I love you. Good morning, everyone. Morning among the whole province. Presbyterian church. What a wonderous thing it is that the Lord has worked all things in order for you and me to be here together right now in this place to worship him. You know, it's just further evidence that he loves you and that he provides for you in all ways. And I'm so grateful that he's brought you here. for the first time, it doesn't matter, I welcome you. I will say this, if you're a visitor, if I haven't met you, I'll be at those doors in the back corner here underneath the portico after the worship service, and I would love to meet you. Now, before we begin, let me just point you to your bulletins, because we have lots of things going on, like Little Lambs Youth Group this evening. Little Lambs is also particularly important, because one week from today is Mother's Day, and our children's choir is gonna be singing, so parents, make sure your children are there this afternoon. So we're going to go ahead and do that. We're going to do that. If you haven't volunteered and you would like to, please see Amanda, or Will, or Elizabeth, or me, and we can get you plugged in. Also, registration forms are where you usually pick up your bulletins, right? If you want to go ahead and fill those out before your children, or if you know families that are coming, you can go ahead and take that to them as well. I think we still have some of these little train tickets right there, invitations that you can give to people to invite them. So, be aware of that. There are other things going on, but again, I'm gonna let you find those in your Baltimore. What a wonderful thing it is that God has given us this time. You realize that? He's engineered, He's worked all things together to bring us here. When we come together on the Lord's Day, I saw lots of different reasons that we have to come together and worship God. The fact that he has created us to be worshipable. If you will, it's what or who you will worship. Also, I've talked this morning about the way that God provides for us. But as we will see from this moment in his word, one of the many benefits of belonging to him, one of the many reasons that we have to come together and worship is the forgiveness that results from that. And so from Psalm 32, I read to you for our call to worship, it says, how joyful is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered. How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit. This is David reflecting, he said, when I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long, for day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was drained as in the summer's heat. You know, God loves you enough to hang on to your right and to press. And then he's holding on sometimes to squeeze, to draw you back to himself. But as the psalmist reflected, so I pray this with you. You have the opportunity to do this now. Verse five, then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore, let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach you. You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. The psalmist will go on to continue along the same vein, but it's my prayer for you that these words are your words, that you know that forgiveness that comes and I would encourage you to do as the psalmist did, take that to the Lord now as we come into his presence, for he has called you here to worship. Let's go to him in prayer right now, after which we'll pray the Lord's Prayer, and then confess the apostles' people. Let's go to him. Our God and our Father, what a blessing it is to be here today, to have this time, to have this place. All of these just serve as evidence that you love us and you care for us. Would you work in our hearts in this time? your benefits, including the newness of life that we have in Jesus Christ alone. Oh Father, what a blessing it is to know and love you, but even more so to be known and to be loved by you. So please now, guide us by your Holy Spirit as we come into this time of worship. And we pray in Christ's name. And we also pray as he talks. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thy is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Jesus Christ is the only son of the Holy Spirit. born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From this he will come to judge the living please stand O gratefully sing his power and his law, our shield and defender, the ancient of days, her willion in spender, Oh, sing of His grace, Whose promise of light, Whose canopies face, His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And darkens His path on the wings of the storm. ♪ Of wonders untold ♪ ♪ Almighty thy power hath founded a home ♪ ♪ Established in fast line of changeless decree ♪ ♪ And grounded at fast line of mantle the sea ♪ ♪ Bountiful care was on every side ♪ ♪ It breathes in the air, it shines in the night ♪ ♪ It springs from the hills, it descends to the plain ♪ ♪ And is sweetly distilled in the dew and the rain ♪ and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor fight we to fail. Thy mercy's out tempered, profound to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend. Come on down. I want you guys to picture a crown and a throne. Who wears a crown and sits on a throne? A king. That's right. A king is the most important person in a kingdom. Everyone listens to him, follows his rule, and some even put him above all else. King that was there when the entire universe was made. Last year we talked about the Ten Commandments and how important they are and how we can't keep them all the time, but Jesus can. But today we're going to specifically