041306 Neither Cold nor Hot
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God (in Christ Jesus)
Neither Cold nor Hot Chapter 3:14-22 April 13
Jesus is the Faithful and True Last Word—the Beginning of Creation
To the Church in Laodicea
This letter is full of irony. As examples:
First, to obtain drinking water, the Romans built an aqueduct that ran five miles south to an abundant spring (now in Denizli). The cool spring water would become lukewarm as it passed through the aqueducts into the city.
Second, the city was strategically located for trade and commerce, and became a leading banking center. After the earthquake that devastated many Asian cities in the early 60s AD, only Laodicea refused to accept Roman financial assistance because she was so wealthy.
Third, a famous salve for treating eye disease was produced by the medical school there.
Fourth, the believers in Laodicea were living in a city where the Romans had established textile factories to manufacture clothing from the famous black wool of the region.
Finally, Laodicea was a “throne city” because of a citizen named Zeno becoming king of Cilicia in 39 b.c. and of Pontus in 36. His family continued to rule in the region over the next century. The Zenoid family figures prominently on the Laodicea’s coinage. The victors at Laodicea are promised that they will sit with Jesus on his heavenly throne.
The ironies would not be lost on the inhabitants of the Christian Church there. The biting sarcasm is very clear.
Introduction: 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the pAmen, qthe faithful and true witness, rthe beginning of God’s creation.
The pastor at Laodicea needs to be stirred up. He needs what only Jesus provides. He needs to be jolted out of his lethargy toward the word of God, which are the words of the AMEN! In the midst of a people whose heart has become dull regarding spiritual things, he himself has apparently lost his passion for the truth. He has probably forgotten the importance of the faithful and true witness, who gave up His life to give life to all. He has apparently lost touch with the reality of the eternal nature of the Word of God, who, according to St. John, was with God in the beginning, and is the one through whom all things were created. This message needs to be heard because it is from the one who lived, died, rose again, and ascended into heavenly glory with His human body.
There have been several programs on television throughout this season of lent that purports a different understanding of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection. So many today are eager to believe a message that is not the last word to mankind. So many today are non-passionate with respect to God’s Word. The Bible is just another collection of interesting writings like the DaVinci Code, or the Gospel of Judas. Oh, it’s not that they want to do away with God’s Word. What it says just doesn’t matter in the light of modern research and thought. What they probably don’t realize is that the modern thought today looks more like the heresies of the first through fourth centuries. And yes, there is such a thing as heresies. According to St. Paul they are a product of the sinful human nature and have nothing to do with God.
Is it any wonder then, the Amen, the Faithful and True witness of God’s Word should want to stir up this pastor at Laodicea to be passionate, one way or the other.
15 “ ‘I know your works: He says: you are neither cold nor hot. sWould that you were either cold or hot! The point here is this: it is not possible to stay connected to God if there is no passion about His Word and work. Like the tepid water of the aqueduct system for that city, it works well only to make people throw up. This is so different from the passion found in the voice of St. Peter:
"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”" (2 Peter 2:20-22, ESV)
That’s passionate, isn’t it? The pastor of Laodicea does not have that kind of fire. Thus, he incites this word from the Amen!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 tFor you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, ublind, and naked. What an attitude this pastor has! It is enough to make the Lord of all Creation gag and throw up. As far as the world is concerned, this pastor is relaxed, comfortable with himself and his surroundings. He has everything he wants in the world and feels pretty secure, albeit in his lost spiritual depravity.
He needs what money cannot buy. The pure riches of righteousness whereby spiritual blindness is healed and the shame of sin covered. So, the one whose words and actions always bears witness to the truth of God’s Word gives some much needed advice.
18 I counsel you vto buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and wwhite garments so that you may clothe yourself and xthe shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, uso that you may see. These are harsh, biting words, aren’t they? Would you like it if they were spoken to me? The truth is, they are spoken to me. That’s the point. We need to hear the truth of our condition whether it hurts or not. Otherwise, we too will perish in our tepid unbelieving human nature. So, listen carefully as Wisdom continues to speak from God.
19 yThose whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. What is it, do you suppose, that the Lord would have these folks at Laodicea do? What signs of repentance might you suggest? Could it be as simple as hearing His words, saying amen to them as the faithful and true witness of God? I think so, and the reason why is because of what Jesus says next:
20 Behold, I stand at the door and zknock. aIf anyone hears my voice and opens the door, bI will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21
Jesus does not knock on the door to our heart to harm or condemn. He knocks to evoke faith. He knocks because His foremost desire is to be with us. He wants us to be fed and nurtured and nourished in the truth—He desires to give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the garment of salvation. This is what He desires for each and everyone here. Yes, and this is what He desires for the whole world. He always stands ready to respond to faith that hears the invitation, opens the door, and sits down to dine with Him who creates the very faith they need. Friends, this is the kind of Love that never fails! This is God’s Love still at work for us. Amen and amen! As faith takes hold of Jesus Christ there is victory, not death. We can count on it. For the faithful and true witness of God says:
cThe one who conquers, dI will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as eI also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 cHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” Amen!
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p 2 Cor. 1:20
q ver. 7; ch. 1:5; 19:11; 22:6
r Col. 1:15, 18; [ch. 21:6; 22:13; Prov. 8:22]
s [2 Pet. 2:21]
t Hos. 12:8; Zech. 11:5; 1 Cor. 4:8
u John 9:39-41; Eph. 1:18
v Isai. 55:1; Matt. 13:44; 25:9 [Prov. 8:19]
w [ch. 19:8]; See ver. 4
x ch. 16:15
u [See ver. 17 above]
y See Heb. 12:6
z [S. of S. 5:2]
a Luke 12:36
b John 14:23; [Luke 24:29, 30]
c See ch. 2:7
d ch. 20:4; [ch. 2:26; John 12:26; 2 Tim. 2:12]; See Matt. 19:28
e ch. 5:5; 6:2; 17:14; John 16:33
c [See ver. 21 above]