You Make Me Sick!

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This is a sermon based on Rev. 3:14-22 regarding the church at Laodicea. This is part of a series of messages that have covered the messages to the seven churches in Asia as given by the Lord to John in Rev. 2-3.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

It is truly interesting to look at the words of Jesus in this last message to the seventh church and try to put His words into modern language in a way that would do justice to the intended meaning. I don’t know if you will agree with me or not, but in summarizing the message to the church at Laodicea, the only words I could think of are: “You make me sick!”

Why would the glorified Lord make a statement like that to a group of people who profess His name? We’re going to talk about that in just a few moments, but first we need to discuss some background information about the city of Laodicea.

(Reasoner) Forty-three miles southeast of Philadelphia was the town of Laodicea. It was established by Antiochus II and named for his wife Laodice, whom he later divorced in 253 B.C. This was a prosperous town, famous for its medical school, especially its “Phrygian powder,” which was mixed with oil to make eye salve, and ear ointment. Laodicea also produced glossy black wool. They bred sheep to get a certain color of wool. It was also a banking center. The town was destroyed three times by earthquakes; the last time it was rebuilt in A.D. 60 without government aid because of wool revenues. It was proud and self-sufficient. Of the seven cities, only Laodicea is today uninhabited.”

The outline we have been using for the previous messages to the other six churches included these points:

I. A Word of Revelation

II. A Word of Commendation

III. A Word of Accusation

IV. A Word of Exhortation

Using this same general outline let us consider…

I. A Word of Revelation (v. 14)

A. The Amen

This descriptive term or name is not one of the ones that appears in the first chapter vv. 12-18.

(Reasoner) While “amen” occurs ten times in Revelation, this is the only time it is a proper name for Christ. Usually it is used as an affirmation of truth; here it refers to the One who guarantees and fulfills the promises of God. See Isa 65:16, where “truth” in the phrase “God of truth” in Hebrew is “amen.”

(JFB) …it is the language peculiar to God, who avers by Himself. The New Testament formula, "Amen. [KJV-verily] I say unto you," is equivalent to the Old Testament formula, "as I live, saith Jehovah."

B. The Faithful and True Witness

(Barnes) This is presenting the idea implied in the word Amen in a more complete form, but substantially the same thing is referred to. He is a witness for God and his truth, and he can approve of nothing which the God of truth would not approve.

C. Beginning of the creation

The word used for “beginning” in this verse is a different form, but same root word as the word "ruler" or "prince" found in Rev. 1:5

(Reasoner) [A theologian by the name of Thomas] Coke said the meaning was that “the whole creation was produced by him, and he is the Head and Governor of all that he has made.”

There is no way, especially when viewed in light of numerous other Scriptures, that this can be intended to mean that Jesus was the first “created” being.

II. A Word of Commendation

This is the only church out of the seven that did not have any word of commendation offered by the risen and glorified Christ. How sad for a church to stand as the only one to whom Christ could not and did not offer any words of praise or commendation.

III. A Word of Accusation

What faults or defects did the Lord define against these people?

A. They possessed no beneficial zeal or passion. (vv. 15-16)

They were not cold or hot. This likely is a deliberate reference to the condition of the water supply in that city and the surrounding area.

(Reformation Study Bible) Laodicea's water supply had to be provided from a distant source through pipes. The resulting water was lukewarm and barely drinkable. By contrast, the neighboring town of Hierapolis had medicinal hot springs, and neighboring Colossae was supplied by a cold mountain stream. Christ urges the church to be refreshing (cold) or medicinally healing (hot), rather than like the Laodicean water supply.

(S. Zodhiates) …hot and cold represent beneficial qualities just as hot water soothes the body and cold water slakes one's thirst…. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.

The point seems to be that these people, just like lukewarm water, did not exhibit any passionate qualities that would have a positive effect on their culture or their world. Therefore, they had no value other than to make God sick and, by implication, others sick as well.

In a literal sense, lukewarm condition can be attained by cooling of something that was hot, or the warming of something that was cold. The same is true spiritually.

B. They could not accurately assess their own condition. (v. 17)

In addition to the fact that they lived their lives in such a passionless, lifeless, manner as to make the Lord sick, they also had no ability to accurately assess their own status or condition. They viewed themselves exactly opposite of the picture that God sees. Compare this with the words of Christ to the church in Smyrna (2:9). He told the people in Smyrna that He knew about their poverty, but that they were rich! Now, He is telling the people in Laodicea that they think they’re rich and in need of nothing, but don’t realize their extreme poverty and wretchedness.

Scholars tell us that the city of Laodicea (and undoubtedly the church too) was very wealthy. Some think that their material wealth helped cause them to assume that their spiritual life was doing great as well. They viewed themselves as doing just fine and in need of nothing. (probably materially or spiritually)

How can people get in this condition of blindness? I believe it is through the common habit of comparing ourselves with ourselves. We Christians look at the attitudes and behaviors of the unsaved and unconverted “pagans” around us and, as long as we’re “not as bad as they are”, then we think everything is okay.

God is not asking us to just be a little better than the average sinner. He’s not looking for us to be a little more religious than the common “Joe” down the street. God is looking for people that are genuinely born again and full of passion and zeal to live out our faith in obedience to Him in full view of a skeptical, unbelieving world.

Christ is seeking people who love the Lord with all their heart, with all their mind and with all their strength. He desires each one of us to be passionate, zealous and have a positive influence for godliness and righteousness in our world. He’s not looking for people who will simply “do no harm.” He wants people who will love Him so passionately that they can’t help but make a positive effect on their environment.

