THE BOOK OF REVELATION
( An Open Door - September 13, 2020)
Series Big Idea: "God has revealed His plans for the consummation of human history"
Sermon Big Idea: "To experience renewed fellowship with Jesus, believers must be serious enough to change"
Key Scripture (Revelation 3:14-22)
Introduction
Jesus begins this last of seven letters to the churches by using the words He used in Revelation chapter one. The language He used to address this church in Laodicea confirmed and guaranteed that the message He was giving could be trusted because it was Jesus who was giving it. Let's look at what He had to say to this last church.
14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus used everyday examples to illustrate the condition these people were in. First, the city had notorious water problems. They had no natural source of securing their own water. So much so, the water they did have was piped in from an external source. By the time the water would travel to their city it would have been lukewarm. Jesus explained that this lukewarmness described them. They were so self absorbed they couldn’t recognize their own need. Jesus said this kind of attitude made Him want to vomit.
These people had confused their material prosperity with spiritual health and security. The city and the area was known for banking and commerce. The city was also home to a leading medical school that focused on the eyes. Jesus told them even though they had all this going for them physically, they were unable to see their own blindness. He challenged them to turn back to Him for true spiritual healing.
If these believers would take to heart and repent under His discipline, He promised to restore their fellowship with Him. This is definitely directed toward the Church. Jesus is pictured as standing on the outside and waiting for them to repent so He could have fellowship with them again. The context of this passage is most assuredly directed to believers who have drawn cold and walked away from their faith. When Jesus mentioned they could come in and have a fellowship meal with Him, He is using an illustration they would have recognized. A fellowship meal means real forgiveness.
CONCLUSION
Generosity is a consistent mark of obedient believers throughout Scripture. What we must recognize is that what happened in Laodicea could easily happen in our churches and lives of individuals today. Complete self reliance cause us to trust more in the gifts and ignore the giver.
Do you feel a complacency in your life as a believer? Maybe you ask the question, "does God still want a relationship with me now, in light of what I've done?" My friends, this passage proves that Jesus waits patiently to renew fellowship with believers who come to the end of themselves and repent of their self-sufficiency. All you have to do is to look at Christ's actions in these verses to find a reason for hope.
The image of Jesus continuously knocking on the door of a believers life sends a powerful message. Jesus is saying, "Yes, I want to renew our relationship. I've been here all the time. If you hear Me knocking and you open your life to Me, I'll come in and bring healing and restoration. "
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.
Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2016. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Easley, Kendell. Revelation. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Keener, Craig. Revelation: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Patterson, Paige. Volume 39: Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
James H. Bolick, Sermon Outlines from the Word, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), 8.
Carr, Alan. Revelation. Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
AFTER THE MESSAGE
After hearing today's message there may be a decision you have made and you want a pastor to connect with you. We want to make this easy for you. Just scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form and our pastor will contact you in the way you prefer.