2019-07-07-LIVE OAKS

laodicea Saturn with me if you will to Revelation 3 starting in verse 414 Revelation 3 starting at verse 14 Add to the angel of the church in laodicea write the words of the amen the faithful and true witness the beginning of God's creation. I know your works you are neither cold nor hot would that you were either cold or hot? So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold. I will spit you out of my mouth for you. Say I am rich I have prospered. I need nothing not realizing that you are wretched pitiable poor blind and naked I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich and white and a white garment so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen and so I have to anoint your eyes so that you may see those whom I love you. I reprove and discipline. So be zealous and repent behold. I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door. I will come in to Kim and eat with him and he with me. The one who conquers I will grant him to sit with me on my throne. As I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne. He who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. So this city and Leo Leo disha. It's on top of this hot plain 10 mi from the city of colossae Paul's letter to the Colossians. The book of Colossians was written to that neighboring City just 10 miles away. Laetitia was also destroyed by that same earthquake that leveled a few other cities in the area and 60 AD. Laetitia was was unique though in that. They rejected all Imperial age rebuild the city. They rebuild their own City with their own money is a minted their own coin. They they they they made their own currency. They were famous for I'm this exotic blackwall these Black Sheep were they just for some reason they just love the the the the pastures and Engraving around laetitia. And so they were world-renowned for this really rich black Woolen clothing. That's not a medical school there and they were known for their salves and ointments and specifically fittingly enough that were known to cure blindness and other ailments of the eyes.

Sew-in verse 14 going back to the beginning of Revelation 3:14. This is what the angel. Says from Jesus. The words of the Amon or Amon the faithful and true witness the beginning of God's creation the words of the are men the faithful and true witness. The beginning of God's creation the words of va men. So in the Greek, there's this definite article, which article is a ender the a definite article in the Greek can't be substituted with any other article meaning you can't these aren't the words of of an amen. the Lords of the Amon I mean, there's only one. What is the word almonds? There's only one of them. So what is this word? What is this? I'm in I'm in means. Right. It means true. It means Let It Be may it be that's why we close our prayers with almond. We're saying this prayer was right this prayer was true. We have trust in faith that it is, right and it is true. It is a sure thing. So Jesus says these are the words of of the right and true the shore thing. The one solid Shore thing. They all men words of the that's who speaking to the Christians and Leo DC at the words of the our men be faithful and true witness again definite article be faithful and true witness who is the faithful and true witness Jesus. So he is his own faithful and true Witness. He is his own witness of what is right and what is sure? The words of the Almond the faithful and true witness the beginning of God's creation not know. I'm sorry Jehovah's Witnesses. This does not mean that Jesus was a creation. It means that God's work of creation began with Jesus flowed through Jesus. The words of Jesus are the words that created all of existence in Colossians 1. I I love going back to Colossians 1. It is one of the more powerful passages of scripture will just do the the two verses of this passage button Colossians 1 starting a verse 15 we read this. He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation for by him. All things were created in heaven and on Earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him All things were created through him and for him. Jesus wasn't a work of creation. Jesus did the work of creation. So he is pre-eminent and all of creation. He sits atop all of creation. And She is delivering the truth to the Christians and laodicea and they need to sit up and pay attention. Cuz in Christ and his words are the beginning the end the end the purpose it's all Jesus. It all points to Jesus. Jesus being the faithful and true witness means that I'm not be faithful and true witness. I'm just pointing towards him. I'm I'm trying but the grace of God I am I'm trying to point towards him. I will fail. Already have in a thousand ways. I could I could spend a lot of time denoting. Am I I I get very absent-minded yesterday. I was trying to find my wallet couldn't find my wallet. Why can't I find my wallet? Where did I put my wallet in the little cubby thing in the dash of the fan and I guess it was stolen then my wife was like well, didn't you throw some things away after I got home at Michael I did and then I then I remembered I was standing by the trash can outside by the garage the outside trash can and I was holding my wallet and the bag of trash and I remember thinking you better make sure you just throw away the bag of trash and not your wallet wouldn't it be crazy? If you threw the wallet in the trash can so throw the trash in there and hold on your wallet. I walked away and where do I find my wallet in the trash can That's how absentminded I can be while thinking this is exactly what you should do. I do the opposite and walk away. I am not the faithful and true Witness. Of all of Creations a name and purpose that's Jesus say I can point towards him prayerfully by the grace of God. I can be a deeply planted and rooted sign that points towards him. The church were caution. You're heading to a destination and you see the wind has knocked down the sign you don't whip like a violent you turn coarse the destination to go back home. Right you press forward. When I fail you I am not the witness he is. I'm just trying to point you towards him.

