Message by Dr. David Drake
What Kind of Church Are We?
Laodicea, The Fallen Church
(Laodicea means the church that rules itself.)
(1960-present)
Revelation 3:14-22 (NASB)
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”
I. The Reasons For Their Fallen Condition
…Revelation 3:15-17
1. Spiritual Atmosphere…vs. 15-16
Colossians 4:12-13 (NASB)
12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Galatians 6:7 (NASB)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
2. Spiritual Character…vs. 17
Proverbs 8:13 (NASB)
13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
Proverbs 11:12 (NASB)
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.
Proverbs 13:10 (NASB)
10 Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Proverbs 15:25 (NASB)
25 The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Proverbs 18:12 (NASB)
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.
Proverbs 21:4 (NASB)
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
II. The Redemption From Their Fallen Condition
…Revelation 3:18-20
1. God Dependency…vs.18
We must develop a less of me attitude and acquire a more of God desire.
2. Self Humility…vs.19
We must keep a repentant spirit if we are going to continue to experience the presence of God.
Ephesians 4:2 (NASB)
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
James 1:9 (NASB)
9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
James 4:6 (NASB)
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
James 4:10 (NASB)
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6 (NASB)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
3. Spiritual Sensitivity…vs.20
We must open the door for Jesus.