With Pastor Dan Nickerson – April 21st, 2021
(Revelation 3:15-17)…..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…..
(Colossians 2:1-10)…..For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Being lukewarm sounds as if the people got to the place of thinking, “If folks are saved, fine, if they aren’t, that’s fine too. If the preaching is good, great, if not, that’s ok, if I grow, that’s alright, but if I don’t, that’s ok too. That’s a tough attitude to handle.
Jesus was a Man of passion for His Father and His word. Jesus showed that passion in His life and ministry. His disciples were passionate men for the gospel, and they lived lives burning with passion for their Lord. Some even died for such a love for the Lord as recorded in (Hebrews 11).
When we are indifferent and unmoved and unconcerned of the things of God it gives a false impression of Jesus and what the gospel is all about. No one can hear the claims of Christ and be indifferent. What does that word mean? Indifferent means, unbiased, as saying, “it does not matter one way or the other” or “it’s of no importance or value one way or the other,” it is to be marked by the lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something, to be apathetic. Wow! What a definition. Indifference and apathy are not options when it comes to Jesus Christ!
The word ambivalent also fits the narrative of the Laodicean church. The word ambivalent meaning, having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. In this case the Laodicean’s were ambivalent towards Jesus Christ.
Jesus claims to be God in the flesh, He claims to be the Son of God who is the only way to the Father, the only Truth there is, and the only one who has life in Himself (John 14:6). He is the justifier of the repentant sinner, the Savior of sinful men, and He lays absolute claim to your life and mine. No one can walk in the middle of the road when it comes to Jesus. You are either for Him, or you are against Him. He is either our Lord or He is not. Who do you say He is? (Matthew 16:13-16).
When the people in Laodicea looked at themselves they saw the perfect church. They thought they had it all (3:17). They were proud of their achievements and yet Jesus says they are wretched which means “troubled” and “miserable” – which means to be pitied. They were proud of their wealth, Jesus says they are actually poor, this word means destitute and reduced to begging used in (Matthew 5:3).
They were proud of their vision of themselves Jesus says that they are blind they cannot see themselves as they really are. They were proud of their fashions and fine clothing, and yet Jesus says they are naked. To be naked in that culture was the ultimate humiliation, they stand humiliated before Him. Because of their condition, the Lord tells them that He will vomit them out of His mouth. The Gr. Word “emeo” we get our English word emetic from it an emetic is something that makes you want to throw up or vomit (spue) so then Jesus tells this church that like a drink of lukewarm water (which they would have understood) makes Him want to throw up.