Podcasts about Laodicea

On last week’s podcast, I discussed my deportation from Egypt to Istanbul. This week we continue in Turkey, visiting the Seven Churches of Revelation. Today's show begins with a look at modern-day Laodicea, and a short talk I gave yesterday in the heart of old Ephesus. Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China - Unbeaten.vip Pray for China (Nov 10-16): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-nov-10-16-2025 The second half of the show is a detailed look at this week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities, with a number of stories and details along the way, including my first night alone on the streets of China (Alien China), being confronted by the police during a casual lunch (CCP Warnings), and China's border with North Korea (NK Spy Balloons). Two North Korea Stories: https://www.dw.com/en/north-korean-man-makes-rare-direct-land-crossing-to-south/a-73150358 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/balloon-propaganda-campaign-korea Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

On Saturday night at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump hosted a lavish “Great Gatsby”-themed gala, complete with 1920s costumes, chandeliers, champagne, and all the trappings of an age that once danced on the brink of collapse. At nearly the same time, across America, millions of families were warned that their SNAP benefits — food-stamp funds that keep groceries on the table — would be suspended as of November 1st due to the ongoing shutdown crisis. The contrast could not be more symbolic: one world dripping with gold and luxury, the other counting cans and wondering what tomorrow brings.“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJB)On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, this isn't simply bad optics; it's a parable for our times. When the rich feast as the poor fast, judgment is never far behind. Jay Gatsby's mansion once stood as the monument to the American Dream — brilliant, extravagant, and hollow. He built his empire chasing an illusion. Trump's Mar-a-Lago soirée mirrors that same spirit of performance over purpose, a spectacle where the glitter hides the emptiness beneath. Prophetically, this moment fits the portrait of Laodicea, the final church age described in Revelation. Wealth abounds, yet faith declines. Prosperity for some flourishes, yet compassion for all evaporates. The Church — and the culture — proclaims its greatness, while blind to its spiritual poverty. This is not a call to envy the rich or to glorify poverty — it's a call to repentance. Every true Christian should take this moment as a reminder of what the Lord values: mercy over money, righteousness over revelry, truth over theatrics. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (KJB)

Week 1: The Supremacy of Christ, Colossians 1:1–2:5 While imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar, Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, a group he had never met but who respected his authority. His coworker Epaphras, a native of Colossae, had brought the gospel there and to nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis after working with Paul in Ephesus. When Epaphras was later imprisoned in Rome, he told Paul about the situation in those cities. The mostly Gentile Colossians were being pressured to follow Jewish laws and drawn into false teachings that emphasized visions and secret knowledge. In response, Paul reminded them that Jesus is all they need: all creation was made through Him, and through His death all things are reconciled to God. Christ fully embodies God's nature, and believers, now part of His kingdom of light, are called to live out their new life and await His glorious return. November 2, 2025 Speaker: Lead Pastor Steve Atkins

This week, Trent taught on the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3 and warned against the danger of lukewarm faith. He explained how we can claim to be close to God while actually being spiritually unaware, distracted, and self-reliant. Trent reminded students that Jesus continually knocks, inviting us to repent, seek Him, and live with a burning passion for Him instead of settling for comfort or complacency.

In this message, we explore Jesus's powerful words to the church in Laodicea—a wealthy, self-sufficient city with a spiritually lukewarm congregation. Through vivid imagery and strong rebuke, Jesus calls His people to recognize their true condition and return to wholehearted devotion. We'll unpack the cultural context, Jesus's divine authority, His loving correction, and the incredible promise for those who overcome. This is a wake-up call for anyone tempted by comfort and complacency. Don't miss this invitation to deeper relationship and real spiritual renewal.

Colossians 2 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding […] The post Colossians 2 first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.

Are we comfortable… or close to Jesus? In the final letter to the Seven Churches, Anthony Delaney unpacks Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22) — a community that thought it had everything, yet made Jesus sick with its lukewarm faith. Laodicea's comfort had numbed its passion. They were rich in possessions but poor in spirit. Yet even in His rebuke, Jesus offers mercy: “Be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.” This powerful message calls us to break free from complacency and expand our intimacy with God — to open the door, reignite the fire, and rediscover wholehearted devotion to Jesus. Join us for worship, prayer, and this final call in our Revelation series as we ask:

We can learn a lot from the seven churches. Church of Laodicea is covered here.

The Rubicon - Avoid lukewarm people personally and professionally

Tune in to hear the Word of God…

Jesus refuses to be a guest in the heart He died to govern.In this message from Revelation 3, Jesus calls the church out of comfort and into wholehearted surrender. It's time to open the door, rekindle the flame, and let Jesus take His rightful place.

Many people today identify as Christian without truly following Jesus, creating a dangerous gap between claiming faith and living it authentically. Statistics show that while 68% of US adults identify as Christian, only 7% demonstrate genuine biblical faith. Jesus addressed this lukewarm Christianity in Revelation 3, comparing it to the useless lukewarm water of Laodicea. Warning signs include seeking human approval over God's, trivializing sin, rarely sharing faith, only praying during crises, and living indistinguishably from non-believers. Jesus confronts this not in anger but in love, inviting us to move beyond comfortable Christianity to devoted discipleship through Scripture study, fellowship, remembering Christ's sacrifice, and daily acts of faith.

The courier carrying the book of Revelation from John on Patmos followed a circular route through the seven churches—starting in Ephesus, then Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea. Laodicea, the last stop, was a wealthy Phrygian city renowned for its banking industry, fine black wool, and medical school, which produced a famous eye ointment. 

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Maturing in ChristColossians 1:24-2:7 (ESV)24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.Sermon OutlineThe way to a truly fruitful life is to mature in the grace of Christ.1. Beginning2:6 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord”2:2-3 “all the riches… which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures…”2:7 “abounding in thanksgiving”2. Continuing2:6 “so walk in him”2:7 “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught”Prayer of ConfessionOur loving Father, you have been so good to us. Your kindness and generosity should stir us to grateful stewardship of all you have entrusted to us; yet we take so much for granted. We don't abound with thanksgiving. We are marked instead by grumbling, envy, and all the characteristics that evidence we need your forgiveness. We are guilty of complacency. We have done much wrong. There is much we have failed to do. With honesty and humility, we admit our failings and appeal to you for mercy. We turn to you, in Christ, whom you have given to us and through whom you give us all things. As we renew our commitment to walk in him, lead us in maturing in him in this next season. Amen.Questions for ReflectionHow does the Christian life begin?Why is it important to recognize that God gives and we receive? What is your understanding of grace and how it works?What riches and treasures do you recognize in Christ? What in his character, in what he teaches, in what he has done, or in what he gives is of great value? How can you grow in discerning and taking hold of even greater things in Christ?When do you give thanks? Do you have any routine or habits of pausing to take stock of what you have and celebrating whatever is good? How can thanksgiving be a more regular part of your daily life?Does maturity automatically happen? How does one mature spiritually? Are there ways to tell if you are growing?What can you expect to experience in the process of maintaining a simple faith in Christ while engaging an increasingly complex world? Does Christianity equip you for all of life?Have you been neglecting any of the areas of the five practices of Acts 2: Fellowship, the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Mission (FWPSM)? How can these practices be a “means of grace”, habits that nourish and sustain you?What could be next for Emmanuel? How can our church grow, improve, deepen, become more fruitful?

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Maturing in ChristColossians 1:24-2:7 (ESV)24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.Sermon OutlineThe way to a truly fruitful life is to mature in the grace of Christ.1. Beginning2:6 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord”2:2-3 “all the riches… which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures…”2:7 “abounding in thanksgiving”2. Continuing2:6 “so walk in him”2:7 “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught”Prayer of ConfessionOur loving Father, you have been so good to us. Your kindness and generosity should stir us to grateful stewardship of all you have entrusted to us; yet we take so much for granted. We don't abound with thanksgiving. We are marked instead by grumbling, envy, and all the characteristics that evidence we need your forgiveness. We are guilty of complacency. We have done much wrong. There is much we have failed to do. With honesty and humility, we admit our failings and appeal to you for mercy. We turn to you, in Christ, whom you have given to us and through whom you give us all things. As we renew our commitment to walk in him, lead us in maturing in him in this next season. Amen.Questions for ReflectionHow does the Christian life begin?Why is it important to recognize that God gives and we receive? What is your understanding of grace and how it works?What riches and treasures do you recognize in Christ? What in his character, in what he teaches, in what he has done, or in what he gives is of great value? How can you grow in discerning and taking hold of even greater things in Christ?When do you give thanks? Do you have any routine or habits of pausing to take stock of what you have and celebrating whatever is good? How can thanksgiving be a more regular part of your daily life?Does maturity automatically happen? How does one mature spiritually? Are there ways to tell if you are growing?What can you expect to experience in the process of maintaining a simple faith in Christ while engaging an increasingly complex world? Does Christianity equip you for all of life?Have you been neglecting any of the areas of the five practices of Acts 2: Fellowship, the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Mission (FWPSM)? How can these practices be a “means of grace”, habits that nourish and sustain you?What could be next for Emmanuel? How can our church grow, improve, deepen, become more fruitful?

"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 in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Jamey Bridges challenges the modern church with a sobering message from Revelation 3 about spiritual complacency. Through the lens of the ancient Laodicean church—wealthy but spiritually lukewarm—he masterfully connects their struggle to today's American Christianity. Drawing on the vivid imagery of lukewarm water in Laodicea, Pastor Jamey warns against the dangerous comfort zone where believers claim to love Jesus while living like the world. Yet his message pivots to hope, emphasizing Jesus' invitation to spiritual renewal through repentance. With compelling insights about the enemy's schemes of distraction, deception, and division, he reminds us that we don't fight for victory but from victory through Christ. The sermon culminates in a stirring call to action—to move beyond comfortable Christianity, surrender fully to God's plan, and share our testimonies boldly, knowing we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or YouTube.

Romans 6:15-23 confronts us with a profound truth: we will serve someone or something, whether we acknowledge it or not. This passage challenges the dangerous notion that grace gives us license to continue in sin, asking the piercing question: are we to sin because we're under grace rather than law? The answer rings clear—absolutely not. We're presented with only two masters: sin leading to death, or obedience leading to righteousness. There's no third option, no middle ground where we can blend worldly living with Christian faith. The transformation that comes through Christ isn't an addition to our existing life—it's a complete metamorphosis. We see this illustrated through the story of Elisha, who burned his oxen and plows, eliminating any possibility of retreat to his former life. Similarly, Jesus' disciples left their nets, their boats, and even their father immediately when called. This radical commitment stands in stark contrast to the lukewarm Christianity described in Revelation 3, where the church of Laodicea was neither hot nor cold, prompting Christ to say He would spit them from His mouth. The parable of the sower reminds us that only one in four who hear the word will produce lasting fruit. The question we must wrestle with is this: which soil are we? Are we clinging to escape plans and old relationships that keep us tethered to our former slavery, or are we willing to take that first step of obedience, trusting God will reveal the next?### Sermon Notes**Scripture**: Romans 6:15-23**Introduction**: - Rick, a pastor at Hope Church, continues the study of Romans, focusing on Romans 6. - Reminder that they preach through books of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of scripture-based preaching.**Key Points**:1. **Understanding Sin and Grace**:  - The question Paul raises: Are we to sin because we are under grace, not the law?  - Emphasis on morality within the law and grace.2. **Analogy of Slavery**:  - Paul uses the analogy of being slaves to sin versus slaves to righteousness.  - Bob Dylan's illustration: "You gotta serve somebody."3. **Transformation through Salvation**:  - Christianity is not just an addition but a transformation of life.  - The old self versus the new self: Embrace becoming a slave to righteousness.4. **Challenges in Christian Walk**:  - Temptation to mix worldly views and new belief systems with Christianity.  - Importance of separating from past sinful lifestyles and friendships.5. **Practical Illustrations**:  - Rick's personal testimony about radical change after accepting Christ.  - Importance of cutting off past connections that hinder spiritual growth.6. **Reasons for Struggling with Sin**:  - Continually resurrecting old sinful behaviors.  - Lack of suffering or commitment in serving God wholeheartedly.  - Not eliminating the past life entirely.7. **Biblical References to Commitment**:  - Examples of Elisha burning his plow and the disciples leaving everything to follow Jesus.  - The rich young ruler's story: Heart's attachment to possessions.8. **Fruit of Righteousness**:  - Encouragement to analyze life for spiritual fruit.  - Belonging entirely to Christ results in sanctification and eternal life.**Practical Applications**:1. **Cut Ties with Sin**:   - Identify and remove old habits and relationships that hinder spiritual growth.2. **Embrace Transformation**:   - Acknowledge that faith in Christ leads to a completely changed life, not just an addition to current beliefs.3. **Serve with Zeal**:   - Dedicate the same energy formerly given to sin towards serving God.4. **Evaluate Your Life**:   - Regularly assess if your life reflects the fruit of righteousness or if it's still tied to the old self.5. **Take Steps of Faith**:   - Listen for God's direction and take incremental steps towards fulfilling His call.**Discussion Questions**:1. How does understanding that we are under grace, not the law, change your perspective on sin and righteousness?2. What are some steps you can take to ensure you're living as a "slave to righteousness" rather than a slave to sin?3. Are there aspects of your past life that you are still holding onto, and how can you fully commit them to God?4. How has your commitment to Christ transformed your everyday life and decisions?5. Discuss a time when taking a small step of faith led to a significant spiritual victory or growth in your life.

