The Cure for the Sickness of Lukewarm Spirituality (Rev. 3:14-22)

Revelation 3:14–22 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The letters to the seven churches are a remarkably complete treatment of problems that face the church today. The recurring dangers of losing their first love (2:4), of being afraid of suffering (2:10), doctrinal defection (2:14–15), moral departure (2:20), spiritual deadness (3:1–2), not holding fast (v. 11), and lukewarmness (vv. 15–16) are just as prevalent today as they were in first-century churches. Because these letters come from Christ personally, they take on significance as God’s final word of exhortation to the church down through the centuries. The final appeal is to all individuals who will hear. People in churches today would do well to listen. [John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 942.]

Revelation 3:14–22 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 942.]

Illustration - When was the last time you went to Starbucks and ordered either a lukewarm latte or a room temperature Frappicino? That’s what I thought. Now, I regret to use the name Starbucks in connection with any kind of spiritual application, but the reality is that when Christ said to His disciples, “Follow me,” He clearly did not mean for them to do so only half-heartedly. See . Yet the sad reality today is that many pastors across the globe are only getting by when it comes to follow Jesus with their lives. This lukewarmness from the pulpit has thereby also infected the pew, and the result to the postmodern “church” has been disastrous to say the least. If we don’t take action now, the sad reality is that we may stand before the Lord, who shed His own blood for us, with the blood of those to whom we “preached” upon our hands.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions is a proverb or aphorism...is thought to have originated with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux....One meaning of the phrase is that individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but nevertheless fail to take action. This inaction may be due to procrastination, laziness or other subversive vice. As such, the saying is an admonishment that a good intention is meaningless unless followed through. [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_road_to_hell_is_paved_with_good_intentions; accessed on 04/29/2017]

One meaning of the phrase is that individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but nevertheless fail to take action.[5][6] This inaction may be due to procrastination, laziness or other subversive vice. As such, the saying is an admonishment that a good intention is meaningless unless followed through. [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_road_to_hell_is_paved_with_good_intentions; accessed on 04/29/2017]

Main Thought: The Sickness of a Lukewarm Spirituality Can Only Be Cured By Closeness and Genuine Communion with Christ.

The Sickness of a Lukewarm Spirituality Can Only Be Cured By Closeness and Genuine Communion with Christ.

Sub-intro: Explain the Symmetrical Consideration of this Passage. Provide the historical details of the city of Laodicea if time permits.

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(3:14) Laodicea: there is only one historical fact that seems to have a bearing upon this letter. Laodicea was the chief city of Phrygia—an extremely wealthy and prosperous city. It lay astride three of the most important highways of its day. It was a city of enormous wealth. The city had three particular claims to fame. It was …

• a financial and banking center

• a clothing manufacturing center

• the location of a famous medical school renown for the eye salve which it produced.

Perhaps the condition of the church in v.17—“poor, blind, and naked”—has reference to these three industries.

Paul prayed for the Laodicean church () and wrote a letter to them (; ). Archippus is said to have been the first Bishop (pastor) of the church (The Apostolic Constitutions, 8:46. Information from “The Pulpit Commentary,” Vol.22, p.114). This seems to have some significance for what Christ says to the church, for Laodicea is a church that Christ does not commend. He has nothing good to say about the church. In writing Colossians, Paul exhorts Archippus, Laodicea’s pastor: “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it” (). The corruption and degeneration could have begun under his ministry. [Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 69–70.]

[Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 69–70.]

p. page[Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 69–70.]

[Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 69–70.]

Body:

Revelation 3:14 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

The Lord presented Himself as “the Amen,” which is an Old Testament title for God (see , where the word truth is the Hebrew word amen). [Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 579.]

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 579.]

Note - There are some Cults that misinterpret this to falsely mean that Jesus was created, and is not the eternal God. To rebut this, see , or .