IV. A Word of Exhortation

Finally, we want to consider Jesus’ exhortation for the church at Laodicea.

A. Be zealous and repent. (v. 19)

The matter of repentance is a frequent theme of Jesus Christ to these churches in the province of Asia. A person can’t become what God wants him/her to be without genuinely turning away from the way they have been going or the way they have been living.

But Jesus adds another concept here because of the unique condition of this congregation – Be zealous, earnest, or intensely motivated. In other words, get on fire!

How was that going to happen?

1. Seek true spiritual riches from Christ.

2. Seek true spiritual clothing

3. Acquire spiritual eye-salve to provide genuine discernment.

All three of these items mentioned were part of their daily lives in a literal sense, but now Christ is making a definite spiritual application to their spiritual lives.

B. Admit the Lord into their hearts. (v. 20)

The Lord gives the Apostle John a tender word picture. Christ is standing at the door of the church, equivalent to the door of each individual heart, and he is knocking. Christ desires to enter and set things right and initiate sweet fellowship and passionate communion with those who think they are already well-off.

He says that He only rebukes and chastens those He loves (19).

God hasn’t taken a lukewarm, nonchalant attitude toward them like they have toward Him. No, God is passionate about saving them from their certain destruction. God is passionate about giving them whatever they need to break out of the lukewarm, half-hearted, self-righteous status quo into which they have settled. The Lord isn’t content to just let them drift along and lose their souls. He is rebuking and chastening and pleading and calling to them. He is urging them to do something about their sad condition.

Conclusion:

Dear friends, this condition of lukewarm spirituality and half-hearted practice of faith was not just a first-century problem. There have been congregations and individuals in every period of history that have exhibited the same characteristics.

The remedy for the problem is still the same: Repent, become passionate and zealous for God and seek the true spiritual riches, clothing and eye salve that He offers.

Susan B. Anthony is credited with saying this: “Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation.” (Illustrations Unlimited.)

She obviously wasn’t talking about spiritual matters, but the point applies. If we want to be on fire for God, we can’t be worried about what others think of us.

We’re the ones who are living half-heartedly about our faith. What would happen if every one of us here this morning would really live like we say we believe? I’ll tell you what would happen. Revival would break out.

My prayer today is for God to “Revive Us Again.”

Another Two-Way Street

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This is a sermon based on Revelation 3:7-13 regarding the church at Philadelphia. It emphasizes the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of the believers in the church of Philadelphia.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

There is an idiom or euphemism that is common in our language that most of us would immediately recognize and understand its meaning. That is the phrase, “a two-way street.” The phrase has been defined as: “an arrangement or a situation involving reciprocal obligation or mutual action. This is a two-way street, you know. You will have to help me someday in return.

There are a number of situations in life that we may have heard someone describe as a “two-way street.” Friendship is a two-way street. Marriage is a two-way street. Respect is a two-way street. These are some of the phrases that we have been accustomed to hearing. And, we could probably add many more examples if we took the time to go around the room this morning and give each of you an opportunity to share the one that has come to your mind.

As I read over the passage of Scripture that we will be looking at today, I immediately thought that Jesus was describing to John another “two-way street” scenario that we can relate to.

What is the two-way street that Jesus describes? It is faithfulness.

In this passage (Rev. 3:7-13), Jesus talks about His faithfulness to believers, and he talks about the believers’ faithfulness to Him.

We have been following a prescribed outline in each of the messages regarding the seven churches that Jesus talks about. We will plan to continue that same outline today as we talk about the Lord’s message to be delivered to the church in Philadelphia. However, before we get into the main outline, let us talk a little bit about the city and its significance.

(Reasoner) “Twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis we come to Philadelphia. Philadelphia was a border town where three [ancient] countries met [Mysia, Lydia & Phrygia]. The highway which connected Europe and Asia also passed through it. The church there was strategically located and had an open door of opportunity for missionary work.

“It was a missionary city, founded to promote unity of spirit, customs, and loyalty between Greek and Asian culture. Its people always lived in dread of a disaster. It had been destroyed by earthquake in A.D. 17 and Jesus spoke about the “hour of trial” (v 10).

(Barclay) “It was founded with the deliberate intention that it might be a missionary of Greek culture and language to Lydia and Phrygia…. “Three centuries before, Philadelphia had been given an open door to spread Greek ideas in the lands beyond; and now there has come to it another great missionary opportunity, to carry to men who never knew it the message of the love of Jesus Christ.”

The city suffered a devastating earthquake in AD 17 but the tremors went on for many years, causing many of the residents to abandon the city. It was rebuilt and over the years had its name changed 2 or 3 times. One writer (Reasoner) says Philadelphia is now the modern Muslim town of Alasehir. Another author (Barclay) says that even in modern times, there is a Christian Bishop and a core group of faithful believers that still live in “Philadelphia.”

Let us now look into the message from the Risen Christ to the Christians in Philadelphia.

I. A Word of Revelation (v. 7)

Christ did not prescribe the same solution to any two of [the churches]. Yet the common need of them all was to see Christ. A fresh revelation of Christ produces revival among his people. Such a revelation would convict us of our sin, correct our imbalances, invigorate our love, and ignite our evangelism. (Reasoner)

A. He is holy. Holiness is one of the attributes of God as repeatedly affirmed in Scripture throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Holiness is the quality of character that refers to absolute moral perfection and the absolute abhorrence of anything and everything evil.

