Message to Laodicea
CHAPTER 3:14-22
LAODICEA
14 And to the angel of the church of Laodicea, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, I am rich, and I am made rich, and I have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold having been fired by fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, and your shame and nakedness may not be revealed. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 I, as many “as I love, I rebuke and I chasten.” Be zealous, then, and repent. Prov. 3:12 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will enter to him, and I will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 The one overcoming, I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father in His throne. 22 The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Review
The Message to Laodicea (To the Angel and the Church)
A. Spirit – The Amen, The Faithful and True witness, The Head of the Creation of God
B. Accomplishments – None
C. Failure – a) Wretched; b) Miserable c) Poor d) Blind e) Naked f) Deaf
D. Commandment – 1) Buy from Christ – Gold – having been fired by fire; 2) Buy from Christ, white garments; 3) Anoint your eyes with eyesalve; 4) Be zealous! 5) Repent! 6) Open the door!
Judgment
- Reward for Overcoming –
a) True riches in Christ
b) White robe of righteousness
c) Eyes to see
d) Dinner with Christ
e) To sit with Christ and with God - Judgment for Failure – Christ’s rebuke and chastening
LESSON:
Though Laodicea became a great and wealthy center of industry, famous especially for the fine black wool of its sheep and for the Phrygian powder for the eyes, which was manufactured. In the vicinity was the temple of Men Karou and a renowned school of medicine. In the year 60 AD, the city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, but so wealthy were its citizens that they rejected the proffered aid of Rome, and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense. It was a city of great wealth with extensive banking operations.
Jesus has nothing but condemnation for the church of the Laodiceans. The Laodicea church was a worldly church. It had lost sight of the purpose and meaning of Christ’s dying on the cross.
Paul says it clearly in Colossians Chapter 2:
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at La-odice’a, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Christ condemned the church for their indifference. The Laodiceans thought they were “it” when it came to religion. They even sought to bring back the old ordinances which Christ carried with him on the cross. The town was a major bank center, yet Jesus said they were poor. They made medicine that healed the eyes, yet Jesus said they were blind. They made the finest black wool in the world, yet Jesus said they were naked.
Indifference can cause death to a church, businesses, governments, marriages, and friendships. You can’t be indifferent with those things you care about. If you care about a church, you can’t be indifferent to the word of God and expect it to grow.
If you care about a business, you can’t be indifferent to it and expect it to succeed. If you care about your marriage, you can’t be indifferent to the things your spouse may or may not be going through. And if you care about your friends, you can’t be indifferent to them when they call you and they need your help.
Jesus was so disgusted with the church that he said he would spew them out of his mouth. The church for all it thought it was, was not even close to what it could be in the eyes of Christ. To the world, it was a good church, and Christ loved the church at Laodicea, but in Jesus’ eyes the church was as bland as a cup of warm water on a hot day. To be naked in the eyes of Christ is to not look out for his sheep, or to welcome warmly those He has sent to you.
Summary:
Jesus told the church at Laodicea to be zealous and repent or it would have to suffer his rebuke and chastening. Jesus wanted the church to either be on fire for God or a refreshing cold drink water for God and all who would come seeking the Lord. He wanted the church to not be blind to the true riches that are in Christ. He wanted the church to weave that white robe of righteousness instead of the self-righteousness that it had. He wanted the church to hear his knock at the door and open it. He wanted the church to overcome so that it could join Him as he sits of Father’s throne. We cannot be indifferent to the word of God. It is our life.
Actions Needed to Overcome At Laodicea:
- Open your eyes to what is right in front of you!
- Gird up your loins and buy that gold that has been tried thoroughly in the fire!
- Don’t be “fair weather”! Be refreshing!
- Do God’s work and put on that white robe of righteousness!
- Stop being selfish and uncaring!
- Open the door and let Jesus in!
- Hear what Jesus is saying to you! Luke 14: 16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Chapter 3:14-22
Laodicea Test
- What was the church at Laodicea instructed to do?
- hat is the reward for overcoming at Laodicea?
- Which Spirit is speaking to the church at Laodicea?
- List the good things about the church at Laodicea.
- List the bad things about the church at Laodicea?
- What did the church at Laodicea do wrong?
- What will God do to those at Laodicea who do not
overcome? - What did the city of Laodicea produce?
- What was the main characteristic of the Laodicea
church? - What single word describes the Laodicea church?