He it was who flung the stars into space, plowed out the basins of the sea, reared against the skyline of the world the mighty Himalayan range. Not a blade of grass grows without His permission; not a speck of dust moves. He is the origin of the creation of God, the all-controlling One.... [John Phillips, Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), .]

John Phillips, Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), .]

Revelation 3:21 KJV 1900

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

sit with me in my throne—(, ; ; ; ; , , , ; ). The same whom Christ had just before threatened to spue out of His mouth, is now offered a seat with Him on His throne! [Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 563.]

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 563.]

Revelation 3:15 KJV 1900

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Note - Wiersbe summarized this well: They had lost their Vigor (vv. 16-17), their Values (vv. 17-18a), their Vision (v. 18b), and their Vesture (vv. 17-22).

Revelation 3:20 KJV 1900

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.

Note - Some possible passages for comparing Scripture with Scripture:

The Parable of the Doorkeeper -

Matthew 24:42 KJV 1900

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Mark 13:33–37 KJV 1900

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 12:37 KJV 1900

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

James 5:9 KJV 1900

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

The Song of Songs -

Compare , which is plainly alluded to here; the Spirit thus in Revelation sealing the canonicity of that mystical book. The spiritual state of the bride there, between waking and sleeping, slow to open the door to her divine lover, answers to that of the lukewarm Laodicea here. [Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, 563.]

[Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, 563.]

Revelation 19:9 KJV 1900

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Luke 12:36–37 KJV 1900

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Jesus Eating with Publicans and Sinners -

Mark 2:16 KJV 1900

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

John 10:22–33 KJV 1900

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jn. 10:22-33

a

Holman Hunt has best captured the gospel appeal in the text. He painted a famous picture of Christ as the Light of the World, depicting the Lord, wearing a crown of thorns, standing outside the fast-bolted human heart, patiently knocking and calling for admittance. A copy of this painting now hangs in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. When it was first displayed, critics came to comment on the work. One of them turned to the painter and said, “Mr. Hunt, you have painted a masterpiece, but you have made one very serious mistake. You have painted a door without a handle.” “That is no mistake,” replied the artist. “The handle is on the inside.” [Phillips, .]

John Phillips, Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), .]

John 14:21–23 KJV 1900

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:

Revelation 3:16 KJV 1900

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:19 KJV 1900

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Listening to Jesus’ rebuke. Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea are uncomfortable not only because of the issues they address but simply because they constitute a rebuke (3:19). In the therapeutic mode of modern Western Christianity, we do not want to hear from a God who will speak harshly to us. Many Christians feel victimized (some for good reasons) and regard as insensitive any criticism of their own or anyone else’s values. But Christ has a harsh word for many of us. To be sure, Jesus speaks tenderly to those who have truly been broken—to the weak and marginalized, to those who have suffered (2:9–10; 3:8–10). We should not be callous in applying Jesus’ forthright rebukes to Laodicea to our brothers and sisters working through genuine pain in their lives. But Jesus’ words strike like thunder those churches that are self-satisfied and secure in their own endowments—those who like the Laodicean society and its church feel little need for help from outside themselves. [Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 163–164.]

Listening to Jesus’ rebuke. Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea are uncomfortable not only because of the issues they address but simply because they constitute a rebuke (3:19). In the therapeutic mode of modern Western Christianity, we do not want to hear from a God who will speak harshly to us. Many Christians feel victimized (some for good reasons) and regard as insensitive any criticism of their own or anyone else’s values. But Christ has a harsh word for many of us.

To be sure, Jesus speaks tenderly to those who have truly been broken—to the weak and marginalized, to those who have suffered (2:9–10; 3:8–10). We should not be callous in applying Jesus’ forthright rebukes to Laodicea to our brothers and sisters working through genuine pain in their lives. But Jesus’ words strike like thunder those churches that are self-satisfied and secure in their own endowments—those who like the Laodicean society and its church feel little need for help from outside themselves.

Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 163–164.

