Transcript The churches of Christ in the New Testament 10 of 18 “The

The churches of Christ in
the New Testament 10 of 18
“The church in Laodicea”
Revelation 3:14-22
Colossians 4:16
Don R. Taaffe,
Gospel Preacher
Dunedin, FL
12/13/2009
• 14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of
the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation:
15 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you
were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 For
you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not
realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18
Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you
may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of
your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so
that you may see. 19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be
earnest, therefore, and repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door,
knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you
and eat with you, and you with me. 21 To the one who conquers I will
give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat
down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear
listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches." (NRSV)
Revelation 3:14-22
churches of Christ in the
New Testament – 18 Lessons
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Origin of Lord’s church •
The church in Antioch •
The church in Colosse •
The church in Corinth •
The church in Crete
•
The church in Ephesus •
The church in Galatia •
The church in Dunedin •
The church in Jerusalem •
The church in Laodicea
The church in Pergamum
The church in Philadelphia
The church in Philippi
The church in Rome
The church in Sardis
The church in Smyrna
The church in Thessalonica
The church in Thyatira
The city of Laodicea
• Laodicea was situated in a valley,
positioned 18 miles west of Colossae and
6 miles south of Hierapolis. One of the
Chief cities of that area and had an
abundance of wealth.
• Laodicea was the banking center of Asia
minor, it’s vaults were filled with gold, and
it was the garment industrial center of
Rome, it’s black wool was treasured by
many.
The city of Laodicea
• Laodicea had an excellent Noble medical
school which produced and exported to
the rest of the world, an excellent eye
power.
• It lay in the Roman providence “Asia” a
mile south of the river Lycus, in Maeander
Valley between Colossae and
Philadelphia.
The city of Laodicea
• The wealth of this church ( arising from its
excellent
Colossians
4:16wools) most likely led to a selfsatisfied
“Lukewarm”
state
in spiritual
16 And
when this
letter has been
read
among you, have
things,
we will
seeLaodiceans;
the Lord and see
it read
also inwhich
the church
of the
thatcondemns.
you read also the letter from Laodicea. (NRSV)
• The epistle to the Colossians, written by
Paul there is also “An epistle from the
Laodicea” – Colossians 4:16
• The apostle’s epistles were publicly
read in every church – (Rev. 1:11)
•Colossians 4:15-16
15 Give my greetings to the brothers
and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha
and the church in her house.
16 And when this letter has been read
among you, have it read also in the
church of the Laodiceans; and see that
you read also the letter from Laodicea.
•
(NRSV)
The church of Laodicea
• The letters to seven churches; number
Proverbs
9:1symbolic of completeness.–
seven
1 Wisdom
has built
Proverbs
9:1her house, she has hewn her seven
pillars.
(NRSV)these seven churches from Asia
• Perhaps
represented the condition of all the
churches of Christ at the time of these
letters.
• Two churches were good, five were bad,
the worst and last church mentioned
was Laodicea.
The church of Laodicea
• The church is most likely established by
Epaphras – Colossians 4:13
• Mentioned six times in the New Testament
( four times
Colossians
4:13 in Colossians and two times
revelation)
13 For
I testify for him that he has worked hard for you
• Itforwas
neither
hostile
Christ
nor
and
those
in Laodicea
andtowards
in Hierapolis.
(NRSV)
was it zealous towards Christ.
• We should note: the cities of Ephesus,
Sardis, and Laodicea are only ruins
today!
The condition of this church
• Jesus completes the pattern of telling each
Revelation
3:14
of
the
seven
1 John 3:203:15 churches that he “knows of
14
"And
to
the
angel
of
the
church
in
Laodicea
write:
15
"I
know
your
works;
you
are
neither
cold
nor
hot. I
their
works”.
–
Revelation
3:15
20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater
The
words
of
the
Amen,
the
faithful
and
true
witness,
wish
that
you
were
either
cold
or
hot.
(NRSV)
•
Jesus
(God)
knows
our
sins;
but
he
also
than our hearts, and he knows everything. (NRSV)
the knows
origin ofour
God's
creation:
(NRSV)
temptations, our struggles, our
sorrow, and our love – 1 John 3:20
• I am “the Amen, the faithful and true
witness, the beginning of the creation of
God” – Revelation 3:14
The condition of this church
Colossians
• We are1:15-17
in the habit of saying, “Amen” to
15 He
is the image
the invisible
the firstborn
conclude
ourofprayers
– butGod,
Jesus
is the of
all creation;
Amen?16 for in him all things in heaven and on
earth
were created,
things visible
invisible,
• Jesus
is the creative
forceand
behind
all whether
thrones
or dominions
rulers
or powers —
all things
things
in whichor
the
Laodiceans
trusted
–
haveColossians
been created through
1:15-17him and for him. 17 He
himself is before all things, and in him all things hold
• The Laodiceans had lost their fire and
together. (NRSV)
were going through the motions of playing
church.
