Jesus is Enough

Christ or Philosophy?

JEROME, BEST KNOWN FOR his translation of the Bible into the Latin Vulgate version, was a rigid monk. Once, however, about 374, while still a novice in the life of self-denial, he fell ill during Lent and in a nightmare he dreamed that he was standing before the great judgement seat. From somewhere came a voice, strong and terrifying: “You, Jerome, are a Ciceronian, not a Christian.”

It was the voice of conscience, no doubt, Jerome loved the Lord but he also knew and loved the works of the classical authors: Cicero, Salust, Lucretius, Virgil, Horace, and Juvenal. His nightmare is typical of the struggle of soul the early church had over pagan literature and philosophy. It is a struggle without end. What fellowship had Christ with Belial? What has he Psalter to do with Horace, the Gospels with Nietzshe, or Paul with Hemingway?-Church History in Plain Language

God is a jealous God

Throughout the NT God’s love is revealed in Christ, is no soft and easy emotion, but a costly and demanding love. -Blacks New Testament Commentary

Lampstands

The seven churches in Revelation were metaphors as lampstands. The number seven represents perfection.

Christ addresses the seven churches in Revelation and either praises or rebukes them, or both.

Laodicea

Revelation 3:14–22 NIV

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Laodicea did not have a resource for water. It either came from the city Hierapolis Spa which were hot or the refreshingly cool drinking water available to the Colossians (both of which are equally beneficial).

When the water came the water was already lukewarm where bacteria can grow and when a person drinks they can get sick or nuances, which causes them to vomit.

Lukewarm water does not produce any benefit.

Jesus is speaking to them in terms that they will understand.

The Laodicean church thought that they were self-sufficient because they were rich and prosperous city.

Yet, they are actually pitied, poor, blind and naked.

They have lost their spiritual fervor!

Therefore, the Laodicean angel has lost his effectiveness.

Christ’s Remedy

Jesus offers three remedies:

Gold

White garments

Eye ointment

Gold represented the city’s banking reputation

White garments is a contrast to the area’s famous black wool

The eye ointment with the famous Phrygian eye-salve known for its medicine, which the city had good doctors.

However, Christ’s riches are superior to theirs.

Ex: His gold has been refined by fire, an image of tried-and-tested at 1 Pet 1:7 (Blacks New Testament Commentary)

Go Big or Go Home

Theme when I was a teen

Jesus ‘s gold has been refined by fire, an image of tried-and-tested faith at 1 Peter 1:7

Experience counts!

When one is suffering for gospel then one is being refined by the fire.

God wants all of it or nothing, he doesn’t want things half done or given.

The Holy Spirit waking me up with saying Jesus is more than enough.

Him telling me at the alter I’m either hot or cold.

Testimony of dogs and my mom.

Revelation 3:19 NIV

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Jesus comes to tell us this because he loves us.

That we may be worthy to bear and be counted worthy of the name of Christ.

Acts 5:41 NIV

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Yet, are we willing to give up everything for Jesus?

Or give him go only halfway? You won’t be effective if you are lukewarm just like Laodiceans.

Testimony that Jesus is faithful.

Revelation 3:14 NIV

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.