Top 10 Lessons From The Church At Laodecea

INTRO: The Church of the laodeceans very much resembles the modern day church...It’s prosperous, It doesn’t ruffle any feathers. The average church in our day is a study in apathy! They are not exactly dead because they are praying, preaching, singing, etc. But, they are not exactly on fire either. There is no excitement and no passion about Who they serve, what they hear, and what they are doing. They are somewhere in the middle of the road, they are safe, not going to say anything that might offend you. That is where the modern church is!

PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF GOD’S WORD

Revelation 3:14–22 ““And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

Lukewarm...

Do you like your coffee room temp? no! it’s disgusting!

Would you go see a surgeon who was “Lukewarm” about his practice?

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Lukewarm

LUKEWARM Tepid; neither hot nor cold (

Laodicea was a wealthy center of commerce. Prosperity was the cause of the lukewarmness in their congregation. Because of their wealth, it made them blind to their deep spiritual need.

The church of Laodicea was not realizing just how much they needed God. They were depending on their own wealth. Just like the example that Jesus gives of the seed that falls among the thorns.

Matthew 13:22 NIV22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

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

If we are going to understand our Lord’s words to this church a little background on the city of Laodicea is in order.

· This city was founded by Antiochus II sometime before 253 BC. It was named after his wife Laodice.

· The city was located on a high plateau and was very secure from enemy attack.

· The one defensive problem in Laodicea was the fact that there was no ready source of water in the city. Water had to be piped in through aqueducts. Water from the hot springs in Hierapolis six miles to the north was brought into the city. Water was also piped in from Colossae, which was located 10 miles to the east. This fact will be important as we move into the passage.

· Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in 61 AD. The city was so wealthy and so self-sufficient that they rebuilt their city with their own resources, refusing an offer of aid from Caesar.

Wretched- of very poor quality or condition / pathetic. Used one other time in the NT

Romans 7:24 ESV24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

​What is the major difference between Paul and the church of Laodicea? Paul knew he was wretched.

Pitiable- miserable. Used one other time in the NT.

​1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

​Poor- Ptōchos (“poor”), an adjective, is derived from πτώσσω (ptōssō), which names the action of one who crouches and cowers as a beggar. The idea is that of beggarliness or destitution that results from begging. What did the church think of itself? It was rich- but Jesus says your are in a state of beggarliness.

10. Jesus Knows The Real You

Romans 8:27 “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is”

Psalm 139:2 “You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.”

9. Jesus Wants Our Total Commitment

What we've been given by God is absolutely priceless! God’s word calls it treasure

2 Timothy 1:14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (NSAB)

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

John 12:25–26 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

8. Watch What You Think And Say

Because your speech reflects your thoughts

“Because You Say”

Revelation 3:17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing”

They really thought they were good, they had blind confidence in their wealth, their education, their employment. They were very comfortable

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

The church at Laodicea were not doers of the word. They just wanted their ears tickled

7. Self Confidence Is A Trap

Overconfidence, a perilous trait, is frequently addressed in the Bible as a spiritual and moral pitfall. It is characterized by an excessive reliance on one's own abilities, wisdom, or righteousness, often leading to a neglect of dependence on God.

—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—”

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Our only confidence should be in The Lord

Proverbs 3:26 “For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.”

6. Set Your Mind In One Direction

ABOVE!

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Romans 8:5–6 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Did you catch that? carnally minded

In short, the carnal mind is the mind that is dominated by selfishness. It’s the mind that is self-willed, self-focused and self-seeking. The carnal mind is devoid of the ability to surrender wholeheartedly to God. Its like a child during the terrible twos

Carnal mind= death

Spiritually minded=Life and peace

And who doesn't need peace in this life?

5. Jesus Counsels Us To Invest In Him

Revelation 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

· The city was famous in its day for three primary characteristics.

1. Finances - It was a center of banking and finance, known through the Roman Empire for its wealth and financial power.

“Buy from me gold refined in the fire, and white garments.”

2. Fashion - It was renowned for the soft, black wool produced there. This wool was considered a luxury item and was sought after for clothing and rugs. Laodicea was the center of fashion in its day. The newest styles appeared here first.

“That you may be clothed”

3. Pharmaceuticals - There was a famous medical school in Laodicea which produced a tablet that was sold all over the Roman Empire. This tablet was crushed, mixed with water to form a paste. This paste was rubbed into the eyes and was supposed to cure a variety of eye problems.

“Annoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

4. Jesus’ Motivation Is Love

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us.”

6418 It was love that kept Jesus from calling 12,000 angels who had already drawn their swords to come to his rescue.

Billy Graham

John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”

Every thing Jesus did was motivated by love. Why else would He have left His fathers side to come here and die a cruel death on the cross? He did it out of a love we scarce can understand

3. Open The Door While There’s Still Time

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

This door can only be opened from the inside. This door doesn't have a handle on the outside. Jesus will not break the door, He doesn’t force His will on us, but what a blessing awaits those who let Him in!

If We’ll Invite Jesus In, Jesus Says:

“I Will Come In To Him” V.20

He enters the believers heart and makes it His home.

“And Dine With Him” V.20

He takes what we give Him, and just like the loaves and the fishes He blesses it

“And He With Me” V.20

Jesus promises that if we open our hearts to Him, He will open Heaven to us

There should be some hallelujah and shouting!

2. Be An Overcomer

Obedience is the characteristic of an overcomer.

John F. MacArthur

Revelation 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

In the Christian life you’re either an overcomer or you’re overcome, a victor or a victim.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

1 John 5:4–5 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1. It Will All Be Worth It!

All of the material things we strive for so hard down here for, you’re not taking with you. That’s why Jesus tells us to store up treasure in Heaven where they wont rust and moth doesn't destroy

Matthew 6:19–20 ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

My friends were only here for a tiny bit. I turned 59 yrs old a few weeks ago, and its not lost on me how very short my time on this earth is… But I promise It will all be worth it!

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

CHORUS:

HEAVEN WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL, WORTH ALL THE SORROWS THAT HERE BEFALL

AFTER THIS LIFE WITH ALL ITS STRIFE, HEAVEN WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL

​CALL UP WORSHIP TEAM!!

IN CLOSING:

Where does this message find you?

Are you saved by His grace? Are you zealous and committed to the Lord and His work? Or, are you indifferent and apathetic toward the things of the Lord?

Can you hear His voice calling: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Is the door open?

PRAY!!