The Sin That Makes Christ Sick (Revelation 3:14-22)

Intro

We see THE CHURCH (vs.14)

Laodicea, which would be in modern-day Turkey, was located about ten miles north of Colossae.

Laodicea enjoyed their economy.

Laodicea was a leading city in trade, industry, commerce, finance, and trade. They were a very wealthy city.

Laodicea was known for their glossy black wool they would use to manufacture luxurious garments.

Laodicea also contained medical centers that produced a form of eye salve one could buy spread over their eyes to help their ailments.

Laodicea enjoyed their entertainment.

The people of Laodicea enjoyed multiple shopping centers, amphitheaters, and even a huge stadium. Due to their wealth, they were able to do pretty much anything they wanted, living very comfortable lives.

Laodicea enjoyed their empire.

Laodicea literally means “justice/rule of the people.” The Laodiceans considered themselves law-abiding people; however, the church in Laodicea summarily ignored the commands of the Lord Jesus. They also had the influence of the Roman Empire in their city.

Cicero, one of the ancient world’s greatest philosophers, orators, and statesman, was a chief architect in the formation of the Roman Empire and influenced the law, philosophy, rhetoric, and literature. Cicero resided in Laodicea while serving as governor of that province.

With the influence of the Roman Empire, it would be really easy for the world to creep into the church at Laodicea and influence the church to be like the Romans. Unfortunately, this is what happened.

We See THE CHRIST (vs.14)

The DEPENDABLE (The Amen)

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

The DEVOUT (Faithful and true witness)

Jesus is called the "faithful witness" because his life was a complete and consistent testimony to the will and character of God.

The DEVELOPER (the beginning of the creation of God)

John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Colossians 1:16–17 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

We See the COMPLICATION (vs.15-16)

Lukewarm - not palatable, not agreeable to the tastebuds.

Yes, this was a local New Testament church that existed.

Yes, this was a church filled with born-again believers.

Yes, this was a church that could’ve spread the gospel in their city and seen countless multitudes saved!

But this church had some complications. To the church, it didn’t make them sick. But to Christ, it made him puke.

Drinking, fornicating, cussing, adultery, lying, contentions, addictions, and “all the big sins” are not mentioned here. It is simply the fact that these Christians are lukewarm. They are not on fire for God. They are not cold toward God. They are complacent, calloused, and could care less about what is going on in their life and the life of the church.

The Complications of This Sin

Spueing of this Sin (vs.15-16)

No coffee shop offers lukewarm coffee because it’s nasty.

You need to be hot, or you need to be cold. There is no in between. We believe in Biblical separation.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

A lot of Christians are separated from, and that’s wonderful. But that’s not enough.

Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

There are saved people separated from sin, but they ain’t serving the Savior!

Joshua 24:14–15 “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

1 Kings 18:21 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

You can’t have the fire of God fall in your life if you have a bunch of stuff from Baal.

The Selfishness of this Sin (vs.17)

I

Most everyone is concerned with self. (3 John 9–10 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” )

John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Philippians 2:3–4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus!

The Sufficiency of this Sin (vs.17)

“I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”

This church thinks they have everything, so why ask for God’s help. Why pray?

They have food, why do you need to be filled with righteousness?

They have comfort, why contend for their faith.

It would be good if Christian Americans had to endure what 3rd world country Christians for a week, and maybe we would see we’re miserable!

Matthew 13:22 “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

1 Timothy 6:6-12

The Slyness of this Sin (vs.17)

“Knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

Hebrews 3:12–15 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

Wretched - of poor quality or condition.

Miserable - unhappy from grief

Poor - a person with few or no possessions (but not yet reduced to begging).

Blind - unable or unwilling to perceive or understand.

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Naked - to be or become vested in sparse or low quality clothing.

If you’re saved, you have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This church looks like it’s not clothed at all.

The Cure for This Sin

The Specialist for this Sin (vs.18-20)

Counsel - to declare a plan for something.

Scripture

“Gold tried in the fire”

Psalm 19:7-11

Psalm 12:6–7 “The words of the Lord are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

Proverbs 3:13–15 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom (Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” ), And the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, And the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

Sanctification

“White raiment” (Laodicea was known for their black wool. They needed some new clothing.)

Jude 22–23 “And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

1 Peter 1:18–19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

2 Peter 3:14 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Sight

“Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

Isaac’s eyes were dim (Genesis 27:1 “And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.” ) Because he based what he knew of feeling instead of sight, his discernment was gone.

Ephesians 5:6-20

Hebrews 11:23-27 (Moses chose not to place his vision on Egypt, but on God!

Switch

“be zealous therefore, and repent.”

2 Timothy 2:24–26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Submit

Revelation 3:20 “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.”