talk about the first commandment, to have no other gods. This means we're not to follow anything or anyone else other than God. But what are some of the things that we really love to do? You guys don't play video games, you build Legos. That's what I did when I was a kid. But sometimes we love things so much that we start to care about them more. Growing up, for me, sport was illegal for my family and my brother. And that's what we care about. An idol. An idol is not just a statue. It's anything we care about more than we care about the father and following his rules and living for him. We spend time thinking about things like sports or other activities, or games we love playing more than praying. Or if we get so busy with those things that we forget to sit down and worship the Father, those things become idols that take the place of the Father in your life. But what's important to understand is that idols have no real power. especially when we compare them to God and our Father. They promise you that they'll give you things that you want and you desire, but they ultimately leave you feeling empty inside. Whereas our God, our King, gives us what we need and He actually cares for us every day. I am the Lord and there is no other besides me, there is no God. So, as you guys get ready to go to children's church, I want you guys to think about the fact that idols can promise great things, but you feel like he's the one and only thing that we need to follow is God. You guys pray with me. All right. Dear Lord, I thank you for this day, this Lord's day that you've set aside for us to gather as your people to worship you on earth. I pray for these children as they go forward with Children's Church and also the rest of this congregation that you will open our hearts and our ears to hear the word that you have brought to us. I pray that as we go forward in this week that we will try and recognize what idols we may have in our lives and we need to cast them aside and look only to you. I pray all this in your son's name, amen. Thank you very much. Let's take this time now to go to our Lord in silent prayer. Perhaps there is something you need to confess beforehand as we just heard about idols from Will and reminded of Jonah's words when he was reflecting on how he had run from the grace that could be theirs and perhaps that is the case with you and you can take that before the Lord or perhaps it's something else but let's take this time to go to our Lord in silent prayer and then I will lead us in the pastoral prayer. Let's go together. Eternal God of heaven, the Father is with grateful hearts that we come before you now, not just as individuals, but as your people. made real by the presence of your Holy Spirit in our lives. And Father, the fact that we have done nothing to warrant such favor, to deserve such gifts and so many wonderful promises that we know that you keep. It's humbling, Father, and at the same time, it fills us with joy as we contemplate that we didn't have to work our way to you, but instead, you worked your way to us. And you give, and you give, and you give, so much so that as we read in the Word, you are our hiding place. We'll never be disappointed when we run to you. And yet, Father, at the same time that we know these things in practicality, we are quick to run from you. We are quick to go our own way, to lean on our own understanding instead of trusting in your Word and say, Father, we need forgiveness. As we ponder the words of one of your servants, that our hearts are idle factories, that we are good at pumping out something else to worship, something else to put our hope in, some other purpose, forget us, Father, and draw us back to yourself. Let us see not only the wrongness of these futile pursuits but at the same time, oh Father, in very practical ways at your mercy, let us see the effect that this has not only on ourselves but on others. Help us to remember, Father, remember this calling that you've given to us, this opportunity that we can be a part of your grand redemptive plan. What a beautiful and wonderful thing that is, especially And here we are, Father, we know we serve the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the true and faithful witness. So Father, please work in our hearts to remind us of this calling that you give us. Remind us of this life that we have in Christ, that we would turn to you, not as a last resort, but instead we would turn to you first. And we would remember you, not just in an academic sense, but remember you with our lives and with our actions. And that as a result of this, we would bless those around us. Being like that city on a hill that cannot be hidden, let us point others to your magnificence. We think about different things going on, everything from daily life where we interact school is just around the corner and father every year we don't know who all you're going to bring but we know that you're going to bring them and so we pray that even now you will be working in the hearts and the minds of the students whether it's the children or whether it's the adults it doesn't matter father please be at work for those that know you we pray that this coming time will be a time of enrichment where they come to know you better for those that do not know you even now Give us a sense of calling, even a sense of urgency about pursuing that which you would have us do. Today as we come to your word and hear about a church from the old that was just there, did nothing, we don't wanna be that church. We wanna be in the fight for your kingdom. So please work in our heads and in our hearts to that end. And we pray it all in Christ's name. Now let's continue our time of worship together by taking our Green Bible Psalm book and turning to 105 as we sing the penitence, prayer, and confession. Please stand with me. Bible Psalm 105. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's ♪ Listen to my eyes, I have sinned against Israel ♪ ♪ In the sight of a deceitful man ♪ ♪ Let thy judgment may be clear ♪ ♪ Let thy speaking just appear ♪ Yet Thou dost desire to thrive through Thy Spirit in my mind, and Thou wilt within my heart wisdom unto me impart. ♪ Some way be clean ♪ ♪ Then from all pollution free ♪ ♪ Wider than the snow I'll be ♪ ♪ Let me hear your joyous cheering tones ♪ ♪ Making glad these broken bones ♪ And we pray that you would use these funds for your kingdom and bless the givers. And we pray it in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. It's just kind of awkward. ♪ We are golden, we must be proud ♪ ♪ Shining by our fancy stripes ♪ ♪ One in heart and one in spirit ♪ ♪ Sun and moon, both for us to see ♪ ♪ Let our show now begin strangely ♪ ♪ And in vain possess it now ♪ ♪ Let us share our joy together ♪ ♪ Let me share all of my joy with you ♪ ♪ In our service we're beginning today ♪ ♪ Taking wisdom as a promise ♪ ♪ All the sacred words of faith ♪ ♪ Let us rise unto this new day ♪ ♪ Into the true knowledge go ♪ ♪ We are golden in our triumphs ♪ ♪ We be born of truth and right ♪ ♪ Standing true from the nature's truth ♪ ♪ Bringing the old faith to life ♪ Oh, Jesus, please come and raise me up. Thank you very much for a lot of themes running through that anthem about what it means to be the people of God. You know, people complicate things like evangelism. You try to find devices and all sorts of things for that, but the core of evangelism is letting people see Jesus in you, sharing your life with them, being open, not being an illusion of a person, but instead being real and pointing to God's grace through your life. And so, thank you very much for that choir. Well, it is good to be back with you today as we continue on. We're finally back there in the book of Revelation. And we come today to the last of the seven churches that we find in Revelation 2 and 3. You know, it's been some time since we've been in Revelation. Given Easter, Palm Sunday, things going on. But I'm glad that we're finally back here today. I'm glad to see how things are gonna develop. Now, remember, why we have this book of the Bible, why it was given to the people that originally got an extension, why it was given to us. Revelation was given as a blessing. Now this isn't some concept I've cooked up. Revelation chapter one verse three, blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and obey what is written in it because the time is near. That means I'm blessed to be the one What's contained in the book of Revelation? Because as it says there at the end, the time is near. And what time is that? Well, it's the time when Jesus comes back and fixes everything, right? Where he says, behold, I make all things new. Where nothing wrong will be left and everything will be made right. And that sounds wonderful, doesn't it? We ought to be praying for that. I hope you are praying for that. But the fact is, that time is not yet here. So our calling, is to be ready. It's the second reason that we're given the book of Revelation. Revelation was given to help us prepare, okay? And no, not prepare as in figure out some timeline. I warn y'all all the time, don't get into that stuff. If you see a video online, and it's notorious, right? If you see these things, behind somebody and it's got, you know, five miles worth of magic erase marker or whatever it is, don't, just don't even click on it, okay, because it's a hole that you'll fall into and you'll never shop on once you get into that stuff. We were not given the book of Revelation for us to figure out exactly when Jesus is coming back. We were given the book of Revelation so that we will be prepared for when he does. in terms of our relationship with him, but also prepared in terms of sharing the good news of Jesus. And by the way, if you want Jesus to come back, then share the gospel. Okay? Romans chapter 11, it's very clear that Jesus is not going to come back until the full number of Gentiles has come in. That means the last person that's supposed to be saved is going to be saved. Then something's going to happen with the ethnic Jews and we don't know what then. So if you want Jesus to come back, tell people about him. Now, all of that being said, as we prepare, we see lots of things in the book of Revelation that help us prepare. Lots of different messages there, and we see this especially in those churches of Revelation, the seven churches that were in Asia Minor, okay? I've referenced this before, but many of them were facing some of the same things that we face. Not necessarily persecution, but as it relates to their culture, as it relates to the level of immorality and sinfulness and sometimes just grossness of the Roman Empire, we can relate to that, right? And we can especially relate to the church that we come to today, the last of the churches, the church in Laodicea. All right, so that's Revelation chapter three of the Ancient Bibles, and I hope you go ahead and turn there for me. the last of the seven churches, I found that folks are most familiar with Laodicea. And for a few different reasons. First, and most prominent, is that language that is used by our Lord that's such a vivid word picture. You know, he says you're neither hot nor cold. We're gonna read that in a couple of minutes. Also, I find that people are familiar with Laodicea