A New Year's Revelation

Have you set your new year’s resolution? If not that’s ok. 80% fall of by March. But, the new year is a good time as any to renew commitments, revisit goals, reimaging you future, revise you habits, realign you priorities, and refocus your life. Tomorrow is not promised let along the next year, so we should do as the word tells and in 1 Corinthians 10:31 we should do everything to the Glory of God. “New Year, new me.” I’m here for it. It was all about me in 2023, then it was I wan’t more for 2024, and Thank God I’m alive in 2025. But this year saints, I want us a church to be more intentional with our walk with the LORD and not just about our personal resoultions. We as a community of belivers in Christ Jesus should be motivated by more than our figures, our bank accounts, our health goals, or whatever resolutions you made. We should be primarily concered with being pleasing to God and putting all kings Kingdom first. As Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things shall be added to you.” I submit a new years Revelation this year. That we be more effective as a church, that we know who we are, and that we overcome by the power of God.

Ineffective Church (v.15-16)

I know your works...

Hot or Cold...lukewarm...spit you out, vomit you out.

A more recent interpretation takes the metaphor differently. The picture of hot, cold, and lukewarm water is seen as a unique feature of Laodicea and the surrounding region in the first century. The hot waters of Hierapolis had a medicinal effect and the cold waters of Colossae were pure, drinkable, and had a life-giving effect.

Identity Crisis (v.17-18)

Jesus now calls them out on who they think they are. The Laodiceans took a mentality that because they had a little money in their pocket, and didn’t have any needs that they were righteous. And I understand that Israel would often times relate their wealth with their right standing with God. If they were doing well, God would bless them. But, that is not how it works all of the time. Often times, even in the OT the rich would prosper (Preach..America/Trump).

I counsel you, to buy from me...gold refined...white garments, salve. Those who I love I discipline.

Invitation for Conquerors (v.19-22)

I stand at the door and knock. Black folk don’t like to receive uninvited guest.

Hear my voice and opens the door. I will come in a eat.

Conquerors?- this means you are going to go through some things. And you are going to have to put for the work to endure and overcome. God is with you, and God will fight, but you are going to have to work. It’s not going to be easy, but you can do it. How do I know you can overcome, how do i know you will conquer because Jesus is inviting those who do, and he wouldn’t put a standard that he knows you can reach.

T...with his bloody jersey. He wanted his father to see that he played.

God whant’s to know did you give effort. Did you get up when life knocked you down.

And then he gives an example, “As I conquered”.

Revelation 21:7 “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!