Compromise and Complacency – Revelation 3:14-22

Laodicea – famous for:

• wealth – banking
• wool trade
• black sheep
• black clothing (fashion)
• eye-hospital
• eye-salve
• lukewarm water from Hierapolis

 

1) THE PRIZE: for those who overcome

Revelation 3:21, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

We get to _____ with Jesus.

“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)

We get to eat Jesus.

2) OBSTACLE: some of us will miss the prize

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” (Revelation 3:14)

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15)

A God who doesn’t punish evil can never be just.

What is the obstacle?

a) They call themselves Christians but they are in love with wealth and the convenience and comfort it can bring.

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)

WEALTH = CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT

JESUS = INCONVENIENCE AND DISCOMFORT

b) The church has shut the door on Jesus

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)

c) The Good News

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” (Revelation 3:19)

Jesus loves the people that he is going to ____ out of his mouth!

3) OVERCOMING: how to win the prize

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)

REPENT = To turn around and go the other way.

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Revelation 3:18)

i) Open your eyes and see the truth

ii) Discover True Wealth

 

To Go Deeper into God I will ______________________________________

 

 

To transform my community I will____________________________________

 

 

To make new disciples I will _______________________________________

 

 

Jesus is the “true witness” (Revelation 3:14)

Remember – “Just Walk Across the Room” starts later this term.

iii) Jesus makes you worthy

 

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I want to know more:

• To Read: Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels
• To Read: Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges
• To listen: Lukewarm in Laodicea: http://marshill.com/media/the-seven/lukewarm-in-laodicea-comfort-and-convenience-before-christ
• To listen: http://www.keswickministries.org/download-file/audio/2010wk2