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“Be Zealous And Repent!” • 8.2.20 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- We have come to the seventh and final church that Jesus addressed at the end of the first century. If we had traveled this old postal route physically, we would have traversed 325 miles.
- Each church was a real, historical assembly of believers, who represent seven different types of churches in existence today.
- Additionally, each church contains seven different types of individual believers that God calls His own. These points can be supported scripturally and linguistically.
- There are those who would propose that each of these churches represent periods of church history, a theory that I do not necessarily endorse.
- That being said, of all the churches that could represent a dominant set of features that are familiar in our time, it is the church of the Laodiceans. Let's proceed with that thought in mind. V.14
Text
• Revelation 3:14 : "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write," : It might seem like a "stretch" to you, but notice the phrasing: "To the angel of the church OF the Laodiceans." Every other church's address is "to the angel of the church in."
- The word "Laodicea" is also a bit provocative. This city, as with Philadelphia before it, was named after someone. Antiochus II named this city after his wife, "Laodice."
- Her name means "People rule" or "Ruled by the people." These little details might be important as we continue our study of this church.
- This city holds the distinction of being the furthest from the previous city, coming in at just under 50 miles away from Philadelphia. It was originally called "Diospolis," the "City of Jupiter."
- The city itself was beautiful, elevated upon a flattened hill. One commentator mentioned that it was built upon seven hills. It would have been stunning to look at.
- Again, similar to Philadelphia, Laodicea was situated geographically in the most advantageous way economically, sitting upon three major roads which were trade routes.
- These routes covered nearly the entire known world! One would go east and then turn as far to the south as Egypt, while the other route went as far north as Byzantium, modern day Istanbul!
- Because of it's location, Laodicea became a banking center. It was an obvious choice to exchange money here, as the entire trading world inevitably passed by.
- Many ancient writings record a widespread envy of the wealth within this city. It was so wealthy that after an earthquake destroyed much of the city, the city refused the aid of Rome.
- They were happy to rebuild their own city with their own funds! That is a tremendous amount of disposable wealth! What didn't come from banking related to trade, came from indigineous exports.
- Laodicea held a monopoly on a certain kind of luxurious black wool that was the rage among the wealthy of the ancient world. It would be as valuable as "Corinthian leather" or the "Mink coat."
- If that weren't enough, Laodicea was also home to a renowned medical school, built around the honor of the god of medicine, Aesculapius.
- They produced a fair number of pharmaceuticals, the most famous of which was an eye salve that was in great demand. The only weakness of this city was the lack of fresh water resource.
- They were situated near the Lychus valley river, but every summer, that river dried up. It's fascinating that their founder's greed made them overlook this physical need.
- Their solution was to import water from two nearby sources. Hierapolis was known for their hot water springs and nearby Colossae was famous for their cold water reserves.
- Their solution was to pipe water in from these cities, but because of the distance that the waters had to travel, when it did arrive, the hot water cooled and the cool water heated!
- Their water was a tepid and gross concoction. This will probably be important to know later!
- Regarding the church, it had some very deep roots theologically, dating back to the time of the Apostle Paul. The Apostle was executed by the Emperor Nero in A.D. 64.
- Assuming this church existed for several years prior, we're looking at nearly 50 years of ministry existence, just five years less than Calvary Chapels have been in existence!
- Paul had a strong heart for the Laodicean church, though at the time of his writing to Colossae in the late 50's, he had not personally been to Laodicea. (Colossians 2:1)
- That didn't stop him from writing to the Laodiceans and recommending to the Colossians that they swap letters after they were finished reading theirs! (Colossians 4:16)
- Don't miss this point. Of the seven churches, two of them had a personal written epistle from the Apostle Paul. Paul's apprentice and Colossian Pastor Epaphras would have had direct influence.
- Both men have been gone from the earth for decades by now, and sadly, their Lord's influence did not endure. Verse 14.
• Revelation 3:14 : "These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:" : Jesus is the "Amen." When you and I pray, we conclude by saying, "So be it." It is a term of agreement, to mark something as true.
- In this case, when it is applied to the Lord, the meaning refers to being the final and authoritative word from God. Jesus is the embodiment of God's "Amen" to His own will!
