#42 – The Lukewarm Church

(Revelation 3:14-22)…..¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 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.¹⁷ 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— 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. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 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. 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. ²² “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

This passage contains the last of seven letters the Lord Jesus sent to the seven churches of Asia Minor. This letter is harsher than all the others, as the Lord Jesus comes to this church with no words of blessing and no words of commendation, seeing nothing in it that is worthy of praise. We may wonder what a 2,000 year old letter could possibly teach us in 2021, simply, that elements of the problems that existed in Laodicea can be found in many churches today.

This city was founded by Antiochus II sometime before 253 BC., and was named after his wife Laodice. The city was located on a high plateau and it was very secure from enemy attack, but one problem in Laodicea was that there was no ready source of water in the city. The Lycus River was nearby, but the waters were too muddy to drink. Water had to be piped in through aqueducts, so water from the hot springs in Hierapolis six miles to the north was brought into the city, and cold water was also piped in from Colossae – which was located 10 miles to the east. So by the time these waters arrived in Laodicea they were lukewarm to the touch

Laodicea was famous for three things:

First, Laodicea was a center of banking and finance, and was renowned throughout the Roman Empire for its wealth and financial power.

Second, Laodicea was renowned for the soft black wool produced there, it was considered a luxury item and was sought after for clothing and rugs

• Laodicea was the center of fashion in its day – he newest styles appeared here first – it was like – Paris – or New York in that regard

Third, There was a large medical school in Laodicea which produced a tablet that was sold all over the Roman Empire. This tablet was crushed, mixed with water to form a paste, then was rubbed into the eyes and was reported to cure a variety of eye problems

Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in 61 AD., but it was so wealthy and so self-sufficient that they rebuilt their city with their own resources, refusing an offer of aid from Caesar and the Roman government. Notice the words “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,” If you will take a moment to look at each of the other letters you will see the words “the church of” or “the church in” and then the name of the city. In the other cities, it was the Lord’s church in that city, in Laodicea it was their church, and not the Lord’s! It was their church and they did as they pleased, not considering either the will or the word of the Lord. Now that’s an interesting way to start this letter.

We must never forget why the church exists. It’s not a platform that exists to promote people, it is not a forum for us to advance our agendas or our ideology, it’s not a platform to control or rule over peoples lives or to use it to promote self. His church is not our church! It is His church! He possesses it and He is to control it.

• Jesus died for His church – He purchased it with His Own blood – (Acts 20:28)
• He builds it and He sustains it – (Matthew 16:18-19) (Ephesians 2:19-22)
• The church exists for His glory – we are here for Him and for Him alone!
• No man – no group of men – no congregation is qualified to take His place
• We need no one like Diotrephes – (3 John 9)
• We must ever keep this church and this ministry centered in Him
• Our duty is to love Him – praise Him – thank Him – preach Him – and promote Him