These are the words of the faithful and true witness verse 15. I know your Works has been a theme. Hasn't it? In the series Jesus and knows their works. I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. Now. This is a passage that I have used that pastors preachers use all the time and in just because our language our use of a figures of speech a lot of times when we read this passage Jesus saying, I know your works are neither hot nor cold and you know how it goes. I wish you were one of the other instead of going to spit you out that this is not an analogy about spiritual fervor. Jesus is not in any way saying I wish you were all about me or hated me. But because you just kind of like me black that's gross. Why would he want us to be spiritually cold? Why would you prefer that we be indifferent to him? This is not an analogy about spiritual fervor within what is it about? Well the church and the city ladyship was as I said on this on this flat hot plane and then a couple rivers in a couple streams that flowed through it. But especially in the winter, they would dry up and the water was really kind of monkey and dirty anyway in and as we know through human history for City to thrive instead of the Sacred City to thrive it has to have fresh clean water and soap for a city to exist at least you they had to find their water somewhere else. They had two different sources for water near them. It One Source was 5 miles to the South and they built an aqueduct from from that spring to them. Not spring what was known to have cold refreshing pure water.

But by the time it got to Leticia.

Is lukewarm and during the long travel to the aqueducts do the truth of that water became known archaeological at archaeological digs have all the all the mineral and calcium deposits like in the aquaducks. It was it was not good water. It was full of contaminants cuz they could they could see it because of the pipes the water ran through the other option that they have was water from a hot spring. Now the hot spring was known as being like medicinal therapeutic. It's why you no hot tubs in and I don't know if you've gone through Physical Therapy like I have and put that that can be therapeutic in in the mineralized water. There was was known to be Curative in in medicinal. So what Jesus is saying it is not some analogy about spiritual fervor what he's saying is is is look You're not hot or cold you're not refreshing. or healing

you're not refreshing or healing and if water is not refreshing or healing, what is it? It's useless.

Jesus rebuking and I mean certain lady she better get used to it. Jesus actually has no praise for the church at ladies and none.

He doesn't congratulate them for anything. No matter what. He says. I'm going to spit you out of my mouth cuz you're useless to me. You're not refreshing or healing? Another picture that it paints your especially when you add on verse 16, I'll go ahead and read 16. So because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold. I will spit you out of my mouth ladyship very wealthy City very wealthy inhabitants in a way that you would show off your wealth was how you would bring in guests into your home. And you would serve them. And one of the ways that you would serve a guest is with wine. Come to the door hear some wine, depending on the time of year the time of day the two ways that you would serve an honored guest wine was that you would chill it with snow? A lot of work went into that. You would chill it was snowing to make it nice and cold and refreshing or you would warn it. So it would offer Comfort Inn ending couragement. Luxurious, really? but if you didn't care here at the counter.

Jesus spit it out of my mouth.

as I mentioned gone through not even remotely athletic but for some reason I've sustained all of these injuries site, like what in the world but I've gone through a lot of physical therapy in the two things that my physical therapist other than the stretching which is Torturous the two things that my physical therapist would prescribe is ice or heat.

