Dr Tom Hover
May 5, 2024
Revelation 3:14-22
THE APOSTATE CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA
THE APOSTATE CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Text: Revelation 3:14-22
Introduction: There is a sin, figuratively speaking, that nauseates God. There is a sin that Christians may commit that makes God want to regurgitate. This passage that says, "I will spue thee out of thy mouth" (Revelation 3:16) literally means, "I will vomit thee out." There is a sin that Christians may commit that makes God sick to His stomach: It is the sin of lukewarmness.
I. THE CURSE OF LUKEWARMNESS
A. THE LORD'S INTRODUCTION Revelation 3:14,
II Corinthians 1:20, Colossians 1:16-17, Romans 1:20
To Whom is God Speaking?
He's not speaking to the out-and-out sinner—the one who is cold. He's not talking about the on-fire Christian, either. He is talking about that person who is saved, who is a child of God, but is what I call a cold dishwater Christian—a lukewarm, "good Lord, good devil," half-hearted, self-satisfied, no real commitment, fence-straddling Christian.
B. HOW IS LUKEWARMNESS MANIFESTED?
Let's just checkup. Lukewarm About Sanctification, Service, Scriptures, Supplication, Sacrifice, Soul Winning! Leviticus 19:2,
II Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 5:18, James 5:16
C. WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT LUKEWARMNESS? Revelation 3:15, Mark 7:6
1. The Lukewarm Christian is Keeping People Out of Heaven
2. The Lukewarm Christian is an Insult to God
3. The Lukewarm Christian Becomes Open to Other Sins
II. THE CAUSE OF LUKEWARMNESS Revelation 3:17-18
Their biggest need was to see their need. Ignorance is the cause of indifference.
III. THE CURE FOR LUKEWARMNESS Revelation 3:19
Lukewarmness is not weakness; it is wickedness. Hebrews 12:6 The message closes with a word to a saved person and a word to a lost person.
A. A WORD TO THE LOST PERSON Revelation 3:20, Revelation 3:8
Example: William Holman Hunt painted that beautiful picture of Christ. You've seen "Christ and the Lantern." There He's standing, knocking at the door. The vines have grown upon the door. When the art critics first came and saw that painting, they said, "Mr. Hunt, it is beautiful, but there's one thing you forgot—you put no doorknob on that door." He said, "I did not forget it." He said, "I did it that way on purpose. The doorknob is on the inside. It must be opened from the inside." And, Jesus Christ, today—the same Jesus that came into my heart—wants to come into your heart today.
Opening the Door:
1. It is a Definite Act
2. It is a Deliberate Act Revelation 3:20, Revelation 22:17
3. It is a Delightful Act "If you'll open the door, I'll come in and sup with you" (Revelation 3:20). I'm not inviting you to a funeral; I'm inviting you to a feast. If people understood what they had in the Lord Jesus Christ, you couldn't keep them away with a machine gun.
It's wonderful to know Jesus. (John 10:10) Jesus said, "I've come that you might have life and have it abundantly." But watch: "[I] will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
First, He comes in to be the guest; and then, He becomes the host.
Isn't that wonderful?
B. A WORD TO THE SAVED PERSON Revelation 3:21
One of these days, we're going to rule and reign with the Lord Jesus Christ. “It pays to serve Jesus; it pays every day; It pays every step of the way.” (Song by Frank C. Huston)
