Revelation 3:14-22

1)

Reveal Answer

Reveal Answer

(v. 14-17)

• The Church of Laodicea was a very wealthy and affluent congregation.
• This same mindset bled over from the culture and into the Christian population of the city as well.
  
  • Jesus establishes that He is the Amen (Let it be), faithful and true witness (He tells it like it really is), and the beginning of God’s creation (He manifested original creation and the new creation that comes through is death, burial, and resurrection).
  • His faithful and true assessment is that the Church in Laodicea isn’t what it perceives itself to be.
  • They consider themselves successful and thriving: Rich, prospered, and need nothing…
  • They were a reflection of their city, not a reflection of Christ.
• This heart issue, compels Christ to call them cheap and useless.
  
  • A more contextual understanding, however, is probably derived from the affluent nature of the city itself.
  • To drink that which was lukewarm was undesirable for those whom considered themselves in the upper eschelon of society.
• While they had considered themselves to rich, prosperous, and needing nothing, Jesus considers them to be cheap and useless, just like they would regard cheap, lukewarm water that was undesirable.
• Their false perception covered up the reality of their true condition.
  
  • They were not rich, prosperous, and lacking nothing, but rather they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
• We must not examine our hearts and our lives in view of the false perceptions of this world. Rather, we must evaluate our lives in light of the true realities of Christ.
  
  • He is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the author of creation and new life.
  • He is the One to whom we must look for the condition of our hearts and our souls.
  • When we look to Him and fix our eyes on Him we will be drawn to Faithful Pursuits.

2)

Reveal Answer

Reveal Answer

(v. 18-19)

• Jesus advice to those who are facing the reality of their need for Him:
  
  • …Buy pure and real gold that leads to true wealth. (Matthew 6:21 “21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” )
  • …Buy white garments that cover your shame and nakedness. (Revelation 3:5 “5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments… )
  • …Buy salve to anoint your eyes to truly see what matters. ( Matthew 13:10-17)
• We must turn our hearts and our minds to things which truly matter, live in faithfulness to Christ and no longer walk in shame, and see the glory of God at work in our lives so that we may truly perceive the Kingdom of God.
• We must turn from worthless pursuits and daily live our lives in faithful pursuit of the those things which hold eternal significance: The things of God.
• This begins with moving away from our own self-reliance and fully depending on Him for all parts of our life.
  
  • Not seeking to choose Jesus as a religious preference, but being compelled to chase after Jesus in a faithful and full relationship that embraces His discipline and reproof as an act of love that draws us to passion for Him and repentance to Him.

3)

Reveal Answer

Reveal Answer

(v. 20-22)

• Jesus says He stands at the door and knocks.
  
  • This is Jesus declaring that He has been pushed outside of their lives, but is seeking to be in their lives.
• If anyone would acknowledge Him and open the door, He will build fellowship and deep relationships with them.
• To the one who conquers the flesh and worldly desires, He will draw them close to Him in approval and bestow upon them spiritual authority.
• This call is not only for those in Laodicea, but for all Christians, in all locations, across all of time.
  
  • May we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to us today!

CALL TO RESPOND

• We cannot be a self-reliant Jesus follower.
  
  • That phrase is an oxymoron. It’s a conflicted and contradicting statement.
  • He is the source and sustainer of our lives and of our faith.
• We must fully rely on Him for all things if we are to truly know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the blessed fullness of His grace.

1) What perception are you relying upon as you view your successes and overall health?