The Laodicean Church 3:14-22 Lesson 26 -28
Intro:
1. Laodicea is very close to Colosse.
2. The church there had been established for many years.
In fact Paul mentions it when writing to the church at Colosse and his concern for their spiritual welfare.
3. Laodicea was founded in 3rd century B.C. by Antiochus II and named for his wife Laodike.
4. It was during the time of Roman rule that it grew to wealth and prominence.
5. Became widely known as a banking center and pharmaceutical products.
6. The dominant feature of Laodicea was its wealth.
7. It was this proud, self-sufficient and independent attitude that carried over into the church of which Christ will speak so harshly of.
8. The church is overtly prosperous, no indication of persecution, was not a factor in their condition.
9. The good life and affluence had dulled their spiritual life.
10. The over riding focus of this church was the love of money; which spawns a plethora of other evils. 1 Tim 6:10.
11. If there is a church that depicts the dominant thrust of American Christianity this is it!
Outline:
1. 3:14 The Head of the Church, Characteristics.
2. 3:15-16 The Problem of the Church.
3. 3:17a The church's profession, its own evaluation of its character.
4. 3:17b The Corrected evaluation by Christ, reality from DVPT.
5. 3:18 Christ's advice to the Church
6. 3:19 Discipline of the Church.
7. 3:20 The Opportunity of the Church
8. 3:21-22 The Promise to the Church.
1. 3:14 The Head of the Church, Characteristics.
Have 3 characteristics of Christ emphasized that are pertinent to the spiritual condition of this church.
a. "The Amen" o` VAmh,n(
b. "the faithful and true witness," this is a stronger more emphatic statement than we saw in 1:5 where Christ = the faithful witness.
- Both of these are characteristics which they do not possess!
c. "the beginning of the creation of God,"
- this is not taken from the vision of Christ in chapter 1.
- This is not saying that Christ is the beginning of God's creation.
** Very basic to the character of God is that He is Creator!
It is given as the foundation of Him being worthy! Rev 4:11
** So He is the truth, His witness is characterized by faithfulness and genuineness and that He is the source of all Creation.
2. Laodicea, It's Problem!
a. Here we have 3 different spiritual states/conditions mentioned.
#1 = cold; antipathy to truth; no fervor for the truth; (UB's)
#2 = hot; intenseness of fervor/desire for the truth;
#3 = lukewarm; indifference, apathy, unenthusiastic, at best a mild interest. (have been hot but are now warm)
b. These 3 temperatures are used to illustrate one's attitude towards God and His word in Scripture: "heart temperature"
c. Which of these states is worse, from God's vpt?
d. This state of being "lukewarm" is not a transitional state but is a final one; an established, set attitude that dominates this church.
e. The lukewarm church is one that is comfortable, complacent, and as we will see, does not have a clue that he has critical needs. Absolutely no discernment!
f. Christ's stated response to this church is;
vs:16b "I will spit you out of my mouth."
3. 3:17a The church's profession, its own evaluation of its character.
a. "I am rich, (Plou,sio,j eivmi) and have become wealthy, (ploute,w perf.act ind); says what I have, I have gained by my own efforts!
b. This is the results of being "lukewarm."- there is no commendation to this church and the only condemnation is that they are lukewarm. No other!!
c. Their delusion is stated as "and have need of nothing,"
4. Christ's view, the correction; this is the reality! 3:17b
a. When you compare their profession with the rebuke of Christ that follows, His read out on them; must conclude that;
#1 - their perception does not line up with reality.
#2 - they have lost their capacity for objectivity.
#3 - This results in delusion on their part.
b. Chain set up: Indifference/complacency (in spiritual life) à leads to lost capacity for objectivity which leads to delusion.
c. Its this attitude of complete indifference, apathy to God and His word that is so repugnant to God and brings this strong rebuke.
d. Extent of their delusion: (5 characteristics mentioned = outgrowth of their condition or attitude of lukewarmness;
e. Christ describes the characteristics [from His vpt]
1. wretched = talai,pwroj = only other use is in Rom 7:24 where Paul uses it to describe his status when under the domination of the OSN. "O wretched man that I am" (OSN rule)
2. miserable = evleeino,j = describes one who is the object of extreme pity; Paul uses it to describe one who rejects the resurrection of Christ 1 Cor. 15:19. (result of rejecting truth)
3. poor = ptwco,j = to be destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor; to be poor as a beggar; a panhandler.
