Intro: Here is almost an unbelievable circumstance. A congregation of Christians because of their conduct have driven the Lord of Glory out of their midst.
And now he is represented as standing on the outside of a corrupt, miserable congregation asking if he can come in again.
He is begging for admittance. Verse 17 gives us the reason. This congregation at Laodicea has done exactly what Jeremiah said Israel had done: (Jer 2:13 NKJV) "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water.
They had become wealthy. They were doing what Matt. 6:19-25 says not to do.
Probably all the high- steppers, the gossip club, society fobs, the dudes and dandies were members of this unfortunate church.
Somewhere the bars had been let down and just as sure as this is done the world will jump in.
It is then that the Savior bows his head and walks out. His teaching and requirements are not compatible with such conduct.
Such a condition is always distasteful to the Lord. Here is a strange figure. The Lord is represented as being sick. " I will spew thee out of my mouth".
This church was neither heathen nor Christian; neither good nor bad.
To good and evil bent, I’m both a devil and a saint. It was too good to go to hell and to bad to go to heaven. Such a condition seemed to have puzzled the Lord himself.
Man looks upon the outward appearance, the Lord looks upon the heart.
They were wretched, what little Christianity they had made them miserable.
Poor, in spiritual development and laying up treasures in heaven.
Blind, things of this world had hidden them from the face of the Lord.
They were blinded to every opportunity for doing good.
Naked, they had removed the beautiful white robe that they might clothe themselves with filthy rags.
Buy of me gold tried in the fire. Increase your faith. (1 Pet 1:7 NKJV) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 John 5:1-4.
White raiment that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. (Rev 7:14 NKJV) And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev. 19:7-8.
Anoint thine eyes with eye salve. Look more diligently into the word of God.
Sin openly practiced.
A love for the world. (James 4:4 NKJV) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
By bringing into the worship unscriptural things. Matt. 15:9.
By dividing his spiritual body, the church.
Through the power of the cross.
Through Godly lives of his people.
Through preaching his word.
CONCLUSION:
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