THE
LUKEWARM CHURCH OF LAODICEA
Steve W. Reeves
INTRODUCTION:
A. In this message we come to the seventh and
final church to which Jesus spoke in Revelation 2 and 3. Although the seven letters are written to seven distinct churches
with unique situations they all contain similar elements.
1. There was the introduction to the church: “To the messenger of the church in….
write.”
2. There was a description of Jesus. Most of these (through the letter to Sardis) are
taken from descriptions of Jesus found in the first chapter of Revelation.
3. There were words of commendation (except for Sardis and Laodicea).
4. There were words of rebuke (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia).
5. There was an exhortation.
6. There was a promise.
B. These seven churches of Asia had been in existence about thirty years by the end of
the first century. They existed in a similar culture but possessed very different
attributes.
1. Two of the seven churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia) received nothing but praise.
2. Two of the seven churches (Sardis and Laodicea) received only condemnation.
3. For the other three churches there was a mixture of good things coupled with
things that needed to be corrected.
a. Ephesus had works that were greater than they were at first but they had
forgotten their first love.
b. Pergamum had those like Antipas who held fast to the name of Christ in a pagan
culture but others were conforming to the world around them.
c. Thyatira had a few whose garments were not defiled but others had accepted the
false teaching and immoral actions of a woman referred to as Jezebel.
4. Of all the seven churches the one we consider in this lesson is perhaps the best
known. It is not known for being good nor is it known for being wicked. It is known
because it was lukewarm and Jesus said, in His most scathing rebuke to any of the
churches, that He would spew them out of His mouth.
C. The ironic thing about this church is the disparity between its physical and
spiritual prosperity.
1. Laodicea was a major city in the southeastern part of Asia Minor (modern day
Turkey).
2. It was located on a major road that passed through the Lycos river valley.
Travelers used this road to avoid going over the rugged mountains. This road
became a trade route. If you were traveling west from the orient, Laodicea was the
first major city of the Roman Empire.
3. It was located on a plateau with two valleys on either side, giving it a strong
defense against enemies. At the end of the first century it was a thoroughly Roman
city. It was declared a “free city” by the emperor. This meant that Roman soldiers
were not stationed there to keep the people under subjection.
4. It was a city with a booming economy. Black wool was processed and exported all
over the Roman Empire. It was a banking center that minted its own coins. It was a
cultural center with theaters. Among the ruins of Laodicea there is an amphitheater.
It was also a medical center. Physicians in Laodicea produced a salve that was
used to treat diseases of the eyes.
5. Laodicea had a large Jewish population. Cicero wrote that the Jews in Laodicea
sent twenty pounds of gold annually to help the poor in Jerusalem.
6. For all of its wealth and prosperity there was a major deficiency in Laodicea. The
city had outgrown its water supply. Its wells were no longer adequate to supply the
city’s needs. To remedy this aqueducts were built to springs located to the north
and south of the city. The springs located six miles north of the city were hot
springs. The springs located ten miles south of the city were cold. However, in both
cases, by the time the water reached the city it was lukewarm and had a putrid odor
and bad taste.
D. What did Jesus have to say to the church in this ancient setting?
I. THE CHARACTER OF THE CREATOR
A. In verses 14-15 we read, “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says
this.”
1. Each of the seven letters begin with a description of Jesus. The first five letters
contain descriptions that are found in the first chapter of the book.
2. All of them were intended to remind the churches of Jesus’ identity. This was
particularly true in Laodicea.
a. This town, as mentioned earlier, was located in the Lycos river valley along
with two other towns, Hierapolis and Colossae. In fact, Colossae was just
twelve miles away.
b. The two congregations had many similarities.
1.) In Colossians 4:16 Paul wrote, “When this letter is read among you, have it
also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my
letter that is coming from Laodicea.”
2.) In Colossae there was a dangerous heresy being promoted by individuals
known as “Gnostics,” who saw themselves as the recipients of special
knowledge. The Gnostics denied the incarnation and deity of Christ. It is
probable that this same controversy had made its way to nearby Laodicea.
B. Jesus identifies Himself in three distinct terms.
1. “The Amen.” The word “Amen” is meant to affirm the truthfulness and
faithfulness of something. Isaiah 65:16 refers to “The God of truthfulness,” or
“The God of faithfulness.” At least one translation renders this verse, “The God of
Amen.” In the New Testament the word, “Verily,” is used to communicate the
same idea. Jesus began many of his statements with the words, “Verily, I say to
you” (Matthew 6:2, 5, etc.). Jesus is “the true and faithful one.” He is the affirmed,
fixed, certain, unchangeable Amen!”
2. He describes Himself as, “the faithful and true witness.” If you are ever falsely
accused you will want a “faithful and true” witness to testify in your behalf. Jesus
is the “faithful and true witness” in our behalf. He is reliable. He is the “way, truth
and life”” (John14:6).
3. He is “the Beginning of the creation of God” (NASV). The NIV translates this,
“ruler of God’s creation.”
