The Church: Becoming Revelation 3:14-22 Also available are a text-only version of the outline at www.evbapt.org/docs/evangel_sermon_outline_2014-08-10.pdf or an audio podcast at www.evbapt.org/media/evangel_sermon_2014-08-10.mp3 This is a pdf file for the PowerPoint notes for the sermon by Pastor Dave Tietjen on August 10, 2014, continuing the summer encore series.
Apathy to Jesus: Leave it
Laodicea has the grim distinction of being the only Church of which the Risen Christ has nothing good to say. William Barclay
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don t want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Three Dollars Worth of God by Wilbur Rees
Revelation 3:14a ESV And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write.
Remember earlier emphases Revelation 2:1-3:13
Realize expectations now Birth of this church
Realize expectations now Birth of this church Colossians 4:12-13 ESV Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis....
Realize expectations now Birth of this church Colossians 4:16 ESV And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Realize expectations now Birth of this church Blessings of this church
The authority of Jesus: Listen to him
Revelation 3:14b ESV The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
I counsel you 3:18 Those whom I love, I reprove 3:19 With concern For correction (Nathan s words 2 Samuel 12) Psalm 94:12 ESV Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law.
I counsel you 3:18 Those whom I love, I reprove 3:19 With concern For correction (Nathan s words 2 Samuel 12) Job 5:17 ESV Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
I counsel you 3:18 Those whom I love, I reprove 3:19 With concern For correction (Nathan s words 2 Samuel 12) The great Master-Builder squares and polishes with many strokes of the chisel and hammer the stones which find a place in the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem. R. C. Trench
The assessment of Jesus: Learn from him
Revelation 3:15 ESV I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
Their water supply
Revelation 3:16-17 ESV So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
But Christ had to describe them as blind and naked beggars beggars despite their banks, blind despite the Phrygian powders of their medical school and naked despite their clothing factories. I need nothing, they said. John Stott
Revelation 3:18-19 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
The reversal required Repentance is turning from one s sins in order to get right with God. The Laodicean believers needed to turn from their complacency and be zealous to do good works that pleased the Lord. Bob Wilkin
The riches offered True value, beauty and vision
The relationship established Revelation 3:20 ESV 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.
The relationship established John 14:15 ESV If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
The relationship established Ray Pritchard Do not let your sin and failure keep you from Jesus. Christ came for sinners, and it is sinners who need a Savior. So for all the foolish, fallen, messed up, mixed up, worn out, discouraged, backslidden, compromised, downtrodden, unlovely church people who wish and dream and secretly hope for a new start, take heart.
My agreement with Jesus
Revelation 3:22 ESV He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
My faith will be noticed in life Hebrews 11:24-26 My faith will be noted in eternity Only one life, twill soon be past; Only what s done for Christ will last.