Passage:  Revelation 3:14-22

Verse:  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!”  Revelation 3:15

Evaluation of:  The church in Laodicea [theme is spiritual temperature]

Evaluator:

• The Amen
• The Faithful and True Witness
• The Ruler of God’s Creation

Strengths:  None [only church without a strength]

Weaknesses:  I know your deeds …

1. You are neither cold nor hot, and I wish you were either one or the other!
2. You are lukewarm
3. You think you’re wealthy and don’t need a thing
4. You don’t realize you’re wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked

Steps:

• I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in fire
• Be earnest and repent
• Hear My knock, open the door [to your heart], I will come in [save and forgive you], and I will eat with you [be in relationship with you]

Warnings:

1. I AM about to spit [vomit] you out of My mouth
2. I rebuke and discipline those whom I love

Incentives:  [Laodicea’s wealth came from banking, wool and medicines]

1. You will become [eternally] rich
2. You will wear white clothes [be forgiven, cleansed and made pure]
3. Your shameful nakedness [sinfulness] will be covered
4. Put salve on your eyes to see [spiritually]
5. I will give you the right to sit with Me on My throne.

Application:

I used to jog many years ago.  I remember a time when I was dry and thirsty after a long, hot run.  I filled my glass with tap water and took a huge drink.  I was expecting cold water, but it was lukewarm!  Ugh!  I spit it out!  It tasted terrible!  What’s your spiritual temperature today?  Hot?  Cold?  Lukewarm?  If you’re lukewarm, “Be earnest, and repent.” Otherwise you can expect divine discipline and rebuke.  Only because He loves you!

Prayer:

“Lord, You know my spiritual temperature, and so do I.  I want to stay spiritually hot, not cold; but I certainly don’t want to be lukewarm!  Fan my flame!  Amen.”

© 2014 Steven A. Lake