It also involves the quality of being totally set apart or separated from everything ordinary. It emphasizes the fact that God is completely set apart / different from humanity. Jesus possesses those same moral perfections as God the Father.

B. He is true. (Barclay) In Greek there are two words for true. [One] means true in the sense that a true statement is different from a false statement. [The other word] means real as opposed to that which is unreal. It is the second word that is used here in regards to Jesus. Jesus Christ is real, genuine, and authentic. He is the true Savior. He is the true friend. He is the true perfectly sinless human, yet divine Son of God.

The description “holy” and “true” is used of God the Father in Rev. 6:10 "…How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

C. He is sovereign.

"He who has the key of David…" The key represents authority; the description that follows (which is based on Isaiah 22) signifies sovereign authority. Although they have little authority or influence, Christ holds the key, or authority, of David. Therefore, he is sovereign.

The reference is based on Isaiah 22 which talks about King Hezekiah’s steward Eliakim. God had taken away the position and authority of the previous steward because of his unfaithfulness and given it to Eliakim. He would have the power or authority to admit people into the presence of the king. So Christ has the privilege and authority to admit anyone into the kingdom of God.

II. A Word of Commendation (v. 8)

“I know your works…” Here again, as with all the other churches, the Lord reminds them that He intimately knows their efforts. He not only knows their accomplishments, but he knows their efforts, their motives, their desires, etc.

A. They have wide open opportunities.

There is some disagreement about what the significance of this phrase is for the church, but it appears that Christ is reminding them that he has granted them missionary opportunities because of their strategic location.

B. They have little strength.

The word used here for “little” is the word that our English word “micro” comes from. The idea seems to be that there really wasn’t much strength left at all, but they were still holding on to their faith and hadn’t given up.

There may not be much strength left, but the Lord is praising them for what they had. (Reasoner) “We probably would not have been impressed with this church, but the Lord does not rebuke them.” He tells a congregation with little strength that he holds the key and can open and close doors of opportunity as he sees fit.

C. They have maintained faithfulness and loyalty to Christ.

“have not denied my name”

Apparently whenever the Christians at Philadelphia had been persecuted and pressured to renounce their faith in Jesus, they had remained steadfast and faithful to the Lord. Some suggest that the Jews (referred to here as the synagogue of Satan) were the ones who brought persecution upon them.

(III. A Word of Accusation)

 (Reasoner) All [the other churches] except Smyrna and Philadelphia were reprimanded. While these two [certainly] had imperfections, Christ knew they were doing their best. It is possible to please God.

IV. A Word of Exhortation (vv. 9-11)

The word of exhortation includes a couple of promises that the Lord would do for them, followed by one command they were to obey.

 A. “I will turn your opposition into support. The Jews were once God’s chosen people, but they rejected their Messiah. For the second time Jesus called them the “synagogue of Satan” (2:9). Christians were locked out of the Jewish synagogue, but Christ said not to worry. Since he holds the keys, they were only banned from the synagogue of Satan. He holds open the door of salvation and even the Jews will be drawn to Christ and will acknowledge that this little congregation is the true Israel of God….(Reasoner)

B. I will protect my own; “I will keep you from the hour of trial coming upon the whole world.”

The word for “world” is not the usual “kosmos” but it is oikoumene, which in certain passages, according to the context implies the whole Roman Empire or a defined region of Greeks, etc.

The Lord implies that His faithfulness to protect them is reciprocal to the fact that they have obeyed His command to endure.

C. In v 11 Jesus gave his only command to them, encouraging them to keep on doing what they are doing; “hold on (krateo) to what you have.” (Reasoner)

…(krateo) means to hold on or be strong. Although it was used in 2:1 where Christ holds the pastors, now the congregation is admonished to hold to Christ. While he is able to keep us, we must keep ourselves in his love (Jude 21, 24).

“… that no one may take your crown.”

This seems to be an obvious metaphor referring to the winner’s crown given to the athletes in the ancient games.

(Barclay) It is not a question of someone stealing their crown, but of God giving it to someone else more worthy.

Conclusion:

In bringing this message to a close, I want to stress that there are two main points that have caught my attention in this passage we’ve been discussing today: One, the Philadelphian Christians had been loyal and faithful to the Lord and had not denied him even when the opposition had been severe. Two, the Lord had remained loyal and faithful to the believers and promised to continue His faithful protection and support.

This matter of faithfulness is a “two-way street.”

God will be faithful to us when we are faithful to him and we can remain faithful and loyal to him because of his faithfulness to us.

In his commentary on Revelation, Dr. Vic Reasoner told that the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, put a sign above the doorway of his Pastor’s College that read, “Holding, I am held”.

My friends, God will not abandon you, nor let you down. And He has provided all the grace that is necessary for you and I to remain faithful to Him through every circumstance and trial. Perhaps you have not been very faithful up to this point. I’ve got good news for you. The Lord is here to give you a new start and a new resolve to be faithful to Him from now on.

Our closing song today is one that may be new to some, but it is a simple tune with a great message.

The Greatest Thing in all my life is loving God.

Once a Tomb, Forever a Triumph

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This is a sermon preached by Rev. Kenton Shaw for the Easter Sunrise Service at Wayside Community Church on March 31, 2013.

I Was the Dead Man

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This is a message given on Easter Sunday that recounts the resurrection stories of Jesus, Lazarus and Pastor Les.

