Laodicea was about 100 miles inland from Ephesus along a major Roman trade route into Asia. It was a financial center - of the 7 cities we’ve looked at it was the most wealthy.

Laodicea also had a large clothing industry. They raised a unique breed of black sheep from which they produced a glossy black wool which was very famous.

Also the city was a medical center which was known for a type of powder used to cure eye and ear diseases. If you’ve seen the medical symbol that has a staff with two snakes entwined around it - that symbol originated in Laodicea with the medical cult of Aesculapius.

Someone has said that Laodicea was kind of a Bank of America, Macy’s, and the Mayo Clinic all rolled into one.

The other thing that is important for us to know about Laodicea was their attitude. Laodicea survived because it never really stood for anything. The people had learned to compromise and accommodate themselves to others and their ideas. They pretty much accepted everything or adapted whatever differing ideas and philosophies there were into the general culture of the city. No one ever rocked the boat. No one ever stood out and strongly expressed opposing ideas about anything.

What was true of the city of Laodicea was also true of the church of Laodicea. The church of Laodicea was probably started in the late 50’s A.D. by Epaphras - a co-worker of the Apostle Paul. At the end of his letter to the Colossians, Paul asks that the letter also be read to the church in Laodicea. Apparently both churches struggled with the same types of culture and false teaching. But - unlike the Colossians - the church of Laodicea - rather than standing in opposition to the false teaching and pagan culture had simply adapted it into their belief and practice.

Revelation 3:14: “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.”

As with the other letters we’ve looked at - the first part is a reminder of Jesus’ authority. Jesus describes Himself as the “Amen.” Today when we say “amen” its like saying “Right on! I agree with that!” When we say “amen” to God - we’re saying we agree with what He’s said or done. What Jesus speaks is in complete agreement with the mind and will of God.

Jesus is “the faithful and true witness” - which speaks of His work here on earth. Matthew 11:27 says that it is Jesus who reveals God to us (also John 17:25,26) - because He is God - who has come to dwell with us and show us how to have a relationship with God.

Jesus is the “beginning of creation” - He is the source of creation - physical - metaphysical - philosophical - whatever exists finds its origin, purpose, and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:15-17)

So, what Jesus says to this church must be listened to because it comes directly from the mind and will of God - directly from the Head of the Church.

Verse 15 - Jesus says, “I know your works: you are neither cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”

There a few things worse - when we want a refreshing drink of cool water - nothing less satisfying or more sickening - than lukewarm water. The lukewarm church of Laodicea was sickening to Jesus.

The kind of lukewarm water that Jesus is talking about comes from taking hot water and combining with cold water. We do this all the time at home - turn on a little hot and turn on a little cold - mix it to the temperature we want. Mix hot and cold - and there’s no way to tell what was hot and what was cold.

On one hand there are people who are cold towards the things of God - they hate Him - they want nothing to do with His Gospel and His love for them. Cold can be how the world - our secular society conducts itself apart from God. On the other hand are those who are hot for God. They’re on fire - spiritually reborn - empowered by God - serving - testifying - demonstrating their relationship with Jesus by the way they live their lives. Mix these two together and there is no way to tell what was opposed to God and what was on fire for God. The result is a blended pagan Christianity that’s offensive to God.

Lukewarm doesn’t mean “half-hearted” - or just going-through-the-motions of being a Christian. It means compromise so that the world’s way of doing things and God’s way of doing things become so muddled - so intertwined that its impossible to tell the difference.

There are a tremendous number of churches today who are in this lukewarm condition. The affairs of the church are conducted according to the principles of the world around us. The church is seen as a club - an organization to benefit the membership with good feelings - spiritual insight - social activity - a kind of religious support group.

It would very easy for us to fall into this trap. We live in the technological capital of the world. Wealth is being generated around us in staggering amounts. The business environment of the Bay Area effects the whole world. We move in and through this environment at work - in the organizations we belong to - the schools we attend or our kids attend - even shopping and driving - we move in and through this society. It would be very easy to come here and apply all the principles that operate out there to how we operate here.

But, praise God we are not the Calvary Armenian Country Club. We are the Church of Jesus Christ. We are the Church which is made up of those who have been made spiritually alive through Jesus - filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit - following the directions of our Head Jesus. This church does not belong to us - we belong to Him. We exist as His Body for His benefit - for His honor and His glory.

Verse 17 - Jesus says: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

In 60 AD the city of Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake. The Roman government offered to help rebuild the city. Laodicea - which prided itself on its wealth and self-sufficiency refused the help. They completely rebuilt the city with their own resources.

The church in Laodicea says it has prospered - the members are impressed with their own success - their self-sufficiency. Their investments have paid off. They’ve got an acceptable standing in their society. They’ve got a church that meets their needs. “We have everything we need. We’re doing just fine, thank you.”

Jesus says, “You’ve compromised so much you really don’t even know how spiritually desperate your situation is.”

You’re wretched - everything of value that you had is gone. You should be pitied. You’re spiritual beggars - blind and unable to perceive spiritual truth - spiritually naked. You’re in big trouble and your so self-deceived by your own success that you can’t even see it.

Hear this: Its not the physical things that make a church successful. What makes a church successful is the depth of our relationship with Jesus Christ and our obedience to Him. That’s what keeps us spiritually hot - a deepening relationship with Jesus - a fervent desire to obey Him.

In verses 18 - 21 Jesus appeals to His church.

Verse 18: “Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.”

Jesus offers what the Laodiceans - with all their wealth - what they could never buy.

Pure Gold - refined by fire - gold passed through intense heat so it melts and the impurities are taken away - which is symbolic of our faith.  (1 Peter 1:6-9) Faith that comes from Jesus and grows deeper as we learn to trust Him through all the experiences and fiery tests of life.

White garments - symbolic of a right relationship with God. Before we come to Jesus - we are separated from God by our sins. We’re naked - our sinfulness is exposed. When we come to Jesus and trust Him as our Savior He puts us into a right relationship with God. His blood becomes the covering for our sins - a white garment of righteousness.

Salve - medicine for our eyes. Jesus said that He had come to bring “recovery of sight to the blind.” (Luke 4:18)  The Laodicean Christians were blind to the things of God. They needed Jesus to heal them so that they could understand God’s truth.

All of these - gold - garments - salve - are in contrast to the self-sufficiency of the Laodiceans. All point to our relationship with Jesus - our dependency on Him. Jesus is appealing to His church: “Come back to Me. Find your sufficiency in Me. What you really need - only I can give you.”

Then verse 19 - an appeal of love: “Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.”

Every parent - or anyone who has cared for children - can relate to this appeal. Jesus says, “I’m rebuking and disciplining you because I love you. Be honest - sincere in your faith - turn back from your sin - turn back to Me.”

Verse 20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.”

For me, this is one of the most incredible verses in the Bible. Imagine this - Jesus - the Amen - the only faithful and true witness - the source and completion and purpose of creation - the Head and Lord of the Church - God - with humility is standing outside of His Church - knocking on the door - appealing to His church and asking to come in - to eat with them.

Meals are intimate times. Jesus is appealing to His church. He desires to have an intimate eternal relationship with them. And the church - is either so deaf to the voice of the Savior - or they’re ignoring His appeal.

Verse 21: “He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I Myself conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

Imagine this appeal. Remain faithful and we will sit with Jesus on His throne - eternally ruling and reigning with Him.

Finally verse 22: “He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Each of these 7 messages has ended with this appeal. “He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

To have an ear to hear one must be spiritually reborn. If we’re not tuned in to the Holy Spirit we can’t hear what He’s saying. All of this may sound like nonsense - it may seem irrelevant - strange - offensive - it might even make you angry. There’s no way to really understand what Jesus is saying to His church unless you are a part of His Church.

This morning - if you’ve never come to the point of placing your life in God’s hands - Jesus, our Savior - who loves you deeply - offers to you everything you need for life and to be right with God - desires to have an intimate eternal relationship with you. He is knocking on the door of your heart and appealing to come in.