The Deceived Church (Church Of Laodicea)

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.