The condition of this church
• Lukewarmness – (inactive and
Revelation
3:16
unconcerned).
God threatens to vomit
Hosea
6:4
Romans
10:2
16 So,
because
arefellowship
lukewarm, and
neither cold nor
them
out ofyou
this
– Revelation
42hot,
"O
Ephraim,
what
shall
I
do
to
you?
O
Judah,
what
For3:16
I
bear
them
witness
that
they
have
a
zeal
for God,
I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NRSV)
shall
I do
to you? For
your faithfulness
but not
according
to knowledge.
(NKJV)is like a morning
•
The
Laodiceans
had
knowledge
without
cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. (NKJV)
zeal. The Jews had zeal without
knowledge – Romans 10:2
• Consider the condition of Ephraim and
Judah – Hosea 6:4
• The church could easily go either way.
The condition of this church
• Many like them have a feeling of security
and self-satisfaction
– saying “I am rich,
Revelation
3:17
have
need
of
nothing”
– Revelation
3:17
17
For
you
say,
'I
am
rich,
I
have
prospered,
and
I need
Revelation 3:17
•
Today,
many
think
because
they
have
nothing.'
You
do
not
realize
that
you
are
wretched,
17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy,
accepted
the(NRSV)
of
pitiable,
blind,
and naked.
andobeyed
havepoor,
needand
of nothing'
— and
dofirst
notprinciples
know that you
gospel
of Christpoor,
theyblind,
are and
assured
are the
wretched,
miserable,
nakedof
—
salvation.
(NKJV)
• But it just ain’t so! They are blind as the
Laodiceans were to their real condition –
“thou knowest not that thou art wretched,
miserable, poor, blind and naked” –
Revelation 3:17
The condition of this church
• God has given us a spirit of power, love
Rev and
3:18a sound mind, and a sound mind is
18 Iequipped
counsel youtotodistinguish
buy from Mebetween
gold refined
in the
fire,
truth
and
thatfiction.
you may be rich; and white garments, that you may
be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not
• As the Laodiceans we are charged:
be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that
• “Buy
you
may see.Christ’s
(NKJV) Gold,
•
•
White Robes,
Eye Salve”
• Revelation 3:18
The condition of this church
• “Buy Christ’s Gold” – earthly gold and
Luke
12:33-34
money
has
no
bartering
power
in
heaven
–
Revelation
6:11
33
Sell
what
youto
have
and
give
alms; provide
your- –
Matthew
15:13-14
but
we
are
lay
up
treasures
in
heaven
11
Then
a
white
robe
was
given
to
each
of
them;
and
it
selves
money
bags which
do not"Every
grow
old,
treasure
13 But
He 12:33-34
answered
and
said,
planta which
Myin
Luke
(Matthew
6:19-21)
was
said
to
them
that
they
should
rest
a
little
while
the heavens
thathas
does
not
fail, where
nouprooted.
thief
heavenly
Father
not
planted
will
be
14
• “White
Robes”
–number
blackish
wool
would
be
longer,
until
both
the
of
their
fellow
servants
approaches
nor They
mothare
destroys.
34 Forof
where
your And
Lethideously
them alone.
blind
leaders
the
blind.
out who
of place
among
the
and
their
brethren,
would
be
killed
as
they
were,
treasure
is,leads
therethe
yourblind,
heartboth
will will
be also.
(NKJV)
if the
blind
fall
into
a ditch."
righteous
in
their
white
robes
(penitence
was completed. (NKJV)
(NKJV)
and faith) – Revelation 6:11
• “Eye Salve” – their eyes salve only treated
physical vision – Christ Eye SaIve treats
spiritual vision – Matthew 15:13-14
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Lukewarm congregations make up a
lukewarm brotherhood
• About half the membership of any
congregation will not attend Bible classes
• Many excuses are given but it simply boils
down to lukewarmness and indifference
towards the truth and towards the success
of the cause of Christ.
• The reason we at Dunedin do not have
gospel meetings is because of the lack of
interest of its members
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Let us bring the discussion closer to home by
talking about lukewarm elders and members!
1 Peter 5:2
• Most members of the church as well as the
2 Shepherd
the
flock
of
God
which
is
among
you,
elders cannot get off ready
serving
as
overseers,
not
by
compulsion
but
willingly,
• Let me explain: I have sat in meetings where the
not members
for dishonest
gainelders
but eagerly;
and/or
spent 2(NKJV)
to 3 hours
talking about where to move the clock, what
color carpet to put in the building, etc. etc.
• These elders or members set themselves up as
guardians of the “Lord’s money” instead of
spiritual matters – 1 Peter 5:2
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Let us talk for a minute about what the
work of congregations should be?