4. blind = tuflo,j = spiritually blind; lack of spiritual perception and understanding. (no discernment)
5. naked = gumno,j = stripped of clothes, or without proper clothing;
The reality of their spiritual condition was the exact opposite of their supposed temporal sufficiency.
5. Christ's Advice to the Laodicean Church 3:18
a. Touch of irony here since Christ does not give commands that if followed would put them on a right course but what does He do? He offers advice and counsel.
b. First advises them to make a purchase; to buy from Him;
c. What they needed was a Total Realignment of focus and direction; revolves around 3 things;
#1 Realignment of concentration or focus of life!
#2 Realignment of values (seen in what they are to purchase)
- Not just gold but "gold refined by fire" [what's this all about?]
* Several observations:
1 Change of value in their thinking of what is real or genuine wealth.
2 The gold here is the faith in you; the word, the truth you have learned, believed and lived!
3 This is refined gold therefore it has been tested by suffering or persecution.
4 Says that this church was too comfortable; needed to experience some persecution or suffering to wake them to the reality that they needed to rely not on the solutions of man but those from Christ, dvpt.
5 1 Pet 1:7 sheds some light on the relationship between gold and faith.
6 Refined gold is "treasure" something that God expects each of us to have. 2 Cor 4:7
7 What does it say here is the result of buying refined gold, of living the word in the midst of the tests and pressures of life? "in order that you may become rich"
#3 Realignment of effort. vs:18
1 Instead of pursuing as their priority, material things; their priority must be the spiritual. Involves choices!
2 Christ advises them to buy "white garments."
3 What Christ is focusing on here is the life of the believer after salvation; experiential righteousness that comes as we grow and mature in the word and live it.
We cannot see the imputed +R; God can; but we can see the results of one who has it and lives in the sphere of God's will;
- word for clothed is periba,llw is in the middle voice; subject participates in action; makes the choices to clothe themselves in purity/exp. righteousness.
- Here the "shame of your nakedness"; nakedness of the day was a symbol of judgment/humiliation.
When is the evaluation of the believer's life?
This is a church that is self-sufficient that was unconscious of their desperate spiritual need; so blinded by the desires and deception of their OSN.
4 A second thing needed for a realignment of effort is spiritual discernment.
"and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see."
- The Laodicean church needed to have their spiritual eyes opened, being lukewarm they were blind to the things of God.
** One's spiritual eyesight is crucial in life!
6. Their discipline 3:19
a. How should we understand discipline as believers.
#1 It is evidence of God's love Prov. 3:12; remiss if no discipline when needed 13:24;
#2 Exhortation to change! To wake us up to the reality that we're out in the boondocks spiritually in some area and that our N & S's need to be straightened out to the correct DVPT.
7. Laodecea, Its Opportunity 3:20 Opportunity for recovery.
a. The appeal is made here to the individuals in the church.
b. Christ begins the call for recovery with a strong imperative, Behold! Need to wake up recognize your spiritual condition and get yourself back in fellowship.
c. I stand at the door and knock lit. He stands and keeps on knocking;
d. Next have a 3cc conditional clause; Which describes man's response.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
e. The Positive response is indicated by "and opens the door."
f. Christ's response! "I will come in to him, to one who responds, and will dine with him and he with Me."
7. The Promise to Laodecea 3:21-22
a. To those who are believers in this church Christ makes a promise.
"He who overcomes (i.e. the believer) I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne," Mt 25:31
b. The basis for the overcomer's victory and rule;
"as I also overcame, (nika,w aor. cross) and sat down with the Father on His throne." (aor. session)
c. For the final time we have that strong exhortation to hear and obey the message that the Spirit communicates to the Church. vs:22