The Lukewarm Church

Introduction:

I’m an avid coffee drinker. I have a cup in the morning, a cup when I get home in the afternoon, and a cup in the evening. I may even squeeze in a few extra cups throughout the day.

However, one thing I cannot stand is cold coffee. I understand that some of you like this, but I can’t get behind that. At least with cold coffee there is usually some flavoring in there, but I still prefer mine hot.

However, the coffee that is the most disgusting of all is a cup that has started out hot and has sat around too long and gotten lukewarm and starting to go cold. That’s a cup of lost potential.

Well, this morning we are going to take a look at perhaps the most famous church of the seven churches of Revelation - the Laodicean Church. You may not know much about these other churches, but this is one that if you have been in church for any length of time, you have probably heard reference to and you know it is not good.

Let’s take a look at why this morning.

Revelation 3:14–22 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Pray

Charles Spurgeon said,

I do not think the devil cares how many churches you build, if only you have lukewarm preachers and people in them.

Charles Spurgeon

How true is this statement! None of us want a lukewarm romance with our spouse. None of have a lukewarm devotion to our favorite sports teams, shows, or hobbies. Why should we be lukewarm in our love and devotion to Jesus?

Some scholars have looked at the seven churches of Revelation and have concluded that they represent different periods in the life of the church leading up to the second half of the book of Revelation, which deals with the Second Coming of Christ and the Great Tribulation.

There is some warrant for thinking this way, but I personally believe each of these churches represent churches in every generation. Having said that, there is ample evidence, at least in the West, to suggest that if there was one church to be the poster child for most churches we encounter, it is the Laodicean, lukewarm church.

We have great wealth and resources compared to most churches around the world, and yet we have the most indifferent and apathetic members of any generation.

People will not commit to serving Christ, they will not sacrifice for Christ, they will not evangelize for Christ.

Now, I don’t mean for this sermon to be a “woodshed sermon,” but if the need is there that God should discipline us and convict us with this message, then may He do so out of His great love for us.

This morning I want us to look at 5 truths that we can learn from this church in Laodicea.

1. Jesus Knows Who You Really Are (v. 14-15)

Revelation 3:14–15 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!

Once again we see a depiction of Jesus to the church at Laodicea. He is the one who knows who they really are. Just like the church of Sardis who had a reputation that they were alive but were really dead, Laodicea had an opinion of themselves that they were doing great, but Jesus tells them that the real truth is that they made Him sick.

Jesus is described as the Amen, the true and faithful witness. What Jesus says about us as a church is far more important that what we think about ourselves.

He goes on to say that he knows their works and that they are neither cold nor hot. We will look at this more closely in a minute, but we need to first see that Jesus knows our works.

Jesus is aware of everything that a church or individual member does, and he’s also aware of our motives. He knows if we are doing these things for Him and His glory or if we are doing things for the recognition of others.

2. Jesus Desires Our Total Commitment (vv. 15-16)

Revelation 3:15–16 ESV

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.

Jesus has already revealed that He knows the truth about our works. He knew that the works of the Laodicean church was not hot nor cold. This is not a statement that the church was not dead but not thriving. It wasn’t a happy medium between the two.

Jesus is making a geographical reference to the water supply of the city. We know that this isn’t a warm fuzzy feeling of spiritual fervor that Jesus is talking about because He points out that He wants to vomit them out of His mouth.

Illustration:

If you were dating someone or your spouse were to say to you that you make them want to vomit when they see you, I can assure you that would not be a great thing to hear.

Take a look at this map and you will see that near Laodicea are two other cities - the city of Hierapolis and the city of Colossae. You’ve probably heard of Colossae because it is the city in which the church that the Letter of Colossians was written to.

In Hierapolis there were hot springs and they were known for their healing properties. In Colossae there were springs of cold, excellent drinking water. However, in Laodicea, there were was no good drinking water. Water had to travel by aqueduct to the town and by the time it got there it was full of minerals and lukewarm. It left the water with a foul taste such that visitors would get nauseous that tasted it and often vomit the water out.

That’s the image Jesus draws from when He says that the church in Laodicea is neither hot nor cold and He wants to vomit them out of His mouth.

3. Jesus Offers Us Grace (vv. 17-18)

Revelation 3:17–18 ESV

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.

4. Jesus Disciplines Those He Loves (v. 19)

Revelation 3:19 ESV

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

5. Jesus Invites Us to Fellowship With Him (vv. 20-22)

Revelation 3:20–22 ESV

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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”