Misheard (Part 3: Revelation 3:15-16)
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Introduction:
Opinion: God would rather you be an atheist than a lukewarm Christian.
Is there support for this in the Bible?
Many point to....
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
But is that what this means?
Body:
Quick Review of the H.E.A.R. Bible Study Method:
HIGHLIGHT
What words or phrases stick out to you?
EXPLAIN
What did the passage mean to the original audience?
APPLY
What does the passage mean today?
RESPOND
What specific action step will I take based on the passage?
Have any questions about this?
H.E.A.R. for Revelation 3:15-16
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
HIGHLIGHT
What words or phrases stick out to you?
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
“Know”
“Works”
“Cold” (x3)
“Hot” (x3)
“Lukewarm”
“Spit”
“Mouth”
EXPLAIN
What did the passage mean to the original audience?
Blueletterbible.org instructions:
Menu (at the top of page)
Study
Bible Reference: Bible Book Introductions & Outlines
Scroll to the bottom to find four introductions for Revelation
Pick one!
Revelation:
Written by John
Exiled on Patmos
Written to 7 churches Roman province of Asia that he had been working with:
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamum
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
Persecuted Christians
Emperor Domitian
4 visions of John
Purpose: Encourage and challenge Christians
Reminder: God is in control! Victory is His!
Context of 3:15-16
Read verses before and after
What did you find?
Letters to the 7 churches (Chapters 2-3)
Jesus is speaking!
This section: Laodicea specifically
What can you discover about Laodicea specifically?
… what can you find out about their water?
ESV Study Bible:
Laodicea’s accessible water = undrinkable
So, two aqueducts to get water from other sources
One for cold water (from Colossae)
Useful for drinking
One for hot water (from Hierapolis)
Useful for medicine
Many times, water in aqueducts would come to city lukewarm, making it useless.
This shows that, in this context “cold” and “hot” are both good and represent usefulness
On the usual interpretation:
Context: Cold isn’t bad thing; just as good as being “hot”
The point: Usefulness
Namely, in terms of our witness (in comparison to Christ, the faithful and true witness in verse 14)
Lukewarm = not useful
What did the passage mean to the original audience?
John challenges the church of Laodicea to have a faith that is useful in its witness.
APPLY
What does the passage mean today?
Differences between audiences:
Letter straight from Jesus/John
Aqueduct system
Similarities between audiences:
Difficulty of being useful (especially during Summer)
What the text teaches about God:
God is omniscient
God wants to use us
God rejects our lack of usefulness
What the text teaches about people:
People are capable of being useful to God
People are also capable of a lack of usefulness
What does the passage mean today?
Your faith is only useful when you are being a faithful witness
RESPOND
What specific action step will I take based on the passage?
Examples:
Being more thoughtful in your walk (WWJD?)
Sharing the Gospel more often
Finding ways to serve
Being intentional about growing in your faith
Again: One meaning, different outcomes
Any final thoughts about this passage?
Sneak peak to next time (two weeks from now, July 15):
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
PRAY
