Christ our Sufficiency

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“Christ our Sufficiency”

Rev. 3.14-22

 

Intro. – The last several weeks we have gone a bit of a church tour. It’s as if the Lord Jesus has walked with us and opened the doors on these seven different churches in the book of Revelation. We have visited the church in Ephesus and witnessed Jesus commending their doctrinal vigilance and their endurance. And we heard his rebuke for they had lost their first love. Jesus tells them to remember, repent and return to the works they had done initially. Next, we went to Smyrna where the Lord Jesus commended them for they were spiritually rich and enduring persecution for his name. He encouraged them to be faithful unto death. We visited the church in Pergamum and our Lord commended them for holding fast to his name and not denying their faith. However, the Lord reprimanded them for tolerating false teaching and told them to repent. The church in Thyatira was growing in love and was evidenced by their deeds. However, they lacked discernment and tolerated heresy for which Jesus rebuked them. In Sardis there was no commendation, but only rebuke. They were dead and Jesus commands them to wake up, remember, and repent. Last week, we were in Philadelphia visiting the church which was commended for its patient endurance, faithfully keeping God’s word and not denying his name. For the churches where there was rebuke, Jesus offered consequences for their disobedience. But also he reminded the faithful of the glorious rewards for the one who conquers to the end. This week we visit the last church on our tour.

Join me if you will as we peek in at the last of the seven churches – the church at Laodicea. Please turn in your Bibles to Revelation 3 beginning in verse 14. What we have in our text this morning is a trial. Unfortunately for the Church in Laodicea, there is no commendation, only rebuke.

First we have the Prosecution and Witness. And this is found in verse 14. The text indicates that Jesus instructs John to write to the angel, or messenger, who it is that brings charges against the defendant. Jesus Christ identifies himself with three names: the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the beginning of Creation.

We certainly know the first word identified. Why we even close all our prayers with this word. So what is it that we mean when we say the word, “amen”? It is an expression of faith saying, “let it be so” or “truly”. So, when Jesus refers to himself as THE Amen, he asserts that he is the one who fulfills everything he promises or sets out to do. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul writes this, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him [Jesus]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” Jesus IS the Amen.

Because he is the Amen, he is a faithful and true witness. He is all-knowing, or omniscient. In John 8:14, Jesus responds to the Pharisees who have pointed out to Jesus that he is unable to testify for himself. Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. Jesus is also omnipotent. He is powerful to do whatever he desires. So he knows and he can deliver.

In John 14:6, Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. What this church (and every church) needs is the truth. Jesus is the embodiment of truth. Without the truth of Jesus and the written Word of God, we fall prey to our own desires, false teaching, and the deceitfulness of sin.

Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation. Throughout history there has been heresy that argues that Jesus is the first created being, and thus not God. There are some in our own community that will come to your door and tell you this very thing. He is not created, he is Creator! Turn with me to Colossians chapter 1 beginning in verse 15. God’s Word says, “He [Christ] 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Heb. 1.1-3, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Jesus is the Creator and he is God!

            So Jesus is the beginning of creation in the sense that he is “Beginner” and “Ruler” and “Source” of all of it. This will be an important thing to remember as we get into the text.

            Before we move to the indictment, let’s meet the Defendants. They are the church at Laodicea. Laodicea is located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. It is located on two major trade routes and likely played a part of their incredible wealth. And they were proud of their wealth. It was a city that benefitted from three primary means. They were known for their banking, their production of fine black wool for clothing, and the medical source of eye salve. They were so wealthy (and proud) in fact that when an earthquake occurred in AD 60, they refused any help from the Romans in rebuilding the city.

            Also significant to note is that they did not have an adequate water source. So they were quite inventive in that they tapped into two water sources: one to the north and one to the south and created an aqueduct to channel the water in to the city. Hierapolis was the city to the north and was known for their hot springs and Colossae to the south for their refreshing mountain cold water. Perhaps they didn’t anticipate that by the time the water was relocated, it would have lost both of those positive qualities. By the time it arrived in Laodicea, it was lukewarm. In addition, the high mineral content from the water in Hierapolis and the dirty water from Laodicea made it quite distasteful.

