Introduction

Some of us walked in today with a smile for the foyer and a sigh for the soul. Bills on the counter, deadlines on the calendar, questions on the heart. And yet, here we are, gathering around a Letter from Jesus to an ancient church in a city called Laodicea—a church with polished doors and tepid hearts. He speaks with candor and kindness, with a surgeon’s precision and a Shepherd’s affection. He sees us as we are, and He loves us as we are, and He invites us into what He can make of us. That’s His way.

Timothy Keller once wrote, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” If your heart needs hope today, hear that. If your walk feels weary, receive that. Jesus doesn’t shame us; He summons us. He doesn’t roll His eyes; He knocks on the door.

Laodicea was famous for its wealth, its wool, and its eye ointment—prosperity on paper and poverty in the soul. Does that sound familiar? Shiny outside, shaky inside. Our schedules are full, our closets fuller, yet sometimes our spirits are faint. What does Jesus do with a church like that? What does He do with a family like ours, with a person like you, like me? He speaks. He calls. He corrects. He offers Himself. He brings a wake-up that is gentle, a warning that is good, and a welcome that is personal.

Do you sense areas grown tepid—affections cooled, prayers thin, worship faint? Do you hear Him saying, Child, I have better for you? He is not aloof. He is at the threshold of your everyday—your kitchen table, your commute, your cubicle, your classroom. He brings a feast to the place you feel famished, a flame to the place you feel faded. He names what drains us: that illusion that we need nothing, that quiet pride that keeps us self-sufficient and soul-starved. And then He offers what heals us: gold tested in fire, garments of grace that cover shame, and salve that clears our vision so we can see Him again.

Before we open our hearts, let’s open the Scriptures.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-21 (ESV) 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.’”

Today, we will listen as Jesus lovingly exposes lukewarm faith that drains our witness. We will hear Him invite us to trade the illusion of wealth for the treasure He alone can give—gold tested in fire. And we will stand at the doorway with Him, opening wide so we can welcome Jesus and share His table. This is not condemnation; this is restoration. This is the Savior who sets the table, warms the heart, and fills the soul.

Let’s pray.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Amen and faithful and true Witness, thank You that You see us completely and love us deeply. Where our hearts have cooled, kindle holy fire. Where pride has whispered “I need nothing,” teach our souls to lean into Your sufficiency. Give us the gold of Your presence, the white garments of Your righteousness, and the eye salve of Your Spirit so we may see You clearly again. Knock on the door of our church and the door of our homes, and make our hearts Your home. Speak with tenderness and truth, correct us with kindness, and lead us to repentance that refreshes. As we listen, give us humility to receive and courage to respond. In Your strong and gentle name we pray. Amen.

Expose the Lukewarm Faith Jesus Rejects

The words come from the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of God’s creation. That matters. His eyes are clear. His verdict is right. He says, I know your works. He speaks of water that is not hot and not cold. He names the taste. Lukewarm. The picture fits the city. Water traveled through channels and lost its heat and its chill. It reached the town dull and bland. It could not heal. It could not refresh. That is the image. Faith without heat. Faith without cool strength. Faith that sits in the middle and stays safe. Faith that will not risk and will not rest. We know this feel. Prayers that feel routine. Praise that mouths words. Service that checks a box. Obedience that stops where comfort starts. The Lord says this kind of faith turns the stomach. He wants a people who burn with love. He wants a people who bring relief to the weary. He wants a faith that can be tasted and known. This is not about personality. This is not about volume. This is about the heart. This is about what we want most. This is about who we trust.

He names another layer. The church says, We are rich. We have gained. We lack nothing. He names the truth they cannot see. He lists words we avoid. Wretched. Pitiable. Poor. Blind. Naked. These are hard words. They are mercy. They stop us. They break through our self-talk. Poverty here is not about coins. It is about life without the life of God. Blindness here is not about eyes that cannot open. It is about souls that cannot see glory or need. Nakedness here is not about clothes in a closet. It is about shame not covered and guilt not cleansed. We can hold a full calendar and still hold an empty heart. We can carry knowledge and still miss wisdom. We can sit in a pew and still drift. We can call it balance. We can call it maturity. The Lord calls it lack. He is not confused. He shows us our true state so we can ask for help. He removes our masks so He can cover us with grace. He gives language that cuts so that healing can start.

He then gives counsel. Come to Me and get real wealth. Come and receive white garments. Come and receive medicine for your eyes. He does not sell trinkets. He offers what lasts. Tested treasure. Riches that fire cannot harm. This is faith tried and kept. This is joy that does not vanish when plans fail. White clothing speaks of a clean record and a clean life. We cannot sew this. We receive it. Christ covers shame by His work. He also trains us to live new. Eye medicine points to clear sight. We begin to see God as beautiful. We begin to see sin as bitter. We begin to see people as image-bearers. How do we “buy” without money. We turn from self and reach for Him. We open the word and let it read us. We ask the Spirit to search us. We confess fast. We seek wise friends who tell us the truth. We serve those who cannot pay us back. We fast to quiet other hungers. We give in ways that pinch. We reorder time so the Lord is not a leftover. These are simple steps. They are costly to pride. They are paths to warmth.

There is love in His tone. Those He loves He corrects. He calls for zeal. He calls for a real turn. He stands near. He wants to enter. He wants to share a meal. This is more than a picture. This is fellowship. This is welcome. This is peace. He promises honor to those who overcome. He shares His throne with those who hold to Him. That promise lifts tired hands. That promise makes heat return. We answer by opening the life we keep closed. We answer by letting Him set the table in our days. We answer by naming sin and leaving it. We answer by asking for fresh fire. Warmth grows in nearness. Warmth grows as we keep company with Him. He is faithful. He is true. He is here.

Reject the Illusion of Wealth and Seek Gold Tested in Fire

The Lord puts His finger on the claim that sits like a crown on the heart: “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” (v ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO