Laodicea: A Christless Church
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Intro
Intro
Text - Revelation 3.20
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 dine with him, and he with Me.
Title - Laodicea: A Christless Church
Background
Background
Christ has been speaking to the seven church ages through the star-messenger
He is discerning heir works
He is warning her of her errors
He is calling for repentance
Laodicea represents the last age of the church before salvation is returns to Israel
Laodicea is the age when the Rapture will take place
Laodicea is a critical time for the church and the Christians
sadly, Laodicea is not learning her lessons well
The Main Point
The Main Point
It is possible for a church to become “Christless” - without Christ
QUOTE WMB
20 Oh, they were all convinced. It must have been about that time, it got dark, and Satan saw them alone without Him. Now, that’s just what the devil wants, is to see the church without Christ. I don’t care what your name is, how much your name’s in gold letters, “We are the holy church; we are this.” It’s not holy church; there’s no such a thing as holy church. There’s no such a thing as holy mountain, holy relics, or even holy people. It’s Holy Ghost in the people what makes the holy part: Holy Spirit.
60-1124 - It Is I
Rev. William Marrion Branham
http://table.branham.org
21 And when Satan seen the little church without Christ, then he said, “This is my opportunity. This is the time when I’ll teach them how to blaspheme me.” And he begin to blow with his breath, a storm down on the sea.
60-1124 - It Is I
Rev. William Marrion Branham
http://table.branham.org
It is dangerous for a church to become Christless!
It is not too late to bring Christ back to the church!
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
How did Laodicea become “Christless”?
How did Laodicea become “Christless”?
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Laodicea has become a money-centered church
Laodicea has become a money-centered church
everything is measured by money
if you are rich - you are blessed
if you are poor - you are not blessed, you have a problem with God
Televangelists and modern prophets are all money-centered
Laodicea has become full of “herself”
Laodicea has become full of “herself”
the early church had doctrinal problems
Laodicea is shallow on doctrine, and deep in her “akology”
individual Christians are focused on the self!
church sermons are focused on the self!
“I” is the focal point of all church ministries and activities
Laodicea has become Christless!
Laodicea has become Christless!
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Christ has vomited her out of His mouth!
to vomit is something as tasteless, or detestable
to vomit means to reject, despise
Leviticus 18.25-28
Leviticus 20.22-23
Laodicea is guilty of practicing the ways of the Gentiles!
Christ despises Laodicea for being ignorant of her true spiritual condition
she is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked
she doesn’t know it
Christ is officially outside the end-time church!
What is Christ’s solution for a “Christless” church?
What is Christ’s solution for a “Christless” church?
Christ gives her counsel
Christ gives her counsel
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
buy from Me “gold refined in the fire” - true riches
genuine faith - 1 Peter 1.7
stop depending on your abilities!
buy from Me white garments - to hide your nakedness
righteousness of Christ
Stop depending on your own righteousness!
buy from Me eye salve - for you to see
revelation and understanding
stop depending on your own wisdom!
Christ chastises her
Christ chastises her
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
get ready to be chastised!
rebuke - call out someone’s error or sin
chasten - discipline, to punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
Christ begins to knock on her door!
Christ begins to knock on her door!
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 dine with him, and he with Me.
Only after she receives COUNSELING and CHASTENING!
Christ is READY to VISIT HER AGAIN!
Christ is offering an intimate dinner with her!
Dinner with Christ leads to victory!
Dinner with Christ leads to victory!
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
a Christless church is a “lost church”
only the Church who has Christ in her life can become the OVERCOMER!
NOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS OCCASION
In 1 John, the apostle shows the importance of having true fellowship with God (1 John 1.1-4)
1 John 2.13
1 John 2.14
1 John 4.4
1 John 5.4
in Acts, the Jews recognized why Peter and John were bold
Acts 4.13 - they had been with Jesus
What they do not know was that JESUS WAS WITH THESE MEN!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Don’t be a “Christless Church” today!
NO CHRISTLESS CHURCH CAN BECOME AN OVERCOMER!
A CHRISTLESS CHURCH IS EASY PREY FOR THE ANTICHRIST!
If the signs of lukewarm Christianity is creeping into your life, get right with God immediately!
receive His counsel
receive His chastening