Blake Allen
Dunbar Cave Campus Pastor
Revelation 3:14-22
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. 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. 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. 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.’”
If you were to describe your current service to the Lord, what words would you use? Is it something that is palatable? The church in Laodicea heard these uncomfortabe words concerning their works: “you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. How surprising that must have been to hear; their works displeased God to the point of vomiting.I have never been a fan of sweet relish or raisins. The very taste of these causes my face to cringe and my immediate desire is to spit them out of my mouth. That is how distasteful these foods are to me. Imagine hearing God say your worship is distasteful. Imagine Him cringing at the sight of our worship and wanting to vomit it out of His mouth. That is the picture here.
God is drawing our attention to 3 things in this passage and in all of history.
Sin
Laodicea was a wealthy, prosperous city. Yet financial success did not equate to spiritual success. Many thought if you were prosperous, it is because God’s favor was upon you. However, we see here that is not the case at all. God has nothing good to say about this church. He calls them wretched, pitiable, spiritually poor, blind, and naked. Our sin is bare before God. Before Jesus, we were impoverished, lost, and without hope.
Gospel
God did not leave us in this broken state. He invited this church to find their wealth in Him and be clothed in righteousness. When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God, tried to cover their nakedness, and was ashamed because of sin. Their sin was exposed before God. But before being kicked out of the garden, God offered the first sacrifice and clothed Adam and Eve with the skin from the animal. He clothed their nakedness. It is a picture of His grace covering sin. Sin strips us of our joy, peace, comfort, security, love, etc.; it leaves us without. God’s loving grace brings healing to our brokenness and clothes us in His righteousness..
Grace
God’s grace is offered to anyone who will hear His voice and respond in faith. He is standing and knocking at the door of your heart. Anyone who opens the door and lets Jesus in will be saved from sin and shame. God’s grace is available for you today.
What needs to be confessed to Him today? Is your leadership in your home lukewarm? Is your work ethic lukewarm? Is your desire to serve in the church lukewarm? Is your daily quiet time lukewarm? Is your life lukewarm? Is your worship lukewarm?
Confess sin. Place faith in Christ. Receive grace in your life today!