- The Lord's presence in history is His "so be it!" Jesus is the stamp of authenticity for the Father's plan for redemption in heaven.
- As it pertains to Earth, Jesus is the reliable and genuine witness! There is no better person with the ability to testify about that which happens in heaven and that which God wills on the Earth!
- Remember our study in John: Many have gone to heaven. Only one has come from heaven!
- Then, you come to a favorite phrase of cult groups. Jesus says that He is the "Beginning of the creation of God." Before we examine error, let's look at what this actually says.
- "Beginning," depending upon the context, can and does mean what it means classically. It can legitimately mean the "commencement," or it can refer to "the chief" in rank.
- This word in context, is not referring to sequence, but preeminence! Jesus is the person of "First rank" over the creation of God! The other translations pick up on this in their translations.
- The CSB offers that Jesus is "the originator" while the NIV employs the phrase "ruler of God's creation."
- Cultists would have us believe that these words diminish the character and the divine claims of Christ to be God because, they say, He surrenders eternality at this point.
- Nothing could be further from the truth! This is not a description as much as it is a title! Jesus is the authority over the Earth and the centerpoint of God's created order!
- Jesus did not have a beginning, nor was He "born" in the sense of coming into being. Yes, He experienced birth, but not without pre-existence.
- When you accurately assess what the Lord is saying of Himself here in Revelation 3:14, a daunting picture begins to come to light. Real people in a real church are listening to this.
- They were hearing God affirm His own place as the final word of the Godhead. They were listening to the One with authority to confirm heavenly realities and earthly inconsistencies.
- He is the highest ranking person in all of God's creation! He is the ruler of it all without doubt, without any to raise a challenge. He turns now to the church and exposes His diagnosis. Verse 15.
• Revelation 3:15,16 : "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." : Jesus speaks of knowing their works, but He says it in such a way as to nearly dismiss them outright.
- It feels as though He almost doesn't get the words out before He goes right to the root of their disease. They were neither cold nor hot. What does Jesus mean?
- The spiritual state of the church was reflecting the physical challenge of the city. As with the city's water supply, so with the church's level of zeal. They were as tepid as their water!
- Jesus would rather they be one or the other! In fact, linguists explain that the language expresses a mournful, wishful statement. "Oh how I WISH you were cold or hot!"
- Because Jesus would "wish" it so, we understand that this cannot be the distinction between a believer and an unbeliever. Jesus is speaking to a church and church is an assembly of believers.
- An unbeliever isn't simply cold toward Jesus. They are dead toward Jesus until He gives life.
- Some have argued that God would rather a person be cold, as in dismissive, or hot, the word speaks to "boiling," thereby being one that was filled with zeal for the things of God.
- That could be the case! It's at least easier to deal with a person who is clear about their response to the Lord, than it is to deal with one that could "take Him or leave Him." This could be true.
- I have always been of the mind that Jesus would love His church to either be a refreshing source to parched souls or a warming source for those who have been beaten up by the world!
- The problem was that they were neither and it isn't as if they weren't hot or cold about other things. This was not an issue of the inability to be excited or zealous.
- They were zealous for other things! However, when it came to Jesus, the things of His Kingdom and eternal realities, these people were not impressed. They were content to be lukewarm.
- Listen to the Blue Letter Bible definition of this word: "The condition of the soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor and a fervour of love!"
- From what I can tell of the language, the word "lukewarm" speaks of an increase in temperature. They are going from being cold to being uninterested!
- What causes a person to move in this direction spiritually? I'm sure that we'll have greater insight momentarily, but before we consider that, consider the Lord's response to this condition.
- Their spiritual condition made the Lord sick to the point of vomiting! He was nauseated by how low their enthusiasm for Him was and how little He impacted their hearts.
- Their type of church or the manner in which these believers practiced their faith as a church, was thoroughly distasteful to the Lord.
- Without being thoroughly gross, the language does support the kind of vomit that we would call "projectile vomit." This happens when we consume something that is dangerous to our body.
- That sudden expulsion is our body's way of protecting the rest of our body's systems. This kind of church has no redeeming, nourishing purpose in the Lord or for His people.
- Given the Lord's adverse response to lukewarmness, it would be wise of us to see if we can't distinguish how one takes on this characteristic. Let's see if we don't gather a clue from verse 17.
