Date: 2025-08-15

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Bishop

PAX: Mr Rogers, Schnitzel, Sharpie, Frodo, Bionic, Yogi (Florence), Web, Nurse Jackie (F3 Florence), Tender Spice, Bishop

FNGs: None

COUNT: 10

Revelation 3:14 “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.”

The lesson from Laodicea is a warning:

– Being lukewarm, unplugged from your source and following God in pretense only, disgusts Him

– They thought they were doing great. They were likely shocked at reading what God had to say. (Vs. 15-17)

– This can easily happen when we are complacent, apathetic, and self-reliant. Laodicea went from being a church Paul exhorts (Colossians 2 and 4) to being one of only two churches having nothing positive said about them.

– We, here in America, can also easily become self-reliant in our riches and resources. We risk becoming the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21: 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

– What are we really worshipping? The parable of the rich young ruler showed he had never really followed the first commandment. He had another idol, his wealth, and Jesus showed him that. (Luke 18:18-30)

– God’s answer: Be zealous and repent. Zealous: Get serious, realize how GOD sees this and that it is a big deal. Repent: Turn and go the other way.

Jesus closes with wonderful promises, but also a message that he is standing at the door and knocking. This is not a message to unbelievers, this is a message to His church. He sees himself as outside, wanting to come in, and though he is the “ruler of creation” (vs. 14) our choices matter.

Psalm 139, search our hearts, test our thoughts, let us see as YOU see, not like we do.