Job 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Proverbs 3:11–12 KJV 1900

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Hebrews 12:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Illustration - Consider the chastening of Manasseh:

2 Chronicles 33:11–13 KJV 1900

11 Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.

a

`ARDOR, n. [L.] Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun’s rays.

2. Warmth, or heat, applied to the passions and affections; eagerness; as, he pursues study with ardor; they fought with ardor.

Milton uses the word for person or spirit, bright and effulgent, but by an unusual license.

ARDUOUS, a. [L. arduus; Ir. ard, high; W. hardh; Ir. airdh, high, highth.]

1. High, lofty, in a literal sense; as, arduous paths. Pope.

2. Difficult; attended with great labor, like the ascending of acclivities; as, an arduous employment, task, or enterprise.

[Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).]

. name or noun.

L. Latin.

a adjective.

. adjective.

L. Latin.

Ir. Irish, Hiberno-Celtic, and Gaelic.

W. Welsh.

Ir. Irish, Hiberno-Celtic, and Gaelic.[Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).]

Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).]

REPENT, REPENTANCE - A. Verbs. 1. metanoeo (μετανοέω, 3340), lit., “to perceive afterwards” (meta, “after,” implying “change,” noeo, “to perceive”; nous, “the mind, the seat of moral reflection”), in contrast to pronoeo, “to perceive beforehand,” hence signifies “to change one’s mind or purpose,” always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, and always, except in , , of “repentance” from sin. The word is found in the Synoptic Gospels (in Luke, nine times), in Acts five times, in the Apocalypse twelve times, eight in the messages to the churches, 2:5 (twice), 16, 21 (twice), rv, “she willeth not to repent” (2nd part); 3:3, 19 (the only churches in those chapters which contain no exhortation in this respect are those at Smyrna and Philadelphia); elsewhere only in . [W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 525.]

A. Verbs.

a

AMEND´, v. t. [Fr. amender; L. emendo, of e neg, and menda, mendum, a fault; W. mann, a spot or blemish; Sp. Port. emendar; It. ammendare. See Mend.]

1. To correct; to rectify by expunging a mistake; as, to amend a law.

2. To reform, by quitting bad habits; to make better in a moral sense; as to amend our ways or our conduct.

1. metanoeo (μετανοέω, 3340), lit., “to perceive afterwards” (meta, “after,” implying “change,” noeo, “to perceive”; nous, “the mind, the seat of moral reflection”), in contrast to pronoeo, “to perceive beforehand,” hence signifies “to change one’s mind or purpose,” always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, and always, except in , , of “repentance” from sin. The word is found in the Synoptic Gospels (in Luke, nine times), in Acts five times, in the Apocalypse twelve times, eight in the messages to the churches, 2:5 (twice), 16, 21 (twice), rv, “she willeth not to repent” (2nd part); 3:3, 19 (the only churches in those chapters which contain no exhortation in this respect are those at Smyrna and Philadelphia); elsewhere only in .

3. To correct; to supply a defect; to improve or make better, by some addition of what is wanted, as well as by expunging what is wrong, as to amend a bill before a legislature. Hence it is applied to the correction of authors, by restoring passages which had been omitted, or restoring the true reading.

AMEND´, v. i. To grow or become better, by reformation, or rectifying something wrong in manners or morals. It differs from improve, in this, to amend implies something previously wrong; to improve, does not. [Webster, ADEL]

v. t verb transitive.

. verb transitive.

Fr. French.

L. Latin.

W. Welsh.

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 525.]

Sp. Spanish.

Port. Portuguese.

It. Italian.

v. i verb intransitive.

. verb intransitive.

[Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).]

Revelation 3:17 KJV 1900

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Thomas Aquinas once called upon Pope Innocent II. The pope was counting a large sum of money. “You see, Thomas,” said the pope, “the church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’ ” “True, holy Father,” said Thomas, “and neither can it say to the lame any more, ‘Arise and walk.’ ” [Phillips, .]

John Phillips, .]