            Now let’s move to the Indictment. Jesus begins by saying to the church in Laodicea “I know your works”. A normal trial often consists of the prosecution trying to convince the judge or jury the guilty nature of the defendant. He or she would likely introduce evidence and witnesses in order to present an overwhelming package to the judge. Jesus simply says, “I know your works.” Now if you or I were to say something like this, we would be communicating that we see something going on. “I saw him swipe the lady’s purse” or “I saw her run the red light and hit the other car”. When Jesus says I know your works, he truly knows. And here he further explains by indicating he knows their inner character.

When we survey Scripture, we understand that our outward behavior is driven by what is in the heart and mind. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Romans 12 tells us that outward changes happens by the renewing of our minds. We must be changed inwardly first. That is why in our parenting we target the heart. When we counsel biblically it is the heart that must change. When we disciple one another, we minister the Word so that it is the Spirit that works on the heart and mind. When we perform good deeds apart from heart change, we are essentially hypocrites. Jesus repeatedly charged the Pharisees as hypocrites when he said that these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Jesus links ‘works’ with ‘character’ here for he is God and is able to know what is in a person. In our Addictions class, we talked about living in the fear of the Lord. Often our initial thought about this concept is dread. But we really need to look at it as a gift. As we grow in our understanding of the holiness of God, we better understand his view toward sin. And we learn that God is not a God to be trifled with. Sin is a violation of his character.

I find a couple of things interesting. First, I think it is amusing that we as parents can communicate to children that God is watching everything they do. This is very convenient for us. But then we have no problem giving in to sin as if the same concept doesn’t apply to us. Right? Second, I find it interesting when we counsel people that are going through some tough times, we often direct our friends to passages like Psalm 139. Psalm 139 reminds us that the Lord searches and knows us. He knows when we sit and rise. He discerns our thoughts, knows the words we will say. We cannot flee from his presence. No matter where we go, God is right there with us. Amen. And that is such a comfort in times of need!

Where is God when we give in to temptation?? Where is God when you are on a business trip and none of your church friends are around? Where is God when you are listening to your music or watching TV? Where is God when you are surfing the internet and posting on Facebook? Where is he??  Is Psalm 139 comforting at these times as well??

I would suggest, however, that living in the fear of the Lord is a gift. For as we continue to grow in our knowledge of him, we know the beauty of obedience. We see holiness as something beautiful as it reflects him. Ephesians 5.1 tells us to be imitators of him as beloved children. Living in the fear of the Lord is incentive for godliness. Ed Welch says, “As we grow in the fear of the Lord, it expels the idolatries of our heart; it expels the false worship.” Praise God for that! Jesus says to the church, “I know your works”.  

To the Laodiceans, Jesus says “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 [explanation], I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” In the same way that the water from the north and the water from the south makes you sick, so does the condition of this church make him sick! They had become useless!

Laodicea was enjoying a time of prosperity. They became very wealthy and subsequently self-sufficient and full of pride. They didn’t need any help from Rome or anybody else. What they sacrificed in the process was their dependence on the Sufficient One. Jesus says you don’t even realize that actually you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Do you see how pointed and specific these words are? Remember, they were rich because of their banking, their exquisite wool for clothes, and their eye medicine. Jesus contrasts their outward prosperity with their spiritual poverty. They are poor, naked, and blind.   

Personally, I have never really struggled with amassing great wealth. And, yes, I know that I drive a Toyota Corolla and that really puts me in the upper echelon… But I have good friends that have struggled with the pursuit of wealth. They have often asked for prayer with their struggles in this area. But for me, not really an issue. Rather, it looks something like this. My accountability partner often challenges me in three particular areas – time in God’s Word, prayer, and relationship with my wife and children. Time spent in Scripture is usually not an issue with me. I am pretty diligent in this area. The relationship of my family… Well there is always room for improvement. But I think we are on the right path. We are starting to get it. Prayer? Hmmm… Not always so good. I am usually a task-oriented person. Can you see how this plays out? How can prayer not be vital in the other two? Well, I’ve got a good methodical system in my study of the Bible. And I will be the first to suggest that this is essential. But am I fully prepared by spending quality time on my knees first? When I don’t, I am relying solely on my own sufficiency at this point. Now, I wouldn’t say that. But perhaps my actions do. How about family life? Well, I can certainly try harder to make family ‘work’. But if the spiritual health of my family resides solely on my shoulders, Lord have mercy! I am being completely self-sufficient if I do not kneel humbly before my God and plead with Him to intervene and empower my efforts. And I am not far from saying, “I need nothing.”

Why do we sleep at night? Because we have to. That’s how we were created. We are designed to be dependent. Why do we need a Savior? Because we are unable to save ourselves. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Because we are unable to become more holy without him. Pulling harder on the bootstraps leads you away from Christ. The church in Laodicea was trusting in their accomplishments and wealth and were falling away from Christ. The key point in the indictment is in their saying that they needed nothing. Jesus reminds them to find their sufficiency in him. In the same way that sinners find their sufficiency in Christ for their salvation, so we remain dependent on him for everything!! And I believe this is where our Lord is leading them.

            Notice next the Counsel and we will begin to tie the indictment to the counsel to see the issue more clearly. “I counsel you”. Who is the “I”? The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Creator! I find the response very interesting. On one hand, Jesus has just said that the thoughts and actions of the church at Laodicea make him want to vomit. So there was no misunderstanding his disgust with them. He has also given them insight to their real condition. He tells them that they are wretched. On the other hand, his response isn’t quite what you might expect. It’s not what I expected. I thought that perhaps his view toward their sin would generate a wrathful response. And they probably deserved it.

But take a look at this. It’s as if he puts them on probation and doesn’t sentence them… yet. He counsels them. Jesus says, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, 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 him and eat with him, and he with me.”

I believe the Lord is here pleading with his church. He counsels or advises them in verse 18, he reminds them of his love for them in verse 19, and he is desirous of the restoration of spiritual intimacy with them in verse 20. 

First, in verse 18, Jesus advises them to buy 3 things: gold refined by fire, white garments and salve for their eyes. I find the first purchase an interesting one. And I think Jesus is referring to a persevering faith that is refined by fire. In 1 Peter 1:7, Peter talks about how the tested genuineness of faith is more precious than gold that perishes that is tested by fire. Psalm 66:10 says “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” James 1 says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” And in verse 12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Could it be that God plans to send the purifying effects of suffering upon them? Remember that Laodicea was enjoying a time of ease and comfort and great wealth. One commentator adds this, “Active opposition may well be a less deadly evil than careless ease.” In other words, we are more susceptible to complacency and self-sufficiency in times where there is no opposition. We forget that we are in a spiritual war. When the Enemy can get us to a place of apathy and complacency, we are no longer effective for God’s kingdom. But when we are actively engaged in the war, we are most dependent on our God.

When I think of this indictment and counsel, I cannot but think of the North American church. We continue to thank God for the freedom we presently have to worship freely. But I think it has become a two-edged sword. It has led to great complacency in the church. For perhaps we take our freedom for granted. There is not such a high cost to following Christ it would appear. Our ‘church life’ is an appendage that appears to be added to our lives, rather than a giving up of our life for Jesus Christ. It is often those who endure persecution for their faith whose lives are a better reflection of godliness than those who experience no persecution at all. It is this tried and true faith that will make them truly rich.

Second, the church is advised to buy white garments so that they are clothed and no longer naked. Nakedness in Scripture is often associated with shame and judgment. They lay bare and exposed. Remember when sin entered the world and Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness. They were exposed spiritually and physically. So to be clothed with white garments would be associated with walking in purity.

Lastly, they were counseled to buy salve to anoint their eyes so they could see. When you are immersed in the mire of sin, we no longer see things clearly. Things aren’t as they appear. I recently had a friend tell me that he is lost in the sphere of worldliness. He is so immersed he can’t see clearly to find the way out. When in addictions, people often speak of being in a fog and need us to point them to Christ. The church in Laodicea was so immersed in their worldly ways, they could no longer see the Lord of the church.

