1. The Seven Churches of Asia Laodicea The Lukewarm Church
Revelation 3:14-22
NT Church

2. Letters to the churches
7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church
Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us?”
Laodicea

3. Letters to the churches
Ephesus – Left their first love Smyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich) Pergamos – Compromise (tolerating) Thyatira– Corrupt (immorality) Sardis – Dead (or dying) Philadelphia – An open door Laodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor)
Laodicea

4. The city of Laodicea
Located about 40 miles south east of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus
Part of tri-city area including Colossae and Hierapolis
A wealthy city known for its luxury and prosperity.
A banking center of Asia minor (minted coins)
Also black wool and Phrygian powder for the eyes
Laodicea

5. A famous school of medicine was there Known for its arts
The city of Laodicea
They prided themselves for their self-sufficiency. In 62 when damaged by an earthquake, they refused help from Rome.
A famous school of medicine was there
Known for its arts
An assize city (courts)
A retirement city
Laodicea

6. Religion included Zeus, Asclepius and Apollo. Also Caesar worship
The city of Laodicea
A considerable Jewish community, that was wealthy and helped support Jerusalem
Religion included Zeus, Asclepius and Apollo. Also Caesar worship
Laodicea

7. Mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:12-16, with a letter written to them
The city of Laodicea
The beginning of the church is unknown – possibly by Paul, or more likely one of his companions while he was in Ephesus.
Mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:12-16, with a letter written to them
NOTHING good is said about this congregation
Laodicea

8. Ultimate affirmation He is the last word
The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Christ identified
Says the Amen
Ultimate affirmation He is the last word
Laodicea
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

9. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Christ identified
The Faithful and True Witness
Jesus is both! Revelation 1:5 John 8:14-16
Laodicea
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

10. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Christ identified
The Beginning of the creation of God
He IS God and created all things John 1:1-3 Colossians 1:16-17
Laodicea
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

11. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Commendations – NONE!
Condemnations:
“I know your works”
Laodicea

12. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations:
You are neither cold nor hot. Cold – one far away and knowingly rejecting God, one without faith Hot – one “on fire” in service to God, zealous. A church that cannot be stopped (e.g. Philadelphia) Titus 2:14, Romans 12:11
Laodicea

13. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations:
I could wish you were cold or hot - God takes no pleasure in the lost, but there is something worse…
Laodicea

14. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations:
Because you are lukewarm, - Lukewarm is tepid. Typically a drink in an unexpected state
I will vomit you out of My mouth – to eject the contents of the stomach (some versions speak of spewing or spitting). The condition of Laodicea was revulsive to God. E.g. “You make Me sick”
Laodicea

15. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations:
This congregation – was repulsive to the Lord. Facing rejection
A congregation that is non committed. No zeal and indifferent. Self-satisfied
Laodicea

16. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations:
Why is being lukewarm a problem?
No conviction or commitment
No zeal, or lack of quality products
Often misplaced priorities
Often accompanied by arrogance and selfishness
A breeding ground for doctrinal and moral errors – not dealt with
Laodicea

17. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations :
You say, “I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing”
Like the city, this congregation had outward resources, and likely struggled with materialism and worldliness (not necessarily immorality or doctrinal error)
Laodicea

18. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnations :
You say, “I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing”
The Bible warns of the dangers of wealth.
1 Timothy 6:18-19, 6:9-10
Often those comfortable in this life don’t want to change
Luke 12:21
Laodicea

19. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnation:
You say, “I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing”
God sees them differently
Laodicea

20. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Condemnation:
You do not know that you are:
Wretched – of poor quality, to be pitied – cf. Romans 7:24
Miserable – the result of their wretched condition
Poor – having very little
Blind – 2 Peter 1:9
Naked – exposed, needing protection
Laodicea

21. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
I counsel you – a plain and clear charge
Buy gold refined in the fire, that you may be (spiritually) rich – Proverbs 23:23, Matthew 6:19-21
Laodicea

22. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
Buy… white garments (as opposed to the black clothing) that you may be clothed – covered up (their shame) and protected with purity Revelation 19:8 – fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints
Laodicea

23. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see – overcome their spiritual blindness – Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened
Laodicea

24. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten – even in their deplorable state, God still loved them – Hebrews 12:5-8 – chastening designed to bring one back
There is tragedy in a child 1) who is not chastened 2) will not heed chastening
Laodicea

25. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
Therefore, be zealous and repent – to a complacent society, they are called upon to be zealous ALL ungodliness needs to be repented of!
Laodicea

26. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Call to action:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock – there was (is) still hope. Knocking implies this will not last forever – so one NEEDS to open the door!
Laodicea

27. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Promises:
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me – to open the door (with repentance) will cause us to be fully restored
Laodicea

28. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Promises:
To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne – our goal is to always be with the Lord
As I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne
Laodicea

29. The Letter to Laodicea – 3:14-22
Promises:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!
Laodicea

30. Does this apply to us? 3:14-22
A church, probably in a prosperous area, with tendencies toward complacency and selfishness
A community that is probably somewhat tolerant (if you leave them alone).
The wealthy church is filled with good outward works – supporting preachers, doing other things, etc.
Laodicea

31. Does this apply to us? 3:14-22
They stand for the truth, but there are struggles with materialism and covetousness.
Much like Sardis, they measure themselves by their outward accomplishments and worldly standards
Laodicea

32. Does this apply to us? 3:14-22
They have a SERIOUS spiritual problem – they are complacent and satisfied. Possibly arrogant and over confident. Other ungodly attitudes among its members
Laodicea

33. Does this apply to us? 3:14-22
Like Sardis, IF they don’t change they are dying. BUT, unlike Sardis, they don’t really care
There are lost souls out there, BUT they don’t really care
They are losing members (young and old), but they really don’t care
IF someone wants to do something, that’s fine, they really don’t care
Laodicea

34. Does this apply to us? 3:14-22
What are we really willing to give up to follow after our Lord?
Romans 12:1-2
Will we die for Him? Luke 9:23-24, 14:26-27
Godly churches were commended for their willingness to sacrifice
What will we really sacrifice for Him?
The future of the Lord’s church depends as much upon our attitude as it does our actions
Laodicea

35. Are we like the church at Laodicea?