Introduction:
A. How many of you like lukewarm coffee?
B. It is distasteful & bitter isn't it? Makes you just
want to spit it
out!
C. I believe Jesus had this sensation in regard
to the
church in our
letter for today!
Trans.
Let's look at
this last letter in our series this morning
to the church at Laodicea and learn its lessons.
Prayer
Rev. 3:14-22
I. Laodicea: The City and its
Background.
A. Thriving, rich city; its main industry was
wool cloth.
1. There were sheep growers.
2. There were clothing makers.
3. Laodicea was famous for a black garment made
out
of black wool!
B. Politically, they were cool to Rome.
1. They had turned down Rome's help to rebuild
after
the earthquake
of A.D. 60.
2. They had the wealth and ability to rebuild
themselves.
3. They didn’t need Rome!
C. Religiously
1. There were many religions in Laodicea.
2. But Emperor worship was no great threat to
Christians!
II. Laodicea, The Church.
A. Commendation:
they received none!
B. Reprimand.
1. Christ reprimands them for their false
security
in
their wealth.
a. They say, "I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have
need of nothing."
b. Not only as a city did they feel they had no
need of Rome, but as a church, they really
didn’t need God too much either.
They were
satisfied they were making it on their own.
c. But Christ says Spiritually they are really
wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked!
2. It is all summed up by his charge of
lukewarmness!
a. They were so falsely secure in their things
that they
became indifferent Spiritually!
b. They were neither for Christ nor against
Christ. THEY JUST DID NOT CARE!
C. Exhortation:
1. They were challenged to buy real riches!
a. "gold tried in the fire" - a faith
that had
been tested and proven would be better than
their earthly wealth!
b. "White garments." - symbol of those
who
overcome life's temptations. This would be
better than a sinful
life with all the
expensive clothing their money could buy!
c. "Eye Salve." - to open up their
spiritually
blinded eyes!
They would understand this
because "a medical school was located in
Laodicea at the temple of Asclepius, which
offered a special salve to heal common eye
troubles in the Middle East." (BKC)
2. To remember he loves them, or he would not
try to
correct them.
a. (vs. 20)
Even in their sad condition, he
still stands
and knocks ready to come in and
help them.
b. But like the famous painting of Christ
knocking
on the door, there is no latch on
the outside!
1. (vs. 20)
To those who open, he will come in and
commune with
them.
2. Those who overcome will sit with him in
heaven!
III. Laodicea's message to Forsyth UMC.
A. Material possessions can be dangerous.
1. Not necessarily good or bad.
2. They often make us feel like we have really
attained
something.
3. They can cause us to treat people poorly who
have
less!
4. We must learn that all we have gained is a
blessing of
God. Like an old song says,
"The
things that I own and hold dear to my heart
are just borrowed they're not mine at
all."
5. We must never let our wealth, status, or
possessions make us feel that we do not need God!
Instead, we should be grateful to God for God’s
blessings on us!
B. Christ cannot use lukewarm Christians or
Churches.
1. Lukewarm individuals must get hot!
a. If we are indifferent, we are not far from
giving up
Christ completely!
b. We
must realize the danger and come back to
God!
c. We do not want God to spew us out!
d. We need a realization that we are nothing
without God!
1) When we start feeling self-sufficient
because of our
goods, we are becoming
like this church!
2) There is a strong pull to feel this way
in our
society! We must constantly
remind ourselves
of our need of God!
2. Lukewarm Churches must get hot!
a. Churches get unconcerned about
communities and die!
b. Churches get satisfied with
past
accomplishments!
c. We must get enthused and reach out!
d. We must not forget who we are and whose we
are!
e. We must never forget our mission “to make
disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of our community and the
world.”
f. We must never forget that we can best do
that by allowing Christ to Love through us!
We can’t do it without Christ, but we need
to be fired up about what Christ can do
through us and the difference Christ can
make through us!
g. Then we will continue to see Christ work
miracles in people’s lives and among us as a
Church!
C. We need to be investing in "heavenly
riches."
1. People in general:
a. teaching,
b. helping,
c. ministering to,
d. Caring and loving.
2. These are the things which make for a full
life
here and
hereafter!
Conclusion.
A. Are we lukewarm?
B. If we are lukewarm and fear we are growing
farther and
farther from
God, we need to come to Christ and let
Christ rekindle
the enthusiasm we once had.
C. We can do that today as we encounter Christ
at the
table!
Prayer of Confession
Service
of Communion
No comments:
Post a Comment