Ephesians
4:11-124:11-12
• Ephesians
11• And
He Himself gave
some to be
Evangelism
– “building
upapostles,
the bodysome
of
prophets,
some evangelists, and some pastors and
Christ”
teachers,
12
for
the
equipping
of
the
saints
for
the
work
• Edification – “edifying the body of
of ministry,
for
the
edifying
of
the
body
of
Christ,
(NKJV)
Christ”
• Benvolence -- “the work of
ministry”
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Evangelism – “building up the body of
Christ” (including personal evangelism)
2
4:2
1 •Timothy
Peter
2:19
Lukewarm preachers preach lukewarm
219
Preach
the
word!
Be ready in
season and
out of
For
this
is
commendable,
if
because
of
conscience
Romans
1:16
sermons -- 2 Timothy 4:2
season.
Convince,
rebuke,
withof
all
long- for it
toward
oneashamed
endures
grief,
wrongfully.
16
For IGod
am
not
ofexhort,
thesuffering
gospel
Christ,
•
There
are
some
preachers
that
never
say
suffering
and
teaching.
(NKJV)
(NKJV)
is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who
“you”, but rather say “they”.
believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (NKJV)
• I would rather be buffeted for well doing
than for evil doing - 1 Peter 2:19
• Let us never forget that the power of
salvation is “the gospel”– Romans 1:16
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Edification – “edifying the body of Christ”
Matthew
28:18-20
•
I
preach
1 Peter 2:1-2 for a brotherhood of people who
18 And
Jesus
came
and
spoke
to
them,
saying,
"All
claim tolaying
be New
Christians,
1 Therefore,
asideTestament
all malice, all
deceit,
authority
has
been more
given tomoney
Me in heaven
and onand
earth.
some
spend
on
tobacco
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn
19 Go
therefore
and
make
disciples
of
all
the
nations,
alcohol
in teaching
gospel
-- may
babes,
desirethan
the pure
milk of thethe
word,
that you
baptizing
them
in
the
name
of
the
Father
and
of
the
Son
28:18-20
growMatthew
thereby, (NKJV)
and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
• Things that hinder the growth of the
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
church are lukewarmness, indifference,
always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (NKJV)
wickedness, guile, hypocrisy, envies, evil
speakings -- 1 Peter 2:1-2
Lukewarmness of The
Brotherhood
• Benevolence -- “the work of ministry”
2 Corinthians 8:12-14
•
There
is
a
congregation
in
our
area
that
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted
has over 100 members and spends less
according
to what one has, and not according to what
Romans
12:13
than a dollar a person on benevolence -he
not have.
I doofnot
thatgiven
others
13 does
distributing
to 13
theFor
needs
themean
saints,
to
yet they
would
divide
the
church
because
should
be eased
and you burdened;
but as
by an
hospitality.
(NKJV)
other
congregations
spend 14
more
equality,
that now--at2 this
time your abundance
individuals
Corinthians
8:12-14;may
(2
supply
their
lack, 18-21;
that their1 abundance
also may supply
Cor.
8:3-5;
Cor. 16:1-2)
your
lack — that there
maya be
equality.
• Benevolence
was
part
of the(NKJV)
mission of
the early church – Roman 12:13; (15:2527; 1 Cor.16:15)
In conclusion to Laodicea
• Many church members give the left over
Matthew
7:1-5to their dog, and they treat God the
scraps
1 "Judge
not,manner.
that you beSpending
not judged. 2more
For with
judgment
same
onwhat
their
you judge,
will in
be service
judged; and
the measure you use, it
pets you
than
towith
Christ.
will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the
• The Laodiceans were lukewarm but could
speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in
repent and return to their first love!
your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me
• If you
intended
toeye';
correct
your
remove
the speck
from your
and look,
a plank is in your
lukewarmness,
then
wethe
must
to own
own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First
remove
plankbegin
from your
reform
ourwill
self
--remove
Matthew
7:1-5
eye, and
then you
seetoday
clearly to
the speck
from your
brother's
(NKJV) could be on fire if you become
• Thiseye.
church
the spark, why not start today?
In conclusion to Laodicea
Acts
• If5:28
you haven’t been baptized, that’s the
Acts
22:16
28
we not
strictly
command
you
notand
to teach
starting
--are
Acts
(Acts
2:38;
16saying,"Did
And
nowpoint
why
you22:16
waiting?
Arise
be
in
this
name?
Andwash
look, you
have
filledsins,
Jerusalem
Mark
16:16)
baptized,
and
away
your
callingwith
on
your
intend
to(NKJV)
bring this
Man's blood
the
name
ofand
thebeen
Lord.'
• Ifdoctrine,
you have
baptized,
where’s
the on
us!"fire?
(NKJV)
-- Acts 5:28
Every Soul in
Pinellas County