The Lukewarm Church

 A study on Revelation

The Lukewarm Church

Rev. 3:14-22

Introduction:  The final of the seven churches is probably the most disturbing in many ways.  It appears to be a church that exists but doesn’t do anything.  Sadly, the description of this church is like many churches today.  A church may have a sign, a building, and a group of people, but do little if anything to impact their community. 

 This attitude of indifference does nothing for the cause of Christ.  It is very easy to fall into a lukewarm spiritual condition in our lives. It often occurs when someone hurts us or a misunderstanding occurs or after a great spiritual battle.  All of these may create a lukewarm heart towards God.

God gives us a description of what a lukewarm church looks like.  This is given as a warning to a church family to beware, we don’t allow a lukewarm spirit to exist in our lives or in the life of the church.  We should care.  There are things we should care about.

We should care about the Bible.  We should care about the teaching or doctrine of the church.  We should care about the attendance at the services of the church.  We should care about the children of the church and the widows of the church.  We should care about the souls of everyone.  We should care about the bus ministry, Sunday School, and soul winning program of the church. 

We should care about our family’s spiritual health.  We should care about the parking lot and forward motion of the church.  We should care about the cause of Christ.   However, when we don’t care, we are indifferent to whether we attend or not, whether we are engaged or not, the results will be seen in this disturbing description.

     I.        The conditions of the church v. 14

A.  Its background

The message is addressed by Jesus Christ as clearly identified in v. 14.  The Laodiceans is more than just the church it is an attitude among Christians in general.  Laodicea means Judging or Rights of the people- a church that is totally democratic who rules God out of consideration. 

The city is really more of an area in western Turkey.  It is a well-known commercial city with tremendous wealth.  Known for its hot mineral baths and a famous school of medicine where an ointment for eye defects was made.  Their wealth also came from wool cloth.  The city was also known for sandals.  When an earthquake destroyed the city in 60 AD, it was able to rebuild itself without outside help.  The city was a major port city in ancient Syria and a colonia of the Roman Empire.

Their economic sufficiency has lulled them to sleep spiritually.  “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:8–10)

B.  Its authority

1.    God saw what was going on and the message came from the Amen—He is the final authority.

2.    Faithful and true witness-unbiased testimony-He is the one witness who cannot be bribed or coerced into altering His verdict on the church.

3.    This is not man’s opinion or criticism of the church, this is what God knows it to be.

4.    Beginning of creation speaks of the priority over man

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” (Colossians 1:15)

   II.        The condemnation of the church vv. 15-16

A.  Their indifference vv. 15-16

1.    The people were spiritually indifferent-God would want them to be either cold or hot spiritually.

2.    The mineral springs near Laodicea were good to drink only when hot or cold.

3.    Lukewarm is a mixture of both hot and cold-half-heartedness with no spiritual fervor.

4.    Lukewarm is somewhere between hot and cold-tepid water which is nauseating to drink.

5.    This speaks of having much religion without true Christianity, worldly living with a spiritual profession.

6.    God says it is so nauseating; their lifestyles cause Him to spue (vomit) out the lukewarmness.

7.    This teaches us the value of being a hot Christian and walking with the Lord.

B.  Their poverty v. 17

1.    The people took pride in providing themselves through material means and they idolized wealth.

2.    It was more than just providing for their basic needs but it was rooted in the life of luxury.

3.    They measured their well-being in terms of financial opulence rather than their obedience to the Lord.

4.    They had many splendid buildings, intellectual Christians, and learned men of God but were resting on their wealth.

5.    God says you may have riches physically but your poverty is in your spiritual life.

6.    There is nothing good said about this church. 

 III.        The correction of the church vv. 18-22

A.  Purchase true values vv. 18-19

1.    Gold speaks of extreme value-symbol of faith-gives true riches.

2.    White raiment-the triumphant righteousness that comes from Christ-seek Him

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

3.     The eye salve they need to cure the spiritual blindness that they may see their condition.

4.    Chastisement is a proof of Christ’s love for His saints and He asks them to repent.

“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:8)

B.   Open heart’s door v. 20

1.    Outside the heart’s door-they are saved but have closed to door on Christ working in their lives.

2.    Christ will come and take whatever is offered (sup) and give riches back to them.

3.    He is in three positions here

a.    Outside looking in.

b.    He is on the threshold ready to enter.

c.    He will soon fellowship with His own.

C.  Receive Christ’s rewards vv. 21-22

1.    Saved will share in His reign.

2.    Holy Spirit will teach us.

Conclusion:  Is Christ standing outside the door of your heart?  Have you allowed the world to edge God of your life?  God shows us here what He thinks about our indifference.