Title: Laodicea: For the Man who has everything
Text: Rev 3:14-22 (The Church @ Laodicea)
FCF: Eternal things are not purchased with gold and silver, but rather with the tribulation that is the gift of God.
SO: Ideally, my congregation would come to realize that relying on Christ isn’t something you do just in times of trouble – it’s the very manner of life Christ expects.
Text MP: Don’t be deceived into thinking that your own power and wealth mean anything. Complacency and self-sufficiency are incompatible with a Christ-like life.
Only the eternal things are worth anything. If you are complacent, focus on acquiring these things.
Intro:
Forgive me for saying this in July, but every year around Christmas time, it’s always the same deal. There’s always one guy – one guy you know who has everything. So, what could you possibly get him? That question haunts our Christmas shopping, but it’s also the same question Jesus is asking in this, the last of his messages to his churches. Only, here in Laodicea, things aren’t exactly as they appear.
You see Laodicea was a rich, prosperous town. They were situated at the crossroads of three major highways, and they had made their money in financing, black wool, and the supposed healing qualities of their mud.
Just up the road was the Hot Springs of their day, and they had set up an aqueduct in the hopes of bringing some of that soothing water into town. Unfortunately, however, for them, they were able to bring the water, but not really the heat. And so, the water that flowed into Laodicea wasn’t really hot enough for the Jacuzzi, but it wasn’t cold enough to drink. Instead, it was this putrid, lukewarm water that wasn’t really good for anything. And so, when it came time to send a message to Laodicea, John knew exactly what to say – You guys think you have it all, but really you’re just worthless.
Indeed, Jesus says here – I would that you were either cold or hot. But as it, well, I’m going to spew. And yes, that is a valid translation.
You see, Laodicea is the exact opposite of Philadelphia. You’ll remember last week – Philly was a small little town. It didn’t have much, but the Christians there knew one simple fact – Christ was enough for them. Operating in his power, they were doing fine.
Contrast this with Laodicea. Here was a prosperous town. They had money, they had power. But they had grown so rich, that they began listening to the lie – “Do you really need Jesus?” You know, the American dream is often epitomized by the “self-made man.” It’s really a very subtle thing to think – oh, I’m rich, I’m powerful, I’m content with who and what I am. What more do I need?
Sadly, the truth is, that’s when you need Christ – more than ever.
You know, in 1971, Muhammed Ali was preparing for a fight with Joe Frazier. At the press conference, this is what he said:
There seems to be some confusion. We’re gonna clear this confusion up on March 8. We’re gonna decide once and for all who is king! There’s not a man alive who can whup me. (He jabs the air half a dozen blinding lefts.)
I’m too smart. (He taps his head.)
I’m too pretty. (He lifts his head high in profile, turning as a bust on a pedestal.)
I AM the greatest. I AM the king! I should be a postage stamp—that’s the only way I could get licked!
Now, we all know that in boxing, self-confidence is key, and frankly I could have pulled out similar quotes from Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard – but what I thought was so amusing about this one was that on that March 8th, Ali lost. No, he was “whupped” by Frazier. This pride that happens before a fall – hubris as the Greeks called it – is epidemic in our society.
But you see, our pride isn’t limited to just our rhetoric. It isn’t just the speeches that betray our true feelings. I ran across this from an article entitled “The Art of Being a Big Shot,” by a very devout layman named Howard Butt. The insight he has here is fascinating, so allow me to read the whole paragraph if you will:
It is my pride that makes me independent of God. It’s appealing to me to feel that I am the master of my fate, that I run my own life, call my own shots, go it alone. But that feeling is my basic dishonesty. I can’t go it alone. I have to get help from other people, and I can’t ultimately rely on myself. I’m dependent on God for my next breath. It is dishonest of me to pretend that I’m anything but a man—small, weak, and limited. So, living independent of God is self-delusion. It is not just a matter of pride being an unfortunate little trait and humility being an attractive little virtue; it’s my inner psychological integrity that’s at stake. When I am conceited, I am lying to myself about what I am. I am pretending to be God, and not man. My pride is the idolatrous worship of myself. And that is the national religion of Hell!
Butt hits it right on the head in pointing out this connection between an extreme self-reliance and pride. Last week, you heard me say how there are people who are so self-reliant they think they can save themselves. People who think this are deluding themselves.
But we don’t stop there. You see, in my life, I often live as if it’s all up to me. Susan occasionally chides me for what we both sometimes call a “confessional approach” to preaching, but I think sometimes it’s in order. Last week, for instance, here I was, preaching a sermon about our need to rely on God’s power, and not trust in our own. You’ll notice, I was sweating like a pig by the end. Why? Because I had barely slept the night before, I was so stressed about presenting a clear sermon for my sister. Now, I think I had good motives, but who was supposed to be doing the preaching anyway? If I do my job correctly, I’m nothing but a mouthpiece for the Savior.
But, you see, my pride gets in the way. Of course I want to do the best that I can. But to the extent that I neglect prayer, study of the Word, and all the other exercises we do to remind ourselves whose we are, I’ve missed the point.
In our churches, it’s easy to get complacent too. Dee Whiten talks about church revival, and he has written a book called To Dream Again. One point that he makes is that a church that has its building paid off, appoints a committee for every supposed problem, and has all it’s affairs in “order” is often at risk for killing off the vitality that started it. This self-reliance can kill a church.
We forget stories like Gideon, to whom God said – you have too many soldiers! We forget that Jesus said, if you would enter the kingdom, you have to enter it like a little child. And we forget that, as Philippians reminds us, that before Jesus was exalted, so that every knee would bow and every tongue confess – first, he had to humble himself by becoming just a man. He even went further and became obedient, even unto death on a cross.
