Jesus Message to the Church – Laodicea
Rev.3:14-22

Today we will finish the series on the seven churches of Revelation.  Revelation 2-3 are seven letters of Jesus sent to seven churches in Asia Minor (Turkey).  We have seen thus far how each church had its own challenges; each letter is addressed in context to whatever was going on in the church and even in the city where the church was located.  Today we will look at the church in Laodicea.  Laodicea was a very wealthy city, known as a strategic banking center in the first century.  In 60 AD a horrifying earthquake destroyed the city, but they were able to rebuild it with their own funds, without the help of the Roman Empire.  This city had two weaknesses; like Philadelphia, this region was prone to earthquakes.   2) The city had poor water supply.  They had to pipe 6 miles south, via an aqueduct that left the city vulnerable to weather and enemies.  This church is mentioned 4 times in the Book of Colossians (Col.2:1; 4:13, 16); Paul’s letter to the Colossian church was meant to be read in Laodicea (10 miles from Colossae).  Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians around 60.62 AD

Read text.  Rev.3:14-22

Title of Christ: Amen, Faithful and true witness, Ruler of God’s creation

• Amen (“truly, “verily” It emphasized the truthfulness and divine origin of the message.
• Faithful and true witness: (Rev.1:5, John 8:14 Jesus bore witness to the Father during his earthly ministry.)

Ruler of God’s creation (beginning, originator): (John 1:1-3, Col.1:15-17 Jesus is the originator of creation, He rules and sustains it with his powerful word.

NO commendation to this church (v.15-16).  We have learned that Jesus knows what goes on in the church. (v.15) “I know your deeds, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were either one or the other!

So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (you make me sick)

This is a metaphor from Laodicea’s water supply.

Laodicea was located between two cities, Hierapolis to the north, which was known for its hot streams, which people thought contained healing properties.  Then in the south Colossae was known for its cold, pure drinking water. (Show map).  The water that came to Laodicea via the aqueduct was lukewarm, it contained impurities and people had to let it sit for a while before they could use it.  Laodicea water didn’t contain the healing properties of Hierapolis, nor it was refreshing as the water at Colossae.  The church was very much like the water that came to the city. Lukewarm, it will make you sick if you drank it.

Jesus said to the church, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you.  How many churches are making God sick with their worship services?

The church’s view of herself (v17)

I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing (this was very much the attitude in the city)

Jesus’ view of the church: (v.17-18)

• You are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  To Smyrna Jesus said, I know your poverty, yet you are rich.  To Laodicea Jesus said, you think you are rich, but you are poor, miserable, pitiful, blind and naked.

Instruction to this church (v.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 for your eyes so you can see.

White clothes to wear (white garments in Scriptures represent righteousness.  This church cannot be righteous on its own, it needed to be dressed by Jesus himself).  This church’s view was not the same as Christ’s view.  Jesus said the church was blind and needed to get medicine to fix her sight.

Love hurts!

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  (Hebrews 12:5-6.  God disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son).

Rebuke is the word for reproof or convicting you of the wrong you’ve done.
Discipline is the word for training or instructing.

It is by being disciplined and rebuked that shows God truly loves us. 

Jesus had pleaded with this church to repent. He’s knocking at their door so that they would open and have fellowship with him once again. (v.20) 

Self-dependency and self-centeredness lead to alienation from God.

Promise for the overcomers.

• Sit with Christ in his throne.  The overcomers will partake of the privilege of sharing in Christ’s glory. (Overcomers will be exalted by Christ)

What does Jesus expect of his church?

• A church that loves God and his people.
  
• A church that does not compromise her beliefs
• A church that keeps the faith even in the midst of persecution.
• A church that does not tolerate false teaching
• A church that holds fast to God’s word and does not deny the name of Jesus.

Christ wants a church that is Christ-centered and not self-centered.  A self-centered church kicks Jesus from their assembly.

Can you imagine a church gathering in which Jesus is not even invited?  This is self-centeredness at its best.  This makes God sick.