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)