Sermon Tone Analysis

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.]

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.]

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.]

Introduction:

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

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:

Conclusion:

I.

The Lord's Promises (, ).

A. His Promises Are Dependable ().

1. Christ, the Amen.

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.]

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.]

2. Christ, the Faithful & True Witness.

3. Christ, the Originator of Creation.

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), .]

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), .]

B. His Promises Will Be Delivered ().

1.

The Place of His Privilege.

2. The Price He Paid.

3. The Positioned Prophet, Priest & King.

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.]

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.]

II.

The Lord's Patience (, ).