because of what we find in verse 20, that passage where Jesus says, behold, I stand at the door and knock. But we gotta be careful here because there's some familiarity and also some really poor understanding of these things. Especially Revelation 3.20 where people interpret it in ways So, one of the reasons we're going through Revelation chapter three, but I don't want to get ahead of myself, but Revelation chapter three, we're going to start reading in verse 14. Let's pray and then we'll dig in. Our God and our Father, we praise you for this time that you've given to us, for this opportunity that we have now to go to your Word. We've already read it where it says that we're blessed just to hear it. But Father, we don't want to just be hearers of the Word. by the Holy Spirit. Help us understand what's being said here, yes, but also how it applies to our lives. And we can't do that without your Holy Spirit turning the light on. So please, please show us the truth now, Father. And we pray it all in Christ's name, amen. So Revelation chapter three, beginning in I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. For you say, I'm rich. I have become wealthy and need nothing. And you don't realize that you're wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold. so that you may be dressed, and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and point to spread on your eyes, so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be zealous and repent. See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me. to the one who conquers, I'll give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. And we'll stop reading right here. May God bless the reader. Well, let's just go ahead and say it right here up front. These are strong words, aren't they? Yes, indeed, very strong. But they're strong because of the situation that we've just read about. Starting with the obvious, right? Laodicea is just like all the other churches we've been studying in Asia Minor, which is in modern-day Turkey, okay? There's a few things that we can learn about it. It was the southernmost city, but due to its proximity to the best trained and they refused aid from the Roman government and they financed their own reconstruction. Now, if you follow my timeline, excuse me, of the book of Revelation, and this is written in the mid to late 60s, we're talking about a quick rebuilding here. And we know from archaeological evidence that it was a quick rebuilding. You know, what's the old saying? If you're building something, you can get it good, fast, or cheap, right? Or you can pick two, right? You can get it good and fast, but it's not going to be cheap. You can get it fast and cheap, but it's not going to be cheap. because they had the money. It was the wealthiest city in its region by far and they had a centralized bank, they made their own coins, they made their own money, they had a medical school, they had all these rich resources and they even had a thriving textile industry. That's actually one of the textile manufacturing facilities They were known for having this really, really rich black wool, and they would use it for carpets, they'd use it for clothing, all sorts of fine art, okay? Which, if you pay attention to reading, you'll know that Jesus said a lot about clothing in what we just read, didn't we? And seeing as how he's saying this to the wealthiest city around, Everything seemed right in Laodicea, and the sad thing is the church thought that everything was just fine. That's the underlying current here. They think everything's fine, but as we've read, clearly that was not the case. Think about what we just read. Ouch! Outside of Megistratus, these are the strongest words that you will read from Jesus in the book of Revelation. So let's break down what he said. Jesus begins with his introductory statement, right? It's the same statement that we've seen with the other churches. Right to the angel of the church of Laodicea. Remember we said that's the messenger of angels and messengers. That's the pastor. This is to the pastor and then he delivers it to the church. But then Jesus starts calling himself things. He calls himself the amen. You know what amen means? We say it all the time. appealing to or is calling himself the one who has the final word. And indeed he does. He calls himself the faithful and the true witness, the originator of God's creation. And just think about what these things mean. You put them all together, the final word, the faithful one, the true one, the one that tells the truth, the originator of God's creation. Jesus calls himself the ultimate one here. And this isn't boasting, it's just who he is. He sustains and ordains all things. And y'all, we know this not just from here in Revelation. What do we find in John 1? Through him talking about Jesus the Lord. Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that has been made. The theological term that we use is that Jesus is the agent of creation. That member of the Godhead. After he identifies himself as the ultimate one, we find that statement that we've seen a few times, haven't we? The first part of Revelation 3.15, Jesus says, I know your works. Now we talked about this the last few weeks in here when we come to a statement like this, that that's one of those statements that should be simultaneously encouraging that God sees and he knows, but it can be discouraging because he sees. And he knows. And just what did Jesus know? He continues on, he says, I know your words, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. Again, I encourage you to find stronger words used by Jesus anywhere throughout the scriptures. It's very vivid, isn't it? You know, the King James says spit, but this really encapsulates it better. Now, first things first, like I said, if this doesn't sound like Jesus to you, you say, wait a second, that's not what Jesus is like. Don't take my word for it, this is him speaking, you know. Take his word for it and make sure that you're not following a Jesus presented by the world who is no real Jesus at all. But second, read between the lines here. He's about done with the church in Laodicea, isn't he? There's no way to sugarcoat what he's saying here. He uses terms of repulsion. Saying that, in effect, by their works, by seeing what they're doing, they make him sick. But what's Jesus really talking about here? Why does he say they're neither hot nor cold? Well, first off, it's fascinating here. If you go back to the geography and if you go back to the archaeology, we find some really interesting things about land. You see, remember, right there, the southernmost of the seven cities. They were very well known, fascinatingly enough, because about seven miles in one direction from them, there was this springs but then on the other side about six miles away from them in Colossae there were these cold springs okay and people would go to both of them for different reasons that's one of the reasons I love it here I've never been to the Jefferson subscription yeah subscribe to magazine prescribed medicine when doctors would send you to take the waters right they'd send you to these different springs because of the effect that the minerals would have on them well Landesia is right between some very therapeutic cold springs and some very therapeutic hot springs the problem was they didn't have any water of their own so because they were so wealthy they devised this brilliant system that exists to this day of getting water to themselves from hot springs It's not really good for anything anymore. It's not cold and refreshing. It's also not hot and therapeutic. a glass of something on the counter. Maybe you get wrapped up in something and you go outside and you do something. You come in and you grab that glass and you take a big swig from it. It's not cold anymore. It's not refreshing. It's just kind of room temperature, especially if it's water. Water's so watered down. I hope you notice that. But nevertheless, you're like, oh, that doesn't hit the spot. Or what's worse, right? You go and you pour yourself a cup of coffee. And then you get wrapped up in something and you say, oh, I got myself and then you go grab that cup of coffee, and it's not hot anymore, it's just kinda, eh. No thank you, God. But the water in Laodicea was like that. It was neither hot nor cold. It was just sorta there. Like the church of Laodicea. What are the works that Jesus said, I know your works, that repulsed him so, that made him threaten to vomit them out? the church land is here, with all of its grandeur, with all of its wealth, with all of its people, with all of its finery, they were just there. They weren't really doing anything. And it's fascinating, you know, up to this point, the other six churches, even with churches that had serious problems, even when you got Jezebel running around, Jesus at least trying to remain faithful or not denying his name. Life as he is, nothing. Because they're not doing anything. They're just there and it's repulsive to the Lord. This is the first thing on your paper, but do you realize the churches that do nothing, they've got sin. And again, I'm not trying to be terse or anything, but I don't know how else you can interpret Jesus threatening to vomit them out. Churches that do nothing make God sick. And doesn't that make sense? Think about the calling that we have. Think about the means by which we have become the church of Jesus Christ. God sent his one and only son to die to redeem a people to himself so that we would be his representatives, so that we would be salt and light in the world. And if we just kind of hear Now, I'm talking about the plural here, you know, churches, but this is about the individual. What do you do? I'll come back to this concept because this isn't all that's going on. As we've already said, you have to threaten to vomit them out after we've already read, excuse me. He keeps on going in verse 17. He says, for you say, I'm rich, I've become wealthy, First off, Jesus references this tepid water because it was the water of the Laodicea, but now he tells them that they think they're in good shape, that all is well and that they have wealth. But Jesus says, in fact, it's the exact opposite. All those things that we read culminating ultimately in nakedness. Now, remember how I said a few minutes ago that Laodicea was known for lots of things, right? Central bank, medical school, immense wealth and so on. black as night. And if you can see it really well, you can see how tight the weave is on that wool. It's not moving yet, but how tight the wool is on the sheet. It thrived in that area. And that was the source of them being able to make clothes that were so rich and expensive and carpets and rugs and that kind of thing. But then for Jesus to look at them, this area, It's as if he's pouring salt into the world. Again, what is he really talking about here? Just what is the problem in Laodicea? We get the first problem about them just not really doing anything. They were just there. But John, we find out more in verse 18. He says, I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich. White clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed. And clothing to spread on your eyes that you may see. Now think about those