• Revelation 3:17-19 : "Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." : Listen to their declaration and personal assessment.
- Jesus had heard them say these things about themselves. They were "rich." We'd use the word "wealthy." This was their status and the next word refers to their abundant possessions.
- They had become rich beyond their imaginations. Recall the status of their city. It was a banking center for nearly the entire civilized world!
- These people worked in finance and capital ventures. Their opportunities for generational wealth were constantly before them.
- Consequently, they had come to believe that they were sufficient, in and of themselves.
- From a "world's eye view," they were set up and equated their spiritual life to be as blessed as their financial life! When we come to passages like this, there is a temptation to blame riches.
- There are rich people that God does not criticize, but it is true that there are not many in the Kingdom because of what the love of money does to the human heart.
- Their issue was not their wealth. It's that their wealth anesthetized them from recognizing the poverty of their spiritual condition! Therefore, their lukewarm condition began with worldly pursuit!
- This happens in every area of life! When you love something and you are "hot" for it, it consumes your time and energy and you are glad to sacrifice for it.
- What cools our temperature isn't the change in the object, but our change in what we objectify! We move on to something with more lustre or more beauty or greater function.
- Soon, our zeal for the original object has cooled and all of our previous intentions are dismissed. You cannot serve God and Mammon! You will love the one and hate the other!
- What is sad is that these people did not realize the truth of that principle! They said that they had need of nothing, which was the exact motto of their city!
- Jesus looks at them and says bluntly, "What you don't know is your true condition before me!" Can you imagine going around believing yourself to be wealthy when you are really a pauper?
- These people were hot for worldly pursuit and ignorant of their own spiritual poverty!
- In the eyes of the Lord, these people were wretched. This word only appears twice in the New Testament. Paul uses it to describe his wretched sinfulness in the sight of Christ.
- The actual word is made from two concepts which seem to indicate the weighted part of a scale, "tali," and the assaying of the value, "porous."
- I don't think it would be too far off to propose a scenario that would explain the concept. You have come to the market believing that you have what it takes to pay off a debt.
- You believe that you will be free from that debt only to arrive and discover that you don't have nearly enough to balance the scale! That person is "wretched" and certainly, miserable or pitiable!
- He is to be pitied not because he came up short. He's to be pitied because he had come believing that he had sufficient means!
- He thought that he was rich, but he goes away realizing he is in fact, a beggar!
- The Laodiceans were blind and reduced to wearing their gym clothes, which in this ancient day, was to wear nothing at all!
- Nakedness, in the context of regular affairs, has always symbolized "shamefulness."
- What a devastating deconstruction this was and yet, because this is their condition, they must come to their Lord to meet the need they didn't know they had! This had been a part of their problem!
- When your love is divided and you delude yourself into believing your own self-sufficiency, you are buying at every other source rather than the One that can help!
- What is phenomenol is that the Lord that finds this church system to be sickening, still wants to reach those that have participated in it! He wants them to come together to resolve this!
- When this same word "counsel" is used in a negative sense, it speaks of "plotting."
- Jesus wants to plot a course with them toward their own health. He advises them to buy three things from Him, the first being gold that had been refined by fire. Pure gold, to address their poverty.
- They had had all of the gold that the world had offered them, but it left them poor. The Lord's pure gold was the solution to their poverty. His true riches were available to them.
- Second, they were to purchase white, brilliant and dazzling garments to address their nudity. Remember that this city had a monopoly on black woolen clothing. This was their proud export.
- Jesus says that substitute clothing will not stand in the day of judgment! He wants to give us dazzling white clothes symbolic of His righteousness!
- Finally, they were to purchase eye salve to deal with their blindness. Laodicea's eye salve was called "Tetraphrygia" and it was sold all over the Roman Empire.
- It was hailed as a cure all, but it did nothing for spiritual blindness! The Lord alone can open our eyes to our true spiritual condition before Him!
- Here's the thing: They were poor! They believed that having all of the world's goods made them sufficient, but it ultimately left them impoverished spiritually!
- That will always be the testimony to what the world can offer a Christian! You will pay all to have it all only to find that when it comes to what matters, you have nothing at all!
- And when you realize that you have nothing at all, you are standing near a golden opportunity for, the refined gold, the dazzling clothes and the eye salve are all offered free of charge!
