Sunday, July 5, 2009

THE LETTERS TO THE CHURCH. Revelations 3:14-22

The Church at Laodicea

Jesus is the true and faithful witness. He delivers the message in truth, and
He does not withhold the facts. His testimony is without fault. Jesus addressed
this letter to the pastor of the congregation. The pastor bears the responsibility
for the congregation's poor condition. Here, Jesus brings this pastor to task,
and He did not mince words. It is a reminder that pastors are to help
strengthen and encourage the congregations under their care.

Jesus knew much about this congregation, and He clearly pointed out their major
problems. This was a lukewarm, indifferent and cold congregation. How many
churches are like this congregation? Are there churches that are lukewarm,
cold, and indifferent? It is sad when churches become this way, and this
is not what the Lord wants to see. A Christian congregation cannot afford to
become indifferent, lukewarm, or lazy. Never should a congregation lose it's
zeal for the Lord, nor it's passion for sharing the Gospel. When a congreation
becomes too comfortable with itself, and becomes more like a "social club"
then it has become lukewarm. Jesus looked at this congregation and He
wished that they were either hot or cold, but their were neither. If they
were cold, they could then be warmed by the Gospel. But because they were
neither, Jesus was ready to spit them out.

There are churches today that have grown comfortable with themselves. In
some of these churches, their mission efforts seem "lukewarm", and there
seems to be little zeal in carrying out the work of outreach. There are
some churches that are so focused on themselves, that they appear to either
be cold or indifferent. If these churches are neither hot nor cold, then what
are they?

This congregation was so wrapped up in itself, that they thought that they
had all that they needed. They were more concerned about taking care of their
own rather than being active in outreach. This congregation was lacking, it
didn't have what it really needed. In reality, they were really poor and naked.
They were clothed in their own self satisfaction, they were in their own little
comfort zone.

There times when Jesus has to shake a church out of it's comfort zone and
give it a reality check. He does this so that the church will refocus and see
that it's dependence is upon Him alone. The Church of today must be careful
that it does not fall into either indifference nor being too focused on itself.
When a church becomes indifferent or is more concerned about material goods,
it has lost it's spiritual need. When a church becomes lukewarm, or too
comfortable with itself, it has pushed it's dependence on the Lord aside.
When a church allows pride to replace faith, and they turn their eyes always
inward rather then upward, then they are poor and naked. When the church
teaches doctrines that are not biblical, then the church becomes lukewarm,
naked, and poor.

Jesus not only pointed out this congregation's fault, He also told them how
to correct it. Jesus pointed them to the true wealth that they needed. Jesus
wanted this congregation to turn their eyes to the richness of the Gospel.
This is the kind of gold that will neither tarnish nor fade. He also urged
them to be clothed in the white garments of His righteousness. He pointed them
to His Word, which is that healing salve that removes spiritual blindness.
the Gospel restores our spiritual eyesight, and allows believers to see Jesus.

Jesus urged them to take His words seriously and to repent. Jesus stands at
the door and knocks. Through His Gospel, the Savior speaks to us. He leads us
to the open door of eternal life. Jesus is the one who opens the door. He
invites us to have blessed fellowship with Him. There will be those who
refuse to open the door of their hearts to Him, and this sad. They will miss
the blessed presence and comfort of the Savior. Those who open the door of
their hearts through faith will have victory and peace. They will have
victory in the battle against sin and unbelief. They have a Savior who abides
with them and strengthens them. They will be sustained by His grace through
their journey. When that journey has ended, they will enjoy eternity with
Jesus.

The Church's treasure is not found in material possessions. The Church's
treasure is found in Christ alone. The Church's hope is not built upon
worldly wealth, but upon the riches of faith in Christ. The Church's comfort
is not centered on the promises of the world, but on the promises of Christ.
In these times, let the Church be neither cold nor indifferent, but on
fire for Christ. Let it not be centered solely upon itself, but totally
focused on proclaiming a changeless Christ, for a changing world.

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