne of the heart in their lives – it’s no longer about knowing Jesus personally, but knowing a lot about Him, and comparing how much they know against what others know. They have become self-righteous because they claim to know so much, little realising that the Righteous One is no longer in their lives. And the more we push Him away, the less clearly we are able to see our true condition – the more we deny our ignorance, our blindness, our nakedness, our shamefulness.
And yet – oh praise God! – through it all, He is there. This letter, difficult though it is to read, is still filled with hope and promise. There are many who have said that Jesus despised this church. But that is not true! We read in Revelation 3:19 that despite our ignorance, despite our arrogance, despite the stern rebuke and severe warning to His professed followers, it is the banner of His love that o’ershadows all. “I testify to my brethren and sisters,” writes author Ellen G. White, “that the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective though it may be, is the only object on earth which He bestows His supreme regard.” That same love that drove Him to Calvary two thousand years ago is pleading with us today. The same mouth that speaks in rebuke is there to speak words of comfort and hope. Let it never be said that Christ has abandoned His church, even though it may seem the church has abandoned Him.
There are many in Christ’s church who through their own vain ambitions have kicked the Saviour out. There may be some among us today who have a form of godliness, a knowledge of the truth, but do not have the sure and certain presence of the indwelling Saviour. The Saviour may be on the outside this morning, but He has not left the scene. It is at the heart’s doorway that today, just now, Jesus stands, and to us who claim to know Him so well He makes the appeal to let Him in so that we may truly know Him.
I ask you today: Do you know Jesus, or do you merely know of Him? Have you let Him take His place in your heart, or is the sum of your life’s experience no more than knowledge that lacks the power of salvation? We know the Scriptures; do we know the One whom the Scriptures declare is the Way, the Truth and the Life? Does He stand at your side as your Saviour and Friend, or have you pushed Him outside? There’s still time to let Him back in, you know….
(Appeal & Prayer)