Romans 7:24 KJV 1900

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV 1900

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

2 Peter 1:9 KJV 1900

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

a

We have all chuckled over the childhood fairy story of the emperor’s new clothes. The emperor could think of nothing but his wardrobe. One day two ingenious cheats calling themselves weavers appeared. They conned the king into purchasing, for a small fortune, some magnificent but invisible clothes. They set up their looms and pretended to weave the marvelous fabrics for the emperor’s new robes. The king sent his agents to the weavers, but these, afraid of exposing themselves as fools, carried back glowing reports to the king of the wonderful garments which were being prepared. Presently the day came when the emperor donned his new robes and sallied forth in procession to show them off to his subjects. Nearly everyone pretended to admire them, until one little boy said: “But the emperor has nothing on at all!” The whisper began to grow and spread until even the emperor heard. But he kept up the pretense, and the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever to appear to be holding up a train, although in reality, there was nothing to hold up at all! The church at Laodicea was like that foolish king. No wonder the Lord demanded that it buy white raiment from Him so its shame might be covered and it nakedness clothed. [Phillips, .]

[Phillips, .]

Note - Consider these appropriate and convicting comments from Dr. Keener in NIVAC:

a

Prayerlessness or dry devotional times, so typical of many of our lives in the West, often stem from a lack of sense of need before God. Our material abundance can, if we are unwary, prove a source of spiritual poverty as it did for the Christians of Laodicea....

“It used to be tough [to be a Christian] because it cost so much,” one commentator remarked. “Now it’s tough because it pays. Of the two, the latter is by far the most insidious.”[40] “I do not see how it is possible … for any revival of religion to continue long,” Wesley complained; for true religion produces hard work and thrift, which produce wealth, but wealth in turn produces “love of the world in all its branches.”[41] A warning of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., originally uttered in a context of the church’s silence on racial segregation, remains appropriate today regarding many other areas of the church’s isolation from today’s issues:

But the judgment of God is upon the Church as never before. If the Church of today does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early Church, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. I am meeting young people every day whose disappointment with the Church has risen to outright disgust. Maybe again I have been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world?[42]

This was not a new problem in King’s day; many of the abolitionists “ended up disillusioned and disgusted” by the halfhearted response of most of the church to their cries for justice, “and some of them lost their faith.”[43] Such disillusionment helped set the stage for an increasing secularism in the United States.

{40 John Fischer, “When Christianity Pays,” Contemporary Christian Magazine 8 (Dec. 1985): 46.} {41 Nathan O. Hatch and Michael S. Hamilton, “Can Evangelicalism Survive Its Success?” CT (Oct. 5, 1992), 20–31 (p. 31). For Wesley’s views on Christians’ resources, see Theodore W. Jennings Jr., Good News to the Poor: John Wesley’s Evangelical Economics (Nashville: Abingdon, 1990); on living simply in general, see Frank Martin, “Lighten Your Load,” Discipleship Journal 78 (Nov. 1993): 28–31.} {42 Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from the Birmingham City Jail” (Apri. 16, 1963 [p. 12 in my edition]).} {43 Tim Stafford, “The Abolitionists,” Christian History 33 (1992): 21–25 (pp. 24–25). {Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 165–166.}]

{41 Nathan O. Hatch and Michael S. Hamilton, “Can Evangelicalism Survive Its Success?” CT (Oct. 5, 1992), 20–31 (p. 31). For Wesley’s views on Christians’ resources, see Theodore W. Jennings Jr., Good News to the Poor: John Wesley’s Evangelical Economics (Nashville: Abingdon, 1990); on living simply in general, see Frank Martin, “Lighten Your Load,” Discipleship Journal 78 (Nov. 1993): 28–31.}

