The Letter To The Church At Laodicea Series

THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

Revelation 3:14-22

Charles Spurgeon said “No Scripture ever wears out. The epistle to the church of Laodicea is not an old letter which may be put into the waste basket and be forgotten; upon its page still glow the words, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

This Scripture was not meant to instruct the Laodiceans only, it has a wider aim. The actual church of Laodicea has passed away, but other Laodiceans still exist; indeed, they are sadly multiplied in our day, and it has ever been the tendency of human nature, however inflamed with the love of God, gradually to chill into lukewarmness.

The letter to the Laodiceans is above all others the epistle for the present times. (https://archive.spurgeon.org/sermons/1185.php)

The information in this letter applies to countless churches across the land, and sadly it could serve as an evaluation of the overall state of the church in America. Of all the seven churches we have examined, Laodicea was in the worst possible condition. This is very sobering; especially considering the fact that Jesus said that Sardis was dead. Things were so bad in Laodicea that Jesus said they made Him sick, even to the point of vomiting.

- I would like to take a look inside this church and see if we can see what Jesus saw. Join me as we examine “The Letter To The Church At Laodicea”. We will begin by considering:

THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS LETTER

v14a "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

Of the seven cites that were addressed in these letters from Jesus, Laodicea was the wealthiest. This city was known for its banking, manufacturing wool, and they were the home of a medical school that produced eye salve. However, Laodicea had a major problem concerning its water supply. They built a massive aqueduct to bring water into the city from the hot springs in nearby Hierapolis, and they received cold water from Colossae. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was not hot or cold, it was lukewarm.

One of Paul’s “fellow laborers” in the ministry named Epaphras started this church. By the time that they received this letter, the Laodicean church was in a very bad situation. Jesus said they were like the town’s water supply; the church was lukewarm and they made Him sick.

- This leads us to:

THE AUTHOR OF THIS LETTER

This harsh rebuke came directly from the Lord Jesus. It was vital that the members of this church pay close attention to the contents of this letter, for it was sent by the ultimate authority in History. Jesus identifies Himself as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the Creation of God.

This verse speaks to the power, authority, and majesty of the Lord. Jesus Christ is the Eternal One. - John 1:1-1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created”. Jesus is God; in this very book He proclaims, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

As “the Amen”, Jesus is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth. All the promises of God are fulfilled in Him. Jesus is also the originator of the creation of God, both material and spiritual. Jesus says “I am the Beginning of the Creation of God”; He stated this truth to correct a false teaching in Laodicea and Colossae that said that Christ was a created being. Jesus was not the first person to be created, for He was never created; this verse actually speaks to the fact that Jesus began all creation. He did not have a beginning; He is the Beginning, meaning that Christ is pre-imminent over all creation.

- The Lord Jesus, with His great authenticity, power and authority had a very stern message for the church in Laodicea. Notice:

THE REBUKE IN THIS LETTER

v15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and repugnant to the Lord. Cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for medical purposes. Lukewarm water has neither of these benefits.

Most people find lukewarm drinks disgusting. I like coffee cold and I like it hot, but I cannot tolerate it if it is lukewarm. Did you know that Jesus is the same way? He despises lukewarmness. So much so, that He says it makes Him sick to the point of vomiting.