Laodicea - Be Diligent
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So What
So What
Sign, Sealed, delivered
Take a look back
John’s Vision from Jesus in the province of Asia now known as Turkey as he is held captive in the island of Patmos sending letters to the seven churches
No Facebook - Letters by mail carrier
1. Ephesus - Love God more, love others more
2. Smyrna - Don’t Fear, be Faithful
3. Pergamum - What’s your Idol (loyalty)
4. Thyatira- Compromising the gospel
5. Sardis - Wake Up O Sleeper
6. Philadelphia - Hold On- Witness
7. Laodicea - Be Diligent
Most of us like to be independent?
We are often Stubborn
We often want to figure this out on our own and if you don’t believe me - tell me the last time a man followed instructions when putting something together
We all have a little rebel deep inside us and some are more in touch with that side of things than others
It goes a little deeper though because these are just surface things
We we created to live in a harmonious life but of course we messed that up but eating a piece of fruit in the garden of Eden.
We all sin, we all mess up, and as much as we want to figure this life out on our own and satisfy our own selves we can’t. Because whether we realize it or not our heart does have a longing to be in relationship with the one who created it.
This morning you may not know where you sit with God or even that you believe - that is okay come along for the journey
What’s What
What’s What
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 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. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
The message from the Amen - the end, the one who will have the final say- Jesus was there in the beginning and he is the one who will be there at the end. He can pass judgment and he does.
I know all you do and you are neither hot or cold -I wish you were one or the other
What good is stale, lukewarm water it has very little benefit
The Church of Laodicia would know
Surrounded by and had to pipe water from
Closse - Ice Cold
Hierapolis - Nice mineral hot
Both useful
Luke Warm not so Much
Just like the gross taste of stale water spit out of our mouth Jesus tells them that it pretty much sums up how he feels about them
Why??
They tried to convince others and themselves that they could take care of them selves, they didn’t need the instructions, they didn’t need the encouragement, they didn’t need the money or help, in fact they would not even accept help after an earthquake destroyed much of their city.
They felt they had life figured out - we can be there sometimes
The NIV Application Commentary: Revelation Original Meaning
Jesus’ challenge to the Laodicean Christians’ self-sufficiency (3:17–18) reminds us how readily we Christians absorb the attitudes of our culture without pausing for critical reflection on this behavior
The NIV Application Commentary: Revelation Original Meaning
So arrogant was Laodicea about its wealth that when the emperor proposed to help rebuild Laodicea along with other Asian cities destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 60, Laodicea refused what we would call the “federal disaster relief funds.”
The Church in Laodica was supposed to be one who relied on Jesus and yet they became a reflection of the community they lived in who had everything and felt the need for nothing - Lab West is similar
Jesus basically tells them to take off the rose colour glasses, stop admiring yourself in the mirror - you have no hair anyway … and see yourself for what you are, and just in case you miss it he helps them out
They were know for being the banking center and Jesus calls them wretched, miserable and poor
They were top eye medical care - calls them blind
Main was clothing making - calls them naked
Jesus points them to the fact that all they think they have that makes them great really does not make them great at all. Money, body, and clothes will rot eventually but how they connect with God on a spiritual level is what will count, it was about their soul
Buy from me Gold, Garments, Ointment - Jesus does not run a corner store, he is saying come to me with all you needs and I will take care of them, don’t rely on yourself be diligent to rely on me , I made you!
Vs 19 I Correct and discipline - some of these letters have been harsh, but it is so we can see ourselves in a new light and follow Christ well
I stand at the door, I am not forcing myself on you - open the door, lets get to know each other - Moves from the door to the kitchen table
Where we get to know people more intimately
I will give you life beyond this world !
Yeah But
Yeah But
You may not know where you stand with Christ but let me tell you that he knocks and wants to have a relationship with you
Now What
Now What
Christians this morning we are called to be different, we are called to live out life in a way that honours God and at the foundation of it all we are called to simply Love God, love others and leave Judgement to the lord.
If we have learned anything from the 7 letters it is that we must spend much time praying for God to reveal how our hearts really are so we can turn from things that dont please him and start to walk with him more closely.
To be the example and yet be real
From those unsure this morning - God Loves and you and we are really trying not to mess that message up for you so forgive us when we dont represent him well and realize that God’s heart longs to be relationship with you.
Is it messy - YESS, is it worth it O YES