{40 John Fischer, “When Christianity Pays,” Contemporary Christian Magazine 8 (Dec. 1985): 46.} {41 Nathan O. Hatch and Michael S. Hamilton, “Can Evangelicalism Survive Its Success?” CT (Oct. 5, 1992), 20–31 (p. 31). For Wesley’s views on Christians’ resources, see Theodore W. Jennings Jr., Good News to the Poor: John Wesley’s Evangelical Economics (Nashville: Abingdon, 1990); on living simply in general, see Frank Martin, “Lighten Your Load,” Discipleship Journal 78 (Nov. 1993): 28–31.} {42 Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from the Birmingham City Jail” (Apri. 16, 1963 [p. 12 in my edition]).} {43 Tim Stafford, “The Abolitionists,” Christian History 33 (1992): 21–25 (pp. 24–25). {Keener, 164–166.}]

{42 Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from the Birmingham City Jail” (Apri. 16, 1963 [p. 12 in my edition]).} {43 Tim Stafford, “The Abolitionists,” Christian History 33 (1992): 21–25 (pp. 24–25). {Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 165–166.}]

{43 Tim Stafford, “The Abolitionists,” Christian History 33 (1992): 21–25 (pp. 24–25). {Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 165–166.}]

[Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 165–166.]

Revelation 3:18 KJV 1900

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The church needed to buy spiritual gold that is purified in the fire. Remember the city of Laodicea was a banking center and a manufacturing center, extremely wealthy. Christ is teaching the church this: their wealth is not true wealth. What they need is spiritual gold, spiritual wealth. Why? So they can be truly rich. Gold represents spiritual riches—all the richness and inheritance offered by Christ—all the spiritual things that make life rich and overflowing: love, joy, peace, goodness, faith, assurance, confidence, security, hope. It is possessing all the abundance of life. Note that material possessions and wealth cannot give these things. Earthly riches cannot buy love, joy, peace, or happiness. Riches cannot keep a person healthy nor keep him alive nor erase emptiness and loneliness. This should tell man something, but so many are so blinded by worldly wealth and possessions that they ignore it: man’s great need is for spiritual gold. Above all else, we need the riches of the Spirit. Spiritual gold is the only thing that can satisfy our souls. Note where spiritual treasures are found: in Christ. If we are to be spiritually wealthy, we have to come to Christ and secure the wealth He has.

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” ().

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” ().

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” ().

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Ph. 3:8).

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” ().

“[Moses] esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” ().

[Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 75.]

Revelation 16:15 KJV 1900

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Like the emperor in Hans Christian Andersen’s story, these Christians thought they were clothed in splendor when they were really naked! To be naked meant to be defeated and humiliated (; ). The Laodiceans could go to the market and purchase fine woolen garments, but that would not meet their real need. They needed the white garments of God’s righteousness and grace. According to , we should be clothed in “fine linen, clean and white,” and this symbolizes [“the righteousness of the saints”.] Salvation means that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us, put to our account; but sanctification means that His righteousness is imparted to us, made a part of our character and conduct. [Wiersbe, 580–581.]

The church needed to buy spiritual gold that is purified in the fire. Remember the city of Laodicea was a banking center and a manufacturing center, extremely wealthy. Christ is teaching the church this: their wealth is not true wealth. What they need is spiritual gold, spiritual wealth. Why? So they can be truly rich. Gold represents spiritual riches—all the richness and inheritance offered by Christ—all the spiritual things that make life rich and overflowing: love, joy, peace, goodness, faith, assurance, confidence, security, hope. It is possessing all the abundance of life. Note that material possessions and wealth cannot give these things. Earthly riches cannot buy love, joy, peace, or happiness. Riches cannot keep a person healthy nor keep him alive nor erase emptiness and loneliness. This should tell man something, but so many are so blinded by worldly wealth and possessions that they ignore it: man’s great need is for spiritual gold. Above all else, we need the riches of the Spirit. Spiritual gold is the only thing that can satisfy our souls. Note where spiritual treasures are found: in Christ. If we are to be spiritually wealthy, we have to come to Christ and secure the wealth He has.

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” ().

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” ().

