GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

CHRIST'S LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA
Lukewarm Religion – Gradual Apostacy
Revelation 3:14-22

Don Fortner

Laodicea was a famous city of great wealth in Asia Minor. It was the commercial, financial center of the area. Laodicea was the home of millionaires. It had three marble theatres, a great stadium, and a huge gymnasium equipped with baths. There was a famous school of medicine at Laodicea, which, among other things, claimed to have produced a remedy for weak eyes. And the city was well-known for its hot-springs, which emitted lukewarm water continually. The people of Laodicea was rich, and they knew it, and they were proud of it. They were unbearable snobs! This arrogant "We are it" attitude was also the attitude of the church at Laodicea. Perhaps they thought their wealth was a sign of God's favor. But, in general, the church at Laodicea had gradually become a lukewarm, apostate, useless assembly of religious professors without life before God. It was in danger of being entirely rejected by Christ.

Apparently, the church was at one time a healthy, strong, spiritually vibrant congregation, a pillar of truth and a lighthouse in the midst of darkness. Paul wrote a letter to this church and talks about it with warmth, not mentioning anything amiss concerning it (Col. 2:1-2; 4:13-16). Since Paul held this church in such regard, I think it is safe to assume that it was, during his ministry, in a very sound state. But something went wrong. Once it was on fire for God. But in the process of time it degenerated into a sickening state of lukewarmness. It became careless, lax, and indifferent. Perhaps the earlier generation had died out. Perhaps its wealth had seduced the church into worldliness. Perhaps its freedom from persecution had produced a sense of carnal ease in the church. In any case, this church was now neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm.

Nothing can be done with lukewarm people. There is hope for cold, hardened rebels. And it is a joy to work with men and women whose hearts glow with love and zeal for Christ. But lukewarm religionists are sickening, nauseating, disgusting. Even Christ himself cannot stand them. He says "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." May God the Holy Spirit effectually apply this portion of his word to our hearts, lest we gradually degenerate into this state of lukewarmness.

Luke warmness, or Indifference, to Christ is the Apostacy of The Heart from Christ.

1. The Charge of Lukewarmness (vv. 14-17).
2. The Counsel of Love (vv. 18-19).
3. The Call To Life (vv. 20-22).

In verses 14-17 the Lord Jesus Christ lays a solemn and serious charge against the church in Laodicea, a charge which would most certainly be followed by judgment if she did not repent. Our Lord charges this church with lukewarmness, apathy, carelessness, and indifference. Let all be warned; Lukewarmness is gradual apostacy, lingering death, and the forerunner of judgment. "If once we become listless, we shall quickly become lifeless." (Stephen Charnock). Complacency is a spiritual sickness that ends in spiritual death. May God save us from this plague, which seems to have swept through the church of the 20^th century.

It appears that there were some in the church whose hearts were true; but in general the whole congregation was insensitive to Christ, the gospel of his grace, and the glory of his name. There was no fire in the pulpit and no warmth in the pew.

B. This Message Of Stern Reproof Came From Christ Himself, The Righteous Judge.

Our Lord Jesus calls himself "The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God."

1. Christ Jesus is "The Amen" – He is steady, unchangeable, and immutable in all things. His purpose will stand. His promises are sure. His word is true. (Mal. 3:6;; Heb. 13:8; II Cor. 1:20).
2. Our Lord is "The Faithful and True Witness." – He who is our Judge is faithful and true in his judgment. What he says is true and what he does is just. Because he is faithful and true–

• Christ's testimony of God to men should be received and believed.


• And his testimony to God about men will be received.

Those whose names Christ confesses before the Father will be accepted. And those lukewarm, carnal professors whom Christ shall deny before the Father shall be rejected.

3. And our Savior is "The Beginning of The Creation of God."

That is just another way of saying Christ is The Divine Creator – John 1:1-3. He is the Parent, Producer, and efficient cause of all things. He is The Author of the natural world. He created all things out of nothing. And our Lord Jesus Christ is The Head of his new creation, the church. He is "the everlasting Father" (Isa. 9:6). From whom all who believe have life.

"The Lord reveals himself here as the One whose eyes not only see exactly what is going on in the hearts of these people of Laodicea but whose lips also declare the exact truth as seen." – (William Hendriksen). As he describes himself, Christ is saying to the Laodiceans, "You are dead; you need life; you need a new heart. Look to me, turn to me. I can make you new creatures."