three things that they were really, really known for. They had a central bank that made its own money. Jesus said, no, no, no. Get your gold from me. They had this rich black wool that made people loads and loads of money that people clothe themselves in. He said, no, no, no. Get the ointment from me to spread on your eyes so that you can see what's really going on here. Why are they doing anything? It all comes down to this. They were confident of their own righteousness. That's why Jesus said, you look at yourself and you say, we're rich, we're clothed, we've got everything that we need. When all the while they were just trusting in themselves. That's the next thing on your paper, later this year, trusting in themselves, not God. That's the issue. Now, you might say, well, where'd you get all that from? It doesn't really say that. And you're right, it doesn't say it in so few words. However, think about those metaphors that Jesus used about them being clothed in white. It's the same thing that he said to Sardis. The point of what he's saying here is that they're clothed in their own righteousness, their own grandeur, their own sense of well-being, but they forgot about Jesus. And it's fascinating to me, I hope it is to you too, maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but you know, the strongest words that Jesus uses are not for churches that fall into immorality, not for churches that fall into false teaching. The strongest words that Jesus ever uses with anybody are for the people who think that they're just fine without him. Didn't we see that with the Pharisees? They said, oh, we're the sons of Abraham and said, no, you're the sons of hell and you're doing what your daddy's told you to do. And you're just interested in making more converts. When Jesus talked about not coming to save the righteous, he didn't mean that there were people that didn't need to be saved. He meant I'm not here for the people who think they don't need me. and are convinced that they don't need me, I'm here for those who are brokenhearted. Now, as we'll talk about in a minute, Jesus is the one that does that, but nevertheless, Jesus is serious about people that think that they are fine without him. Because it comes down to this, and continuing along with that metaphor, the next thing on your paper is this reality. Laying a seat with all of its grandeur and fineness, thinking that they were great. Y'all, you're either clothed in Christ or you're naked. Because here's the thing, without Jesus, Without the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, you stand in shame, exposed, diseased, blind from your false sense of confidence. That's why Jesus said what he said in verse 18 about the ointment, about the gold, about their clothes. It just goes to show you and me today that y'all, all the things that we would take over Jesus, all the things that we would substitute for him, Ultimately, they deliver nothing. Think about all the things that the world offers you. I talk about it all the time. To find meaning, to find purpose. Compared to Jesus, they're nothing. They do nothing. Ultimately, they offer nothing. And let me tell you something, if you're trusting in anyone but Jesus for your salvation, you don't have anything. So whatever it is that you have placed in front of Jesus, whatever or whoever you are trusting him you will see the truth. And I pray for you that that day is not too late. But here's the thing, realize this about Jesus, if you do believe on Christ, if you're saved by his grace and you fall into this temptation to seek salvation elsewhere, realize we serve a jealous God, but also a loving God. The fact is this, Jesus loves you, but he loves you so much Don't be surprised if he dashes what you're trusting into pieces. Yet it would be far better to not wait for that. But instead to do as Jesus has said here, and take this rebuke for what it is, if you know your water, we would do better to take this rebuke for what it is. Because here's the thing, can we not look at ourselves as a church in light of Laodicea? Should we not? Are we just here? not really doing anything or are we in the fight for God? Are we trusting in ourselves instead of the Lord? Do we rely on Christ? He's talking about us, but what about you? I'll ask you again, what are you doing for the Lord? He saved you. And y'all, this is not about grandeur. This isn't about, well, I'm not a preacher. It's not about that. It's about having an impact on the people in your life. God gives you the opportunity every day to share the gospel. Even if you don't talk to anybody else, you can share it with yourself. Every day. God's given you this right to be a part of his grand, redemptive plan. Do you have that desire? These are individual questions that no one can answer but you and you alone. Now, y'all, I get it. There are times in life that are more active than others. There are holding times where we are waiting on God. Now, let me tell you something. If you're in a holding time, you better wait because what's worse, getting impatient and running ahead of God or lagging behind? The answer is yes. You don't wanna do either. Wait on the Lord for him to show you what he wants you to do, but he's gonna show you. If you're like me and you know that you haven't been, if you failed at these things and you know that you have loved the world as far too much as I have, then don't turn off your brain yet, though, because Jesus has more to say. Knowing these are hard words and the warning is frightening, Jesus ends this letter as he does in verse 19. He says, as many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. Y'all, this