ARE OUR CHURCHES LIKE THE LAODICEANS?
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Message To The Laodiceans
Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 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—
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
2. The Church In Laodicea
a) Founded on seven hills, Laodicea was an important Asia Minor city. It was located along a popular trade route, which lent to its economic prosperity. The city made its own coinage, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus and others.
b) The church in Laodicea is not cold (a totally dead church) nor hot (zealous for God and his truth). It just exists.
c) The Laodiceans are not faithful or unbelieving. Their indifference to the truth of the Bible is what makes Jesus sick. They are given one last chance to repent . . . or else.
3. Prophetic Insight
a) Yet I hold this against you: you have such an exaggerated opinion of your importance and effectiveness, that it has become misleading. You are not even close to being the church that you think you are.
4. Wake-up To Reality
a) It is time to wake-up to reality and for the church in Laodicea, it was a time to repent. Without repentance, the church would cease to be a church. Are our churches like the Laodiceans?
The End ...
1. Message To The Laodiceans Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 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—
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
2. The Church In Laodicea
a) Founded on seven hills, Laodicea was an important Asia Minor city. It was located along a popular trade route, which lent to its economic prosperity. The city made its own coinage, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus and others.
b) The church in Laodicea is not cold (a totally dead church) nor hot (zealous for God and his truth). It just exists.
c) The Laodiceans are not faithful or unbelieving. Their indifference to the truth of the Bible is what makes Jesus sick. They are given one last chance to repent . . . or else.
3. Prophetic Insight
a) Yet I hold this against you: you have such an exaggerated opinion of your importance and effectiveness, that it has become misleading. You are not even close to being the church that you think you are.
4. Wake-up To Reality
a) It is time to wake-up to reality and for the church in Laodicea, it was a time to repent. Without repentance, the church would cease to be a church. Are our churches like the Laodiceans?
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