Jesus speaks so precisely to his church here contrasting earthly medicinal salve to heavenly salve, black wool garments to pure white garments, and earthly wealth to spiritual wealth.  

In verse 19, Jesus reminds them that to be reproved and disciplined is to be reminded that they are his children and are loved as such. Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

We often think of discipline as a bad thing. But I think these passages turn that thinking on its head. If there were no discipline, we would continue to walk a path toward destruction. But we rejoice and give thanks that the Lord does not allow this to his children. He lovingly reproves and disciplines us for our good. We would not think to raise our parents without any discipline because we know that it is ultimately for their good. In some of our parenting classes, we refer to discipline as a ‘rescue mission’ – rescuing our children from the danger of disobedience to God and restoring them to a place of obedience and blessing. God wants the same for us. He desires that we walk in holiness because He receives the glory in transforming sinful traitorous people to those who properly serve their Creator and Savior.

When we discipline our children, we desire that the repent and follow the Lord with zeal. There is no mistaking. In this life we will not attain spiritual perfection. The battle with sin is a lifelong battle. But when we fall, we repent, brush ourselves off and follow him with zeal. Thank God for his reproof and discipline! It is a gift!
            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. For years, this verse has been used as an evangelistic tool to encourage people to “open the door to their hearts for Christ”. This is not what the verse is saying. This is a reference to table fellowship with the Savior. It is spiritual intimacy. Jesus is not waiting at the door of your heart wondering if you are ever going to unlock the door and allow him to step foot inside. I believe spiritual conversion to be much different than that. Do you remember Saul on the road to Damascus? Jesus appeared to him and Saul fell to the ground. Salvation is a work of God wherein he shines lights in our hearts, opens and removes scales from our eyes so we see his glory and fall on our knees in repentance. He is not that timid in salvation.

Jesus longs for a return to intimacy for his church. He wants to be their sufficiency once again. From verse 18 I think that the primary words from this verse are to buy from me. Jesus wants them to return to seeking him. He says, “Don’t buy from the world. Buy from me. The world has an inferior product. I am what you need. The world leaves you poor, blind, and naked. But I want you to be rich, clothed in white, and able to see clearly.”

The interesting thing here is that Jesus has just said that they are poor and yet tells them to buy from him: gold, garments, and medicine. How can they purchase without anything to buy with? Listen to the words of Isaiah 55:1-2, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” Jesus Christ has already paid the price and offers to us that which has eternal substance.

Why do we continually dabble in the things of the world thinking that they will satisfy us? What can compare to what Jesus Christ offers? “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.” We already learned in the previous chapter that those who conquer will rule the nations. Us! Those who have trusted in Christ will sit on the throne with the Lord Jesus and his Father in heaven. His obedience and fulfillment of the promises gives us access to the throne! And yet we flirt with the things of the world…

Jesus Christ is sufficient for our salvation. Jesus Christ attained for sinners what impossible for them – righteousness. Likewise, he is all we need for this life. Jesus is the Amen – the fulfillment of promise. He is the faithful and true witness – the very Creator of all things. And he despises pride and self-sufficiency. It makes him want to vomit. And yet he pleads for sinners to find satisfaction in him.

When we are self-sufficient, we rob God of his glory. We were created to be dependent on him. When we act contrary to our design, we become ineffective. We are no longer warm and healing, or cold and refreshing. But when we are dependent, when we lean most fully on Jesus Christ, he can use us in ways we would never imagine. This is why I read biographies. I encourage you to read about great men and women who gave their lives in service to Christ and you will see how they were used mightily for him.

If you are like the church at Laodicea who has strayed from the Lord, you need to repent and follow him with zeal. Restore your intimacy with him. If you have never trusted in him for your sufficiency for salvation, do so now. For he is returning. He is not slow in returning, but patient. You can either bow the knee now and call him ‘Lord’ or you will bow on that day in judgment. Heed the warnings and call on him now!

            Jesus is all we need…

I close with this parable in Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

 

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Benediction

 

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