History and background of Laodicea:

The reason that I believe that God put this on my heart for today is due to a recent personal experience that shined a light on this deficiency in my own life.

1. Written by John to the church there

2. Founded 261 - 246 B.C.

3. Was the "county seat" of it's region

4. Located on the highway between Ephesus and Syria

5. Because of it's strategic location made it a very prosperous place in the way of manufacturing, finance, commerce, and even a widely known medical school

6. Church there was likely founded by Epaphras

7. The people in Laodicea had a unique understanding of lukewarm water. Six miles in either direction had really hot water or really cold water.

A lukewarm/complacent demeanor is the number one problem facing our church in our culture today and if not the top it's got to be in the top three.

Forbes Magazine article lists 10 signs of employees growing complacent in the workplace:

1. Disengaged
2. Stopped thinking
3. Stopped taking initiative
4. Lack of self investment
5. Poor personal brand management
6. Taking shortcuts
7. Not taking risks
8. Lost passion
9. Disgruntled with career destination
10. Lost hope for brighter future

The Church in Laodicea actually thought they were doing quite well!

1. Life was good
2. Many people were prospering
3. They probably were able to give a lot of money to certain ministries
4. Their bank account was used as a measuring rod of their spiritual condition and that translated into an idea that they were God's special church because of this financial "blessing"
5. In reality this distorted self-image made God sick as they lacked care for God's Word and a true desire and passion to pursue Him and things that please Him

Time for self examination:

How/where can you step out of your comfortable place and stimulate your spiritual growth and your relationship with God?