a self-satisfied, lukewarm church the church in laodicea revelation 3:14-22
TRANSCRIPT
A Self-satisfied, Lukewarm Church
The church in Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
Review
Christ is examining 7 churches Ephesus – Loyal but lacking love Smyrna – Poor but rich Pergamum – A compromising church Thyatira – A weak strong church Sardis – A dying church Philadelphia – A struggling church
Now we look at the church in Laodicea, again beginning with the historical setting
Laodicea
50 miles from Philadelphia
90 miles from Ephesus
Lycus River ValleyHierapolis had famous hot springs (6 miles from Laodicea)
Colosse had cold mountain water (11 miles from Laodicea)
Laodicea piped in water from both places, but it was all lukewarm by the time it arrived
Laodicea, the cityA stadium for running races completed in AD 79
Laodicea, the city
• Had a medical school famed for “Phrygian powder” (an eye salve) and for an ear ointment
• Had the largest banking center in the empire– Could cash bank drafts from Rome
– Had its own mint
• One of the wealthiest cities in the empire– When destroyed in AD 61 by earthquake, it rebuilt
itself without asking for Rome’s help (a point of great local pride)
Laodicea, the city
Exporter of fine textiles made from local black sheep The tunics and upper
garments were widely sought after across the empire
Laodicea, the city
Had some small temples, but religion seemed to be of little importance
Making money was their main religion
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:14 “The Amen, the faithful and true witness”
Certainty, firmness, steadfastness Ruler (source) of creation
Power Nothing good to say about this church
Christ is going to give them a blunt assessment of all their problems
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:15-16, first problem Lukewarm
Hot water is useful for soaking, bathing, relaxing Cold water is useful for drinking Lukewarm isn’t highly sought after (nauseating)
The church hasn’t made itself very useful Seems content to simply exist Christ finds that nauseating
The result will be to be “spit out” by Christ if they don’t change
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:17, second problem You say, “I am rich”
A feeling of self-sufficiency “We’ve made it on our own”, like the city had done
You are poor (despite the banking center), blind (despite the medical school), and naked (despite the booming textile trade)
Spiritually they had laid up no treasures in heaven (Mt 6:19-21)
Opposite of the poor but rich church, Smyrna
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:18, the solution Buy from Christ . . .
Gold refined by fire (not your minted gold) Purity achieved through adversity
White garments (not your black wool ones) Victory, celebration for overcoming Right now your really naked (spiritually), because
you haven’t clothed yourself with Christ (Gal 3:27) Eye salve so you can see (not Phrygian powder)
Spiritually, see what is really important in life
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:19, encouragement The negative tone of the letter might be discouraging Christ says He is harsh because He loves them
Heb 12:5-7 They are in serious danger of losing their souls
Be zealous and repent Catch fire, don’t let religion be of secondary (or
worse) importance Change now, later is too late
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:20, a last appeal Christ is at the door and knocking
He can’t do anything else without us acting He won’t force His way in You’ll have to make the decision to let Him in or to
leave Him out If you let Him in, then He will make His abode with
you and be your friend
Laodicea, the church
Rev 3:21-22, the reward If you overcome, you’ll be seated with Christ on His
throne The true power rests with Christ
Earthly prosperity has nothing lasting to offer you
Conclusion
Don’t be lukewarm, be useful Don’t be self-satisfied, be Christ-dependent Don’t think material possessions are any measure
of God’s approval Don’t keep Jesus on the edge, at the door
Invite Him into your life as an honored guest Be zealous (catch fire) and repent (change)