Revelation 3:14–22 - Cameron Jungels - Eastside Baptist, Sun PM, October 12, 2014

“The Self-Deceived, Complacent Church” (Revelation 3:14–22)

Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/October 12, 2014 

Revelation 3:14–22 (NIV)

14 “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. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 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. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

1.       Jesus Christ is the faithful witness and the Almighty Creator (v. 14). 

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:15-17, NIV)

 

2.      Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church finds lazy, complacent, self-reliant religion to be abominable (vv. 15­–17). 

9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich!  (Rev. 2:9, NIV)

 

3.      Jesus Christ, the Savior of the Church provides his righteousness as clothing for his redeemed people who believe and repent (vv. 18–20).

 

4.      Jesus Christ, the King of Creation, grants eternal life and royal privilege to all who endure victoriously in faith to the end (v. 21–22).

 

Big Idea: A faithful and successful church is dependent on the Triune God for all things and is not lulled into a false sense of complacent self-sufficiency.