SEVEN WORDS TO THE CHURCH TODAY
(Grace that is greater than my sin - September 24, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "God has already revealed His intentions for the end of human history"
Sermon Big Idea: “No matter how far we have strayed we are never too far from God’s grace"
Key Scripture (Revelation 3:14-22)
We have reached the final of the seven churches Jesus addressed in John's Revelation vision. The church in Laodicea. The city was wealthy and commercially successful with several theaters, a massive stadium, shopping complexes, and public baths, which certainly influenced the church in a worldly way. One important note is that the water situation in the city was less than desirable. Their water had to be piped in from the city of Hierapolis and by the time it reached them it was lukewarm. It was a church that Jesus said was badly deceived about its true spiritual condition.
(Read Revelation 3:14-22)
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.”
Just as He did with the other six churches, Christ referenced His omniscience “I know.” What did Jesus know about them? He told them their works were neither cold nor hot “lukewarm.” This about sums up the main problem in Laodicea. They were doing enough good to attract the spiritual, but also enough evil to attract the carnal. A church like this just tries to blend in. It straddles the fence. It is too feeble to fight evil or defend truth. Jesus said in (Matthew 24:12) that in the last days the love of many in the church would grow cold. But this church wasn’t cold or hot! The world may be impressed with this type of church because an individual can be religious but at the same time be running with the devil. Jesus says this church made Him vomit!
Laodicea was full of pride because of their material prosperity. These people were in terrible shape spiritually. It didn’t matter how materially prosperous they were. Isn’t that the same as our day? There is no amount of wealth that will satisfy. Wealthy people sometimes think they have everything when they're broke where it counts.
Most of these people were merchants and so Jesus used language they would understand in giving them two principles about the Christian life. First, He said begin buying from me. In other words, begin considering the Lord in their everyday lives. Second, He told them to buy gold from Him. He spells out three areas of need that would expose their spiritual need. First, the Word of God is often spoken of in terms of gold (Psalm 119:127). They were to be devoted to God’s Word and make it a major part of their lives. Second, “clothed with white clothes” speak of spiritual nakedness (Isaiah 61:10). Some that come into the church need salvation and need the garments of Divine righteousness. Thirdly, they were to buy ointment for their eyes from Him. This emphasized their need for spiritual discernment. The medical center in the city manufactured and sold medicinal products and among those products was a tablet sold across the Roman Empire. They would crush this tablet and put it on their eyes to heal an eye ailment (Criswell). Jesus told the church to focus on what helps people view truth rather than their financial goods, which are spiritual liabilities.
In verse 19 Jesus discusses their need for discipline. This discipline, He says, is motivated by love. But notice the sequence of His words. He used the word rebuke first. Rebuke carries the idea of a verbal warning. Discipline is action. I think we as Christians can learn something right here. We must listen to Christ's rebukes and repent to avoid His more uncomfortable action. Someone once said “God does not take us to the woodshed to just hurt us but to instill some holiness in us. He wants us holy!
Conclusion:
Possibly the saddest thing about this text is the picture of Jesus standing on the outside of this church and knocking. We are hearing the gospel message of salvation here. There is nothing more important on this side of eternity than our salvation. What prompted Jesus to picture Himself on the outside? It is sin. Sin does this. But Jesus says He stands and knocks which indicates a continuous process. This is the patience of Christ. How do you spell this patience? It is g-r-a-c-e.
Something we all must know is that Christ will not always keep knocking if we continually reject Him (Genesis 6:3). Jesus knocking at the door is an opportunity. An opportunity for all of us. Sadly, many people will not accept this offer of salvation and will never open the door to their hearts to Jesus. Christ is not going to force His way into our lives, but He will knock at our heart’s door. It is our responsibility to open the door and let Him in. You and I hear His Word and accept His message. The beautiful picture in verse 20 of salvation promises us two things. First, Christ will come into our hearts if we want to be saved. Second, He doesn’t want to only save you, He wants to commune with you. He wants your fellowship and company. We need His fellowship and company more than anything or anyone else.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.
Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009.
Easley, Kendell H. Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2002.
Osborne, Grant R., and M. Robert Mulholland Jr. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: James, 1–2 Peter, Jude, Revelation. Edited by Philip W. Comfort. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011.
Barton, Bruce, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.
Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Revelation: I Saw Heaven Opened. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986.
Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.
Patterson, Paige. Revelation. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 39. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012.
Easley, Kendell H. Revelation. Vol. 12. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Edited by Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014.
Keener, Craig S. Revelation. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999.
Barclay, William. Revelation of John. Vol. 2. The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Willmington, H. L. Willmington’s Bible Handbook. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997.
Butler, John G. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. LBC Publications, 2010.
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