Like the emperor in Hans Christian Andersen’s story, these Christians thought they were clothed in splendor when they were really naked! To be naked meant to be defeated and humiliated (; ). The Laodiceans could go to the market and purchase fine woolen garments, but that would not meet their real need. They needed the white garments of God’s righteousness and grace. According to , we should be clothed in “fine linen, clean and white,” and this symbolizes “the righteous acts of the saints” (nasb). Salvation means that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us, put to our account; but sanctification means that His righteousness is imparted to us, made a part of our character and conduct. [Wiersbe, 580–581.]

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” ().

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” ().

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Ph. 3:8).

nasb New American Standard Bible[Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 580–581.]

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” ().

“[Moses] esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” ().

[Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 75.]

The Holy Spirit’s unction, like the ancient eye-salve’s, first smarts with conviction of sin, then heals. He opens our eyes first to ourselves in our wretchedness, then to the Saviour in His preciousness. [Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, 562.]

[Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, 562.]

Application - Meaningfully meditating in the word of God (Gold, , etc.) and purposing to put on Christ (our clothing) as filled with the Holy Spirit is the medicine (eyesalve) you need to heal you of your spiritually blind condition.

a

The solution to Laodicean Christianity is repentance (3:19)—admitting that we consume our fabulous dinners without the presence of Jesus (3:20), who dwells only with the contrite and broken (; ; ). We eat without him because our self-glorification, which resembles that of the world (), nauseates him (3:16). If we humble our hearts and listen to his voice in the Scriptures and through the churches elsewhere, we may yet overcome. [Keener, 167.]

Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 167.

The Sickness of a Lukewarm Spirituality Can Only Be Cured By Closeness and Genuine Communion with Christ.

You must come to the place where you confess (agree) with Christ concerning your genuine condition of nauseating carnality and materialistic Christianity.

You must heed Christ's counsel to rekindle your ardor for Christ and amend your detestable habits that make Him sick, and grant Him allowance to again commune with you.

The Cure for the Sickness of Lukewarm Spirituality (Rev. 3:14-22)

Introduction:

Conclusion:

I. The Lord's Promises (, ).

A. His Promises Are Dependable ().

1. Christ, the Amen.

2. Christ, the Faithful & True Witness.

3. Christ, the Originator of Creation.

B. His Promises Will Be Delivered ().

1. The Place of His Privilege.

2. The Price He Paid.

3. The Positioned Prophet, Priest & King.

II. The Lord's Patience (, ).

A. His Desire ().

1. He Knows My Zeal for Him Has Waned.

2. He Wishes Me to Again Be Usable.

B. Our Door of Delight ().

1. Answer the Door.

a. Behold, He Is Near.

b. Standing, He Waits.

c. Listen, He Knocks.

2. Accept Him At Your Table.

a. Hear His Voice.

b. Open the Door.

c. He Will Come In.

d. He Will Dine With You.

e. You Will Dine With Him.

III. The Pastor's Problem (, ).

A. A Detestable Condition ().

1. Lukewarm Spirituality.

2. Makes Christ Sick to His Stomach.

B. An Endearing Chastisement ().

1. Loving Discipline.

2. Revival & Repentance.

a. Renew Your Passion for Following After Christ.

b. Amend Your Process of Thinking About Following Him.

IV. The Lord's Prescription ().

A. The Predicament of Self-Deception ().

1. This Pastor's Assumed Reality and Prideful Profession:

a. I've Got Plenty of Money in the Bank.

b. My Possessions Continue Increasing.

c. I Don't Need Anything.

2. This Pastor's Actual Reality of Impoverished Misery:

a. He Is the Wretched One.

b. He Is Miserable.

c. He Is Poor.

d. He Is Blind.

e. He Is Naked.

B. The Procurement of Spiritual Deliverance ().

1. Buy the Lord's Refined Gold.

2. Buy the Lord's White Raiment.

3. Apply His Medicine for Your Spiritual Blindness.

Conclusion: