1. DID THE LAODICEAN’S UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE? DO WE?
• The letters preceding and including this one are not merely letters to active churches in the day in which they are written, but to 7 church ages (stages) throughout history after the death of Christ
• Many believe that we are living in the age of the Laodicean’s
• Jesus is speaking to the Laodecian church, a church which is enveloped in:
a. Formality
b. Hypocrisy
c. Coldness
d. Being Indifferent
e. “Religion”
• Laodicea was a town that was economically wealthy and full of rich Greek culture
• It thrived in:
a. It had a well known medical school
b. Abundant Industry
c. Large Banking Operations
d. Clothing Manufacturing
• Laodicea was surrounding by the Phrygian mountains, some of them being very high
• Even in the early summer months the mountain tops are snow capped
• The Laodiceans built aqueducts to bring the ice cold mountain water to the town
• The problem was, however, that by the time that it got to town it had become ‘Luke warm’
• In the valley where the Lycus River joins the Maeander River, there are hot springs
• These springs are so hot that steam is produced
• The Turkish government continues the use of these springs even unto this day
• This is the hottest water imaginable
• In the process of taking this water up to Laodicea, the water would cool down and become ‘Luke Warm’
• Jesus knew that using the terminology ‘Luke Warm’ that the church of Laodicea would fully understand what the meaning was
• Luke Warm is not the most desirable way to drink water; most drink it either Ice Cold or Hot
2. HOW DOES HOT AND COLD RELATE TO THE
CHURCH?
• Jesus requires full and dedicated service
• Jesus tells the churches that He knows there work’s, in following suit with the letters to the other churches; The problem here, however, is that there is no good spoken of as to the works of this particular church
• Matthew 7:22-23 “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.”
• In other words, those who “say it” rather than “do it” shall be separated from Jesus Christ
• James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
• When we think that simply saying or talking about service is enough we need to remember that God knows the motivation of the heart and that we deceive no one but ourselves
• James gives us a “call to action” in verse 22 of chapter 1
• We must act upon our words, not simply speak them
• Just as the Luke Warm water is distasteful to our stomachs, our Luke Warm service is distasteful to Christ
3. WHAT CAN LEAD US TO A “LUKE-WARM” STATE?
• VS 17
o “I am rich” This is an indication that the satisfaction and comfort in life has come through material gain
o “Increased with Goods” Sustainment of life comes through the world and not God
o Matthew 6:20-21 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
o The things our heart desires comes out through the work we do
o “Have need of Nothing” We need the providence from God in every breath we take; when a statement such as this is made we take responsibility for our own lives of which we truly have no control
• Basically, failing to rely on God can lead us to a Laodicean state
4. WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR BEING “LUKE-WARM?”
• VS 16 “I will spue thee out”
• Matthew 8:12 “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
• The literal interpretation of Jesus’ comment is that those who are not truly converted will be separated from the love of God
• II Thessalonians 1:7-9 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,” “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
• His power to save that which is lost
• God who cannot lie, does not even have the ability to transfer people from the confines of Hell, because if he did then he would contradict himself
• Jesus instructs in verse 18 to buy gold that has been tried by fire, the indication here is of the works that will be judged
• I Corinthians 3:12-13 “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble;” “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
5. HOW CAN WE AVOID BECOMING “LUKE-WARM?”
• II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
• WE MUST:
• Humble ourselves
• Pray
• Seek God for our answers
• Turn Away (REPENT)
• When we do these things God will be faithful to forgive us
• VS 19
• Christ tells us that those who are called by His name He loves and that He will “Chasten” them
• Chasten: “To correct by punishment; to punish; to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender; as, to chasten a son with a rod.”
• Christ’s punishment is much more bearable than the everlasting punishment of the unjust
• VS 20
• Christ is standing at the door knocking
• This is significant in that He will only come so far and then we must do our part; We must answer the call and meet Jesus on middle ground
• Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
