The big idea: True riches are only found in Jesus.
Letter7- Background to Laodicea
-its the wealthiest of the seven churches
-always had a problem with the water supply, so aqueduct was built, but the water always comes back lukewarm from it.....
v14- Jesus' description today says he is "amen". Amen is Hebrew for truth- Jesus is the truth and speaks the truth. He is totally faithful.
Application: We can trust and listen to God
v15-16- This is really sad, the church aren't commended for anything today :( They are getting a telling off straight away. They are told they are "lukewarm". now, personally, I don't think lukewarm water makes a good drink. It's not a hot squash or a cold squash....just like the church aren't wholeheartedly following Christ, but they are still going to church. They were becoming self-satisfied with their wealth and it was going to destroy them.
Application: Don't settle for following God halfheartedly- at church, but not at home or school.
v17- So, this church in Laodicea, like I said, were wealthy. But they believed that having a load of material possessions was a sign of Gods blessing.
Application: No matter how much you have, or how much money you make, you have nothing if you don't have a relationship with God.
v18- Christ is telling the people in Laodicea to but their gold from HIM (real spiritual treasures) as well as their white garments (his righteousness). Also, the people had their own special eye ointment. But Christ is is telling them to buy it off HIM instead. They must've thought he was being crazy! But if they believed in him, they would do it. This would stop their blindness so they could see the truth (John 9 v39). He is showing them that a relationship with him is really what matters.
v19- God would discipline this lukewarm church unless they turned back to him. He wouldn't punish them, but bring them back to him.
v20- Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts because he wants to save us and have a relationship with us. He is patient, but persistent- he doesn't break and enter, but knocks.
Application: Leave the door of your heart open to God, and you won't need to hear him knocking. Letting him in and keeping him in is our only hope of eternal life.
v22- At the end of each letter, it says "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." The believers are urged to listen and understand what Jesus is saying through John's letters. Although the messages of each letter are different, they all have warnings for us.
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