is Jesus saying to you, listen, I don't use these words, I don't use this imagery in vain. This is Jesus saying, listen to me in that I love you and I want you to turn back to me. Be zealous and repent. See, and there it is, verse 20. See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I'll come into him and eat with him and he with me. Y'all, what I referenced earlier, some have made Jesus wanting people to come to a saving faith in Him. Y'all, this is not what Revelation 3.20 is about. Revelation 3.20 is not given to the non-believer, to somebody who doesn't know Jesus. Jesus says this to those who do know Him. When it comes to salvation, right, this is not a verse for evangelism, right, this is a verse about people that already know the Lord. When it comes to salvation, Jesus doesn't stand at the door knocking, hoping that you let Him in. He kicks in the door. Because if he was waiting on you to let him in, you'd never open. Because dead people don't know how to open doors. As for you, you were dead in your sins and your transgressions. That's what the apostle tells us in Romans. Jesus doesn't wait for you to open the door if you don't know him. He kicks it in. But for those of you who do, think about the beauty here. All those things that Jesus said that he is, the amen. The Soviet, the faithful and the true witness, the originator of creation. He, y'all, in all of his glory and his grandeur and his magnificence. This last thing on your paper, Jesus wants a relationship with you. In all of his grandeur. A relationship based on trust and love. That's what Revelation 3.20 is about. A relationship based on humble reliance. He uses that metaphor. I'll come in and I'll dine with you. You ever had a wonderful time with people just sitting around the table enjoying food together? That's the picture that he gave. He wants a relationship where you know him because you've gone to his word and because you've spent time with him praying to him. He's trusting in him. and he knows you because you've been honest with him. Y'all, it's the most wonderful thing ever. Where Jesus goes from saying, ah, you make me sick, I wanna vomit you out of my mouth, but I wanna dine with you. Ever tried to dine when you're sick on your stomach? It's not a good prospect, is it? Jesus goes, yeah, talk with that, he's nodding his head, I appreciate that. I've been there, y'all. When you're not feeling good, it's not an easy thing to eat a meal. But what Jesus is showing us here with all of his harsh language, with these firm words that are really, really, really tricky, what Jesus is showing us here is his heart. That even though if you have gone the way of the world, if you have turned from him, if you're trusting in somebody or something else, if you're not really doing anything, y'all, though it makes him sick at the same time, he desperately wants you. And he wants to know you and be with you in real relationship. Can you think of anything more wonderful than this? Perhaps one that he willingly died for you to make this possible. That he considered equality with God not something to be grasped, but he humbled himself. Became obedient to death, even death on the cross. This is the God we serve. This is the one who gives us salvation. shows us what purpose and meaning is really all about, what goals and mission we're supposed to be doing, but it all starts with the right relationship with Him. And if you know Him, let me encourage you to seek that relationship with Him. And if you don't, come and turn to Him and ask Him to save you, and you will. You want to talk? Come and get me, and we'll talk about that. But if you will trust in Him, if you will receive the gospel. Well, don't take my word for it. Listen to what Jesus says. If you'll do this, and with this I He's talking about remaining faithful. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the church. Let's pray. Our Father, we thank you that though these words are hard, is so immense. Your grace, your mercies are new every morning, and it is your desire that as your word tells us that none should perish. So if anybody's here that doesn't know you, please work with their hearts now. Help them to see all these promises can be theirs in Christ alone. For those of us that do, oh, your desire to be with us, to know us, Give us grateful hearts, Father, and let us seek that relationship with you. By the power of your Holy Spirit and through Now, let us close. It's an interview. I hope you know this one. If not, we'll get through it together. But pay attention to the words, because y'all, what this all points to is the need for revival. So let us sing, revive us again. It's an interview. Please. ♪ Jesus who died and is now born of God ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, thy glory ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, all hail ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, thy glory ♪ ♪ Revive us again ♪ ♪ We praise thee, O God ♪ All glory and praise to the land that was slain. ♪ Has borne all thy sins, and has cleansed every saint. ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, glad and glory, Hallelujah, Amen. ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, glad and glory, Hallelujah, Amen. ♪ ♪ Fill his heart with thy love ♪ ♪ May his soul be rekindled with fire from above ♪ ♪ Alleluia, thine the glory ♪ ♪ Alleluia, amen ♪ ♪ Alleluia, thine the glory ♪ May the Lord do just that, receive the benediction. May the grace and the peace and the mercy and the love and the fellowship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be upon you both now and forevermore. Amen.