Laodicea: Be ZealousRevelation 3: 14-22

Laodicea: Be Zealous Rev. 3:14-22Main crossroad, seat of government.Rich trading precious metals & gems.Known for black wool & black clothes.Medical school made good eye salve.Earthquake! No Imperial aid for us!Water from hot spring 5 miles down aqueduct = warm & mineral filled.

Like city, church complacent, self-satisfied, & self-reliant.

Laodicea: Be Zealous Rev. 3:14-22“I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” 3:17

Jesus is “Amen”, “faithful and true witness” to ones who don’t see truth.

‘Ruler’ of creation is also first/source.Jesus knows they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked…”

…and lukewarm, about to be spit out.Jesus knows their true condition!

Laodicea: Be Zealous Rev. 3:14-22Better to be hot (Heirapolis) or cold (Colossae), lukewarm is worthless.

To fix this, Jesus says… - buy gold from Jesus, to be rich. - buy white clothes, to cover shame. - buy eye salve to cure blindness.Hit them between eyes! They were famous for these exact things!

Treasures from Christ, not self.

Laodicea: Be Zealous Rev. 3:14-22They need righteousness from Christ!They need salve of Law and Gospel!Jesus not cruel, “those whom I love I rebuke and discipline…”

…so ‘be zealous, and repent’.He knocks on door of his own church!This isn’t just evangelism… renewal!Reward is feasting with Him.Answer knock soon or they’ll go away.

Laodicea: Be Zealous Rev. 3:14-22Sit on throne with him – rule creation!Church success is faithful to gospel.Wealth not sign of faithfulness…Preaching Gospel truth, stopping false teachers, true love, be true to him!

Worship invites Jesus through the door of our hearts into our lives!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”