Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
March 28, 2004
Laodicea: The Church with the Closed Door
Revelation 3:14-22
INTRO: Philadelphia was the church with the open door; Laodicea is the church with the closed door.
The city of Laodicea was founded by Antiochus the Great in 250 BC. He named the city after his wife Laodice.
Under Roman rule, this city became very wealthy. Much of this wealth came from the manufacture of a glossy black wool cloth. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve.
I. VS 14, CHRIST DESCRIBED
A. "The Amen"-- "Amen" is the Hebrew word meaning "true" and indicates "finality." Christ is the final truth. You need not seek another.
B. "The faithful and true witness." Jesus is the true, and He is the faithful witness of the truth.
1. The Word of Christ is faithful and true because He is God.
2. Rev 1:5; 3:7.
3. He is the perfect witness because He is truth embodied:
a) He is reliable and honest.
b) He has seen what He relates for He is eternal.
c) He is able tor elate what He has seen.
C. "The beginning of the creation of God."
1. To be the creator, He had to exist before creation. He is the agent of the creation of God.
2. John 1:3; col 1:15-16.
3. "In Him the whole creation of God is begun and continues: He is its source and primary fountain head" (Alford IV 588).
II. VSS 15-17, THE COMPLAINT AND CRITICISM
A. Vs 15, "Thou art neither cold nor hot." The Christian life has been characterized as having three temperature settings: a hot heart, on fire for God (Lk 24:32 "did not our heart burn within us."); a cold, cold heart (Mt 24:12, "the love of many shall wax cold...."); the lukewarm Christian (Rev 3:16).
1. Christ says that the church at Laodicea is lukewarm.
a) In the districts of Laodicea and Hierapolis, there were lukewarm mineral springs that looked refreshing, but the weary traveler was sickened and disappointed as he put the water to his lips.
b) The church at Laodicea was not "hot," zealous of good works. Nor was it "cold" meaning "lifeless." But it was "lukewarm" meaning comfortable, complacent, and sickening.
2. The church at Laodicea was not burning hot nor was it ice cold. It was indifferent, lukewarm.
a) Cold has a chance for revival, and hot is revived.
b) Lukewarm does not see the need.
3. What can cause a church to be spiritually lukewarm?
a) Liberal theology
b) Social gospel
c) Form of godliness but no power
d) LaHaye says: "These churches are usually more interested in social action than gospel action, more interested in reformation than transformation, more interested in planning than praying" (86).
e) Being more interested in numbers than doing what's right.
B. Vs 16, God is nauseated by indifference; it makes Him sick.
1. Lukewarm is not a transitional state. It is a final state. This is what sickened our Lord. This church was stagnant.
2. Complacent, lukewarm churches are dying churches.
C. Vs 17a, Christ gives reasons for the lukewarm condition of the church at Laodicea.
1. The church said: "I am rich and increased with goods." What a contrast between Laodicea and Smyrna (2:9)
a) They were more interested in the material than the spiritual. More interested in money than spiritual riches.
b) Churches must be diligent in keeping their priorities right.
2. "Have need of nothing."
a) Like the city of Laodicea, the church saw itself as self sufficient. When Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in 60 AD, they did not need Roman funds to rebuild. The needed no outside help.
b) They needed revival, but didn't want it and saw no need for it.
D. Vs 17b, How Christ saw the church at Laodicea.
1. "Thou art wretched and miserable." They were unhappy and dissatisfied because worldly goods cannot satisfy the need of a spiritually hungry heart.
2. "Poor," rich materially, but poor spiritually. Mark 8:36 says: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
3. "Blind," their spiritual vision was in bad shape.
a) "The city of Laodicea was noted for its eye salve, but the kind of medication the saints needed was not available in the apothecary shop" (Wiersbe 46).
b) Only the Great Physician can heal spiritual blindness.
c) I Peter 1:5-9 tells us that we must be growing in the Lord if our spiritual vision is to be clear.
4. "Naked," they were well dressed in woolen garments, but God said they were naked. They needed spiritual clothing, the white raiment of God's righteousness and grace (Rev 19:8).
III. VSS 18-19, THE COUNSEL OF HIS LOVE
A. Vs 18, Because the Lord loves them, He shows them what they need.
1. "Gold tried in the fire."
a) Gold speaks of the doctrine of the deity of Christ.
b) I Pet 1:7.
2. "White raiment," the practical righteousness of the saints- true service.
3. "Eye salve"-they needed the eye salve of the Holy Spirit, spiritual illumination (I Cor 2:14).
B. Vs 19, His love.
1. Those loved have their faults pointed out.
a) He corrects them.
b) He loves and disciplines.
2. Be:
a) Zealous- in earnest.
b) Repent- turn to God.
IV. VS 20, CHRIST AT THE DOOR
A. Jesus is at the door of the church knocking.
B. If just one in the church would say:
1. "I am convinced of my spiritual poverty."
2. "Our church has everything but a close relationship with Christ, I will admit Him and spread the table for Him."
3. Do not let pride hold you back! Will you be the one to open the door.
V. VS 21, OVERCOMERS
A. The victorious will sit with Him.
B. This appeal is to the individual. Will you be an overcomer?
CONCLUSION: Vs 22, Hear the message and repent!
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com