SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA #7

Rev. 3:14-22 - Laodicea (The Rich-Poor Church)

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. This, of course, is the last one in our study of the seven     
      churches of Asia.
   B. Laodicea is known as the lukewarm church.
      1. Nothing good, at all, was said about this church.
      2. In spite of our Lord's strong rebuke, this brief epistle
         contains some of the most affectionate and appealing words
         in the Bible.

I. DESIGNATION.
   A. Christ identifies Himself as:
      1. The Amen.
         a. This refers to something which is established and
            positive; hence, indicates the stability of Jesus.  Heb.
            13:8
      2. The faithful and true witness.
         a. He declares the exact truth as seen; His testimony is
            absolute and trustworthy.
      3. The beginning of the creation of God.
         a. The word for "beginning" as used in the New Testament
            means:
            (1) "Primacy in regard to time"; that is, the
                commencement of a thing.
            (2) "Primacy in regard to rank and authority."
                (a) It is often translated "principality" as a
                    concordance will show. Jesus was not the
                    first part of God's creation (Jehovah's
                    Witnesses' teaching on this verse), but was
                    the head and prince of God's creation.
                (b) He created all things and sustains all things. 
                    Col. 1:15-16; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:2, 10-12

II. CONDEMNATION.
   A. The condition of this church was indifference and lukewarmness
      (having a knowledge but no zeal, inactive and unconcerned).    
      Vs. 15a
   B. Christ wished that they would be one way or the other - cold or
      hot.  Vs. 15b
      1. When individuals become cold and completely fall away and
         make wrecks of their lives, they can be reached easier than
         the self-conceited lukewarm.
         a. Remember the prodigal son.  When he went down to the
            lowest ebb, he came to himself.
      2. The lukewarm are most difficult to reach, and are a great
         hindrance to the cause of Christ, because they influence
         others to be like themselves.
      3. Someone wrote this satire: "The board of absentees will
         meet each time a service of the church is in session. They  
         will discuss various ways to keep attendance as low as      
         possible. They will endeavor to see that there is no        
         enthusiasm, and will help decrease the giving. The board    
         will also seek to weaken the preacher's influence, and plan 
         various ways to hinder any revival efforts or visitation    
         programs. The board of absentees is composed of the         
         following members. Mr. I.M. Unconcerned, Mrs. O.U.         
         Hypocrite, Mr. and Mrs. U.R. Lazy, Mrs. C. Others, and Mr.  
         I.M. Disgruntled."
   C. The Lord, in verse 16, showed His attitude toward the lukewarm,
      and His feelings toward such is no less today.
      1. The word "spew" means literally, "to vomit, vomit forth, to
         throw up."
         a. This, my friends, is the Lord's view of the lukewarm. 
            They literally make Him sick and He vomits them out.
      2. The land of Canaan vomited out its wicked inhabitants.  Lev.
         18:24-25
         a. The Lord vomits out lukewarm Christians.  
   D. They said they were rich and had need of nothing.
      1. No doubt, they thought that their wealthy physical condition
         provided for, or resulted from, their spiritual condition.
      2. It was the philosophy of Job's friends in reverse: (1) The
         wicked suffer. (2) Job, you are suffering. (3) Therefore,   
         Job, you are wicked.
         a. The Laodiceans, as well as many today, reasoned: (1)
            The righteous prosper. (2) We are prospering. (3)
            Therefore, we are righteous.
      3. The Lord showed their true condition.
         a. They were wretched, poor, blind, and naked.
         b. This was their true spiritual condition in the eyes of
            Christ.
   E. The picture of Laodicea well describes many churches today.
      1. They enjoy a comfortable building, have a respectable social
         standing in the community, and live in material prosperity
         unequaled before their time.
      2. Their religion requires neither sacrifice nor effort, and   
         they feel perfectly satisfied in their own self-sufficiency.
      3. It is sad that they do not realize that their lukewarm
         condition is an abomination in the sight of the Lord.
      4. The author to this old poem is unknown:

         I've been a dead weight many years
         Around the church's neck;
         I've let the others carry me
         And always pay the check.

         I've had my name upon the rolls
         For years and years gone by;
         I've criticized and grumbled too,
         Nothing could satisfy.

         I've been a dead weight long enough
         Upon the church's back;
         Beginning now, I'm going to take 
         A wholly different track.

         I'm going to pray and pay and work
         And carry loads instead;
         And not have others carry me
         Like people do the dead.

III. EXHORTATION.
   A. They were summoned to purchase of Christ:
      1. Gold refined by fire that they might be rich.
         a. This refers to tested or proven works.  1 Cor. 3:13-15; 1
            Pet. 1:7
      2. White garments to cover their nakedness.
         a. They needed to be clothed with pure and clean
            garments, not clothes stained with the sin of
            indifference.
      3. Eye salve to anoint their eyes.  ("...Salve to put on your
         eyes" NIV).
         a. "Salve" is "A medicinal ointment or balm that soothes
            or heals." (Webster).
         b. The Lord's words, of course, are figurative of insight
            and realization.
            (1) They needed to realize their miserable condition.
   B. The Lord demanded of them fervent zeal and immediate
      repentance.  Vs. 19
      1. His sharp rebuke to them (and to all who are lukewarm) was
         a result of His love for them.   Heb. 12:5-11
   C. Christ stands on the outside seeking entrance and all can have 
      His approval, comforts and blessings by letting Him in.  Vs. 20
      1. To open the door to Christ, is to obey His word, and to sup
         with Him is to dine with Him in spiritual communion and
         fellowship.
      2. Holment Hunt, a famous English painter, in the late 1800's
         painted a masterpiece entitled, "Christ at the door." It is 
         said that when Mr. Hunt had finished his painting, he       
         displayed it for critics. As it was unveiled, one of the    
         critics replied with laughter, "You forgot to put a latch on
         the door." The great artist replied, "There is no latch on  
         the door; the latch is on the inside."
         a. When you see a reproduction of Hunt's, "Christ at the
            door," you will see no latch on the door.
         b. Truly, the latch is on the inside. If Jesus comes into   
            our lives, it will not be because He forced His way in,  
            but because we opened the door to Him.

IV. PROMISE.
   A. He that overcomes, or he that is victorious in living the      
      Christian life, will sit with Christ as He did with His Father.
      1. He will share in His glory and dominion.  Rev. 2:26-28
      2. He shall reign with Him for ever and ever.  Rev. 21:3-4;
         22:3-5
   B. He who has an open mind and receptive heart, let him listen to
      what the Spirit says to the churches.

Concl.
   A. Through the seven short epistles, we gain clear insight        
      regarding the conditions of the churches existing at that time.
      In the light of these, how do we stand as a church today?
   B. Are we like the church at:
      1. Ephesus - Loyal, but lacking?
      2. Smyrna - Poor, but rich?
      3. Pergamos - Compromising, the doctrine of Balaam?
      4. Thyatira - Also compromising, the woman Jezebel?
      5. Sardis - Known as being alive, but was dead?
      6. Philadelphia - Given an open door?
      7. Laodicea - Lukewarm?