SERIES: Revelation: Message to the Churches
TITLE: Week #4 – A Message to the Church at Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
Message Preview:
Pastor Brian continues our series in the book of Revelation by preaching from Rev. 3:14-22, “A Message to the Church at Laodicea”.
Intro:
It is possible for a church to get confused about its measure of success. To have a view of self that lacks discernment completely and is in sharp contrast to Jesus’s judgment about such a church.
Geography:
- 100 miles to Ephesus. On the Lychus river valley. 11 miles from Colossae. 6 miles to Hierapolis
- Colossae – at the base of Mt. Cadmus – refreshing cold spring.
- Hierapolis located across the valley. Known for healing hot springs to this day.
- Located at a crossroads (influence and wealth)
History:
- Founded in the 3rd century BC and named for Antiochus II wife. (prior to that known as Rhodes)
- 27 BC – earthquake – Roman aid given to rebuild.
- 17 BC- earthquake – Roman aid given to rebuild. Stimulus checks.
- 1st century – 120,000 people. Very wealthy city. Top in all of Asia.
- 26 AD – competed to be Neokoros for Emperor Tiberius.
“Neokoros” – is a city that is a guardian city for a temple. In this case for the imperial cult worship of Tiberius. Brought prestige, money, etc., as many came to worship and pay homage.
At the end of the contest, Smyrna was awarded the rank of neokoros for Tiberius.
Rome told Laodicea they did not get it because they did not have enough money. Laodicea takes it personally.
60 AD – another earthquake. Rome offers financial stimulus. This time Laodicea refuses the aid and determines to rebuild themselves. They give Rome the finger.
5 Things Laodicea is known for at the time of the letter:
1. Banking Center – minted coins. A financial system here prior to 1st century. Became banking center for entire region.
2. Medical School – Chief medical center for all of Phrygia.
Produced eye salve called “collyrium”. World renown for ophthalmology.
Dimosthnes Philalethes wrote a text book on the eye that was used into the Middle Ages (1000 AD).
3. Rare (High End) Black Wool – Designer cloaks. Nothing compared. Kind of like cashmere. From the Sheep of this area. It is thought that the water pumped in from 5 miles away had a high mineral content. Tepid. It made people vomit but incredible for the sheep. Soft, raven black wool.
4. Water System/distribution – there is not a source of fresh water in the city.
An aqueduct comes to the city from river 5 miles away. Not snow melt water.
Such a long way from the city that it was TEPID by the time it got to the people.
Archaeology: Aqueduct and Water tower of sorts. Varied pipe sizes to create water pressure.
Such a high mineral content in the water that it plugged the pipes.
Sheep loved it. People hated it.
5. Throne City – the family Zenoid – Zenoid elevated by Romans to kingship in Cilicia. He was later given kingship in Pontus. All of his boys landed kingship as well. This is the Zeno family home town. Known as a throne city.
Revelation 3:14-22 (Let’s read it with your new eyes)
I. A church may hold a distorted view of itself contrary to the view of Jesus.
1. Statement of revelation – (Revelation 3:14)
“the Amen.” – Jesus is the so be it. He will tell you like it is.
Jesus is the “faithful and true” witness. Faithful unto death.
The true resurrected Lord. He will tell you the truth.
“The beginning of Creation” – Jesus is the source of life
2. Statement of criticism – (Revelation 3:15-16)
Laodicea is the one church that does not receive commendation.
I know your deeds…
Jesus is using the local context of the city to bring rebuke.
Hot water (Hieropolis) is good. It’s healing.
Cold water (Colossae) is refreshing.
BUT YOU ARE NEITHER. You are just like your water system. Tepid. Vomitous.
The church isn’t refreshing. It isn’t healing.
The church is Jesus’s church and it makes him sick. His church is sick.
Revelation 3:17 “For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing.”
The riches of the city change the affections of the church.
The church has embraced the gospel of the world more than the gospel of the Kingdom.
The church has forsaken true prosperity for worldly prosperity.
You don’t realize that you really are…
1. Poor (center of banking)
2. Blind (center of ophthalmology)
3. Naked (renown black wool clothing)
They didn’t rely on Jesus anymore.
They became the opposite of who they thought they were.
Only church out of the 7 where no persecution is mentioned. None.
Wrecked by their own affluence.
Wandered away from Jesus without intending to do so.
Sometimes a church is not a faithful witness but Jesus always is.
