Sermon 243

SERMON 243 — THE LUKEWARM CHURCH

Text: Revelation 3:14–17
Date: September 27, 1942
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

Laodicea was a prosperous city, located near both Mount Whitney and Death Valley—regions of extreme contrasts.The church there reflected a similar contrast: outward prosperity but inward spiritual poverty.This is the church about which the Lord says nothing good.The outstanding fact that strikes us is that the Lord calls her lukewarm.

SUBJECT: THE LUKEWARM CHURCH

I. THE LORD’S SELF-INTRODUCTION TO THIS CHURCH

A. He calls Himself “The Amen”
The One who is true, dependable, final — the One in whom all God’s promises are verified.

B. “The Faithful and True Witness”
The One who speaks truth perfectly and reveals the real condition of this church.

C. “The Beginning of the Creation of God”
Not the first created being, but the source and ruler of creation — the One with full authority over the church.

II. WHAT HER WORKS REVEAL

A. Works are the thermometer of spiritual life
1. The Lord judges a person or church by their works.
2. He reads these works perfectly; He is never deceived.
3. In each of the seven letters He evaluates by works.

B. They show she is not hot
1. No real love or active faith.
2. No zeal for the Lord.
3. Not diligent in doing what pleases God.Her spiritual life had no force or movement.

C. But she is not cold
1. Not totally ignorant of truth.
2. Not openly rejecting God.
3. Not fully heathen.
4. She has not abandoned worship altogether.

D. She is lukewarm
1. Lukewarm water is undrinkable and nauseating; so is lukewarm religion.
2. A condition of hypocrisy — pretending but not possessing.
3. Christ says He will spue her out — a graphic picture of disgust.
4. Her condition is revolting, pleasing in no way.

III. HER VAIN BOASTING

A. She has a very good opinion of herself
1. She does not feel lukewarm.
2. She is pleased with herself.
3. She thinks she is very good and faithful.
4. She feels spiritually safe and well.

B. She boasts of her riches
1. Likely a prosperous congregation with wealthy members.
2. She assumes her riches give her spiritual privileges.
3. She relies on material prosperity as proof of spiritual health.

C. She claims she lacks nothing
But this reveals she does not know her true condition.

D. Christ declares her real state
1. Wretched — like one unaware of danger.
2. Miserable — far from happy.
3. Poor — spiritually bankrupt.
4. Blind — unable to see sin or danger.
5. Naked — spiritually exposed while thinking she is well-clothed.

E. This makes her condition tragic
To think one is rich while being poor,clothed while naked,alive while dead —this is Laodicea’s tragedy.

CONCLUSION

Is not this church in a sad condition.Is it not terrible to believe you are rich, only to be told you are poor.How tragic to think you need nothing, yet to be in utter poverty.How about us.Are we lukewarm.Are we self-satisfied.Does prosperity blind our eyes.Christ’s diagnosis is honest and searching; may we hear it.