1. Series: God’s Message to the Church in Laodicea
This is a series on the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3). This article covers the message to the church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22).
The video messages of letters to churches in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), Smyrna (Rev 2: 8-11), Pergamum, (Rev 2:12-17), Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), and Philadelphia (Rev 2:18-29), Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzs5B_RI3OQ&list=PLGZv4fOP54n3HbIZJqV-Juw8qSO_tO7Ls
2. Man’s Search for Meaning
2.1 Courage in Difficult Times
Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl wrote a book titled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ where he recounts his experiences in the Nazi concentration camps. He writes that what man needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling of a worthy goal. Frankl saw three possible sources for meaning: in love (caring for others), in work (doing something significant), and in courage during difficult times.
2.2 Problem Solving and Risk-Taking for a Good Cause
In the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the priest and the religious leader did not act to help the person in need. They were probably complacent and happy at the power, influence, and respect that they receive from people. The Samaritan, on the other hand, saw a need and acted on it. He took the needed risk to help a person. All growth comes from such risk-taking for a good cause.
We do not have to search far and wide to see problems that need to be fixed – often right within the family, workplaces, and the communities that we live in. We cannot solve all the problems, but as God’s children made in His image, and as representatives of God in this world, we ought to be moved by the problems we see and should have a passion for solving them. That is the God-given meaning and purpose of our lives.
3. God’s Knocking Voice Inside
3.1 Religiosity on the Outside?
Jesus said to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22): “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”. Historians say that the church in Laodicea was a wealthy church. The church gatherings probably became nice social gatherings (and a ticket to heaven, just to be on the safe side!). Or they were probably like the priest and the religious leader in the story of the good Samaritan – religiosity on the outside but no relationship with God inside.
3.2 Faith That Saves and Faith That Does Not
As James 2:14-26 says, “What good is it… if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”. The whole point of having good/right faith is that it produces regeneration and good works. It needs God inside us. So Jesus says to the church in Laodicea: “Be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:19-20).
3.3 Let God Be Inside
God should not be on the outside knocking. God should be inside of us, telling us right and wrong (which is what Jesus promised in John 14:16).
4. Promise to the Overcomer
As with the letters to all other churches in the book of Revelation, there is the promise to the overcomer: “The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3:20).
Seven churches of Revelation series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzs5B_RI3OQ&list=PLGZv4fOP54n3HbIZJqV-Juw8qSO_tO7Ls