THE LUKE WARM CHURCH

INTRODUCTION ©

A. The last of the letters written to the seven churches of Asia is addressed to “the angel of the church in Laodicea”

1. “Laodicea” was a large and wealthy city situated on the banks of the Lycus River, about 40 miles east of Ephesus.

2. “Laodicea” was famous for its high-grade black wool which it produced, and developed into a leading financial center, with extensive banking operations

3. In its vicinity was located a renowned school of medicine, which specialized in the treatment of eye trouble.

4. So wealthy had “Laodicea” become that when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60, its citizens rejected the offered aid of Rome and rebuilt the city at their own expense. ©

B. As Jesus addresses the church in “Laodicea” He describes Himself as:

1. The “Amen”

a. This is the only instance in the Bible where “amen” is used as a proper name

b. “Amen” is derived from amhn meaning “to make firm,” and came to mean “true and certain”

c. This same word is translated “faithful” in Deuteronomy 7:9 – “the faithful God” or the “amen God,” and in Isaiah 65:16 as “the God of truth,” - the “God of amen”

d. Thus, Jesus is saying that He not only speaks the truth, but IS the truth ... John 14:6

2. The “faithful and true witness”

a. This is an explanation of the name “Amen”

b. Jesus is the “Amen,” He is “the faithful and true witness” – thus, the Lord’s message to Laodicea was to be obeyed

3. The “beginning of the creation of God”

a. Jesus is the source of all creation

b. John 1:3

C. In this letter you will notice that there is a condemnation, counsel, and a promise – BUT NO commendation ©

DISCUSSION

A. CONDEMNATION

1. Again, as in all of the other letters, the Lord says “I know thy works” - the all-seeing eye of God!

2. Revelation 3:15

a. The word “hot” comes from zestos, literally meaning boiling hot, and is sometimes translated as “fervent”

b. Thus, a Christian that is described as “hot” is one who is fervent in spirit, one who boils with zeal for the Lord and His work

c. The word “cold” has reference to being icy cold, having never been warm; therefore, one being described as “cold” is one that has never made any pretense at all of being a follower of Christ

d. The Laodiceans were not cold nor hot, they were “lukewarm”

1) They were Christians, but they had very little warmth in Christian love

2) Their “works” that Jesus calls attention to, were obviously limited to minimal action with little enthusiasm

e. Lukewarmness has to be the deadliest enemy that faces the church today

1) Too many members of the Lord’s church are careless:

a) In private prayer

b) In Bible study

c) In good works

d) In self-examination

2) A lukewarm member’s attendance is usually limited to once a week, they tend to be poor givers, and show little concern for the work of the local church

3) Lukewarm Christians hardly ever visit or call on the sick, for the bereaved, or for the spiritually ill ©

f. Notice what Jesus says Revelation 3:16

1) Lukewarm Christians makes Jesus sick to his stomach

2) Consider Matthew 25:41-46 ... we are to be rich in good works

3) The Lord demands undivided loyalty to Him, a zeal for truth and righteousness that knows neither compromise nor decline

a) Matthew 6:24

b) Romans 12:11 ©

3. The Lord further condemns the Laodiceans for their self-deception and self-satisfaction ... Revelation 3:17

a. In their self-complacency they thought of themselves as having reached a high pinnacle of spirituality, and felt that they had need of nothing

1) Concerning the Corinthian church - 1 Corinthians 4:8

2) Man has the ability of lying to himself

b. The Laodiceans were probably rich physically, and took great pride in this

1) There is great danger in this type of attitude

2) Matthew 13:22

3) 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17

c. The Lord said though, they were not rich, instead they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” ©

B. COUNSEL

1. Although the church in Laodicea was self-satisfied and self-complacent, its condition was not entirely hopeless

2. Notice the counsel given in Revelation 3:18

3. Notice that the buying Jesus here advocates was to be done of Him

a. In Jesus is where the true treasures are found ... Colossians 2:3

b. The price to be paid for this wealth in Christ was their renunciation of their self-righteousness and self-sufficiency

c. Philippians 3:4-8

4. Of the Lord, the Laodiceans were to buy:

a. “Gold tried in fire” - representative of the treasures found in Jesus – things like faith, love, and purity

b. “White raiment” which may represent Christ Himself ... Romans 13:14. Thus, here we have a great symbol of forgiveness and purity

c. “Eye salve” that could heal their spiritual blindness so they could see the shamefulness of their actions and attitudes ©

5. In further counsel ... Revelation 3:19

a. True love for one another will reprove and chasten when the need arises

1) Hebrews 12:5-6

2) Will we as parents do the same?

b. The Lord further counsels them to “be zealous therefore, and repent”

1) “Zealous” comes from the same Greek word as “hot,” thus, the Lord wanted them boiling over with enthusiasm

2) “Repent” ... 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 ©

6. Notice the tender appeal in Revelation 3:20

a. The Lord pleads with the Laodiceans who have shut Him out – to allow Him to return to them

b. If only they will let the Lord back in their lives, they will enjoy great fellowship and friendship with the Lord ©

C. PROMISE

1. The Lord concludes His address with a promise … Revelation 3:21

2. The word “throne” represents the highest state of glory and exaltation

3. Jesus is willing to share the glory of His throne with all those who will “overcome” this world victoriously

4. 2 Timothy 2:10-12 ©

CONCLUSION

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 3:22)