Self-Reliance is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Self-Worth & Self-Esteem are messages being preached by a secular world. But humility, dependence – complete abandonment to our daddy? That’s the Gospel.
And here in Laodicea, the Christians had done the same. So, I want to return then to the question I started with. What do you give the church who thinks he has everything, but in reality is, as John says, “pitiable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked.”
Jesus gives some counsel that I want to consider deeply this morning. I think it’s funny that he pulls out the very things that Laodicea is best known for and says simply this – consider the spiritual side of what you already have. Just learn not to get complacent. Rely on me. And so, to this city of shoppers, he sets out a Christmas list. If you really think you have everything, he suggests, go buy this – Salve for the eyes, A Robe for the body, and Gold, refined by fire.
I. Are you Blind? Get sight!
Remember I said they were near the Hot Springs? Their mud had a supposed healing quality. Spiritually, Jesus says this Church is blind. So what does he advise? Buy ointment for eyes: See clearly!
II. Are you naked? Get clothed!
Robes tend to mean one of two things – they are a symbol of position (You can think of a royal robe here) or a covering for shame. I think both images work here. Remember – you are God’s child, and as such privy to all his power. But you are also a sinner, shameful, and in need of being covered by God’s grace.
Sadly, the truth of the matter about seeing clearly is that we may not like what we see. We may turn out to be naked in the sight of God.
Think about the Garden of Eden for a minute. Remember what it was that Satan tempted Adam & Eve with? It was the knowledge of Good and Evil. As someone who loves knowledge for its own sake, I sometimes wonder why it was that God didn’t want them to have that. (If time, go into the digression about the idea of the Fall being an intentional Fall “up” designed all along?)
But, the simple answer is this – our God is the source of Good. We didn’t need anything more, and God knew that self-reliance here would ultimately cost his children their innocence. And, interestingly enough, what was Adam & Eve’s first response? They wanted to cover up!
III. Are you complacent? Get refined!
I don’t like suffering, and I don’t like growth. It’s painful, and I like comfort. But comfort doesn’t get you anywhere in God’s eyes. Indeed, if you are feeling totally comfortable in your surroundings, you ought to be asking yourself, does God really love me? After all – those whom he loves, he chastens! He says it right there in vs. 19. I think it’s fair to assume that the opposite holds true as well.
We are destined for heaven. Our God is fitting us for being with him. You know, if George Bush were to invite you to the White House this afternoon, I suggest you’d be getting prepared – you’d find your nicest suit, you’d get your hair done, you’d want to look your best.
Well, when Moses was about ready to God face to face, God said something that I’ve always found interesting – He said simply, I’m too beautiful for you to see. One look at my face and you’ll die. I suspect it’s because even somebody as pure as Moses wasn’t ready for the purity that is God.
Later, Isaiah when he got a glimpse of God – his first reaction was, Woe to me, for I am a man of unclean lips in the midst of a people of unclean lips.
Every time there is an encounter with God, some delusion gets burned away. What our God is doing is not some destructive act – it is an act of creating and solidifying us, making us fit for the kingdom. That’s why Jesus would stress the fact that any Gold we acquire should be of eternal value – it must be refined, just like us!
If he loves you, he’ll shape you. Being shaped is never a comfortable, complacent act. But it is one of love.
Would you pray with me?
Some ideas:
Note: The invocation this morning needs to be Isaiah 55, esp vs. 2-4.!
- The Emperor’s New Clothes is a good intro to the idea of “Naked but you don’t know it.”
- The lukewarm water (I’m gonna spew!) was b/c of the hot water at Heirapolis flowing to the cold waters further away – but this town is where three highways crossed, and so a good base of operations.
- I am fasicinated by the condition & the remedy:
o You are Poor - So go buy refined gold!
o You are Naked - So go buy white robe
o You are Blind - So go buy salve for the eyes.
- Each of these things relates to the city – it’s three major industries (& it was a rich town) were Banking, Black Wool, and Healing mud.
- In general, this text is a call not only to wake up, but to realize that the complacency of wealth is diametrically opposed to a God on whom we are supposed to rely. (Gideon! My grace all sufficient shall be your supply!)
- See last week for that same list of whose power we’re supposed to rest in. (For that matter, remember Philadelphia – mirror image. They were small, and as such had to rely on God. As you get bigger, the natural tendency is to ‘Grow up,’ and try to rely on yourself. But in Christ, we are supposed to enter the kingdom as little children – we always must rely in his strength.
Long Branch Baptist Church
Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Enter to Worship
Prelude …………………………………………………………..……… David Witt
Invocation …………………………………………………………..……… Michael Hollinger
Opening Hymn* …………………………………………………………..……… #334
“Blessed Assurance”
Welcome and Announcements
Morning Prayer ………………..……… Mr. Hollinger
Responsive Reading [See Right]
Offertory Hymn* …………………………………………………………..……… #254
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
Offertory …………………………………………………………..……… Mr. Witt
Doxology*
Scripture Rev 3:14-22
Sermon Mr. Hollinger
“Laodicea: For the Man who has everything”
Concluding Hymn #383
“How Firm a Foundation”
Benediction*
Congregational Response
Postlude* …………………………………………………………..……… Mr. Witt
*Congregation, please stand.
Don’t forget! Saturday, July 30th: Movie @ Michael’s House!
And, next Sunday – After-Church Fellowship.
Depart To Serve
RESPONSIVE READING
The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away,
our inner nature is being renewed day by day.
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure,
because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen;
for what can be seen is temporary,
but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—
if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden,
because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed,
so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always confident;—
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
-Romans 13:11-14, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:7, NRSV
