6th Sunday of Easter – Sermon 85
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 are we getting the message?
If you’ve got a mobile phone or a computer – or a TV for that matter – you’ll no doubt get loads of them – text messages – e-mails – telephone calls – adverts – People trying to tell us what to do – what to buy – and how to live –
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 also encourages them – this kind of tough love is essential for development of spiritual health –
In this last letter – to the Church at Laodicea – He has nothing complimentary to say – as far as He is concerned they have virtually 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 – its located on one of the great trade routes of Asia – in the valley of the meander river – and therefore extremely wealthy
It was famous for its banking centre – the manufacture of clothing and woolen carpets – especially cloth produced from black sheep – and for – eye ointment – which was manufactured locally and developed at its medical school
This rich city – had theatres, a large stadium, lavish public baths and shopping centers – 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 – like Lymm – and like Lymm – if your business was selling houses – it certainly wouldn’t have been a case of “I’m an estate agent –get me out of here”
But there was one major drawback – the city’s lack of adequate water supply –
It had to be piped in from 6 miles outside the city – along an aquaduct – by the time it reached the people – the water was lukewarm –
North of Laodicea was the hot healthy springs of Hieropolis – famous for its 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 – they 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 –
Through John – Jesus gave them a strong warning
‘You say “How rich I am! What a fortune I have made! I have everything I want” In fact though you do not realize it you are a pitiful wretch, poor, blind and naked.’
As far as Jesus was concerned – the church was Spiritually poor – Spiritually – blind -and spiritually naked –
Like the name – which means “The people rule” – the Laodiceans believed the church belonged to them – not Jesus –
Their money bought it – their hard work built it – and so they believed – they should decide what should be taught and preached in it –
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 fits in with what the world wants – that settles for peace at the expense of God ‘s word – comfortable Christianity – living and serving God – whenever it suits them –
and what was really hard to swallow – was that they’d managed to convince themselves – that God was pleased with what they are doing –
Jesus tells them – its time for change – as far as He was concerned – the people who are cold about God – are in a better position than this marginalized church – at least for them – there’s a chance – they might come to understand their coldness – and eventually turn on the heat -–
Point 2 Jesus responds in love
So what was Jesus’ cure for this luke-warmness? –
‘You need to buy from me’ – says Jesus –
“Gold refined in fire” – Jesus’ spiritual riches have been tested and found genuine –
“white clothes” – to cover their spiritual nakedness
and their own ‘local eye ointment’ – so they can see the truth – Christ alone gives real sight –
“All whom I love – I reprove and discipline”
The cure is discipline – through love
Love above anything else 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 – will overcome our greatest fears – and turn us back into the people God wants us to be –
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 everlasting life – He showed us how to live in love and obedience with God – each other – and ourselves –
Jesus’ love for us is so great – that He’s even prepared to help us – when we make Him sick –
“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 must be opened by us from the inside –
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 quest of love
What we have to realize is that Jesus is not like any other door to door salesman – or uninvited guest –
He already has everything – He has overcome the world – and all its temptations – He defeated sin – and death – and commands all power in earth and heaven –
< br />He comes to us not to take – but to give – the only thing He wants from us is the pain and suffering in our lives –
When Jesus comes in He brings – peace and joy – -and salvation – and a place with the Father –
Point 3 Our response
So what will our response be?
What reaction does He get – when He knocks at the door of our lives?
Do we fling the door open wide and welcome Him in? – or keep it firmly shut – pretending we are not in – and would rather not be disturbed –
Maybe we are prepared to open it a little way – but still keep the security latch fixed just in case He asks more from us than we want to give? – Or open it briefly – and then shut it again if the commitment doesn’t suit us
Maybe the door was open once – but with all life’s pressures – and temptations – we’ve closed it like the Laodiceans? – or – maybe we assumed we only needed to open it once – and after that – expected it to be open for ever? –-
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 –
Conclusion
Can we remember what it meant when we first opened the door to Jesus – are we willing to do it again today? –
Perhaps there’s still an important part of our lives He still wants to be a part of?
Its up to you – Jesus will never force His way in – if we don’t answer He will wait – such is His love for us –
If you have ears – then hear what the Spirit says to the Churches?
So have we got the message?
He’s knocking now – what are we going to do about it?
Closing prayer
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN