Seven Ways Not to be Your Own Worst Enemy in 2020: Stop Being Lukewarm - Rev 3: 14-22

Seven Letters from Jesus to the Churches of Asia Minor

Introduction and Prayer

• The speaker introduces part seven of a series on the letters from Jesus to the churches in Asia Minor, inviting Julie to read.

• A prayer is offered, expressing a desire to see more of Jesus and understand His love and saving fullness.

Reading from Revelation

• The reading from Revelation 3:14-22 describes the message to the Church in Laodicea, emphasizing their lukewarm state.

• Jesus expresses disappointment with their self-perception as rich while being spiritually poor, blind, and naked.

• He advises them to seek true riches and spiritual sight through Him.

Structure of the Sermon

• The speaker intended a traditional three-point sermon but expanded it into seven points all starting with 'P'.

• Key points include prophecy, preface, progenitor (author), place, people, problem, and proposal.

Levels of Application for the Messages

• The messages have four levels of application:

• To specific churches named in the letters.

• As tests for all churches across time regarding their spiritual state.

• For individuals personally challenged by these letters.

• Indications of historical phases in church history over two millennia.

Historical Context of Sardis and Philadelphia

• Sardis represents a church with a reputation for being alive but is actually dead; this reflects corruption within institutional Christianity around 1500 AD.

• The Reformation is highlighted as a renewal movement that began with figures like Martin Luther during this period.

Growth Period Represented by Philadelphia

• Philadelphia symbolizes an era (1750–1900) marked by missionary expansion and significant growth in global Christianity.

• This period saw creativity in hymn writing and biblical scholarship leading to many new church establishments worldwide.

Laodicea's Warning for Modern Times

• Laodicea represents contemporary challenges faced by modern churches characterized by material prosperity yet spiritual poverty (1900-present).

Preface on Colossians' Influence

• A brief mention about Paul's letter to Colossians indicates shared struggles against Gnosticism between Colossi and Laodicea.

Understanding the Heretical Views of Jesus

The Nature of Jesus in Various Religions

• Different sects and religions, including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and Islam, acknowledge Jesus as a good man or great prophet but deny His divinity.

• The speaker asserts that these beliefs are heretical and originate from "the pit of hell," dishonoring Jesus' true nature.

Paul's Warning Against Deceptive Teachings

• Reference to Colossians 2:8 emphasizes the importance of not being misled by false teachings; Paul affirms that all fullness of deity resides in Christ.

• The letter to Laodicea opens with a strong declaration about Christ's supremacy, highlighting His role as the faithful witness and ruler of creation.

Significance of "Amen" in Jesus' Teachings

• The term "Amen" was traditionally used at the end of statements for affirmation; however, Jesus uses it at the beginning to assert authority.

• By saying "truly, truly," He emphasizes the truthfulness and certainty of His words before making profound claims.

Understanding Truth in Christ

• When Jesus prefaces statements with "Amen," it indicates absolute truth—contrasting pure gold with counterfeit materials.

• This establishes that when He speaks truth, it is genuine and untainted by deception.

Contextual Background on Laodicea

• Laodicea was known for its wealth due to black wool production and medical advancements but lacked its own water source.

• Following an earthquake in 60 AD, Laodicea refused aid from Rome to rebuild using their own resources, showcasing their pride in self-sufficiency.

Spiritual Condition of Laodicean Christians

• Jesus critiques the lukewarm state of Christians in Laodicea—neither hot nor cold—which raises questions about spiritual engagement.

• The preference for either hot or cold over lukewarm suggests a call for genuine faith rather than complacency among believers.

Implications of Lukewarm Faith

• The speaker reflects on why Jesus would prefer some Christians to be cold rather than lukewarm; this paradox invites deeper exploration into spiritual authenticity.

Understanding the Spiritual Condition of Laodicea

The Unique Springs of Laodicea

• Laodicea is home to a World Heritage Site with 17 hot mineral springs, reaching temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius. The water is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium but can cause illness if consumed.

• A nearby cold water source from surrounding mountains provides fresh drinking water. The combination of these two sources results in lukewarm water that lacks purity for drinking or bathing.

Jesus's Message to the Laodiceans

• The mixture of hot and cold waters symbolizes the spiritual state of the Laodiceans, who are described as "lukewarm" and spiritually ineffective, akin to an emetic that induces nausea.

• Jesus confronts them about their self-sufficiency: they believe they are wealthy and need nothing, yet He reveals their true condition—wretchedness, poverty, blindness, and nakedness.

• Despite their material wealth and luxury (noted for black wool), they lack spiritual covering before God. Their pride leads them to overlook their desperate need for salvation.

The Consequences of Self-Sufficiency

• Their lukewarm state is symptomatic of a deeper issue: forgetting or failing to recognize who Jesus is. They have become enamored with worldly success rather than loving Christ.

• Paul’s letters to the Colossians highlight this theme; he was imprisoned in Rome while addressing issues related to faithfulness amidst worldly distractions.

Anisimos: A Symbol of Redemption

• Anisimos, a runaway slave who came to faith in Christ while visiting Paul in prison, represents hope for redemption. His return to Philemon serves as a lesson on reconciliation and forgiveness.

• Paul writes letters not only to Philemon but also addresses the church at Colossae during this time, emphasizing community support and Christian unity.

Love for the World vs. Love for God

• Dimas's eventual departure from Paul due to his love for the world illustrates how attachment to worldly things can lead believers away from their faith journey.

• John warns early Christians against loving worldly possessions over God; true love for God cannot coexist with love for materialism or prideful living.

Prosperity with Purpose

• While prosperity itself isn't wrong, it must be balanced with generosity towards God's work—highlighted by Proverbs 3:9–10 regarding honoring God through firstfruits giving.

Understanding Prosperity and Spiritual Wealth

The Nature of True Prosperity

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of meditating on scripture to achieve prosperity and success, highlighting that true wealth is about one's heart and intentions.

• Acknowledges that everyone is rich in comparison to historical standards, warning against setting hearts on worldly possessions, referencing Psalm 62.

• Discusses the contrast between material wealth and spiritual richness, asserting that modern comforts can distract from deeper values.

The Danger of Worldly Attachments

• Contrasts the apostle Paul’s attitude towards the world with that of Demas, who was drawn away by worldly desires; Paul boasts only in Christ's sacrifice.

• Shares a personal anecdote about encountering death to illustrate being "dead" to worldly attractions, paralleling Paul's experience with his detachment from worldly concerns.

The Laodicean Warning

• Explains that the Laodiceans were not condemned for their wealth but for their lukewarm faith and misplaced affections toward material goods rather than Jesus.

• Urges listeners to remember who Jesus is and not let materialism overshadow their relationship with Him; stresses trust in God over possessions.

Seeking Eternal Value

• Encourages focusing on eternal treasures rather than temporary gains; reminds believers they cannot treat Jesus as a commodity.

• Uses a parable about treasure buried in a field to illustrate the joy found in sacrificing everything for Christ.

Self-assessment and Repentance

• Prompts introspection regarding one's spiritual health versus outward appearances; questions if one feels secure while potentially being spiritually impoverished.

Understanding Spiritual Perception

The Transformative Power of Seeing Through Christ

• The speaker references an old hymn, emphasizing that a spiritual perspective allows one to see the world differently, filled with color and vibrancy through Jesus' love.

• A well-known biblical verse about Jesus standing at the door and knocking is discussed; it is clarified that this message is directed towards Christians rather than non-believers.

• The Laodiceans are described as self-sufficient yet spiritually blind, failing to recognize Jesus’ true nature and power despite their outward religious appearance.

• Jesus is portrayed as the source of comfort and rest for those burdened by sin and disappointment, inviting them to surrender to Him for relief from their struggles.

• The concept of grace is introduced, highlighting that faithful believers are invited to sit with Jesus on His throne, contrasting the choice between spiritual sickness or divine fellowship.

Prioritizing Christ in Our Lives

• A call to action encourages individuals not to be their own worst enemies by placing Jesus first in their lives, echoing a childhood lesson about prioritizing faith over self-interest.

• As communion approaches, participants are invited to stand and declare truths about who Jesus is, reinforcing collective belief against spiritual challenges posed by false teachings.

Declaration of Faith

• Participants are encouraged to read aloud affirmations regarding Christ’s divinity and role in creation, asserting His preeminence over all things visible and invisible.

• Key attributes of Christ are highlighted: He is the image of God, creator of all things, sustaining everything in existence while being central to the church's identity.

• Emphasis on reconciliation through Christ’s sacrifice underscores His role in making peace through His blood shed on the cross.