To the Church…Part 8: Self-Reliant

INTRODUCTION

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.’ ”

1) False Perceptions (v. 14-17)

The Church of Laodicea was a very wealthy and affluent congregation.

The city itself was known for it’s medical and textile industry.

It was a very self-sufficient city.

In AD60 an earthquake left much of the city in ruin.

According to Roman historians, the city officials refused help from Rome because they were financially able to rebuild themselves and wanted to be a show of prosperity through the emperor’s good graces and not a burden upon his imperial pursuits.

This attitude brought praise from Rome and increased favors in trade and commerce.

This same mindset bled over from the culture and into the Christian population of the city as well.

Jesus establishes that He is the Amen (Let it be), faithful and true witness (He tells it like it really is), and the beginning of God’s creation (He manifested original creation and the new creation that comes through is death, burial, and resurrection).

His faithful and true assessment is that the Church in Laodicea isn’t what it perceives itself to be.

They consider themselves successful and thriving: Rich, prospered, and need nothing…

They were a reflection of their city, not a reflection of Christ.

This heart issue, compels Christ to call them cheap and useless.

Many have used the geographical location of Laodicea to make sense of “hot” and “cold”.

The thinking is that Laodicea did not have its own proper drinking supply. The nearby river was polluted and not fit for drinking.

Archeological discoveries have found that Laodicea had aquifers that fed suitable water to it from the nearby cities of Colossae and Hierapolis.

The waters of Colossae were cool spring fed waters and the waters of Hierapolis were hot mineral springs. Both, by the time they made their way through the aquifers to Laodicea were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. Neither of which were used for their original purpose.

A more contextual understanding, however, is probably derived from the affluent nature of the city itself.

Roman historians are noted as writing that one of the markers that separated affluent society from less fortunate society was their ability to quench their thirst in a manner of luxury: primarily, when it was hot, they drank that which was cold, and when it was cold, they drank that which was hot.

Their wealth allowed for such luxuries in the ancient world.

To drink that which was lukewarm was undesirable for those whom considered themselves in the upper eschelon of society.

It is very likely, that the Christians of Laodicea had grown comfortable in their trade practices and had gained great wealth.

While they had considered themselves to rich, prosperous, and needing nothing, Jesus considers them to be cheap and useless, just like they would regard cheap, lukewarm water that was undesirable.

Their false perception covered up the reality of their true condition.

They were not rich, prosperous, and lacking nothing, but rather they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

In comparison to the false perceptions of this world, they were affluent, but in the realities of eternity (the true reality), they were anything but.

We must not examine our hearts and our lives in view of the false perceptions of this world. Rather, we must evaluate our lives in light of the true realities of Christ.

He is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the author of creation and new life.

He is the One to whom we must look for the condition of our hearts and our souls.

When we look to Him and fix our eyes on Him we will be drawn to Faithful Pursuits.

2) Faithful Pursuits (v. 18-19)

Jesus advice to those who are facing the reality of their need for Him:

…Buy pure and real gold that leads to true wealth. (Matthew 6:21 “21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” )

…Buy white garments that cover your shame and nakedness. (Revelation 3:5 “5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments… )

…Buy salve to anoint your eyes to truly see what matters. ( Matthew 13:10-17)

We must turn our hearts and our minds to things which truly matter, live in faithfulness to Christ and no longer walk in shame, and see the glory of God at work in our lives so that we may truly perceive the Kingdom of God.

We must turn from worthless pursuits and daily live our lives in faithful pursuit of the those things which hold eternal significance: The things of God.

This begins with moving away from our own self-reliance and fully depending on Him for all parts of our life.

Not seeking to choose Jesus as a religious preference, but being compelled to chase after Jesus in a faithful and full relationship that embraces His discipline and reproof as an act of love that draws us to passion for Him and repentance to Him.

3) Fervent Plea (v. 20-22)

Jesus says He stands at the door and knocks.

This is Jesus declaring that He has been pushed outside of their lives, but is seeking to be in their lives.

If anyone would acknowledge Him and open the door, He will build fellowship and deep relationships with them.

To the one who conquers the flesh and worldly desires, He will draw them close to Him in approval and bestow upon them spiritual authority.

This call is not only for those in Laodicea, but for all Christians, in all locations, across all of time.

May we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to us today!

CALL TO RESPOND

We cannot be a self-reliant Jesus follower.

That phrase is an oxymoron. It’s a conflicted and contradicting statement.

He is the source and sustainer of our lives and of our faith.

We must fully rely on Him for all things if we are to truly know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the blessed fullness of His grace.

What perception are you relying upon as you view your successes and overall health?

What pursuits are chasing after in this life? What eternal significance do these pursuits have?

What is your relationship with Jesus like? He’s in your life, but are you enjoying refreshing fellowship with Him or is He standing outside the door knocking to come in?

What does God want you to do in your heart and in your life in light of His Word this morning?