Lessons From Church History #13: Laodicea
In this message, Mac emphasizes the importance of recognizing the lessons from the letter to the church in Laodicea, as found in Revelation 3:14-22. He highlights the dangers of complacency and self-sufficiency that can arise when believers become too comfortable in their faith. The Laodicean church, characterized by lukewarmness, contrasts sharply with the church in Philadelphia, which is marked by brotherly love and devotion to Christ. Mac warns against the pride that can develop from perceived spiritual wealth and encourages a return to humility and dependence on God. He stresses the need for believers to 'buy from' the Lord—seeking divine righteousness, practical holiness, and spiritual insight through the Holy Spirit. The call to repentance and the invitation to dine with Christ are central themes, urging believers to open their hearts to His presence. Ultimately, Mac calls for a renewed commitment to Christ, emphasizing that true richness is found in Him alone, and encourages the church to remain vigilant against the subtle influences of self-love and pride.
- Introduction: Importance of prayer and recognizing God's love.
- Overview of Revelation 3:14-22: The letter to Laodicea.
- Contrast between Laodicea and Philadelphia: Complacency vs. brotherly love.
- Dangers of self-sufficiency and pride in spiritual matters.
- Call to 'buy from' the Lord: Seeking righteousness and spiritual insight.
- Invitation to repentance and intimacy with Christ.
- Conclusion: Renewed commitment to Christ and vigilance against pride.
14 And 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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: 18 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 eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
