Series: The Seven Churches of the book of Revelation
Sermon: The Church at Laodicea
Bible Passage: Revelation 3:14-21

I. Jesus’ indictment of the Church at Laodicea was that they were “neither cold nor hot” (verses 15-17)

1. The metaphor “neither cold nor hot” refers to:

a. Lack of spiritual fervor
b. Half-hearted commitment to Christ
c. The believers in Laodicea were ineffective in their faith as Christians

2. The phrase “I know your work” (verse 15) could refer to their “witnessing” role

a. Jesus found nothing in their Christian faith that was worth talking about
b. The unbelievers were not receiving healing and life from the witness of the believers

3. If the Laodicean Christians do not change, Jesus would “spew them out,”

II. The Church at Laodicea had misperceived itself (verse 17)

1. “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need anything” (Hos 12:8 vs. verse 17)—affluenza
2. Could they have equated their material prosperity to their spiritual wellbeing!?

III. Jesus’ assessment of the Laodicean Christians (verse 17-18)

1. “But you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (verse 17)
2. “But you do not realize” (verse 17)
3. They were opposite of what they perceived about themselves
4. They were poor (verse 18)
5. They were naked (verse 18): nakedness
6. They were blind (verse 18)

IV. Jesus’ remedy for Laodicean believers (verse 18): “by from me” (three things)

1. “gold refined in the fire” (verse 18)
2. “White clothes to wear” (verse 18)
3. “Eye salve” (verse 18)
4. They need to become zealous for the Gospel and repent from their “neither cold nor hot” situation (verse 19)

V. Jesus is offering them a chance to renew their fellowship with Him (verse 20)

1. Jesus knocking the door in this verse does not have an evangelistic significance
2. But it is a chance for the “neither hot nor cold” Christian believers to renew their fellowship with Him

VI. Jesus promises the Laodicean Christians an honorable seat along with Him when they overcome (verse 21)

TAKE AWAY

Open the door knob and let Jesus come in to have fellowship with you