- In a single moment, an impoverished soul is made rich in Christ. The naked man, bereft of righteousness has lost His shame and the formerly blind can now see!
- That is what Jesus offers His church who have learned to satisfy themselves with worldly pursuits! He doesn't hate them.
- In fact, the presence of rebuke or reproof and chastening, correcting, actually testifies to His love for them! Hebrews 12:8 tells us that if He didn't chasten us, we would be illegitimate sons!
- Because that is true, they needed to meet this moment with zeal, with fervor.
- When the Lord exposes your lukewarm heart, you had better be quick to resolve your position before Him!
- If you hear His voice on this subject, you had better exemplify the very meaning of the word "zeal" in your willingness to obey and repent!
- Repent of setting your eyes upon earthly things! Repent from accepting the world's value system! Repent from loaning your soul out to the highest bidder, your emotions, and turn to Jesus!
- He is the only enduring source of wealth, righteousness and heavenly sight! Verse 20.
• Revelation 3:20,21 : "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. 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." : "Behold." This is a word of consideration. Think about this. "I stand at the door and knock."
- The God of all creation, the very person that the church exists to honor, is standing at the door and knocking!
- For many years, evangelists have used this verse to implore unbelievers to consider their response to the Lord. Understand that the Lord is communicating to His church!
- Unbelievers cannot respond to a knock. Believers can and the implication here is awful to consider. Jesus is not even INSIDE of His own church in Laodicea!
- Remember our introduction? This church had indeed become THEIR church. It's teaching was reflective of their self-deception and it's worship only served to justify it's own worldliness!
- In the meantime, Jesus is just trying to get in! The verbs are present indicative. He is always standing and continually knocking when it comes to a lukewarm church or believer!
- All one needs to do is hear His voice and open their door! Jesus will not impose Himself. He will not break down the door or force His people to acknowledge their fault!
- It's a tremendous indictment to have to say that He is being ignored, when all He wants is to have a relationship that is as intimate as a evening dinner!
- You and I may not think much of the meal process, especially today. Most of the time, food is prepared for a much longer time than it takes to consume it!
- We certainly do not think much of what is happening. That was not the case in the East. You were partaking of the same chemicals as the other person who was sitting with you.
- In essence, you were connected at a cellular level with one another. Jesus wants that kind of intimacy with His church, but He is standing out in the cold, just wanting to be let in!
- Before you balk at the comparison, it is certain that this illustration breaks down. The All Powerful God can do anything that He wants to do!
- Jesus, however, to communicate His heart, condescends to what we can understand to make His point. He desires that there be a volitional response to Him.
- He does not want robotic, disinterested duty. He desires a warm interchange with His people and His promise to them is truly unbelieveable!
- He actually promises that they will sit with Him on His throne! Can you imagine John's response to this? His Mother had tried to get he and his brother James that very seat! (Matt. 20:21)
- If they will overcome their condition, He promises that they will sit with Him on His throne! They will have access to true, eternal riches and power, but they can't have it without following Him.
- Jesus cites His own example. He overcame. He was was victorious in obedience to His Father and the Lord raised Him up. If they will be obedient to Him, they will receive the same! V. 22.
• Revelation 3:22 : "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." : The Holy Spirit is calling you to listen, to discern whether or not this message applies to you to any degree.
- This issue with the church of Laodicea is tied up in it's description. It was an assembly based upon the worship of itself. It dictated what was true. It considered it's own ideas to be authoritative.
- They were content to gather together to ignore Jesus because that is what they had been doing all through the previous week!
- They were indifferent to Him because of their zeal for themselves! Does this describe you? Are you satisfied with where you are with Him? That was the Laodicean's problem!
- The real question is this: "Is Jesus satisfied with me!" Is my heart condition revealing the true worth of Christ through my life or is He an afterthought and insurance policy against hell?
- On this day, it may very well be that Christ stands outside of your heart and knocks, hoping to get in and reclaim His place of honor and glory in your soul.
- If you won't respond, you'll find yourself on the outside looking in, desperately wishing you had made a better choice when it mattered most!
- If you have an ear, it would be wise of you to hear and to repent. Where you sit in eternity will depend upon it!
Conclusion
- Let's pray!
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