What Makes Jesus Sick?

Intro (almost 10)

Drinking hot tea and iced tea—I’m that guy; the one who orders tea at Starbucks…

What is hot tea for?

What is iced tea for?

No one ever orders lukewarm tea, though, cause that’s gross—not even on the menu

Revelation 3:14–16 (CSB)

PRO TIP

Don’t ignore the historical situation behind a text by assuming a modern cultural interpretation.

(Not like our game hot and cold — good/bad).

Region of Laodicia, hot and cold springs (both known for healing properties, bathing and drinking)

The water piped to the city

Tepid/lukewarm and full of excess minerals and bacteria that made people sick (especially foreigners)

Hot and cold are both good but lukewarm is good for nothing.

(Mixing your bath water with your drinking water)

He would have them to serve a purpose;

To follow in vain makes him want to vomit.

Classical: Hot good (passion), cold bad (worldly), lukewarm, (meh)

Jesus is not saying that it is better to be an enemy of God than to be in the church and dealing with doubts, looking for how you might fit in, waiting for the right time—or anything like that.

What he is against is thinking it’s ok to have one foot in and just stay there.

He wants us all journeying closer to him; becoming hot or cold, becoming purposeful and intentional in how we seek God.

Pathway:

3 things that make Jesus want to vomit

3 Promises for those who repent of being lukewarm

3 Spiritual Realities that God opens our eyes to.

What is sickening?—3 Ideologies that make Jesus want to vomit (15.5)

Revelation 3:17 (ESV)

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Self-sufficiency ([you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing”])

Individual

Church

Self-righteousness ([not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor {spiritual poverty as in the SOTM}, blind , and naked])

Individual

Church

Ignorant ([not realizing] not knowing vs. stupid)

Individual

Church

Three promises of repentance from lukewamity (10)

Revelation 3:18 (ESV)

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

-Riches (spiritual?) cf. Paul, you have become rich without us.

-Covering over shame.

-Real sight (cf. L as sellers of ointment for week eyes).

3 Spiritual Realities that change how we see the world around us

Revelation 3:19–21 (ESV)

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Jesus is calling you to repentance. Behold.... is a statement that Jesus is sovereign and always goes before us in salvation. But he beckons us to answer that we might find:

1) presence (come into him—if two or more) - if God is with us who can be against us—talk about loneliness during pandemic

2) intimacy (eat with him) - no one loves like Jesus

some people feel like they are always the one who has to love and no one loves them back but John (1 John 4) says that we can only love because God has loved us first.

If you truly love it is only because you have been truly and perfectly loved by Jesus.

Repenting from self-sufficiency, self R, and ignorance of the scriptures will open your eyes to the love of Jesus and the intimacy you have with him. — not an abstract love

3) victory (Jesus will grant that you conquer)

over sin

over death

over the devil and all evil (theme in Re)

Revelation 3:22 (ESV)

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

EXH: Whoever has ears too heat, listen to this. The Church isn’t a social club; it’s the way to the Father.