Laodicea has the awful distinction of being the only church of the seven for which Christ has nothing good to say at all.
Unlike the other seven churches, the Laodicean church did not face any persecution or resistance and lived quite comfortably in her lukewarm faith.
Laodicea was noted for a medical school that developed an eye salve used to help, prevent and heal certain eye diseases which, if not treated, would lead to blindness. Yet, they were spiritually blind, and in need of spiritual eye salve.
Christ knew the deeds of the Laodicean church; deeds motivated by pride and the praise of men rather than the glory of God.
Those who are hot represent believers, who love Christ with all their heart and possess the marks of a transformed life.
Those who are cold represent unbelievers, who have not come to Christ and do not claim to have done so. They are altogether cold for the things of God.
Those who are lukewarmrepresent religionists, who attend church and claim to know the Lord, but by their life deny Him. They think they are good people deserving of God’s acceptance.
This morning we will conclude Christ’s letter to the church at Laodicea by looking at two things:Christ’s Directive to the church at Laodicea. and Christ’s Final Offer
I. CHRIST’S DIRECTIVE TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA 3:18-20
Jesus had unmasked the Laodicean’s false Christianity and could have judged them right then and there.
Christ was not teaching that salvation could be bought by money or good works.
We could never earn or buy our way into heaven because, by imputation of Adam’s sin, we all stand condemned as sinners before a holy God; all our righteous acts are as filthy rags. Romans 5:12-19; Isaiah 64:6
All that sinners have to offer Christ is their sin and spiritually filthy rags.
Christ calls on the Laodiceans to buy three things from Him, all of which symbolize true redemption.
1. They need to purchase the true gold that comes from above, gold that is refined by the fire of God Himself, spiritual gold that has no impurities, representing the priceless riches of true salvation. Only then could they become truly rich. Matthew 6:19-21
2. Christ called on the Laodicean church to “buy white garments” so they could cover the shame of their spiritual nakedness. Laodicea’s famous black wool symbolizes the dirty, sinful garments that cover the unsaved.
3. The eye salve that the Laodiceans boasted of was only good for physical eyes. They were spiritually blind and needed spiritual eye salve so they could see their true condition and repent.
Like all unregenerate people, the Laodiceans desperately needed Christ to open their eyes so that they might turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Him.Acts 26:18
Christ stood at the door of the Laodicean church and knocked. If anyone in the church would hear His voice and open the door, He would come in to him and fellowship with Him, and he with Christ.John 10:27-28
Only Christ’s sheep (the elect) hear His voice and follow Him in obedience, to do His will and keep His commandments. John 10:25-26
II. CHRIST’S FINAL OFFER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA 3:21-22
Those who overcome their sin through true repentance and faith in Christ will sit down with Him on His throne (the throne He shares with His Father).
It is not the love of God that sends sinners to hell; it is the holiness of God that does. God’s holiness demands that we be holy as He is holy.
Only Christ’s righteousness can make us acceptable before a holy God. Any other form of righteousness is filthy rags before a holy God.
Only Jesus Christ can pay the debt to sin we owe and give us right standing before a Holy God. Only the Holy Spirit can provide the power we need to conquer sin in our lives so that we can live righteously before God.
Audio of Lesson