Written Excerpts:

I WAS THE DEAD MAN

Rev. 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.” (See also Jn. 11:40-44; Eph. 2:4-6)

Introduction:

For my message today, I thought I would bring a very different kind of sermon from what I normally give. I want to tell you three stories that are based on the Bible passages that were read earlier in the service. I have tried to imagine what we might hear if we could have a conversation with Jesus and with Lazarus based on the texts that were read.

Imagine you are getting acquainted with someone for the first time and they are trying to identify themselves by placing themselves in the context of an event or story that you’re already familiar with. For example, if you were to meet George Beverly Shea for the first time he might say, “Do you remember Billy Graham? Well, I was the man that led the congregational songs for his crusades.”

So, for today, I am going to use my imagination a little and try to tell the stories of Jesus, Lazarus and me. For all of us can say the same thing: “I was the dead man.”

Jesus

Hello, John. You have been a long time servant of mine, but I know you’re having trouble recognizing me right now. I look quite a bit different now than I did the last time you saw me. John, I am sure that you remember all the events that took place in Judea and Jerusalem when I, your Master, Rabbi, and Lord, was teaching around the villages and towns of Judea. You remember the places we went and the miracles I performed.

You have literally spent your entire life writing about me and telling other people about me, but now I look drastically different.  Now, that I have been back in heaven with God the Father, and have been glorified with Him, my appearance is not very much like it was then. The vision you’re having of me now is intimidating, and frightening, yet it is glorious. Don’t be afraid, John. I am the same person you ate with and talked with and traveled with. I am the same Jesus.

I’m sure that you remember the events at the end of my earthly ministry when the religious rulers at the Temple had me arrested and tried for blasphemy because I said that I was the Christ, the Son of God. I know that all those memories are still vivid in your mind as those events unfolded so rapidly. You and all the other disciples were scattered and disoriented and didn’t know what to do or where to go.

The suffering and agony that I went through was almost more than any human being can bear. But I willing gave my life because there was a world that needed rescued and redeemed. In a much shorter time than normal, I died on that day on the cross. I was placed in a tomb with the expectation by my enemies that it would be the end. They thought it would be the last time they would see me. I was left in the tomb by my friends and disciples with the fear that it was the end. But, on the third day I rose again, victorious over death; just like I said that I would! I came out of the grave even before the stone was rolled away. The Father sent angels to move the stone just so everyone could see I was no longer there.

Yes, John, I am living now. I was the dead man, but I am alive forevermore!!!

Lazarus

Oh, hello. My name is Lazarus. I am the brother of Mary and Martha from Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. All three of us were very close friends with the well-known prophet from Nazareth, called Jesus. Many people referred to him as Jesus – the Christ, because they truly believed that he was the “Anointed One,” the Messiah of God.

Probably the one event that most people remember about me was the time that I became very, very sick. My sisters sent word for Jesus to come quickly, because they didn’t think I had long to live and they wanted the miracle worker to come and heal me. Jesus didn’t come that day or the next day. I couldn’t hold on any longer. My life and breath slowly slipped away.

My body was placed in a tomb and, as I understand it, I laid there for four days. Four days, mind you! Of course, I wasn’t aware of what was going on. My family and friends filled me in on the details later, but Jesus finally showed up after I had been in the grave for four days.

I can tell you this. At some point I suddenly started breathing again and I regained consciousness. I felt my body responding to a voice calling to me from outside the grave. There was no way that I could stay in that cold dark place. The voice of God was calling me out of the grave back into the world of life.

Yes, my new friend, I can tell you my name is Lazarus. I was the dead man, but now I am alive; I’m alive!

You know, the most amazing thing about it all is this. You would think that everyone would be happy that Jesus could raise someone back to life from the dead. You would think that everyone would be happy for me to be alive again. Well, if you thought that, you’d be wrong. You see, Jesus had enemies that were already trying to think of ways to bring his ministry, his power and his influence to an end.

Well, as word began to spread like wildfire that Jesus had brought me back to life from the dead, the same people that hated Jesus and wanted to find a way to kill him were actually conspiring and plotting to kill me as well. Can you imagine that? They wanted to kill me just because I kept telling people “I was the dead man, but now I’m alive.”

Lester

For my third and final story, I introduce myself. My name is Lester. I grew up in the rural area of northwestern Pennsylvania. In many respects my life was just like most other people. I was raised in a good home with loving parents. I had the privilege of having two parents who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and they made sure that I attended church services regularly (that always meant “every time the doors were open”).

Because I was in church every time the doors were open, I heard a “ton” of good preaching while I was growing up. I really can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a desire deep in my heart to be a good person and to follow God. But I had a problem. The older I got, the more I realized that there was something else in my heart that was fighting against God and His way. I was constantly struggling with desires deep within that did not want God’s will or God’s way.

The Apostle Paul describes my condition very accurately in Ephesians 2 where he writes, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins.” I was constantly stumbling and yielding to temptations when I had intended to live right. I knew there were attitudes and traits in my heart that was contrary to God’s Word and commands. I was controlled by lust, greed, and all kinds of sinful passions. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to get away from my parents and the church and go do my own thing and live my own life.

I was dead in my sins. I was dead to God’s Spirit. I was dead to the way of truth and righteousness, but one January night during a winter youth revival I felt the Holy Spirit calling me once again to surrender to Christ.“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved me, even when I was dead in my trespasses, he made me alive with Christ… and he made me sit together in heavenly places with Christ.”

Hallelujah! I was the dead man, but now I am alive! I was lost, but now I am found! I was blind, but now I see, I was doomed for hell, but now I have a home waiting in heaven! I used to want my own will and my own way, but now I want God’s will and I want God’s way. Praise God!

Conclusion:

You know who Jesus is. He was the dead man but today He is alive forever!

You know who Lazarus is. He was the dead man but Jesus brought him back to life.

You know who I am. I was dead in my trespasses and sins, but Jesus rescued me, He saved me, He gave me spiritual life!

You too can have a resurrected life. God can and will do the same for you that he has done for millions of others! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

A Cross for a King?

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This is a sermon that ties the events of the Triumphal Entry with the crucifixion. It emphasizes the need for disciples of Jesus Christ to be willing to take up their cross to follow Him.

Written Excerpts:

John 19:19 (NKJV) Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Introduction:

I am sure that the Scripture reading this morning was a familiar story to nearly everyone here. We know all about the Lord’s ride into Jerusalem on the donkey. We are familiar with the way the people laid down their garments and palm branches in the path where Jesus was traveling. We have read the accounts of people shouting praises to the Lord as he rode into the city.

We know from the description given in the Gospels that at least some of the people were apparently “connecting the dots” between Jesus’ actions and the words of the OT prophets concerning the Messiah. They apparently recognized that His actions were a fulfillment of specific prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, and they began to cry out “Hosanna” – “Save we pray.” They hoped that this miracle-working prophet would be the God-sent deliverer to rescue them from the oppression of their enemies. Surely He must be the new king sent from God for the salvation of Israel.

But let’s go back even farther into the story of Jesus’ life. In the Gospel record of Jesus’ birth, we read even then of various people who made reference to the title of “king” in connection with the new baby born in Bethlehem. Remember the words of the Wise Men who traveled from the East. When they arrived in Judea, they went to the current king, King Herod, and asked, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?”

Although the title of “King” is not a title that Jesus used for himself, we know from all that Scripture teaches that He truly was a king and still is the King of kings today.

All of us who are familiar with the Scriptures remember that it was only a few days later when some of these same people who had hailed Him as a king and deliverer and savior are now railing instead if hailing. They are now crying out for His execution rather than for His salvation from their oppressors.

The title that I have chosen for the message is offered in the form of a question: “A cross for a king?”

How unfitting or unseemly for a king to be placed on a cross!

For the rest of our time today, I want to explore just two main thoughts for your consideration and reflection.

I. Jesus really was a king.
II. Jesus willing accepted His cross.

I. Jesus really was a king.

I’ve already mentioned how the Wise Men said they were looking for the one who was “born king of the Jews.” Even Simeon and Anna, the two saints in the temple who saw Jesus as a baby, made statements that indicated they knew He was the Messiah; even though they didn’t actually use the word “king.”

I’ve also mentioned the behavior of the people as Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem. I’ve pointed out how their comments and shouts indicated their awareness that He was fulfilling prophecy from the OT (esp. Zech 9:9) and at least some of them believed that He was the King that God had promised so long ago.

Going on through the events of the arrest and trial of Jesus, we find many more references to the title of King. His accusers told Pilate that He claimed to be King of the Jews. (Lk. 23:1)

Pilate asks Him if He is King. Three of the Gospel writers simply record, “It is as you say.” John goes into more detail regarding Jesus' answer. 

John 18:34-37 (NKJV) ³⁴ Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
³⁵ Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" ³⁶ Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
³⁷ Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king.

Jesus acknowledges that He is a King, but His present kingdom is not of this world.

Pilate refers to Jesus as King of the Jews several times as recorded by all four Gospel writers.

Pilate puts inscription over Jesus’ head on the cross, “King of the Jews.”

Pilate refuses to change it when Jews tell him to write, “He said he was king of the Jews.”

Rev. 19:16 “… a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

All that we have been saying points to the fact that Jesus Christ truly was a king. But, he was not just A king, He was THE King; THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

II. Jesus willing accepted His cross.

Certainly, all down through history, there have been other legitimate kings that have died horrible deaths; some may have even been crucified. Yet, this one is different. He was not helpless. He could have avoided the cross. He could have overcome all of His enemies.

“He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free.”

Death on a cross was considered the worst kind of execution a person could suffer. Yet, here Jesus was, a King headed to the cross – the fate of the worst kind of criminal.

He knew in his heart and mind that the cross was necessary for the salvation of the world. He knew that he must accept the cross in order to save the human race. He willing accepted his cross and his death, so that you and I could live.

Conclusion:

This brings me to the concluding thought that has been on my mind these last several days.

If Jesus, the truly legitimate King of kings and Lord of lords, willingly accepted His cross and surrendered His own will, His comforts and even His life, then how much more should I be willing to do the same?

“The disciple is not above His master.”

Jesus told His disciples at various times, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

take his cross. This is to obey and identify with Jesus even unto death, not simply to bear some particular burden imposed by the Lord. (The Reformation Study Bible.)

Jesus uses the phrase anticipatively, in view of the death which he himself was to die. This was one of those sayings described in John 12:16, which the disciples understood not at the first, but the meaning of which was revealed in the light of later events. The figure itself was borrowed from the practice which compelled criminals to bear their own cross to the place of execution…. (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.)

The cross was an instrument of violent and painful execution. To “take the cross” was to carry the horizontal beam of the cross out to the site of execution, generally past a jeering mob. In rhetorically strong terms, Jesus describes what all true disciples must be ready for: if they follow him, they must be ready to face literal scorn and death, for they must follow to the cross. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.)