4. These three definitions have significance in light of the Gnostic heresy that was
occurring at nearby Colossae and probably at Laodicea.
a. To the Colossians Paul wrote, “He is the image of the invisible God, the first—
born of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is
before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17).
b. In the prologue to John’s gospel the apostle wrote, “In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the
beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from
Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:1-3).
C. The need of the church in the 21st century is no different than the need of the
church in the first century. We need to understand the identity of Jesus.
II. THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH
A. Jesus knows the deeds of every church. In six of these seven letters He wrote, “I
know your deeds.” To the church in Smyrna He wrote, “I know your tribulation.”
1. Jesus is interested in what we are doing. He is interested in our works.
2. Perhaps you heard of the robber who broke into a house where there was a
parrot in a cage. The parrot kept saying, “Jesus is watching you.” Finally, the
robber replied, “What is your name? The parrot said, “Moses.” The thief smirked
and said, “What kind of people would name a parrot Moses?” The parrot said,
“The same kind of people who would name a Rottweiler Jesus. Sick ‘em Jesus!”
3. It may sound “trite,” but Jesus is watching us.
B. Jesus said, ‘I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you
were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will
spit you out of My mouth.”
1. Just like the lukewarm water flowing from the aqueducts, this church was
neither hot nor cold. It had lost the flame of evangelism, the fire of
encouragement and the heat of spiritual passion. It still had life but its life was
hollow.
2. What Jesus saw was distasteful. Have you ever had anything to drink you
wanted to spew out of your mouth? I recently underwent a medical examination
that required me to drink some foul tasting liquid the night before the exam. My
initial response was to “spew it out”” because it tasted so bad.
3. Notice the reasons why this church was lukewarm.
a. They were “self-satisfied.” In verse 17 Jesus said, “Because you say, “I am
rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”
1.) They lived in a prosperous community. Unlike other places where
Christians faced severe poverty these people enjoyed a high standard
of living. Is there anything wrong with such a standard of living?
2.) “They had need of nothing.” In Luke 12:16-21 Jesus told the story of a rich
farmer who had abundant crops. The rich man’s response was, “I will say
to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come;
take your ease, eat, drink and be merry” (vs.19). What did God think of this
man? In verse 20 God called him a “fool.” Jesus said, “Such is the man
who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich towards God” (vs. 20).
b. They were “self-deceived.” In verse 17 Jesus told them, “You do not know that
you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,”
1.) Do you remember the story of the Emperor who had no clothes, by Hans
Christian Anderson? The Emperor was promised a new set of clothes that
would be visible only to those who were worthy of their positions. They
actually did not make any clothes but no one wanted to be unworthy so
they all praised the emperor’s new clothes as he paraded before them.
Finally, a little child spoke up and said, “But he isn’t wearing any clothes.”
2.) This was the case with the church in Laodicea. They thought they were
wearing wonderful spiritual clothing when, in fact, they were not
wearing any clothes. If these people could be deceived so can we.
III. THE COUNSEL OF CHRIST
A. In verse 18 Jesus uses the very things in which they were placing their trust to shift
their view of life. “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may
become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the
shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes
so that you may see “
1. They were putting their trust in gold. Jesus said, “Buy your gold from me.”
Remember the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not store up for
yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves
break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
2. Instead of the gold exchanged in their banks they needed to invest in faith that is
like refined gold.
3. Instead of the wool that had made Laodicea famous they needed to be clothed in
the white garments of spiritual victory.
4. Instead of the eye salve produced by their medical community they needed to
have their spiritual eyes opened.
5. It would be like Jesus saying to our community where we have a university, a
large medical community and a factory that makes pastries. “Receive My
instruction. Rely on My healing of your soul and taste the sweetness of My
word.”
B. Why did Jesus call upon this church (and other churches like Ephesus,
Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis) to repent? Why does He call upon us to repent?
1. Is He trying to be a “bully?”
2. Verse 19 gives the answer, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;
therefore be zealous and repent.” Every parent knows what Jesus means. We do
not discipline our children because we enjoy doing so. We correct them because
we love them.
CONCLUSION:
A. Warner Saliman’s (1892-1968) painting, “Christ at Heart’s Door” depicts the scene
described in Revelation 3:20, where Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and
knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will
dine with him, and he with Me.”
1. One of the noticeable things about this painting is that the door has no outside
latch. It cannot be opened from the outside.
2. Jesus will not barge in on any church or any person’s life. He knocks. We must
open and let Him in. When we let Him in we have the opportunity of sitting down
with Him just as He sat down with His Father.
B. What is your spiritual temperature? What does Jesus see when He looks at this
church and your life? Will He spew us out of His mouth or invite us to sit down at his
banqueting table? He knocks. Will you open the door?
To become a follower of Jesus Christ:
1. Faith (Romans 5:1;
Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6: James 2:18-20).
2. Repentance (Luke 13:3,
5; 2 Peter3:9).
3. Confess Christ
(Matthew 10:31-32; Romans 10:9-10).
4. Baptism into Christ
for the Remission of Sins (Matthew28:19-20;
Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38;
Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27).
5. Live faithfully- (1Corinthians
15:58; Galatians 6:9).
