The Church At Laodicea Series

Warnings, Exaltations, & Instructions – The Church at Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-21

How many of you are familiar with the PC movement? PC is short for Political Correctness, and you can sum up this movement with one statement – you don’t do or say anything that might be considered offensive to anyone else. I used to think that this was a great idea. After all, most of the time, we want to be sensitive to the feelings of those around us, but sometimes I think we take it too far.

One example I can think of is the fact that kids aren’t allowed to play Cowboys and Indians anymore on the playgrounds. After all, those who we use to call Indians are now to be referred to as Native Americans so as not to offend. My great grandmother was Cherokee. Although I never met her, I don’t believe that she had any problem with telling you that she was Cherokee, and she most likely would have no problem with being classified as an Indian. After all, that’s what she was. Now, we can’t use the word, and even sports teams are being forced to change their logos, mascots, and names if they refer to anything Native American. If you don’t believe me, you only have to look at IUP who are no longer allowed to be called the Indians.

Now, this was one instance that is on the fringe of the debate. 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 purposely offend them at all. However, this was just a starting point. Did you know our church is not politically correct? After all, we still call our secretary a secretary instead of an administrative assistant. We should all apologize to Ember for this egregious offense. Even the Pope has been criticized for his un-PC remarks at a recent speech. This movement has also given birth to phrases such as vertically challenged instead of short, mail carrier instead of mail man, and hearing impaired instead of deaf.

This movement has even made its way into the churches. After all, if you say that Jesus is the only way to heaven, people will say that you are insensitive and narrow minded. And, don’t get me started with what we can and can’t say about homosexuality. My Bible still says it is a sin, but heaven forbid a Christian ever say that in public. Now, some churches are standing strong in the truth, and some are giving in to the PC movement as evidenced by a recent press clipping I found. Let me read it to you.

The Laodicean Church announces publication of “Church Songs”, whose title, according to the editor, was chosen because, “We didn’t want to turn anybody off with threatening words that no one understands anymore like ‘worship’ or ‘hymn’. People in today’s society get kind of uncomfortable with too much talk about things like commitment and dedication. They’d much rather have a religion that they can turn on or off at will. Our book seeks to meet that need.”

Here is a sample from the Table Of Contents:

• A Comfy Mattress Is Our God sung to the tune of A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

• Above Average is Thy Faithfulness sung to the tune of Great is Thy Faithfulness

• Blest Be the Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style sung to the tune of Blest Be the Tie that Binds

• I Surrender Some sung to the tune of I Surrender All

• Joyful, Joyful, We Kinda Like Thee sung to the tune of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

• Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me sung to the tune of Rock of Ages

• And finally, Take My Life and Let Me Be sung to the tune of Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee

Now, obviously, this is a fictitious list, but I don’t think that it is far from the truth when we look at God’s Words to the Church at Laodicea. They may have been the first PC church. Let’s take a look at God’s Word to the 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.”