In our Wednesday night Bible study, we have been studying about spiritual disciplines, which essentially addresses the issue of “denying ourselves” in order to follow Christ more closely.

Taking up the cross is another issue. It is a supreme willingness and determination to obey and follow Christ even to the point of death; whether the “death” is spiritually to our own selfish will or literally and physically dying for our faith.

This week is often referred to in Church History as Holy Week. It reminds us of the path that Jesus took the last few days leading up to His crucifixion. As we contemplate what He has done for us, let us re-commit ourselves to be His disciples even to the point of scorn, persecution and death.

Jesus said, “Whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel, the same shall save it.”

Let us close our service by singing the hymn:

In the Cross of Christ I Glory  # 328

Revival Is Imperative

(To download this message, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown above.)

This is a sermon based on Revelation 3:1-6 which speaks about the church in Sardis. The theme of the text is regarding the need for the church to come alive and be revived.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Today we are continuing our series of messages from Revelation concerning the seven churches in the province of Asia during the time of the Roman Empire.

Sardis is the next church that is mentioned by the risen Christ. It was a city that was located approximately 33 miles south of Thyatira. It was situated on the Pactolus river in the middle of the Hermus Valley and the foot of Mount Tmolus.

Several centuries earlier, before either the Greek or Roman Empires, Sardis was a city of splendor, wealth and power. It had been situated on a plateau that was part of Mount Tmolus, and had been considered unconquerable. Eventually the city spread down into the valley by the river, and it basically consisted of two cities, one in the valley and one on the mountain. At the time of John’s writing, Sardis was wealthy but degenerate. Even the once-great citadel was now just a monument on top of the mountain.

I want to follow the same basic outline that we have been using in this series, so we will begin by looking at

I. A Word of Revelation (v. 1)

He who holds the seven spirits and the seven stars.

This was something we discussed in the first chapter…

This is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit. The number seven is included because it is a significant number throughout scripture; symbolically emphasizing perfection, completion and universality. It is further argued by some scholars that the number seven refers to the diversity or fullness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts and operations in the church/world.

“Seven Stars” – We are told that these represent the seven “angels” or messengers of the seven churches.

The Lord is revealing himself as the one who oversees the ministry of the Holy Spirit and holds the churches in His power and control.

II. A Word of Commendation (v. 4)

In the messages to the churches mentioned previously, the “word of commendation” came before the “accusation,” but not in this case.

The accusation comes first in the case of Sardis, which we will get to in just a moment.

The commendation goes to just part of the congregation. It does not consist of a list of “works” that they have performed in obedience to and for the glory of God. It is simply a positive statement of affirmation for those who have are not dead.

There are some who “have not defiled (soiled) their garments.”

Possibly a reference to the practice of giving white robes to baptismal candidates after they came out of the water to symbolize their new life. This would refer to the one who had not forsaken his or her baptismal vows of faith, obedience and devotion to the Lord.

Jas. 1:27 – part of the description of “pure religion” included: keeping himself or herself “unspotted from the world.”

God always has a remnant of faithful people in every generation who remain true to their original commitment to him and do not allow themselves to be deceived, entangled, or soiled by the ungodly influences of the world around them.

Even in the midst of decline and “death” it is possible to stay alive and live pleasing to the Lord!

III. A Word of Accusation (v. 1, 2b)

This is a very simple, straight-forward accusation that comes from the Lord.

“I know your works and you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but you are dead.”

And, “I have not found your works perfect (mature, complete) before God.”

(Barclay) This church was not practicing any heresy, and it was not under attack (persecution) from the outside.

It had simply died spiritually. One dies by simply not doing the things that sustain life. Nourishment; Exercise; Purpose; etc. – these are the things that promote life. Without these, life will ebb away and death will certainly come.

IV. A Word of Exhortation (v. 2a, 3)

Watch – (Barclay) Probably a direct reference to the history of the once-great citadel of Sardis that sat upon the plateau of the mountain. It was considered impregnable, unconquerable because of its position. However, twice in its history it was conquered because the enemy found a way to scale the mountain side and enter the city which was unguarded and no one was watching. (They felt there was no need to watch.)

In verse 3b, the Lord says He will come like a thief when they are not watching. Very similar to the parables Jesus used to tell about the coming of the Lord. Seems to be an obvious implication of coming judgment.

Strengthen – exercise the things that promote health and life.

Someone said many years ago, “What does one have to do to lose his soul? Nothing.” The point was, loss of spiritual life and vitality is the natural process when one does nothing to preserve, strengthen and invigorate his or her life.

Remember – pres. impv.; keep on remembering how your received the gospel.

Hold fast (Keep) – pres. impv.; (Barclay) do not stop keeping (obeying) the commands of the gospel that you understood from the beginning.

Repent – aor. impv.; describes one definite or completed action; “there must be a time when a person decides to be done with the old way and begin with the new.” (Barclay)

Conclusion:

As we have mentioned from the very beginning of this series, we are looking at these words of prophecy with the understanding that they were written to a specific people in a specific time for a specific purpose. However, we also understand that every prophecy in Scripture has a valid application to the believers in every age. This message is no exception.

How sad for a church, called by the name of Jesus Christ, to have a reputation of being alive. (There must have been plenty going on in this church to give the impression to outsiders and others that there was life.) Yet, in spite of what others thought, the Lord looks at the church and declares it is dead!