II. To be restored, the church must repent and shift its affections.
3. Statement of Command – Revelation 3:18-19
1. Bankers – I counsel you to buy gold from Jesus that is refined by fire (Pure)
So that you can truly be RICH.
2. Designers of Black wool garments – I counsel you to by white garments from Jesus.
So you may clothe yourself in righteousness and and you shameful nakedness will be covered.
3. Ophthalmologists – I counsel you to buy eye salve from Jesus. To anoint your eyes so that you can actually see.
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and REPENT.” – Verse 19
Abandon self-sufficiency and riches that make you poor, blind, naked and wretched.
Come by from me (Isaiah 55:1-3). You who are poor, buy from me. Listen so you may live.
Jesus offers prosperity for free but we work our butts of to make it ourselves.
Whatever you are doing to make a good life, those things pale in comparison to what you already have in Jesus.
We should be zealous for repentance.
A Rabbi told his disciple, “Make sure you repent the day before you die”.
The disciples asked, “How do I know when that is?”
The Rabbi answered, “Exactly.”
III. Jesus invites his wayward church to reconcile with him.
4. Statement of Conclusion Revelation 3:20-22
So misused so often. This is not a gospel invitation to people who don’t know Jesus.
This is an invitation for the church to open the door to Jesus.
Jesus said, “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock.”
He is inviting us to a meal of reconciliation in verse 20.
To the church located in the “throne city” – come and sit with me on my throne. (Verse 21) – Jesus.
So much hope. But we must allow Jesus to restore our view of prosperity. We must embrace his life as the good life.
2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
He or she who has ears, let them hear.
Response:
Clearly this scenario is a reality in some churches today. Is it in us? Do we pray? Do we depend on Jesus for everything? Are our affections found in Him. Are we a faithful witness?
ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
Let’s begin our discussion this week by sharing how we’ve seen God at work in and through our lives this past week. Let’s be reminded of these things and remember to rejoice in the Lord for His faithfulness to us!
- What are the “God moments” from this past week? How have you seen God at work that is unmistakably Him?
- How has He been working not just in your life personally, but in the lives of your family (spouse, kids, grandkids)?
- How did God speak to you through His Word this past week?
- How are you hearing and obeying?
- How can we specifically pray for you this week?
Pray as a group – thanking God for how He is at work and asking Him to answer the requests that were mentioned.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Ask and discuss the following questions.
Read Rev. 3:14-22
Q: What is one thing that stood out to you from today’s sermon and why?
Q: What images is Jesus drawing on in v. 15-16 as He rebukes the church at Laodicea?
Q: Do you think it is possible for a church to hold a distorted view of itself (one that is contrary to the view Jesus has)? How do you see this happen?
Q: How is Jesus’ rebuke in v. 17 ironic in light of what Laodicea is known for? (HINT: What three things was the city known for – Banking/Ophthalmology/Fine black wool clothing)
Q: In what ways do you think churches today might be deceived into thinking they are effective/faithful when they are not?
Q: What was the side-effect of the Laodiceans trusting in riches, medical advancement and fine clothing (affluence)?
Q: In what ways is affluence effecting Christians today? What competes for our affections today? What is the right response to this? (HINT: v. 18-19 – Repent and Shift its Affections)
Q: How do you typically think about repentance, positively or negatively? Explain your answer.
Q: What do we see the grace of God on display to Laodiceans and us in v. 20-22?
Q: What do you think that it looks like for your affections to be found in/set on Jesus alone?
Q: In light of what you heard in the sermon and has been discussed in our group, what is one thing you need to think about/put into practice/confess and repent of/avoid as you go from here?
WRAP-UP
Let’s discuss a few more questions as we end out time and look to living out what God has spoken to us this week.
- What did you hear?
- What is your one “take-away” from this week? How did God speak specifically to you through this week’s passage and study?
- What do you think?
- How did this passage and study affirm, challenge, or change the way you think about God and the truths shared?
- What will you do?
- What is your next step? How will you take the truth of God’s Word and apply it to your life this week?
Pray for any needs that were shared. Pray for the families represented in the group. Pray for the next steps shared by your group this week; that they would turn to God as their source of power and restoration!
SCRIPTURES FROM THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE:
Rev. 3:14-22; Is. 55:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:9;
UPCOMING MESSAGES:
- Series: Revelation: The New Exodus
- Week 5: Rev. 4:6-17
- Week 6: Rev. 6:1-8:1
- Week 7: Rev. 8:2-11:19
- Week 8: Rev. 12:1-14:20