The Problem With Pride

The Problem With Pride Revelation 3:14-22 April 11, 2021 What should we know about Laodicea? • • It was a city of wealth and independence. An earthquake in AD 60 nearly destroyed the city. They built back without any money from Rome. They were a banking center, had a medical school, famous for the production of black wool and linens, and they produced a widely used and effective eye ointment. In short, they were self-sufficient, accomplished, and understandably proud of who they were and what they had. Jesus didn’t have a single word of commendation for their church. • • • The Big Idea: Pride is the great destroyer, even of Christians and churches. The way out of pride is humble dependence upon Jesus rather than on what we have built and can do for ourselves. Tragically, Jesus can be pushed “outside the house” of our lives and must be invited back in. Revelation 3:14-22 (ESV) 3 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the ü PROBLEM 3: Our prideful and self-centered lives nauseate Jesus. [v. 16] 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ü PROBLEM 4: Pride blinds us to seeing our true condition and need before Jesus. [v. 17] 18 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. ü PROBLEM 5: Pride will keep you from coming to Jesus for what you truly need [v. 18] 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. ü PROBLEM 6: Pride will rob you from understanding the love of the Lord’s discipline and the mercy He will show if we repent. [v. 19] 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. ü PROBLEM 7: Pride assures that Jesus will be on the other side of the door of our lives as a church and as Christians. [v. 20] 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. ü PROBLEM 1: You’ll lose sight of the majesty, fullness, and sufficiency of Jesus. [v.14] 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ü PROBLEM 2: What you do as a Believer and as a Church doesn’t have much real and lasting benefit for people. [v. 15] 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. SOLUTIONS AND REWARDS [vv. 19-21] 1. Ask the Lord to give me passion and enthusiasm for Him (zealous), as I repent of the shallowness of self-sufficiency. 2. Open the door and welcome Jesus to be the center of my life, always present at the table, guiding the conversation and my life. 3. Find, in Christ, true righteousness and the things of genuine value, including eyes to see what He sees. 4. An invitation to sit with Jesus – a picture of full and perfect reconciliation. Our rebellion and His judgment have ceased.