Learning From Laodicea

Colossians 4:15-16 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea… 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.

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you’re LUKEWARM--NEITHER HOT NOR COLD--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED

JESUS’ WATER METAPHORE LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED JESUS’ WATER METAPHORE ZEALOUS GENUINE BELIEVERS WHO ARE HOT. INDIFFERENT CHRIST REJECTERS WHO ARE COLD. SELF-RIGHTEOUS PROFESSORS WHO ARE LUKEWARM.

OR We either throw the door open to Him or keep it closed in His face! LEARNING FROM Laodicea JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED THE GREAT ALTERNATIVE Do I CHOOSE to be HALF-HEARTED, COMPLACENT and ONLY CASUALLY INTERESTED in the things of God Resulting in being so DISTASTEFUL to Christ as to be in danger of a VIOLENT REJECTION? OR Do I CHOOSE to be WHOLEHEARTED in my DEVOTION TO CHRIST having opened the door and submitted without reserve to Him Resulting in being given the privilege both of dining with Him on earth and of reigning with Him in heaven? We either throw the door open to Him or keep it closed in His face!

LEARNING FROM Laodicea Having a Self-sufficient attitude Revelation 3:17-18 you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 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. the church had become OVER-CONFIDENT in regard to their SPIRITUAL WEALTH.

LEARNING FROM Laodicea Having a Self-sufficient attitude 1 John 1:6-10 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. Is it really possible for an individual or a congregation to become SO CAUGHT UP in its own SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS that they forget THE NEED FOR THE CLEANSING POWER of JESUS’ BLOOD?

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR CONTINUED GROWTH AS GOD’S FAMILY We must continue to be FAITHFUL TO GOD’S WORD. We must create interest in Jesus by LIVING OUT HIS PRINCIPLES DAILY. We must be focused upon Jesus… Be FOCUSED ON SALVATIONAL ISSUES. We must MEET AND GREET EVERY NEW FACE IN OUR GATHERINGS. We must be willing to SERVE AND SAVE. We must be ENTHUSIASTIC about our faith.

LEARNING FROM Laodicea Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.