The 7th Letter: The Lukewarm Church
Sermon Notes
The 7th Letter: The Lukewarm Church
Good morning City Awakening! My name is Robbie Alderman and I am the worship pastor here at City Awakening. Welcome to all of our viewers online this morning and it is good to see all of you gathered here in person! Welcome and thanks for joining us. At this time, I’d like to go ahead and dismiss our kids to kids ministry. If your child did not get checked in, there are leaders in the back who can help out with that! Today, we are in our final Letter to the 7 churches in our series on Revelation. This series is about finding peace in a world of chaos. The text we are studying today is about finding peace in a world that depends on its own strength for nearly everything. I am not sure there is a more relevant church to our culture today in the United States than the church at Laodicea. And there is not a church in a more dangerous situation than the church at Laodicea which means for both skeptics and believers, we are in danger of something more serious than forgetting our first love, sexual immorality, or anything else mentioned to the first six churches. We are in danger of ignoring Jesus all together because of our self-sufficient mentality. We need a revival to break out. We find ourselves at the end of chapter 3 today and will be learning about a church where Jesus’ words to them suggest there is not one true believer amongst them.
Before we dive in, I want to give a little bit of context to the book of Revelation. Revelation is about the 2nd coming of Jesus, and what will happen at the end of history when he returns. We’ve broken the entire book down into four major visions, and we are in the final week of the 1st vision, which is where Jesus tells John the author to write 7 letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor. These letters are intended to encourage John and these 1st Century Christians to keep their faith, as they’re facing afflictions from the Roman Empire. The letter we’re about to study is the 7th and final letter, which is written to the church in Laodicea. The Laodicean Church is in such bad shape. Like the church in Sardis, Jesus doesn’t start with a compliment like the other churches, instead he starts with a criticism. As we breakdown the text this week we will follow the same structure Pastor Louis used a couple weeks ago for the Church at Sardis: The Criticism, The Correction, and then The Celebration. We’ll learn about the criticism Jesus gives them, the correction for how to turn things around, and then the celebration. The title of today’s message is the 7th and Final Letter: the Lukewarm church and the BIG IDEA of today’s message is revival can start with anyone, but it has to start with someone. Revival can start with anyone but it has to start with someone. Let’s check it out.
Revelation 3:14-22 says, “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:” John is writing to the church in Laodicea and this is what we know about this city. Like a couple of the other cities we have studied like Pergamum and Sardis, Laodicea was situated on a plateau above the surrounding areas. It was impregnable to attack. Unlike Sardis, there was not even a rock face to climb up to assault the city – the only way in was through a tunnel that was miles long and a system of aqueducts which water traveled through and it could be easily blocked to besieging forces. They were also located at a junction of two major roads which made them an important commercial city of banking. Because of their unique geographical advantage, they were an incredibly self sufficient city. In 60AD, they rejected offers of assistance from Rome and rebuilt themselves after a major earthquake. They were also famous for producing a very soft and rich black wool that they used for clothing. Simply put, they had money and clothing, what else could they possibly need?
The church in Laodicea saw themselves the same way. They had it all together. They were wealthy, they were well dressed, they had the best doctors, lawyers, stock brokers, and pastors around. They didn’t need anyone else. Including God. They were deceived “Christians.” Unfortunately, much like the American church today, they were all about their works and the front they put on but it was more about impressing themselves and each other than it was worshipping Jesus.
In verse 14, “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origination of God’s creation:” Rather than Jesus commending them for something they’re doing correctly, He knows he has to establish who he is with the church in Laodicea. He gives his credentials. When Savannah completed her doctorate from Belmont University, her grandfather began sending us mail and addressing it to Dr. and Mr. Alderman. It was a funny joke but my pride was a little wounded by it because of the truth of it. Credentials are important and while I am very proud of the BA and Realtor® credentials that can go next to my name, being a Doctor has a bit more credential UMPH and Hutzpah. Jesus is giving his umph and hutzpah in the opening verse here. He is stating his credentials so it catches their eyes and ears and they listen up. He begins with the introduction of The Amen. This is a Christological title and what it means is that Jesus is the answer to all of God’s promises. He is the fulfillment and confirmation of what God promises to us. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul says that all of God’s promises are yes and amen. This doesn’t mean the answers to all of our questions are “Yes” and “I agree or affirm” as we often use “amen” after prayer. What this means is that God’s promises are delivered to us by way of Jesus. He is the only way. The church in Laodicea had a similar issue to the church in Colossae. They were being led astray about who Jesus was. They were questioning his deity and eternality (btw – similar to Jehovah’s witnesses beliefs about Jesus). Because of their proximity to the church in Colossae and the possibility that they were planted by the same coworker of Paul, false teachings that were spreading in Colossae could’ve spread to Laodicea. So Jesus begins his word to Laodicea by establishing what they have missed. I am the Messiah, I am the son of God, and I have the authority to say so. Next he identifies himself as faithful and true. Here he is speaking in direct contrast to what the church in Laodicea is. Jesus is reliable, they are not. Jesus is faithful, they are not. Jesus is a true witness, they have zero witness. Because his witness is true, he again asserts that he has the authority to accurately assess their unredeemed condition. He ends his opening statement with I am the origination of God’s creation. What he is saying here is yet again denouncing a false teaching that was spreading amongst them. Many in the Laodicean church had begun believing a teaching that Jesus was a created being, like an angel. Even though he was God’s son, he was created by God and not part of God. This again, challenges the doctrine of the trinity and if we believed Jesus was not fully God, then he would not have been able to die as a perfect sacrifice for our sins making the cross meaningless. He is clearing the air with finality and conviction and saying I am THE Beginning. THE Creator. And THE Originator.
Verse 15, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.” This statement would’ve been incredibly meaningful to the church and people of Laodicea. Earlier, I mentioned the tunnel bringing water into the city being the only way to besiege it. This water was brought into Laodicea from the hot springs of Hierapolis, which was used medicinally, and the cold springs of Colossae which was refreshing spring water. By the time the water had made it through the tunnel into Laodicea, it was neither hot nor cold. It was lukewarm and nasty. Laodicea had almost everything going for them but if they had one thing they hid under the table, it was their tap water. Many visitors who were unfamiliar with the water in Laodicea would unknowingly drink it and vomit it back up because of its tepid taste. Lukewarm beverages are nasty. There is nothing like coming to church on a Sunday morning, ordering your Starbucks ahead of time because you’re running late, picking it up off the counter, sitting back down in your car and taking that first sip of lukewarm vanilla latte with almond milk. I am speaking from one example of experience and that is why I never order ahead at Starbucks anymore. I don’t want my food or drink sitting on a counter for any amount of time before I decide when I am ready to eat it.
As he has done with all the churches, he makes this personal for his church. We cannot deduce that he is saying “be cold and oppose me” or be on fire for me. I am a big Star Wars fan and if you are too, you know that only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. For a long time, I thought this was what Jesus was saying here and I thought to myself “Oh boy… is Jesus a sith lord?” Thankfully, that is not what he is saying here. This is a common misconception of this verse. Jesus certainly doesn’t want us to be cold and opposed to him! He wants us completely sold out to him relinquishing control of our lives to him in every area. He is telling them that he wants relationship with them and we will see more in a bit about that relationship. But instead of saying being on fire for me or cold and against me, he is using a practical example that would’ve been immediately relevant to them about their location and the way they were perceived and he is saying “You are not providing healing for the spiritually sick with warm medicinal water nor are you providing refreshment to those who are spiritually thirsty with cold spring water!” What is terribly sad about the condition of the church in Laodicea is they probably worked their way into this situation without even realizing it. But Jesus is showing them grace and is calling them to repentance and we must own up to our spiritual condition when called to repentance. You see, they had become like the Pharisees. They were not genuinely saved, yet they did not openly reject the Gospel. They attended church and claimed to know the Lord but they were content to practice self righteous religion. They are hypocrites playing games.
Vs 17, “For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing, and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” The Laodiceans have what I call the Rich Young Ruler Syndrome. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 7:21-23. He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” This verse is sometimes classified as one of the most frightening verses in scripture. In many ways, at a quick glance, this describes people who are, on the surface, faithful to the church. They showed up early on Sunday mornings and set up and tore down. They led worship. They preached. The did hospital visits. They hosted community groups. But let’s read their response again more carefully: “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” Where is the mention of Jesus? Where is the mention of his sacrifice for us? His grace for us? His love for us? Where is the mention of the works he did for us on the cross? It isn’t present. Church, the only works mentioned here are the ones these people are responsible for which do not grant us entrance into Heaven.
Alistair Begg has a great bit he does when teaching about the thief on the cross. He talks about the thief entering into heaven and looking around a bit and wondering how he got there. He is Scottish so he tells this story in his beautiful Scottish accent but essentially the angels are asking this confused thief on what basis he has arrived in Heaven. Baptized? Understanding of the theological doctrine of election? Finally the thief answers, I am here because the man on the middle cross said I could come. An absolutely beautiful illustration of what our answer should be when we get to Heaven. There should be no defense given for all of our many mistakes. There should be no list of services and works we pull out and begin to recite. We should simply and humbly fall to our knees, point to Jesus and say “he died for me so I could be here.”
The Laodiceans have missed this. They have bought into the lie that they need NOTHING from God. They are wealthy, they are popular, they are healthy and they look at Jesus and the work he accomplished on the cross and essentially say, “Thanks buddy, but we are good.” And what they sadly do not realize is they are NOT GOOD. They are in fact, doomed to an eternal separation from God in Hell unless they repent and recognize their desperate need for Jesus.
