Revelation 3

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JESUS WARNS AGAINST BEING LUKEWARM

December 12, 2023

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-16 NLT). Jesus told the apostle John to write a letter to

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20 NLT).

December 12, 2022

IS CHRIST KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR?  Jesus instructed the apostle John to send a letter to the church of Laodicea, rebuking them for their lukewarm commitment. He reminded them that He disciplines those that He loves and called them to repentance and renewed zeal. Yet after His stern words of discipline, He humbly described Himself

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 HCSB).

December 12, 2021

JESUS WARNS AGAINST BEING LUKEWARM “You are lukewarm!” These words were spoken by Jesus to the apostle John to pass on to the church at Laodicea. The ruins of this ancient city are located in the Western part of modern day Turkey. It’s geographic location gives insight to the words of Jesus. Located in the

A Letter to the Lukewarm

September 27, 2020 | Revelation 3:14-22 | exposition

How are you doing in your spiritual life today? Would you say that you’re passionate and on fire for God? Or would you say you’re more lukewarm? You know, not too hot, nor too cold. A lot of us like it that way, don’t we? I mean, we don’t want to be considered fanatics, right? It’s comfortable being “lukewarm.” It may be comfortable being lukewarm, but it isn’t Christlike. And Jesus warns against it!

In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus told John to write a letter to the church of Laodicea warning them about their lukewarm spiritual condition. We can heed Christ’s warning about being spiritually lukewarm.

A Letter to Open Doors

September 20, 2020 | Revelation 3:7-13 | exposition

Where are the “closed doors” in your life? Do you often say to yourself, “Well, that door is closed to me now.” The one without much money, says, If only I had more money, then this opportunity would be open to me.” The one without an education says, “If only I had gotten a college degree, this promotion would be open to me.” The one without much talent says, “If only I could sing, play an instrument, repair automobiles, play sports…, then this door would be open to me.”

What if there was someone who had the keys to the doors that seem locked to us? What if there were someone who could open doors? In Revelation 3:7-13, Jesus told the church of Philadelphia that He had opened a door for them. We can trust Christ to open doors for us.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-16 NLT).

December 12, 2019

JESUS WARNS AGAINST BEING LUKEWARM “You are lukewarm!” These words were given by Jesus to the apostle John to pass on to the church at Laodicea. The ruins of this ancient city are located in the Western part of modern day Turkey. It’s geographic location gives insight to the words of Jesus. Located in the

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—” (Revelation 3:17 NKJV).

December 12, 2017

Jesus’ letter to the Laodicean church warned them of depending on worldly wealth rather than spiritual power. This church is representative of many in America and the Western world that depend on human methods and material wealth, rather than prayer and spiritual power. Like the Laodicean church, they are in danger of being “lukewarm” in their dependence on the Lord. Yet, when the Lord sees them, they don’t appear rich, but “poor, blind, and naked.”

There is no church in Laodicea today, only ruins. Let us take heed. Let us pray that the Lord would make us rich in Him, seeing His direction and clothed in His power.

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 ESV)

December 12, 2016

“You are lukewarm!” These words were given by Jesus to the apostle John to pass on to the church at Laodicea. The ruins of this ancient city are located in the Western part of modern day Turkey. It’s geographic location gives insight to the words of Jesus. Located in the fertile Lycus valley between the cities of Colossae and Hierapolis, the wealthy city of Laodicea was the financial headquarters for the whole area and the political center for the district. Yet, the city was dependent on external sources for water. The Laodiceans built aqueducts to carry water from the nearby hot springs at Hierapolis and the refreshing cold waters at Colossae, but by the time the water arrived at Laodicea it was “lukewarm.” The water from the hot springs of Hierapolis was known for its therapeutic value and the ice cold waters of Colossae, for its refreshing taste for drinking. But the water at Laodicea was good for neither. So, what was Jesus saying to the church at Laodicea when He accused them of being “lukewarm?” He was telling them that their works were useless, good for nothing, because they lacked spiritual power. This was not about their salvation, as some have suggested, but about their lack of spiritual zeal. They were depending on their own wealth and power to live. They thought themselves “rich,” but Jesus called them “poor” (Rev.3:17). A church that depends on worldly wealth and influence, rather than the Spirit’s power, is at risk of being “spit out” of Christ’s mouth! Today, there is no church nor city in Laodicea, only ruins.

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8 NKJV)

December 12, 2015

The letter to the church of Philadelphia is the only one of the seven that contained a commendation without any correction from Jesus. This little church was in the smallest of the seven cities addressed in Revelation. It didn’t have the population nor resources of the churches in the larger cities, but it did have spiritual power (“a little strength”), a commitment to God’s Word (“kept my word”), and Christ-centered faith (“not denied My name”). Jesus not only commended them, He gave them an “open door” of ministry effectiveness, so that the gospel went out from this little church to the surrounding world for centuries. God loves to do big things with little people.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write…” (Revelation 3:1 NKJV)

December 11, 2015

John’s Revelation begins with seven letters from Jesus to seven specific churches. Each letter was addressed to the “angel of the church.” The word “angel” might also be translated “messenger,” so one might assume this meant the letter was to be read by the pastor, who would then read it to the church. All seven churches were located in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. There are many views on how to interpret these seven letters. Some think they describe the progressive ages of the church as the end times approach, with the Laodicean church being descriptive of the condition of the last church before Christ’s return. Others rightly point out that the letters were accurate in their descriptions of the actual churches of John’s day, and therefore had a present tense meaning for them. Perhaps both of these views are correct, so that the letters were both prescriptive and prophetic. I have visited all seven cities in Turkey and I observed that the letters accurately described key features of those cities. Whatever their intent, whether historical, progressive or future, these seven letters tell us that Jesus is the real Head of the Church and He is actively involved in its administration and in its ultimate future.