Revelation Churches Revelation 3:14-22 The Rebuke Against the Lukewarm
Revelation 3:14-22 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.
Revelation 3:14-22 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.
Revelation 3:14-22 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.
A Roadmap Context: How to Read Revelation I. The Church Then II. The Church Now III. Our Community I. Is Christ the one we depend and rely on? II. Preaching the Gospel to Yourself
Context Churches under Persecution AD 95 John in exile on the Island of Patmos (1:9) John receiving the Full Vision of Jesus (Rev 1:19)
Context Theme: The Complete Revelation of Jesus Christ Witnessing the Full Fulfillment of God s Divine Plans for His People. (Everything else is just a groaning and hint of who God is and what he has come to do)
The Church Then Laodicea was one of the larger cities in Asia Minor. They were known as an economically independent city. Strong Financial Center (The Wallstreet of their day) Strong Garment Industry Booming Medical Industry Amazing Aqueduct system
The Church Then The Church reflected their Culture Resourceful, Skilled, and Innovative Proud, Self Sufficient, and Independent Because of this, the Church had a Callous Heart and Jesus saw this.
The Church Then Jesus: The Amen, The Faithful and True Witness of God, Ruler of God s creation (v. 14) Amen! So Be It let it be done God is to be listened to and obeyed. The Truth giver and the Final Word.
The Church Then Christ has no good thing to say about this Church So, because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth (v.16) Because you say you are rich and need nothing (v. 17) Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, Naked (v. 17)
The Church Then Christ Counsel! Do not rely on yourself, come back to Me (v. 18) Revelation 3:19-20 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 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. Is Christ your All Satisfying Treasure?
The Church Now Much like the Church back then, we are poor, wretched, pitiful blind, and naked too. Spiritual Battle from Within (Romans 3:23, Romans 12:1-3) Spiritual Battle from Outside (Ephesians 6:12)
The Church Now What do you do when you find yourself in a Lukewarm form of Christianity? 1. Accept Christ Correction (v.19) 2. Repent and Turn (v.20) 3. Enjoy Christ Reward (His Presence in you v.21)
Our Community How is your Spiritual Temperature for God s Word and Kingdom right now? When it comes to Jesus and his Kingdom s purpose are they your all satisfying joy? Do you turn to Prayer and Scripture every single day? Do you feel Lukewarm and stuck? Apathetic? Preach the Gospel to Yourself (John 5:19-20)
The Gospel (in 4 parts) 1. Made in God s Image 2. Man s Sin and Fall 3. Jesus Death and Resurrection defeat Sin 4. Our Response
Preaching the Gospel to Yourself John 5:19-20! 19 Jesus gave them this answer: Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
Preaching the Gospel to Yourself John 15:5! 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Romans 5:8! 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.