Sunday, June 17, 2018 am
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
2017-18 (64)
A Study of Churches (11)
The Seven Churches of
Asia (8)
Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church – Revelation 3:14-22
a.
Located about 40 south east of Philadelphia and 100 east of Ephesus.
Was part of a tri-city area (Colosse and Hierapolis were only a
few miles away). It was
founded by Antiochus II and named after his wife.
It was the capital of the region of Phrygia.
b.
The
city was very wealthy and known for its prosperity within the Empire. It was the
banking center of Asia Minor, also striking its own coins, and thus
dealt with considerable finances.
As a result, those who lived in this city prided themselves in
their self-sufficiency. In
fact, when destroyed in 60-62 A.D. by an earthquake, they refused help
from Rome and rebuilt the city themselves.
In addition to banking, other resources included a black wool
which was used to make expensive woven garments and Phrygian powder
which was used as medicine for eyes (an eye salve).
There was a famous school of
medicine. It was also known
for its taste for the arts which often accompanies wealth.
Like others we have discussed, Laodicea was an assize city.
Because of its wealth it became a place where many who were wealthy
retired. Often with
retirement comes an attitude that “I have done my part.
Let someone else take over and do it.”
c.
There was
also
a considerable contingency of
wealthy Jews in the city.
On a yearly basis, they sent money to Jerusalem.
One year, their contribution weighed about 20 pounds of gold.
While Judaism was often a deterrent, it was also often the first
source of converts.
d.
The
religion of the city
included many pagan gods such as Zeus and Asclepius (the god of
medicine) and Apollo. It was
also a center of emperor worship.
e.
The
church in Laodicea – we do
not know of its start. Some believe it was started by Paul, but more
probably by one of his companions.
Perhaps it was started by Archippus (Col. 4:17) or Epaphras.
But we know that Paul corresponded with this church around the
same time he wrote to the Colossians (Colossians 4:12-16).
NOTHING good is said of this congregation and drastic measures
a.
Christ described
i.
The Amen –
when we say “amen” we think of the last word or “so be it”.
What Jesus says IS the last word.
There is also a certainty to His message.
ii.
The Faithful and True Witness – truly Jesus is both faithful and true!
Revelation 1:5 as John introduces this letter it is from Him.
His witness is true! (John
8:14-16).
iii.
The Beginning of the creation of God
– Jesus was there in the beginning.
The word “beginning” can mean the first, OR the source or cause.
Jesus created all things -
John 1:1-3
This of this description in light of a city, and also in the character
of this church, that prided itself on self-sufficiency.
b.
Condemnations
i.
NOTHING good is said of
this church. Not a single
individual or praise.
ii.
I know your works – again said of every congregation.
iii.
You are neither cold nor hot.
– the
idea of cold is one who is far
away and knowingly rejecting God, or one who has no clue about his lost
state. He is without faith.
To be
hot, would be boiling – we think of someone “on fire” in service
to God. Dedicated and
zealous for His cause. This
would be a church that cannot be stopped (think Philadelphia), or the
zeal of Thessalonica. Just
like individuals are to be zealous for good works – Titus 2:14, Romans
12:11, etc.
The Lord emphasized,
I could wish that you were cold or
hot. In this, clearly, He takes no pleasure in the plight of the
lost. BUT, here there is
something worse!
Because you are lukewarm, I will
vomit (spit)
you out of My mouth – to be lukewarm is to be tepid.
Typically, we prefer our drinks hot or cold.
And when we expecting that, to have something lukewarm, we spew
it out of our mouths (or maybe even it can make us sick).
The word for vomit (spew) used only here means to eject the contents of
your stomach. Most versions
have spew or spit out – something we might at the surprise of how
terrible it is.
The point is, the condition of this congregation repulsed the Lord.
We hear the expression, “You make me sick!”
That is descriptive.
He would REJECT them.
Here we have a congregation, that is non-committed.
They are not zealous at all and are indifferent.
There are serious problems, but they are indifferent toward them.
They are a self-satisfied people.
WHAT is the problem with being lukewarm?
1.
There is no commitment,
one way or the other. No
conviction
2.
There is no zeal to do
what needs to be done, nor to do so in quality.
3.
Often there are
misplaced priorities as God is not as important as He should be
4.
Often this is a product
of arrogance or selfishness
5.
It is a breeding ground
for doctrinal and moral errors, as they will be dealt with tepidly.
iv.
You say “I am rich”, have become wealthy and have need of nothing.
We have noted that this was a wealthy and complacent city.
Outwardly, it is likely this congregation had some resources, and
many may have been given over to materialism.
NOT necessarily immoral practices, but caught up in worldly
activities to the neglect of the Lord’s work.
There is a reason the Bible warns about the dangers of wealth!
1 Timothy 6:17-19 describes them as uncertain riches. Earlier,
Paul had warned of the dangers of desiring to be rich (6:9-10).
Often those comfortable with the things of this life don’t want
to change and so they find ways to justify questionable behaviors and
their lifestyles.
They have excuses for neglecting the assembling of the saints, why
they’re too busy to be with their brethren or engage in spiritual
activities. Consider the
warning Jesus made after speaking of the rich fool, “So
is He who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God”
(Luke 12:21)
NOTE: They THINK they are wealthy, but God sees differently.
v.
