Christ’s messages “to the Angel of the church in Penge”
WHO IS ON THE
THRONE? – THE
CHURCH OF
LAODICEA
Penge Baptist Church
8th December 2013
Revelation 3:14-22
 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 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.
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and
do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that
you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the
fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to
wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness;
and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be
earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door
and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he
with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the
right to sit with me on my throne, just as I
overcame and sat down with my Father on his
throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.”
Where was Laodicea?
 Near modern
Denizli
 Rich town with
banks, clothing
industry, medical
school, eye
ointment
 Downstream from
hot springs of
Hierapolis
 Receives harshest
criticism!
Jesus the Lord of Creation
 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.”
 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation. For by him all things were
created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by him and for
him. He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)
A church of compromise…
 “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.”
 Lukewarm Christianity?
–
–
–
–
–
Won’t witness
No power of Holy Spirit for gifts or fruit
No care for the poor and needy
Religious and not seeking a relationship with Jesus
Even an atheist is better….
…the self on the throne
 “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth
and do not need a thing.’”
 “You may say to yourself, “My power and
the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me.”But remember the Lord your
God, for it is he who gives you the ability to
produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
 The rich man and his barns (Luke 12:16-21)
 The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)
 Who is on the throne of your life?
Doctor Christ’s diagnosis…
 “But you do not realize that you are
wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
 “I know your afflictions and your poverty—
yet you are rich!” (Revelation 2:9)
…and his prescription
 “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the
fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to
wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness;
and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
 “These have come so that your faith—of greater
worth than gold, which perishes even though
refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may
result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ
is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)
 “Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white
robes—who are they, and where did they come
from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said,
“These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 7:13-14)
 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this
world, so that the blind will see and those who see
will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were
with him heard him say this and asked, “What?
Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind,
you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you
claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John
9:39-41)
A call to repentance – and
renewal of fellowship
 “Those whom I love I rebuke and
discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I
am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears my voice and opens the door, I will
come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time,
but painful. Later on, however, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews
12:11)
Who sits on the throne – our
choice!
 “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit
with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat
down with my Father on his throne.”
 “You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father
conferred one on me, so that you may eat and
drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke
22:28-30)
 “And everyone who has left houses or
brothers or sisters or father or mother or
children or fields for my sake will receive a
hundred times as much and will inherit
eternal life. But many who are first will be
last, and many who are last will be first.”
(Matthew 19:29-30)
And us?
 Who is on the throne of our hearts?
 Are we lukewarm Christians?
 What is Jesus’ diagnosis and prescription?
 It is our choice to take the medicine and
open the door – put Jesus on the throne!