lukewarm church

(NKJV)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

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

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

You Make me sick!:

The Lukewarm church:

Big Idea:

You are ready for Christmas! but are you ready for Christ?

Objectives:

Introduction:

December has to be, by far, the craziest month of the year – wouldn’t you agree? If someone from another planet were to come and watch our world during this month, that visitor would conclude that we have completely lost our minds. Why is this month so crazy? It’s because we are preparing, aren’t we. As the families get together, kids get anxious, pushing and shoving in the stores, cooking cleaning and, hanging the icicle lights in just the right spot – its crazy because were preparing.

As men and women hit the shopping malls with a high level of intensity and aggressiveness – they’re preparing.

As houses become filled with the smell of cookies, and radio stations change around their programming to include old, nostalgic songs about chestnuts and a winter wonderland – people are preparing, because soon, it will be Christmas time.

So with all of the hustle and bustle I believe that it is important that we take the time to once again remind ourselfves about what the real meaning of Chrismas is all about. For many of us, the focus will be on the trimmings of Christmas, shopping, decorating, cooking and the giving and receiving of gifts. So we came today as a reminder that Christmas is about Chirst!

So in us getting ready for Christmas lets get ready for Christ! December is a month of preparation. We are in preparation for the season of Advent Advent is a Latin word which means “approach” or “arrival.” Advent is that time of the year when we prepare for the arrival of Christ. At Christmas we prepare to celebrate his first arrival, his humble, quiet birth in Bethlehem. But we’re also preparing for his second arrival, when Christ will come in all of his majesty, with the loud, trumpet call of God on Judgment Day.

Just as we do all kinds of physical things to prepare for Christmas, we need to do spiritual things to prepare ourselves for Christ. It’s easy to prepare for the holiday of Christmas – just look at what other people are doing – you’ll figure it out.

· But how do you prepare for Christ?

Today we reach the last of the seven churches in our series on the seven churches of Revelation. A couple of these churches have been good, but in reality most had serious problems. The downward slide that began with Ephesus losing their first love has now culminated in Laodicea being totally apostate. This church has gotten so far away from the Lord that Jesus declares that it literally makes Him sick.

Before we really dig into theses verses, I want to remind you that these letters have three perspectives to them.

1) Practically, they are written to literal churches with literal problems,

2) prophetically, they represent different stages in church history (the Laodicean age is 1900 to rapture), and

3) Personally, they speak to every Christian and every church that reads them. They have a word for each of us as individuals as well as our congregations as a whole.

Lets take a close look at the kind of church, and the kind of Christian that makes Jesus sick.

Main Body:

I THE PROBLEMS AT LAODICEA (14-17)

(NKJV)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

A. There Was The Problem of Possession (14) – Notice the words, “church OF the Laodiceans.” In every other letter you will notice that the church is referred to as, “the church in…. or the church of…..” and the name of the city is there, but here Christ calls it the church of the Laodiceans. In other words IT WASN’T HIS CHURCH IT WAS THEIRS.

B. There Was The Problem of Passion (15a) – Jesus tells them that they are like the water in their city, they have become lukewarm. Laodicea had no water supply of its own, so it piped cold water all the way form Colossea via aqueducts, so by the time it arrived it wasn’t cold anymore, but warm. They piped hot water from Hierapolis Springs six miles away, so by the time it reached the city, it to was only warm. So you could find neither the refreshment of cold water or the relaxation of hot water in Laodicea, only warm water that satisfied neither need. Churches and Christians of our day have lost their passion. The cross and the lost no longer move them. They have no passion for the Lord.

1. These Are Hard Churches To Pastor – The people believe they are right, but in reality they are indifferent. They simply don’t care

2. These Are Hard to Move for the Lord – Nothing moves them anymore. If people get saved great, if not ok. If the preaching is hot and passionate, great, if not, ok. They might like to see growth, but they aren’t going to put themselves out to help create it.

3. These Misrepresent the Lord – Jesus was a man of passion! His disciples were passionate, and that fire showed in their life and ministry. When we are indifferent it gives the impression that Jesus is because we represent Him.

C. There Was The Problem of Perception (17) – When the members of the church at Laodicea looked at themselves they saw themselves as the perfect church. They were wealthy, they were powerful, they had all they needed. They could look around and say, “we have arrived.” Yet in truth they were apathetic, indifferent, and unmoved.

II THE PERSCRIPTION FOR LAODICEA (14-19)

(NKJV)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

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

A. A Divine Appearance (14) – Jesus comes to this problem filled church not glossing over them problems, but as: 1. The Confirming One – The “Amen.” It is a Hebrew word that means, “So Be It, Let it be so, It is so, it is true.” Jesus comes as God’s final word to man. The absolute truth of God revealed.

2. The Confronting One – “The faithful and true witness.” This church refused to see themselves as they really were, and Jesus wanted them to know that He knows them as they really are.

3. The Controlling One – “The beginning of the creation of God.” This identifies Jesus as the creator and controller of all things. Not a speck of dust can move in this universe without His permission. He is in control! He comes to a church that thought it was running its own show, and reminds them that he is still on the throne.

B. A Divine Announcement (15b-16) – Jesus has a word for this church.

1. The Lord’s Desire For The Church (15b) – He wants them to be either hot or cold, but to be a place of refreshment or healing, but as it is they are neither.

2. The Lord’s Disgust With The Church (16) – He will “spue them out of His mouth.” The word “spue” is strong indeed. It means to vomit or throw up. The Greek word is “emeo.” It is the word from which we get our English word “emetic.” An emetic is something that makes you vomit. Jesus tells this church that they make Him want to vomit!

2. The Lord’s Description of the Church (17) – They thought they were rich and had it all. He looks at them and tells them that they have nothing!

C. A Divine Advertisement (17-18) – Jesus tells this church exactly where they can find all they need.

1. If They Come To Him They Will Have True Riches.

3. If They Come To Him He Will Clothe Them in The Garments of Salvation

4. If They Will Come To Him He will Restore Their Spiritual Vision. D. Some Divine Advice (19) – Jesus invites them to come to Him, then He gives them a much needed word of advice. 1. He Still Loves Them

2. Because He Loves Them, He Will Chasten Them

3.They Need To Repent

III THE PROMISES TO LAODICEA (20 – 21)

(NKJV)

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

A Present Promise (20a) – He stands and knocks. He wants to get back into this church. I continue to knock. B. A Personal Promise (20b) – Jesus doesn’t need the whole church to open the door, even “any man” will open the door He will fellowship with that man.

C. A Powerful Promise (21) – All the blessings of salvation will be given to anyone who overcomes.

Conclusion/ Celebration:

Where does this message find you? I’m not asking the church as a whole this morning, but you, personally? Are you zealous and committed, or are you indifferent and apathetic towards the things of God. This morning can’t you hear Him say, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Is the door to your heart open?

Call to Discipleship:

Benediction: