Leaodicea – The Luke Warm Church

Pastor Phil Vance

Highlights:

1.) Relationship with Jesus takes energy to grow. If you do nothing, it becomes lukewarm.

2.) Man sizes up the natural – what’s outside. God sizes up the spiritual – what’s inside.

3.) Embrace the Refiner’s Fire and let Him Burn Away the stuff in your life that is not good.

4.) The Currency that God values is hunger. You buy things in the Kingdom of God with Hunger.

Discussion Questions:

1.) The consequence of doing nothing in our relationship with the Lord is being Lukewarm. “Nothing” can mean different things to different people. Our responsibility is to respond to God personally. What does doing nothing, in your relationship with the Lord, mean to you?

2.) God’s desire is not to be angry with us, but to love us. How has God been loving you with His refining fire lately?

3.) Discuss together the currency of heaven, hunger. God wants,to be wanted.
– In hunger, are you rich or poor?
– Where does spiritual hunger come from?
– How is hunger spent.

Key Scriptures:

– Revelation 3:14-22 NLT

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

– 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

But the lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart.”

– Revelation 19:8 NLT

She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

– Isaiah 55:1-3 NLT

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

– Hebrews 12:6-12 NLT

For the lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

– Revelation 3:20 NLT

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.