So the ice would reduce the inflammation in the swelling right bring about healing the Warped wood would loosen that the tightened muscles in in in ligaments and give you more flexibility to increase circulation ice or heat. I never once had a physical therapist said go sit in a tepid bath. has anyone received at school still be wet for a long time in like a

has anyone swam in the Natural Springs here in Florida, like which one 72° bone-chilling until it's like it's refreshing though. If you can just get a nastics muscle through it is so refreshing my parents swimming pool. It is always ice cold year-round, right we go for a swim at night like you even sleep the whole night cooler just so refreshing.

we swim in my sister-in-law's still neighborhood pool yesterday and it's a small little community pool and I got in and I was like

so nice to be here in the water.

Is what I gave you some dick.

Jesus says you're not refreshing or healing you're useless.

What is Jesus offer as evidence? Cuz Jesus is just accusing them of neither being healing or refreshing. What is Jesus offer as evidence and verse 17? For you say I am rich I prospered I need nothing.

that's why you're not refreshing or healing is because you you're confident in your riches in your prosperity in your need for nothing

imagine really wealthy people and we find ourselves can a fantasizing and envious of them and their wealth because you look at them and go and they think they don't need anything. And I got it all I don't need it. Wait a second. If they don't need anything, then why do they surround themselves so much stuff?

Why do they have such cars in such homes in such close in such opulence if they don't need anything?

Perhaps I know these are speaking in generalities here. I've done some really amazing generous wealthy people, but perhaps those people that were in being are the poorest.

Jesus is saying you think that you are it. That you do not need.

They declared their independence from him.

That's why they're not. They're not the right healing for not refreshing their faults. if they've surrounded themselves for the faults Kingdom of Independence They're not asking. They're not blessing. They're not healing they don't need anything but themselves.

For you say I am rich I have prospered. I need nothing. Not realizing not seeing the reality. continue in 17 not realizing that you are wretched pitiable poor blind and naked now look closely at what these words mean to be wretched means to be beat down and helpless. Earthquake leveled the city. You don't need Realms help me rebuild ourselves.

Jesus says you are beat down and help us. He says your pitiable was me to be pitiable means that no one really in these you.

3 Indies you you are to be pitied. Poor obviously means you're not rich. You're not wealthy. You're blind what was Lady see a known for its ointments to restore sight in Jesus's know you're blind. What else are they known for their luxurious? Black Woolen clothing in Jesus says now you're naked.

Everything in which you are becoming proud is an illusion.

He says in verse 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire. So that you may be rich. and white garments so that you may clothes yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen and shave to anoint your eyes so that you may see

He said it's your gold is garbage. Your gold buys you nothing. I offer you everything.

He's just as I I I want you to be rich.

Colossians 2

verse 2

What was rhe one into? I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you. And for those that Leo dco. And for all who have not seen me face-to-face, but their hearts may be encouraged being knit together in love to reach all the riches of full assurance and understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ.

Paul and Jesus they Define riches as the insurance understanding the knowledge of God's mystery knowing Jesus knowing him. Is wealth

having Christ is having everything. Having Christ is having everything having him is well.

he says

buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich white garments. So that you may clothe yourself in the shame of your nakedness may not be seen turn to Matthew 17. He says he wants us to be clothed in white garments.

Matthew 17 starting a verse 1 and after six days Jesus Took with him Peter and James and John his brother LED them up a high mountain by themselves and he was transfigured before them and his face Shone like the sun and his clothes became White as light.

Paul tells us in a couple passages and all through his letters that we are to take on Christ to put on Christ to be clothed by Christ 1st Corinthians 15

1st Corinthians 15 verse 53 We read this.

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable in this Mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable and the Mortal puts on immortality then shall come to pass the saying that is written death is swallowed up in Victory. Once we put on the immortality of Christ put on the the the the the Eternal white shining Radiance of Christ on righteousness when we're clothes in him this perishable body. will pass away He continues with that same in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5.

2nd Corinthians 5 starting at verse 1 for we know that if the tent that is our Earthly home is destroyed. We have a building from God a house not made with hands Eternal in the heavens for in this tent we groan longing to put on our Heavenly dwelling if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. While we are still in this tent we groan being burned not that we would be unclothed but that we would be further closed. So that what is Mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God who has given us the spirit as a guarantee look at us. Look at our fancy clothes. We don't need anything. We made this ourselves. And God says you're naked. Put on the white radiant clothing of my son. Jesus says put on me and be found. Righteous in in an acceptable to God's sight.

