February 28, 2010 Pastor Scott Snowden
On the one hand,… but on the other…
A Progress Report from Jesus…
#8. “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write…”
Revelation 3:14
“Whatever!” Don’t you just want to smack people who answer you this way? Well, how do you suppose Jesus feels when His church says “Whatever” when He comes with a task or mission for them? How does He feel when He has important work for us to do, but He is brushed off by the very people He died for? This was the case in Laodicea, the seventh, and last, church He addresses in our series. The Gospel was working for them, not them for the Gospel. He who has an ear, let him hear…
1) I say…
“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the ruler of God’s Creation.”
Revelation 3:14
a) the Amen- Jesus has the definitive and last word.
“I tell you the truth (amen)…
Matthew quotes Jesus using this formula 30 times in his Gospel.
b) the faithful and true witness- Jesus calls ‘em like He sees ‘em.
“You are right in saying I (Jesus) am a king.
In fact, for this reason I was born,
and for this reason I came in to the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”
John 18:37
c) the ruler (beginning) of God’s Creation- Jesus owns everything, even the church. It is all here for Him, not for me.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all Creation.
For by Him all things were created:
things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;
all things were created by Him and for Him.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
And He is the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,
so that in everything He might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:15-18
2) I know…
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other!
So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold-
I am about to spit you out of My mouth.”
Revelation 3:15-17
*** Jesus’ reference to “hot” and “cold” is best understood in the context of the city’s water supply. Hot mineral water was shipped in for therapy and healing. Cool spring water was shipped in for drinking.
a) My faith is “hot” (healing, therapeutic) if…
- I am grateful for the gift of salvation.
- I want to spend time with God in prayer.
- I look forward to worshipping Him.
- I want to read His Word in order to know more about Him.
- I want to do what I can to see His Gospel succeed.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor (heat, boiling),
serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11
b) My witness is “cold” (refreshing, invigorating) if…
- I am encouraging the disheartened.
- I am consoling the grieving.
- I am warning the idle and rebellious.
- I am blessing people regularly.
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones
because he is My disciple,
I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:42
c) I am “lukewarm” if...
- I attend worship just often enough for people to know my name, but not enough for me to know theirs!
- I sing loud enough for God to hear, but not enough for the person next to me to hear!
- I read the Bible enough to be informed, but not enough to be transformed!
- I pray when I want something from God, but not if He wants something from me!
- I give up the obvious sins I hate, but not the secret ones I like!
Am I infected by faith and showing clear symptoms,
or just vaccinated?
3) I see…
“To those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.
So be earnest and repent.”
Revelation 3:17-19
a) Put my faith and trust in Jesus, not in _MYSELF_.
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’
I counsel you to buy from Me
gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich…”
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,
but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.
Many will say to Me on that Day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name,
and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you…’ ”
Matthew 7:21-23
b) Repent and begin to base my life on _GOD”S_ standard.
“But you do not realize that that you are wretched,
pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
I counsel you to buy from Me
…white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness.”
Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him
in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:21-24
c) Start “ _SEEING_” the church and the world the way Jesus does.
“I counsel you to buy from Me
… salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by men, but by My Father in Heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Matthew 16:17, 18
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
Luke 19:10
4) I promise…
“To him who overcomes…”
Revelation 3:20-22
a) Jesus offers me His _FORGIVENESS_ and _FRIENDSHIP_…
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…
I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20
b) The choice is now _MINE_; will I say “Yes” or “No” to His invitation?
“If anyone hears My voice and opens the door…”
Revelation 3:20
c) If I say “Yes,” I will have _SECURITY_ and _STATUS_ in Heaven that this world can never match!
“…I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne,
just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
Revelation 3:21 |