We can look around us and point our fingers and assume that this only applies to others, but not us. However, we are just as vulnerable to dying out spiritually as any other congregation ever was. And, we will die also if we don’t take the admonition and exhortation to heart.

We also need to watch; strengthen; remember; hold fast; and repent.

Couple of quotes I’ve seen posted on facebook lately.

“Spiritual awakening means that the faithful become fiery, the decent become dynamic, and the acceptable become excellent. But, most of all, we become disgusted with our evil, and totally dissatisfied with our good.” Quoted from, "Critical Mass - A Strategy for a North American Revival” by Mario Murillo

I'm sick to death of the so-called Christianity of our day. What's supernatural about it? When do people come out of the sanctuary awed and can't speak for an hour because God has been in glory there? Dear God, as soon as they get out, they're talking football, or sports or something or there's going to be a big sale downtown or somewhere. We are not caught up into eternity!                                    - Leonard Ravenhill

May God help us to recognize the danger of dying spiritually. May He grant us the fervent desire to take the necessary steps to keep revived in our hearts even as the world around us becomes more and more pagan.

No Compromise - Part 2

(To download this message, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown above.)

This is a sermon based on the text in Revelation 2:18-29 that contains the message given by Jesus Christ to the church in Thyatira. It speaks of the coming judgment for the "permission" the church has given for a church leader to teach heresy and compromise.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:
Don't Negotiate With Satan (Sermonhall.com) “A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. When [he was] about to pull the trigger, the bear spoke in a soft soothing voice, "Isn't it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let's negotiate the matter." Lowering his rifle, the hunter replied, "I want a fur coat." "Good," said the bear, "... I only want a full stomach, so let us negotiate a compromise." They sat down to negotiate and after [while] the bear walked away alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach, and the hunter had his fur coat! ….”

This little parable has a point that is applicable for every follower of Jesus Christ. The hunter could represent the Christian and the bear could represent our enemy, Satan. Satan is always offering “negotiations” for the people of God to avoid following Christ in every detail and every area of life. However, the testimony of untold thousands of spiritual casualties show that negotiating with the Devil guarantees certain spiritual death and ruin sooner or later.

Last Sunday we tried to cover the passage found in the previous verses of Rev. 2 regarding the church of Pergamos. We emphasized the fact that the risen and glorified Christ urged the church in the town of Pergamos to repent from integrating the evil, seductive and sensual practices of the world into their worship of God. In spite of all the good they had done and the measure of faith that was still active in some of their members, they had compromised and assimilated practices that were dishonoring to God and shameful to the name of Jesus.

Our study today focuses on the message that Christ offers to the church in Thyatira. The message is so similar to what we learned last week regarding Pergamos, I decided to use the same title and just refer to this message as part 2! So let us turn our attention to the last portion of chapter two in Revelation and see what God would say to us today.

As we have been doing with each of the cities mentioned so far, we need to take a little time to learn about the city called Thyatira. (Details and descriptions of this town and setting come from Zondervan Pict. Bible Dict.; The Daily Bible Study Series by Wm. Barclay; Beacon Bible Expositions, T.E. Martin; The Revelation Explained, F.G. Smith)

The city of Thyatira is located about 48 miles southeast of Pergamos (farther inland from the Aegean Sea) and was situated on the road that runs from Pergamos, to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

It was not a very prominent city in comparison to the other six mentioned here, but it was a city consisting of great commerce and business, especially with woolen goods and the dyeing industry. (Lydia, the seller of purple, was from Thyatira. Acts 16:14)

There were an extraordinary number of trade guilds in Thyatira, which could be compared to trade unions in modern times. “These were associations for the profit and pleasure of people employed in certain trades.” (WB)

Thyatira was also the site of a Roman garrison manned by Macedonian troops and serving as an outpost to help protect Pergamos.

I. A Word of Revelation (v. 18)

In each of the seven messages to the churches, the risen and glorified Christ begins with a description that reveals a unique truth about himself to the recipients of the message. In this segment, Christ says, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass” This description of the Lord is repeated from what was given in chapter one, verses 14b and 15a.

These words are also the same as the words used to describe the angelic messenger who came to Daniel in a vision after Daniel had been seeking God and fasting for three weeks (Dan. 10:6).

Here in Revelation one and two, the description is applied to Jesus Christ and is apparently meant to represent divine attributes. It appears again later in Revelation (Ch. 19) as a description of the Lord when He returns from heaven on a white horse to finally conquer the enemies of God.

“flaming eyes” – probably a reference to the penetrating vision of God that sees everything, including the motives and intentions of every heart. (cf. verse 23, “…I am He who searches the minds and hearts….) [KJV, “reigns and hearts”]

(Matthew Henry) “…signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge….” (A. Clarke) “To denote his omniscience, and the all-penetrating nature of the Divine knowledge.”

There is absolutely nothing that escapes the gaze, attention and knowledge of an infinite God.

“feet like fine brass” – Bible scholars believe that this represents the idea of stability or permanence, power and majesty.

(A. Clarke) “An emblem of his stability and permanence…” (Barclay) “…must stand for the immovable power of the risen Christ.” (A. Barnes) “Perhaps indicative of majesty and glory as he walked in the midst of the churches.”

And so, to a congregation of people who claim the name of Jesus, but have compromised and changed the standards of godly behavior, the glorified Lord Jesus Christ is reminding them that He sees all, He knows all, and He remains strong and permanent amidst all of the change they have accepted.

It certainly would be wise for us to keep this in mind today. The Lord still “searches the minds and hearts” of every individual and intimately knows not only what we say and do, but He knows why.

