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HOPE Covenant Sermons

The Church at Laodicea

August 10, 2014 Speaker: Series: What Would Jesus Say to the Church?

Topic: General Verse: Revelation 3:14–3:22

WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO THE CHURCH?

“The Church at Laodicea”

Pastor Bandon Hovey | 08.10.2014 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.” (Revelation 3:14-22)

City Profile: Laodiceamap of Laodicea

• Wealthy and affluent city. It was on an important trade route

• Three thriving industries: banking, medicine (e.g. optomology), & clothing (e.g. black wool)

• One major deficit: a local water supply

• The fundamental problem for the Laodiceans was self-sufficiency (vs. 17)

LUKEWARM LAODICEANS (VS. 17-18)

 The Situation  The Problem  The Prescription
They think they are…  They are really…  They need…
 Rich  Wretched & Pitiful  Refined Gold
 Wealthy  Poor God’s Riches 
 Need Nothing  Blind  New Vision
 Need Nothing  Naked  White Clothes

 

 How to Overcome Lukewarm Faith and Reignite Spiritual Passion

1. Depend on Jesus (vs. 18)

  • Ask him for a refined faith. Buy gold refined by fire so you may become rich.
  • Ask him for forgiveness. Buy white garments so you may cover your shameful          nakedness.
  •  Ask him for spiritual vision. Buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see.

2. Get to Know Jesus (vs. 19-20)

  • Answer the “Jesus Knock”
  • Spend time with Jesus

HOW WILL YOU SAY NO TO SELF-SUFFICINEY AND YES TO
JESUS-DEPENDENCY THIS WEEK?

For a list of recommended tools for fostering intimacy and friendship with Jesus visit hopecov.com/knock

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