Vs. 18, “So I advise you to buy gold from me- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.” After Jesus’ condemnation on the Laodicean church, he immediately provides them the challenge and the steps to take and establishes himself as the source of what they should look for. When he says buy gold from me, he is saying “Stop looking elsewhere for your salvation. Your riches only come through me and from me.” Spiritual wealth comes only by a constant and abiding faith in Jesus. Next, he talks about white garments. Remember, Laodicea was famous for the rich, glossy black wool they produced for clothing. Jesus says to them “You cannot cover your sin with these garments any longer. Your nakedness has been exposed and I offer you white garments of MY righteousness to be covered in. Church, we are hopeless if we try to earn our salvation on our own merit and righteousness. We can only abide in Jesus if we accept being covered by his righteousness. We are reminded of this in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve’s eyes are opened to their sin and their nakedness, and they feel shame. They begin to search for leaves to cover themselves with because of their shame when they hear God approaching. When God finds them, they begin to make excuses and cast blame for their sin. Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent and God delivers the curse for mankind. But immediately after they are cursed and exposed in their sin, God provides a way to cover them. He provides clothing for them made from animal skins – which would’ve covered them more fully and kept them warmer than the fig leaves. God’s garments give us a complete and full covering of his righteousness. We need the righteousness of Jesus to cover us. We cannot depend on our own filthy rags. Finally, Jesus mentions this ointment for their eyes. One of the main exports that Laodicea had was a medicinal eye salve that brought wealth to the city. This was yet another facet of their society that gave them strong dependency on themselves and their own abilities and Jesus is coming in and very personally saying the wealth you have from this is not enough. The coverings you have are not enough. The medicine you have is not enough for your spiritual condition. We cannot work, serve, heal, preach, or will ourselves into Heaven and relationship with Jesus. Isaiah 64:6 says “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.” Our righteousness and our deeds are like filthy rags.
Vs. 18-19, “So I advise you to buy gold from me- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.” Jesus doesn’t stop with just offering the challenge and the solution. He reminds them of his love for them and the challenge is not just to accept and trust his righteousness but to display zealous repentance. Jesus’ love is never cruel but it can be tough. And the Lord disciplines who he loves. We are seeing this with the church at Laodicea. And we see it in our churches today. John RW Scott says, “Perhaps none of the 7 letters is more appropriate to the 20th century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion.” Church, we are in desperate need of zealous repentance today. A passionate and DAILY turning away from our sin and not stopping there but turning to Jesus. Abiding in him and trusting in him that his righteousness is enough to cover our many failures. Jesus loved the church at Laodicea. And he loves us. Despite their complete abandonment of Jesus and their own arrogant dependency on themselves he still loved them and provided them a way out of their state.
Vs. 20, “See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” Here is the promise church. We are not entirely lost or hopeless. There is some debate about this and the importance of it is not necessarily relevant but there are some who believe there was not a single true believer in the Church at Laodicea. Not a single one. And yet, Jesus stands at the outside of the church, completely neglected and ignored and promises if ANYONE will open the door to him and accept him, he will enter and save them and fellowship with them. There is not a great enough sin nor a quantity of sin that can quench God’s love for us. It appears that only one humble, receptive, repentant sinner is necessary to spark revival within a local church. What a fact to celebrate this morning for us as a church and as individuals. Romans 8:38-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can ever separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate us. Again, we don’t know for sure if there were any true believers in the church in Laodicea. Regardless, Jesus stands ready to receive anyone who is willing to open the door to him. And this is not a let Jesus come into my life and help me out. This is a total abandonment of our control over our lives and giving him full control. He takes us from this apathetic, lukewarm, self-sufficiency state and fills our life with purpose. And not that he doesn’t want to be an oppressive master over our lives that calls all of our shots and demands performance from us. Nor is he our genie in a bottle that does everything we ask. He wants RELATIONSHIP with us. He wants us to spend time with him in the morning and at night and all throughout our day. He wants our work to be done for him and glorify him. He wants our relationships and our marriages and our parenting to consult with him. He wants relationship with us.
Vs. 21-22, “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit down with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” Jesus is promising not only that he will persevere and knock until someone answers but he also promises that the ones who conquer and do open the door, he will allow us to rule with him from the throne of the Father. This is not a victory we earn on our own. It is victory we earn through him. We share the throne with Jesus! What a beautiful promise to the church who appears to have completely abandoned him. Are we listening church? We are at a time in history and in a culture where the danger of what plagued the Laodiceans is more prevalent than it ever has been before. Our access to knowledge and wealth and medicine and relationships is nearly unending in these days. Which makes it increasingly more difficult to recognize our need for a Savior. We are in danger more than ever of the “need nothing” condition of the Laodiceans.
The big idea of today’s message is revival can start with anyone, but it must start with someone church. Revival was needed in the Church at Laodicea. They needed to wake up from their apathetic lives and break out of their comfortable lifestyles and come awake to the Gospel of Jesus. This is why the name of our church is City Awakening! We want the same thing for our city and our church. Our mission is to awaken both skeptics and believers to the Gospel and equip them to reach the world.
We must search our hearts. We must ask God to eliminate the parts of us where we feel we don’t need him. Those parts of us where we think we are strong enough to handle life without him. We must daily repent of our sin and daily abide in Jesus. Daily ask him to give us strength. Daily ask him to fill us with his spirit. He stands there in knocks. Will we open the door and claim the victory? It only takes one of us to spark revival. D.L. Moody once said, “Every great movement begins with prayer.” We must pray expectantly for revival. In our lives, in our families, in our church, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our work places, in our city, in our government and in our country. Every great movement begins with revival so let’s pray for a revival this morning.