Consider God’s standard!
You do not know that you are
1.
Wretched
– someone of poor quality, someone to be pitied.
Romans 7:24 – Paul realized what
a wretched man he was if he relied on the Old Law
2.
Miserable
- someone who is in a pitiful condition.
3.
Poor
– one who has very little, dependent on others.
Form of same word in Matthew 5:3 – “poor in Spirit”
4.
Blind
– they do not see their real condition.
Blinded by “the god of this age”.
2 Peter 1:9 – this is one who has forgotten he was cleansed.
5.
Naked
– exposed to the elements.
Needing to be covered up.
People were aware of their worldly status.
6.
NOTE:
All of these are spiritual, and in contrast to possible
prosperous material status.
c.
Call to Action
i.
I counsel you – a word meaning to declare something plainly.
A warning and pleading with them to change!
WHERE should our counsel come from?
God’s word!
ii.
Buy gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich
– first they are to BUY what they need to change their condition.
We are to “Buy the truth,
and do not sell it” (Proverbs 23:23)
Their gold needs to be refined – purified.
SURE, they may have had physical treasure, but it was corroded.
They needed the treasures of heaven – Matthew 6:19-21
iii.
White garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not be revealed – they needed to cover up.
RECALL, the black wool sold for material prophet.
They needed to be “covered” with truth.
And a WHILTE garment – the color of purity.
Revelation 19:8, speaking of the
bride of the Lamb (Jesus), And to
her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for
the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
iv.
And anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see
– in a city known for eye salve, they are told to treat their spiritual
blindness. Ephesians 1:18 speaks of eyes that are enlightened.
v.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten
– understand, these are the Lord’s children.
They are unfaithful to Him, but He still loves us.
Hebrews 12:5-8 – chastening is designed to bring us back to Him.
SADLY, there are not many things in life worse than a child, who is 1)
not chastened; or 2) does not heed that chastening – Proverbs 10:17,
13:1 – a scoffer does not listen to rebuke
vi.
Therefore, be zealous and repent – they needed a COMPLETE turnaround.
They needed zeal that was lacking, and of course, genuine
repentance.
vii.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock
– the Lord is still there, awaiting a response, even from this
deplorable group of Christians.
The text implies that this knocking will eventually cease!
d.
Promises
i.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and
dine with him and he with Me – This is what was involved in their repentance!
There is a need to wake up and open the door for Him to enter our
lives and rule over us.
ii.
To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne
– throughout the book of Revelation, there are saints around the throne
of God. This is a
descriptive of those belonging to Him and being with Him for all of
eternity.
In fact, He even says, “As
I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
Jesus is reigning with His Father in heaven.
iii.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
- our FINAL warning to listen to
what He says.
a.
This is a church that is
probably in a prosperous area.
Perhaps the community is tolerant of them (and of course the
church is not doing much to make waves either).
They have plenty of resources and are willing to share them for
spiritual causes (of course, the level of sacrifice is minimal).
NOTICE that they stand for the truth and nothing erroneous is being
taught or tolerated (well, almost nothing – a little materialism,
worldliness, and neglect may be overlooked).
Because they are doing so well, they think they are doing great.
Like the church at Sardis that thought they were alive, here they
think they are rich – they just haven’t defined what “rich” really is
where God is concerned.
b.
BUT, they have a serious
spiritual problem – they are complacent and satisfied.
There may be some arrogance and overconfidence in their midst,
and maybe some self-righteousness, and perhaps other ungodly attitudes.
They may reason that as long as the externals are in place all will be
well and they are fine.
They are drifting along and doing ok for the moment and aren’t really
interested too much in change.
c.
Like Sardis, if things
don’t change, they may die. So what’s the difference between Laodicea
and Sardis, in Sardis there were some with concern, here they may
realize they are dying but they really don’t care!
There are lost souls out there, but they really don’t care.
They are losing their young and families, and slowly dwindling,
but they really don’t care.
If someone comes along and wants to do something good, they may not get
in their way, but they really don’t care.
Or they don’t care enough to really do something about it!
No wonder, the greatest condemned churches of the 7 (Ephesus, Sardis and
Laodicea) are the ones with serious attitude deficiencies.
d.
What are really willing
to give up to follow after our Lord? One thing we learn as we study the New Testament is that we are called
upon to sacrifice for our Lord.
Romans 12:1-2 – we are living sacrifices.
Jesus called for us to be willing to even die for Him – Luke
9:23-24, 14:26-27, etc.
Godly churches were commended for their sacrifices (Smyrna and
Philadelphia, churches of Macedonia, etc.).
We know we are expected to sacrifice and we may talk a good game, BUT
how many of us REALLY sacrifice for Him?
Not just a little money and time, but what will we give up?
Immoral practices, immoral entertainment, worldly friends,
hobbies that consume our resources, etc.
Are we willing to give up our prideful and indifferent ways?
Are we willing to give up whatever stands in our way of growing
and putting Him first?
e.
The future of the church
depends as much on our attitudes as it does our actions.
And
thus, we conclude our study of the church at Laodicea.
Let us give serious examination to where we are both in action
and attitude. If we find
ourselves being apathetic or indifferent, let us resolve to change that.
As with ALL these churches we have examined, our
candlestick depends upon
it. Are we like the church
at Laodicea?