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{SEVEN CHURCHES} #8

 {SEVEN LETTERS} 

The Church that makes Jesus sick_ 

Revelation 3:14-22 

 
The Christian faith is just one generation away from disappearing. One generation may be deeply in love with Jesus and solidly committed to carrying out his mission in the world, but if their sons and daughters try to coast along on their parent’s spiritual achievements, if they never make their parent’s faith their own, the church becomes a social club and genuine faith fades... 

 

[Group discussion starter] Are you a first-generation Christian, or do you have a Christian heritage? Tell the group the story of how you personally came to faith in Jesus. 

 

The city of Hierapolis, located six miles from Laodicea, was well-known for its hot springs. People came from the entire region to soak in the healing water. In the other direction, the city of Colossae was known for the purity and tasteful quality of its water – cold and refreshing. The water in Laodicea, however, was undrinkable. It was emetic – meaning, it made the drinker throw up! 

 

[Read Revelation 3:14-22] 

 

In verses 15-16, Jesus says that the church in Laodicea is lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. What do you think it means to be spiritually lukewarm? 
 

 

We can understand why Jesus would want a church or a Christian to be “hot” in their love and devotion to him, but he says, “I wish you were hot or cold.” Why would he want us to be “cold” rather then “room temperature”? 
 

 

How did the Laodiceans see themselves (verse 17)? 

 

Jesus sees them as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” 
Why is there such a radical difference between the two perspectives? 
 

 

In verse 18, Jesus offers the Laodicean church gold, white garments, and salve. 
What is the significance of each gift? 
 

 

Even though the Laodicean church is only lukewarm in devotion to Jesus, what do you learn from verse 19 about Jesus’ attitude towards them? 
 

 

Revelation 3:20 is often used as a picture of salvation – Jesus is knocking at our heart’s door seeking entrance. What does the verse mean when we see it as Jesus’ words to his church? 
 

 

As you look back over the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, which of the seven churches does your church (or bible study) most closely resemble? 
Why? 
 

 

What can you glean from Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea to help bring repentance or encouragement to your church? 

 

Which of the seven churches do you, as an individual, most closely resemble? 
Why? 

 

Are you certain that your evaluation lines up with Jesus’ evaluation? 

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