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Laodicea, The Lukewarm
Church
Introduction
(Revelation 3:14–22):
Jesus’ letter to Laodicea exposes the peril of lukewarm
faith and calls His people to zeal, repentance, and
fellowship with Him who is “the Amen, the faithful and true
Witness.”
A City That Shaped a
Church
Laodicea stood among Colossae and Hierapolis as a wealthy
hub famed for banking, a medical school known for eye salve,
and luxurious black wool. An aqueduct delivered mineral
water that arrived tepid—neither refreshing nor cleansing.
Jesus speaks to this church in terms they knew: gold,
garments, and sight; heat, cold, and nauseating
lukewarmness. The environment of comfort and self-reliance
seeped into the congregation until spiritual complacency
felt normal.
Christ’s
Self-Revelation: The Amen, Witness, and Beginning
“The Amen” affirms truth that cannot fail; what Jesus
declares will be. He is the “faithful and true Witness,”
seeing the whole picture—heart, motive, deed—without
distortion (Revelation 3:14). He is “the beginning (archē)
of the creation of God,” the origin and cause of all things
(John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). The One who made all now
diagnoses His church with perfect clarity.
The Diagnosis:
Lukewarm
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…
because you are lukewarm… I will vomit you out of My mouth”
(Revelation 3:15–16). Lukewarm faith disgusts the Lord
because it tries to blend devotion with worldliness. Warmth
without flame will not purify, heal, or energize. Cold can
be taught its need; heat serves with fervor. Lukewarm thinks
it is fine.
Self-Deception and
True Poverty
“You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of
nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Prosperity masked
poverty. Influence hid blindness. Fine garments covered
spiritual nakedness. Jesus overturns their self-assessment
and exposes the soul’s true state before God.
Christ’s Counsel:
Buy, Clothe, See, Zealously Repent
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire…
white garments… and anoint your eyes with eye salve”
(Revelation 3:18). Only Christ supplies the wealth that
endures (1 Peter 1:7), the righteousness that covers shame
(Isaiah 61:10), and the sight that perceives holiness and
sin (Ephesians 1:18). “As many as I love, I rebuke and
chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
Zeal is commanded; repentance is the doorway to renewal
(Romans 12:11; Acts 3:19).
The Knock and the
Throne
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20).
The Lord invites fellowship—shared table, shared life. The
promise rises further: “To him who overcomes I will grant to
sit with Me on My throne” (Revelation 3:21). Laodicea’s
tepid hearts are summoned to royal participation with the
conquering Christ by obedient, enduring faith (Revelation
2:10).
Laodicea, The
Lukewarm Church Sermon Outline:
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I. Setting and
Symbols (Rev 3:14–22)
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Banking, black
wool, medical eye salve; tepid aqueduct water.
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Jesus addresses
the church through its familiar images.
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II. The
Speaker (Rev 3:14)
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“The Amen” —
certainty of truth (2 Corinthians 1:20).
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“Faithful and
true Witness” — perfect evaluation (John 2:24–25).
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“Beginning (archē)
of creation” — Creator and cause (John 1:3;
Colossians 1:16).
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III. The
Diagnosis (Rev 3:15–16)
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IV. The
Deception (Rev 3:17)
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“I am rich…
need nothing” vs. “wretched, miserable, poor, blind,
naked.”
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Wealth and ease
foster false security (1 Timothy 6:17–19).
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V. The
Prescription (Rev 3:18–19)
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Gold
refined by fire — proven faith that truly
enriches (1 Peter 1:7).
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White
garments — righteousness that covers shame
(Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8).
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Eye salve
— spiritual sight granted by Christ (Ephesians
1:18).
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Zeal and
repentance — commanded response (Romans
12:11).
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VI. The
Invitation and Promise (Rev 3:20–21)
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VII. The Call
to Hear (Rev 3:22)
Call to Action
Examine your heart before the faithful and true Witness.
Where comfort has cooled conviction, ask the Lord for
refined faith, clean garments, and clear sight. Open the
door to deep fellowship with Christ. Turn up the flame of
devotion—pray earnestly, return to Scripture, assemble
faithfully, serve generously—and repent where lukewarm
habits have settled in.
Key Takeaways
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Lukewarm faith
offends the Lord; zeal and repentance are commanded
(Revelation 3:15–19).
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Christ alone
supplies true wealth, righteousness, and sight
(Revelation 3:18; Isaiah 61:10; 1 Peter 1:7).
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Self-reliance
blinds; the Word reveals our true condition (Revelation
3:17; Hebrews 4:12).
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Jesus invites
fellowship now and promises shared rule to overcomers
(Revelation 3:20–21; Revelation 2:10).
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Fervent service
grows by staying close to the body and the Word (Hebrews
10:24–25; Romans 12:11).
Scripture
Reference List
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Revelation
3:14–22 — Christ’s message to Laodicea:
diagnosis, counsel, invitation, promise.
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John 1:3;
Colossians 1:16 — Christ as Creator and cause
of creation.
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2 Corinthians
1:20 — All God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen”
in Christ.
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John 2:24–25
— Jesus knows what is in man; perfect witness.
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1 Timothy
6:17–19 — Warning to the rich; pursue true
treasure.
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1 Peter 1:7
— Faith refined by fire, more precious than gold.
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Isaiah 61:10;
Revelation 19:8 — Garments of salvation; fine
linen of righteous deeds.
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Ephesians 1:18
— Enlightened eyes of the heart.
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Romans 12:11
— “Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
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Acts 3:19
— Repent and be refreshed.
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Hebrews
10:24–25 — Stir one another to love and good
works; do not forsake assembling.
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Revelation
2:10 — Be faithful unto death and receive the
crown of life.
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Hebrews 4:12
— The Word discerns thoughts and intents of the heart.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
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