II. A Word of Commendation (v. 19)

There is really not much difference in the words of commendation given to this church than that which was given to the previous one in Pergamos.

A. He knows their works

Love, faith, service and endurance all seem to be subordinate to the word “works.” (Jameson, Faussett, Brown)

Therefore, we could understand this verse to be saying, “I know your works that spring from a heart of love and deep faith and flourish in the form of service and perseverance or endurance.”

At any rate, these words describe the kinds of qualities that any church congregation would love to be known for.

B. They have made significant progress in all areas.

The last phrase of the verse seems to portray the meaning that their works in all these manifestations are greater now than they were before. There has been significant improvement and progress in living out their Christian faith.

Again, what congregation would not want to have this said about them? It certainly ought to be the goal of every individual and every congregation to be more mature, more productive and more Christ like than they have ever been in the past.

(Barclay) “On the surface the Church at Thyatira was strong and flourishing. If a stranger went into it, he would be impressed with it… Here is a warning. A church which is crowded with people and which is a hive of energy is not necessarily a real Church. It is possible for a church to be crowded because its people come to be entertained instead of instructed, and to be soothed instead of confronted with the fact of sin and the offer of salvation; it may be a highly successful Christian club rather than a real Christian congregation."

III. A Word of Accusation (v. 20)

But… (Nevertheless) The “other shoe drops,” as we might say, and the Lord moves away from the commendation to clearly and strongly state His accusation against them.

The glaring fault that He had against them was their willingness to tolerate the teaching and practice of boldface error in their congregation. The problem was a woman referred to as “Jezebel” who apparently was in some type of leadership position and was teaching the Christians to “eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.”

This was nearly identical to the accusation that was levied against Pergamos. The woman was called, “Jezebel,” as a way of comparing her to the wife of King Ahab in the OT who persuaded her husband to allow her to bring her pagan gods, idolatry and practices from her homeland and incorporate them along with the worship of the God of Israel.

In the book of Acts we learn that the most basic guidelines the Apostles required of the Gentile converts in the infant church included abstaining from eating food sacrificed to idols and from fornication or immoral behavior. (Acts 15:29)

Writers describe one of the potential problems in this city was the fact that large numbers of people would feel it necessary to join the trade guilds in order to “avoid commercial suicide.” These guilds no doubt offered common meals that would include meat that had been consecrated to an idol, and they would engage in all kinds of drunken revelry and immorality. (Barclay, ZPBD, et. al)

It is not clear whether the reference to “fornication” should be understood literally as sexual immorality or as spiritual infidelity.

Some believe that the phrase “the depths of Satan” (v.24), could very well be a reference to a common heresy during that era which claimed that Christians should experience every kind of sin… and accommodate themselves to the world. (Barclay)

This apparently was a perverted way of not only emphasizing the belief that the body was evil (Gnosticism) but also promoting the belief that such behavior exalts the grace of God. (cf. Rom. 6) The practice of faith that does not take a stand for things that are holy, right and godly, will eventually fall for anything that the evil hearts of men and women may clamor for.

IV. A Word of Exhortation (vv. 21-25)

In this section Christ starts off by citing evidence of His mercy, gives a description of coming judgment, and then concludes with encouragement for the individuals who have not compromised.

A. Mercy is offered in order to inspire repentance. (v. 21)

The Lord reminds the people of this congregation that He mercifully gave this ungodly “Jezebel” ample time and opportunity to repent, but she failed to do so.

The Bible makes it clear that many people mistake the mercy of the Lord as the sanction or approval of the Lord. (Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?) When God withholds judgment, it is for the purpose to granting opportunity for repentance and conversion. But, many people assume His lack of judgment is a mark of approval.

B. A day of judgment will come. (vv. 22-23)

The risen Christ warns that judgment will come in various ways. It will involve sickness, tribulation and even death.

“children” (23) – probably means followers or disciples of “Jezebel”.

C. All the faithful saints must continue to endure. (vv. 24-25)

For the people in Thyatira who have not compromised and been taken in by the error of this notorious teacher, Christ encourages them to keep on in their faithful obedience and don’t give up.

“no other burden” – seems to be a similar statement and thought as shared in Acts 15, when the Jerusalem Apostles / leaders said they would put “no other burden” on the gentiles besides the three basic guidelines, “no meat offered to idols, no eating of blood, no meat from strangled animals, and no fornication [sexual immorality].”

In other words, the Lord is telling them something like this, “I am not interested in giving you a whole catalog of rules to live by. I am just asking you to avoid the immoral and pagan practices advocated by this woman and keep doing all the other positive things you have been doing.”

Conclusion:

Have you ever wondered why birds do not fall off their perches when they fall asleep?

The Power of the Bended Knee Birds go to sleep on their perches, but they never fall off. This is because of the tendons in the bird's legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch so tightly. Isn't this also the secret of the holding power of the Christian? Daniel found this to be true. Surrounded by a pagan environment, tempted to compromise with evil, urged to weaken his grip on God, he refused to let go. He held firm when others faltered because he was a man of prayer. He knew the power of the bended knee. … When we hold firmly to God in prayer, we can rest assured he will hold tightly to us. --Rollin S. Burhans

I hope and pray that the seriousness of this message to the church at Thyatira will motivate each one of us to prayerfully live as close to God as we possibly can, and not be contented with “hanging out on the fringes.”

Let us sing our closing song as a prayer: Whiter Than Snow