Text: Revelation 3:14-21
"Unto the angel of the church
of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true
witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art
neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
"Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel
thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I
also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." - Rev. 3:14-21
No Scripture ever wears out.
The epistle to the church of Laodicea is not an old letter which may be put
into the waste basket and be forgotten; upon its page still glow the words,
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches."
This Scripture was not meant to instruct the Laodiceans only, it has a wider aim. The actual church of Laodicea has passed away, but other Laodiceas still exist—indeed, they are sadly multiplied in our day, and it has ever been the tendency of human nature, however inflamed with the love of God, gradually to chill into lukewarmness. The letter to the Laodiceans is above all others the epistle for the present times.
This Scripture was not meant to instruct the Laodiceans only, it has a wider aim. The actual church of Laodicea has passed away, but other Laodiceas still exist—indeed, they are sadly multiplied in our day, and it has ever been the tendency of human nature, however inflamed with the love of God, gradually to chill into lukewarmness. The letter to the Laodiceans is above all others the epistle for the present times.
I should judge that the church
at Laodicea was once in a very fervent and healthy condition. Paul wrote a
letter to it which did not claim inspiration, and therefore its loss does not
render the Scriptures incomplete, for Paul may have written scores of other
letters besides. Paul also mentions the church at Laodicea in his letter to the
church at Colosse; he was, therefore, well acquainted with it, and as he does
not utter a word of censure with regard to it, we may infer that the church was
at that time in a sound state.
In process of time it degenerated, and cooling down from its former ardour it became careless, lax, and indifferent. Perhaps its best men were dead, perhaps its wealth seduced it into worldliness, possibly its freedom from persecution engendered carnal ease, or neglect of prayer made it gradually backslide; but in any case it declined till it was neither cold nor hot. Lest we should ever get into such a state, and lest we should be in that state now, I pray that my discourse may come with power to the hearts of all present, but especially to the consciences of the members of my own church. May God grant that it may tend to the arousing of us all.
In process of time it degenerated, and cooling down from its former ardour it became careless, lax, and indifferent. Perhaps its best men were dead, perhaps its wealth seduced it into worldliness, possibly its freedom from persecution engendered carnal ease, or neglect of prayer made it gradually backslide; but in any case it declined till it was neither cold nor hot. Lest we should ever get into such a state, and lest we should be in that state now, I pray that my discourse may come with power to the hearts of all present, but especially to the consciences of the members of my own church. May God grant that it may tend to the arousing of us all.
1. My first point will be THE
STATE INTO WHICH CHURCHES ARE VERY APT TO FALL.
A church may fall into a condition far other than that for which it has a repute. It may be famous for zeal and yet be lethargic. The address of our Lord begins, "I know thy works," as much as to say, "Nobody else knows you. Men think better of you than you deserve. You do not know yourselves, you think your works to be excellent; but I know them to be very different."
Jesus views with searching eyes all the works of his church. The public can only read reports, but Jesus sees for himself. He knows what is done, and how it is done, and why it is done. He judges a church not merely by her external activities, but by her internal pieties; he searches the heart, and tries the reins of the children of men. He is not deceived by glitter; he tests all things, and values only that gold which will endure the fire. Our opinion of ourselves and Christ's opinion of us may be very different, and it is a very sad thing when it is so.
A church may fall into a condition far other than that for which it has a repute. It may be famous for zeal and yet be lethargic. The address of our Lord begins, "I know thy works," as much as to say, "Nobody else knows you. Men think better of you than you deserve. You do not know yourselves, you think your works to be excellent; but I know them to be very different."
Jesus views with searching eyes all the works of his church. The public can only read reports, but Jesus sees for himself. He knows what is done, and how it is done, and why it is done. He judges a church not merely by her external activities, but by her internal pieties; he searches the heart, and tries the reins of the children of men. He is not deceived by glitter; he tests all things, and values only that gold which will endure the fire. Our opinion of ourselves and Christ's opinion of us may be very different, and it is a very sad thing when it is so.
It will be melancholy indeed if we stand out as a church notable for
earnestness and distinguished for success, and yet are not really fervent in
spirit, or eager in soul-winning. A lack of vital energy where there seems to
be most strength put forth, a lack of real love to Jesus where apparently there
is the greatest devotedness to him, are sad signs of fearful degeneracy.
Churches are very apt to put the best goods into the window, very apt to make a
fair show in the flesh, and like men of the world, they try to make a fine
figure upon a very slender estate. Great reputations have often but slender
foundations, and lovers of the truth lament that it should be so. Not only is
it true of churches, but of every one of us as individuals, that often our
reputation is in advance of our deserts.
