Shafter Church of Christ

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31 Aug: Churches: Laodica Rev. 3:14-22

A common saying that we all know is “Save the best for the last.” In this case there is a major twist to this saying where the Holy Spirit has saved the worst for the last. In this letter there are no positive comments to them from the Lord. They apparently had reached a point there they believed they were fully self-sufficient and did not need the Lord. And I don’t need to add anything to THAT attitude.

But I would like to share what is said in 1 Cor 15:33 “Do not be misled – bad company corrupts good character” and Rom 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of tis world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Also, if you remember the seeds falling into thorns are overtaken by the cares and anxieties of this world. They have in essence taken their hope and direction off of and away from the Lord’s teachings and directions.

These Laodiceans have done the same thing. In their city was the banking center of the region and was the home to a medical school that made powder for treating eye problems. Additionally, they were well known for making black glossy wool garments making a great deal of wealth for its citizens. You will notice a corresponding comment made against them for these things.

“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: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 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. 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:14-22).

Description of Jesus – Jesus identified Himself as “the Amen” which means sure or true. When on trial, He told Pilate that He came “to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). And He told these brethren that He was “the faithful and true Witness” testifying of what was right. He is also “the Beginning of the creation of God”. Paul described Him as “the firstborn of all creation” because “all things were created” by Him (Colossians 1:15-16; cf. John 1:3).
Current circumstances – There is no mention of persecution affecting these brethren, nor were false teachers causing havoc among the church. However, they were “lukewarm” in their support of God’s kingdom. This means they were complacent and comfortable in their present condition. As we will see, their present condition was not pleasing to the Lord. They were in a state of spiritual mediocrity.
Commendations – Sadly, the Lord had nothing good to say about this church. It is the only one of the seven like this.
Condemnations – We already noticed that they were “lukewarm”. But what caused them to be in that condition? One aspect of their situation was that these brethren trusted in riches which is not surprising given the fact that they lived in a wealthy city. Yet it led them to think they were “in need of nothing” – even from God. You apparently see the same thing in the parable of the rich man tearing down his barns for larger ones to be built and filled so that his future was secure. Like him, these Laodiceans are condemned for such an unholy attitude. Mtt 6:20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Luke 12:15 “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'” 1 Tim 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

While certainly blessed in the things of this world they also needed to be rich in their relationship with God. This is very similar in the Christian followers who are condemned and told to depart from the very presence of the Lord because He did not know who they were. They did need spiritual blessings (“gold refined by fire”), forgiveness (“white garments”), and enlightenment (“eye salve…so that you may see”) that only the Lord could provide. Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
In Matthew 11:27, Jesus states, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him” (ESV).

Punishment for sin – Because they were “lukewarm,” the Lord said He would “spit [them] out of [His] mouth” In other words, if they did not make corrections, He would reject them as His people and they will also hear those dreaded words: “Depart from Me. I do not know you”. Therefore, they needed to “be zealous and repent” They had become spiritually dead and needed to accept the Lord’s reproof by opening the door to Him as He stood outside and knocked. It is a remarkable and tragic thought that Christ was outside one of His churches rather than in their midst. You should also notice that it is the Lord who has come to the door and knocked – seeking to be let in. Like the father of the Prodigal Son, when repentance had occurred, the father rushed to accept and embrace his long lost son. If the very people who had a hand in crucifying the Son of God can be forgiven upon repentance then you know you and I will also receive God’s forgiveness and blessings when we turn to Him.
Reward for faithfulness – Despite the harsh letter, there was still hope for these brethren if they would accept the Lord’s rebuke and turn back to Him. If they would do this, they would “sit down with [Him] on [His] throne” reigning with Christ, just as the church in Thyatira was promised.

CONCLUSION: We need to recognize our dependence upon the Lord and recognize the truth in what James tells us regarding our understanding that all good gifts comes from the Father above. Paul was echoing those thoughts when he told Timothy to put our hopes on God rather than the riches of this world, which will rust and be corrupted (Jesus). Paul tells us Eph 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” - which means that there are none outside of Him. But with these blessings, we have “become rich” (Revelation 3:18).

We must be zealous in the Lord’s service, always recognizing our dependence upon Him. Let us never forget to look to Him for blessings, forgiveness, and guidance.

24 Aug: Churches: Philadelphia

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:7-13).

Description of Jesus – In this “missionary city” established to take Greek culture to the outside world, Jesus identified Himself as “holy” and “true”. To be holy is to be set apart. Jesus is separate from the world and calls us to be as well. John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” John 17:15,16 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world but to keep them from the evil on. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” 1 Peter 2:9,10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Jesus tells us that we are no longer a part of this world; we should no longer allow it to influence us or motivate us in living our lives.
He is also the source of truth that everyone – civilized or barbarian – must follow. He possesses “the key of David” an allusion to an Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 22:22), which signified that access to the Father was only through Him. He told His disciples years before, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Rom 8:34 “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Current circumstances – The church in Philadelphia had “an open door” before them as they served as “missionaries” to the lost. They had an opportunity to do important work for the cause of Christ despite their “little power” or perceived limitations However, they also faced trouble from “the synagogue of Satan” Greater trials were coming, but they would be protected from them.

“I have put before you an open door” There are various passages which talk about our being tested and disciplined. If we were to talk to the Good Samaritan might he not say that him finding that broken person in the ditch may have been a test to his compassion and servanthood? Did not Jesus, after washing His disciples feet, them to go do the same?

2 Cor 5:18, 20 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, … Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us”. In the course of our lives we are going to find many opportunities to show our love to our neighbor whether it be sharing the gospel or helping them in some difficult situation. The question is – how are WE going to respond???
Commendations AND Reward – These brethren kept the Lord’s word and were obedient to Him. They refused to deny His name despite the pressure put upon them. “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Like with Smyrna, the Lord promises a crown if they would “hold fast”. Are we like these brother and sisters, remaining faithful or have we on occasion been more like the Christian seeds that fell in the rocks and deserted their faith when things became difficult because of their Christian walk?

They would be made “a pillar in the temple of My God” emphasizing their place of honor in support of God and His worship. They would also be given a “new name” in connection with the name of God and His dwelling place signifying that they belonged to God and their identity was found in Him. Gal 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Rev 2:10 “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

Conclusion: Just as the city of Philadelphia was intended to spread Greek culture, the church is here to spread the message of Christ’s kingdom. They may have been few in number (“little power”), yet they were able to contribute significantly to the cause of Christ. “No one [could] shut” the door that was open before them (Revelation 3:8). In other words, no one could take away their opportunity to do good. It was up to them to take advantage of it if they chose to. And apparently they desired to do so. In a similar fashion we need to use the opportunities we have for good. When we have opportunities to help those who are in need we need to do so. Paul told the Galatians, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).

When we have opportunities before us that are unique to us we should strive to use them to the glory of God.