6th Sunday of Easter – Sermon 128
Prayer to start
May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN
Introduction
So have we got the message?
Experts tell us that on average – we’re exposed to over 1400 advertisements every day – the TV – the radio – newspapers – computers – telephones – door to door salesmen – all trying to convince us – that they have that one special thing that will make a world of difference to our lives –
Sometimes it takes an enormous act of will to resist – sometimes what’s on offer can truly be life changing – and it takes an enormous act of will to accept –
Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the ways in which Jesus has been getting His message across – to the seven churches – Each one has been compromised morally and spiritually – and He gives each one – special instructions – according to their individual needs – and problems
He confronts them – He encourages them – but –
In this last letter – to the Church at Laodicea – He has nothing complimentary to say – as far as Jesus is concerned they have become a church in name only – all because of money
Point 1 The church at Laodicea
Laodicea was – founded in the 3rd century BC by Antiochus II – who named it after his wife – situated on one of the great trade routes of Asia – in the valley of the meander river – the city became – extremely wealthy
This rich city – had theatres, a large stadium, lavish public baths and shopping centers –
It was famous for banking – the manufacture of clothing and woolen carpets – especially cloth produced from black sheep – and for – eye ointment – manufactured locally and developed at its medical school
it was so rich that when an earthquake almost destroyed it in 60AD – its wealthy citizens refused help from Rome to rebuild it – it was a great place to live –
But there was one major drawback – the city’s water supply –
It had to be piped in from 6 miles outside the city – along an aquaduct – and -by the time it reached the people – the water was lukewarm –
North of Laodicea was the healthy springs of Hieropolis – famous for its hot- spa baths – South was Colosse – known for its pure – cold – waters – refreshing to drink – In the middle was Laodicea – whose water was neither hot nor cold – not refreshing – not healing – just Yuk!
The condition of the church – too – was “Yuk”
Like the city it had become – infected with the love of material things – the church had become so “caught up” in its own wealth – that – its congregation – had stopped actively serving God –
Like the water – their love for Jesus was neither hot – nor cold – They were just – going through the motions – and so far off the boil – that it made Jesus sick –
‘Because you are neither one nor the other’ – says Jesus – ‘ but just lukewarm – I will spit you out of my mouth’
Like the name – which means “The people rule” – the Laodiceans believed their church belonged to them – and not to Jesus –
The result was – there was no power – no passion – no presence of Jesus in their lives – and in their services
A lukewarm church is a church that believes in comfortable Christianity – fits in with what the world wants – living and serving God – whenever it suits them –
and what was really hard to swallow – they – managed to convince themselves – that God was pleased with what they were doing
Point 2 Jesus responds in love
So what was Jesus’ cure for this luke-warmness? –
discipline – through love
“All whom I love – I reprove and discipline”
Jesus’ Love changes people –
In the words of our OT lesson –
“Love is as strong as death – its passion cruel as the grave – it blazes up like a blazing fire – fiercer than any flame ……if someone were to offer for love – all the wealth in this house – it would be laughed to scorn”
Jesus’ love for us – and our love for Him – defeats our greatest fears – and turn us back into the people God wants us to be –
‘You need to buy from me’ – says Jesus –
“Gold refined in fire” – because you are Spiritually poor – “white clothes” – to cover your Spiritual nakedness – “Eye ointment” – so you can see the truth – Jesus – alone gives real sight –
We must be “wholehearted in our repentance’ – give unconditionally – just as He did – Jesus – gave His life – in order to be close to us – and He calls us to have that same commitment – when it comes to our relationship with Him
Jesus proved His love for us – by dying for us on the cross – so that our sins can be forgiven – and we can be put right with God – and receive His everlasting life – He showed us how to live in love a love – so great – that He’s prepared to help us – even – when we make Him feel sick –
Jesus knows what we are doing – as a church – and as individuals – He seeks us out – in the hope we’ll take the initiative and respond to His love
“Here I stand knocking at the door, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and he and I will eat together”
In the well known painting by Holman Hunt – called “Christ outside the door” – that hangs in the Canterbury Cathedral – the outside of the door has no handle – and its no mistake – the artist did this to show that the door to allow Jesus in – must be opened by us from the inside –
And what we have to realize is that –
Jesus is not like any other door to door salesman –
He comes to us not to take – but to give –
– peace – joy – salvation – and a place with the Father –
There are many things in life we are afraid to give up – and one of them is ourselves – Jesus doesn’t want our money – our possessions – our time – He wants us – all of us – – So He can come into our hearts and fill it with His love and blessings –
And – Jesus will never force His way in – if we don’t answer He will wait – such is His love for us
Conclusion
So have we got the message?
If you have ears – then hear what the Spirit says to the Churches?
He’s knocking now – what will our answer be?
Closing prayer
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN