A Famous Church

Preacher:
Date: November 17, 2014

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words | Of the many well-known churches in the world, one became famous for all the wrong reasons. John tells us about it in the book of Revelation, chapter three. It’s the Church of Laodicea, located in what is now the nation of Turkey.

This is what God says about the people in this church: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Strong words!

The worst thing was that these people didn’t realize how bad off they were. Because they had money, they didn’t think they needed anything else. But the Bible says, “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Here’s a group of lukewarm Christians. Their relationship with God has grown distant. No longer do they enjoy a sense of God’s presence. No longer do they do the things that please God. But what stands out to me is that God doesn’t give up on them. According to the verse that immediately follows His rebuke, he stands at their hearts’ door knocking, wanting to renew His relationship with them. He says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Isn’t that amazing? Instead of rejecting them, He wants to nurture them by His presence. He offers them His companionship, knowing that their hearts will be rekindled by the fire of His love.

If you have grown lukewarm in your relationship with God, right now open the door of your heart and invite Him into your life in a new and deeper way. He wants an intimate relationship with you. Listen to His words in the Bible and share your deepest thoughts with Him in prayer. He’s knocking on your heart’s door right now.