Grace World Outreach Church
Pastor Daniel K Norris
Greetings from Grace World
Thank you for joining us today at Grace World. Whether you are joining us in person or watching online, we are so glad you are here! It's our prayer that you discover life in all its fullness.
If you have a prayer request, you can send that to us here at https://www.graceworldag.org/prayer-requests
Every week we place these requests on the altar of the church and our entire team lifts up each request by name.
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Revelation 3:14-22 ESV
Letter Seven: Open The Door
The Seven Churches
(Re 3:14–22)
Quick Review:
Letter One - Ephesus - Return To Your First Love
Letter Two - Smyrna - Remain Faithfull
Letter Three - Pergamum - Conquer Your Compromise
Letter Four - Thyatira - Stop Tolerating The Enemy
Letter Five - Sardis - Wake Up
Letter Six - To Philadelphia - Don’t Miss Your Opportunity
Letter Seven - Laodicea - Open The Door
The Greeting: Revelation 2:14 (ESV)
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
Laodicea
Seated at three major trade routes
Banking capital of Asia Minor… known for its vast wealth
Manufactured an eye salve to treat sores
Produced a glossy black cloth made from wool
The Laodiceans were a people who put their confidence in their wealth, possession, and physical health
Jesus introduces himself as “THE AMEN”
Old Testament title (Is 65:16) "THE TRUTH"
I don’t just speak the truth, I am the TRUTH
The Commendation: Revelation 3:15 (ESV)
“I know your works…” (silence)
Remember the rebukes of Christ are never intended to hurt us, but to heal us
The Correction: Revelation 3:15 (ESV)
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Hot = Boiling Hot
Cold = Near Freezing
Geographically the city was located near Hierapolis, which was famous its hot springs, and Colossae known for its pure, cold water.
Laodicea is between both… neither hot (healing) nor cold (refreshing) but Lukewarm
Better context: Because you are neither healing nor refreshing, you leave a bitter taste and ruin your witness
He calls them:
wretched - pathetic, miserable, afflicted
pitiable - to be pitied (not admired)
poor - destitute, impoverished, continuing state of poverty
blind - unable to comprehend or understand
naked - stripped bare, inadequately dressed
The Council: Revelation 3:18 (ESV)
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Your VALUE comes from Christ Alone
Your VESTMENTS comes from Christ Alone
Your VISION comes from Christ Alone
I discipline you because I love you!
Proverbs 3:12 (ESV) “for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV) "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Repent… and return to Me!
GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU… He is MAD ABOUT YOU… HE LOVES YOU
The Charge: Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
Jesus is speaking to His lukewarm church that has lost its love for Him. He is OUTSIDE knocking and extends a personal invitation to come in and sit down at the table of fellowship
There the dining room becomes a throne room