He says to the church as a whole, the pastor, the elders, the deacons, the teachers, and the people, "Thou art lukewarm!" They thought they were spiritually healthy, strong, and secure. But Christ knew their hearts. And he said, "Thou art lukewarm!"

The Laodiceans were not hypocrites. They were deceived. They were blind men who thought they had perfect vision. They were dead men who thought they were alive. They were lost people who were very sure they were saved.

Lukewarmness, or indifference, regarding Christ is the worst condition in the world to be in. If Christ is real, he is the unspeakable gift of God. We should therefore earnestly seek him, lovingly embrace him, and zealously serve him. If he is an imposter, then he is the vilest imposter the world has ever known, and we should earnestly oppose him. If Christ is worth anything, he is worth everything. "Why halt ye between two opinions? If God be God, follow him; if Baal (be God) follow him." (I Kings 18:21). Concerning Christ and the gospel of the grace of God, there is no room for neutrality. "Christ expects that men should declare themselves in earnest, either for him or against him." – (Matthew Henry). "As for me and my house."

Indifference is an intolerable evil. Our Lord says, "I would thou wert cold or hot." It is better to be utterly ignorant of the gospel than to be a vain, carnal, indifferent, lukewarm professor of faith.

a. Laodicea professed faith in Christ, but had no interest in promoting faith.
b. Laodicea professed love for Christ, but had no heart attachment to Christ.
c. Laodicea professed allegiance to the gospel, but had no zeal for the gospel.

2. This lukewarmness, this indifference is nauseating and disgusting to the Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 16).

He threatens, "I will spue thee out of my mouth." As lukewarm water turns the stomach and induces vomiting, lukewarm religion turns the heart of Christ and sickens him. Men excuse their apathy by calling it "moderation," "charity," and meekness". But Christ looks upon it as a effeminacy. Quite literally, the Lord is saying, "I am gagging on you; I am about to vomit you our of my mouth." This is Christ's warning to all compromising fence-straddlers who try to serve God and mammon. They shall be rejected, completely rejected, and finally rejected. 3. One cause of this Laodicean lukewarmness is self-conceit, or self-deception – (v. 17).

These men and women had a very high opinion of themselves. Therefore they had a very low opinion of Christ. They flattered themselves with the delusion that all was well, when in fact nothing was well. They were doctrinally sound and morally pure, but they were spiritually dead. They had a great name, a sound creed, and religious ceremonies. All they lacked was life!

A. Look at the high opinion they had of themselves – "Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing."

This church was materially wealthy, rich and getting richer. They had no earthly needs. But riches seldom do any good for churches or men who seek to serve Christ. And these rich men and women thought that their souls were rich in spiritual things.

• They knew the way of life, so they presumed they were in the Way.


• They had the doctrines of Christ, so they presumed they had the life of Christ.


• They had the gifts of the Spirit, so they presumed they had the grace of the Spirit.


• They kept the ordinances of God, so they presumed they had the favor of God.

How careful, how careful we must be that we do not deceive our own souls. There are multitudes in hell today who once thought they were heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ! (Ps. 139:23-24).

Be warned, my friend, there is nothing more dangerous, more deadly, or more damning to your soul than self-complacency, self-satisfaction, and self-conceit. Complacency is your soul's most deadly enemy.

B. Now look at the opinion Christ had of these proud secure Laodiceans. Though they knew it not, Christ knew that they were "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."

• They were poor spiritually. Their souls were starving in the midst of their affluence. They were debtors to the justice of God and had nothing to pay.


• They were spiritually blind. Yet, they thought they could see. The light that was in them was darkness. They could not see their own condition. They could not see Christ. They could not see the things of God. (John 3:3; I Cor. 2:14).


• They were naked. Their righteousness were but filthy rags. They were just rags, which could not cover them. And they were filthy rags, and only increased their defilement.


• Though they were very religious and moral, the Laodiceans were sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, and as such they were wretched and miserable.

They were "wretched," deserving of wrath, under the sentence of death, and in danger of hell. And there was nothing they could do to change their condition. And they were "miserable," or "pitiable." Who is more to be pitied than a man who imagines he is a true believer and an object of Christ's favor, though he is in reality disgusting to the Son of God?

Application: Do not be so foolish as to read this charge of lukewarmness as a mere historical narrative about a church, which once existed in Laodicia. It is a message from Christ to you and me. Let us honestly examine ourselves, and ask God to show us our true condition.

1. Lukewarmness is indifference, apathy, and complacency regarding the things of God.
2. Lukewarmness is caused by self-satisfaction and carnal security.
3. Lukewarmness will result in reprobation. Apostacy is always followed by reprobation.

• Christ does reject men and women who reject his counsel – (Hosea 4:17).


• Our Lord does stamp Ichabod upon the doors of churches where once his glory was seen – (Jer. 7:12-16).


• Very often, if not always, those whom God has rejected are so far from knowing that judgment has fallen upon them, that they think God is greatly blessing them – (Illus: The Nation of Israel).

What a tender, compassionate Savior Christ is! He stoops to counsel and reason with sinful men (Isa. 1:18). He counsels sinners to buy salvation from him (Isa. 55:1-7), though we have often cast his counsel behind our backs. There is hope for sinners so long as Christ, the sinner's Friend speaks graciously by the gospel. "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts!" – (Heb. 3:7-8). Here is the counsel of love which the Son of God gives to sinners.

The exceeding riches of Christ's grace is as gold, refined in the fire. Like gold, the grace of God in Christ makes men rich. (II Cor. 8:9). Grace is gold refined in the oven of Calvary.

This, of course, is the righteousness of Christ. It is white, because it is pure. It is raiment, because it covers like a garment, warms, beautifies, and adorns us before God.

C. Christ Jesus Counsels The Blind To Anoint Their Eyes With Eyesalve, That They Might See.

The eyesalve is the gospel of the grace of God. When applied to our hearts by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, it illuminates our souls and brings us out of darkness into God's marvellous light. This blessed eyesalvae gives us "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Cor. 4:6). Only in the gospel of substitutionary redemption can we see the glory of God revealed in the salvation of sinners – (Rom. 3:24-26). God's glory is his grace and righteousness in Christ. (Ex. 33:18-34:7).

NOTE: This is the wise counsel that Christ, the Wonderful Counselor, gives to sinful men. If we follow his counsel, he is honor bound to make it effectual. Will you obey his voice?

D. Our Lord Jesus Rebukes And Chastens The People He Loves, Tenderly, But Effectually, Causing Them To Repent And Come To Him – (v. 19; Ps. 65:4; Hosea 2:6-20).

Christ will not lose the soul he loves. Every blood bought child, he will cause to repent. It is his goodness that leads men to repentance, though it often leads them through terrifying difficulties.

1. He rebukes his own by the gospel.
2. He chastens us by the terror of the law and by his providence.
3. And he calls us to repentance by the power of his Spirit.

NOTE: The chastening of the Lord, both that which brings us to Christ in the beginning and that which brings us to him day by day, is proof positive of his eternal love for us (Heb. 12:5-11).

In verses 20-22, our Lord tenderly calls the dead to life. Picture him leaning at the door of this church, which had bolted the door against him in complacency and self-sufficiency. But, thanks be unto God, he is not willing to be turned away. He knocks by the word of the gospel. He speaks by the voice – "Open the door!" (Compare Song. 5:2).

NOTE: Christ sovereignly opens the door and lets himself into the hearts of his people. Yet, he only comes where he is wanted. He opens the door in regeneration, pouring in his grace. We open the door in conversion, seeking him. We must not confuse the two – (John 3:3-8; Acts 16:14).

A. If You Will Open Your Heart To Receive Christ, He Will Come In To Abide Forever – (John 14:23).

I fully realize that dead men have no ability in themselves to do anything. Yet, I know that if you will awake and rise from the dead, Christ will give you light (Eph. 5:14). And the fact that you do so is evidence that he awakened you and caused you to rise. And if you open to him and receive him into your heart in life-giving power. But you must open to him. Else you will perish without him.

All who overcome the terrible temptation and natural tendencies to lukewarmness, worldly indifference, carnal apathy, and proud complacency, will sit with Christ in his throne forever. And this is the victory that overcomes the world – faith in Christ! – (I John 5:4).

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

These seven letters are written to us. The seven churches of Asia Minor represent the whole church of God throughout this age. The danger we face is the temptation to deny Christ and become engulfed in this world. Throughout the age the temptation of apostacy comes from three basic areas.

• Persecution.


• False Religion.


• Our Own Lusts.

Let us ever beware of our danger and holdfast our dear Savior, trusting his grace alone to sustain us, preserve us, and bring us to glory – (Jude 24-24).

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