“Jesus’ Assessment of the Church at Laodicea” 4/20/08

Revelation 3:14-22

Name- “Rule of the people”

Economic – City of great wealth, famous for clothing, medicine, banking

Political – Political center for Rome. Assize town for dispensing of justice

Religious – Emperor worship, other false gods.

A. The letter to the church contains the CORRESPONDENT’S TITLE

(Rev 1:5; Acts 18:24; John 1:3, Col 1:16-17; Arche means Source)

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3

B. The letter to the church contains NO COMMENDATION

(“He who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1)

C. The letter to the church contains Jesus’ CRITICISM

He knows their works:

1) They are neither cold nor hot, but LUKEWARM

(Romans 12:11; 2 Tim 1:6; They will be vomited out!) R U on fire?

2) Wretched versus truly HOLY

3) Miserable versus truly JOYFUL

4) Poor versus truly RICH

5) Blind versus truly DISCERNING

6) Naked versus truly CLOTHED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS

D. The letter to the church contains Jesus’ COUNSEL

1) Our spiritual condition is acquired only through JESUS

2) Jesus rebukes and chastens those whom He LOVES

3) We need to make a decisive repentance and be ZEALOUS

My mistake of EVANGELISM at weddings.

4) Jesus appeals to ANYONE in the church who will hear.

E. The letter to the church contains Jesus’ CLOSURE

(Rule on His throne; Rev 20:4; 1 Cor 6:2-3; 2 Tim 2:12)

“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5

Going God wants you ask yourself where you are LUKEWARM and to

Deeper repent and become ZEALOUS for Him!

John Stott writes, “Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the church at the beginning of the 21^st century than this. It describes vividly the respectable, nominal, rather sentimental, 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.”