That the shame of our nakedness. Jesus says that the shame of your nakedness might be covered. You can turn later and Revelation to Revelation 19.

Revelation 19 starting in verse 6 Then I heard would seem to be the voice of a great multitude like the Roar of many Waters and like the sound of Mighty peels of Thunder crying out Hallelujah for the Lord Our God the Almighty Reigns, let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory for the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe yourself with fine linen linen bright and pure. For the fine linen is the righteous Deeds of the Saints which Christ performs through us with Christ has ordained that we should do before the foundations of time Ephesians cell. The shame of our nakedness is going to be clothing wedding garments to be joined with Christ forever. Yet here. We are. So confident in our own clothing. You know what? Reminds me of a time when a man and a woman husband and wife. They realize that they were sinful and they realized they were naked so they sold for themselves figleaves.

That did not work.

Jesus says that you might have salve. appointment to anoint your eyes Turn to John chapter 9.

In John chapter 9 we read this.

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth and his disciples asked him Rabbi who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind Jesus answered. It was not that this man sand or his parents, but the works but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world. I am the light of the world having said these things he spat on the ground and made mud like a excessive like an ointment and he Anointed The Man's eyes with the mud and he said to him go wash in the pool of Siloam. So went and washed and came back seeing

There is an ointment.

I can give you sight.

Christ makes it in the palms of his hands.

not made from minerals are essential oils or what have you? Tim t

that can Revelation 3

Those whom I love I reproved and discipline, so be zealous and Repent Jesus could have just destroyed them. But yet he entreats them he calls them he beckons to them.

to come and be made Rich to be closed to be given their site.

Yas'm he treats them come the zealous and repent. Inverse 20 behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me Jesus is standing at their door. What is Jesus already established about them in about you about me?

the poor they're naked their beat down there helpless they have nothing.

And yet he stands at the door and Knocks. For what? We have nothing to give them. The Christians Inn in mladc. They have nothing to give him but yet he stands at the door and knocks we have nothing. You have nothing.

Gary Knox What do we do? So often we cower. In silence and we don't open the door. We don't answer the door because we're naked.

Because we have nothing to offer because we know we're not good enough or we'd have Jesus come to us.

if nothing to offer Jesus

so we just sit in silence. Maybe I'll just move on. Or we lash out go away. Jesus go away in our shame. We yell at him. We demand that he leave what nothing to do with him.

Yeti stands, and he knocks

Go away, Jesus. I'm naked. And you standing there holding? Pure White robes Go away Jesus. I am poor. I have nothing and he stands there with the refined gold of his own presents. Go away Jesus. I'm blind. I can't even I got could even make my way to the door and stands there. with the sound that he made with with dirt and spit

to give us our site.

Go away Jesus. I have nothing to give you to drink. I have nothing to give you to eat and he stands there with a cup of his own blood.

And a loaf of his own Flash.

And what he says is you don't understand. I am not here to be served. I am here to serve.

You have no clothes. I will clothe you. You have no sight. I will give you your sight. You have no gold. I am the gold.

He's the gold.

He sight. cheese bread cheese wine It's him.

delays at this Feast before us

this morning the the band's going to come back up. medicine and worship other song during the song if and when the spirit leads you come forward Elders could come forward to to help and the elements. Knowing that that what we have in our hands this this bread in this cop.

Is it is the entirety of Christ? freely offered to us Take house. That she might be in us that we might be in him.

You don't have to bring anything to the altar is a matter of fact. He would despise anything you brought come with nothing. That's what he wants. He wants you or nothing so that he can give you his everything.

spray

God our Father Christ Our Savior and Lord and brother Spirit our life and our power.

In you is everything.

That's what's represented at this table. everything your body your blood. Thank you.

Move in a monks and through us this this time this moment as we sing as we declare.