The book of Revelation issues a call to be faithful. Yet not all of its first readers heeded that call. Today, W. Robert Godfrey contrasts Jesus' last two letters to the churches in Revelation, urging us to hear our Lord's warnings. For your donation of any amount, get W. Robert Godfrey's video teaching series Blessed Hope: The Book of Revelation. You'll receive the series on DVD, plus lifetime digital access to all 24 messages and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4344/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request digital access to the video teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Spiritual lukewarmness is a symptom of our fallen human condition. It's something all Christians must learn to overcome. In this message by Pastor Dave, we look at the remedy Jesus prescribes to the church in Laodicea and rediscover the power of knowing the Son, suffering and sitting with God.

Welcome to the Grace Coach Podcast! Mike and Kevin share their insights from the Book of Colossians as they dive into Chapter 4.  Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a] in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.  

In this week's midweek Bible study, we conclude our series through the seven letters to the seven churches. We study the church of Laodicea known for being lukewarm. What we see is the assessment of the Lord Jesus Christ that it was the spiritual pride which fueled their being lukewarm. May we be reminded to see our great need of Christ and be compelled to live passionately for the glory of His name!

With not much to speak of regarding the strengths of the Church, Jesus warns them of their growing spiritual apathy while inviting them to return to fellowship with Him.

Revelation 3:14-22 ESV To the Church in Laodicea14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'” For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Two verses—John 1:12 and Revelation 3:20—are commonly used together to teach that salvation comes through asking Jesus into your heart. However, understanding these passages in context reveals a different message. John 1:12 defines "receiving" Jesus as believing in who He is—your Messiah, Savior, and Substitute—not a prayer formula. It's about trusting His work for you at Calvary. Revelation 3:20, written to the church at Laodicea, isn't a Gospel invitation at all. It's addressed to believers who have become self-sufficient and lukewarm, leaving Jesus on the outside of their lives. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

In the final message of the Seven Letters of Revelation series, Pastor Stephanie examines Jesus' warning to the lukewarm church in Laodicea, challenging believers to move from complacency to wholehearted devotion. Pastor Stephanie emphasizes that Jesus lovingly calls His people to repentance, urging them to reignite their passion, depend fully on Him, and open their hearts to His transforming presence.

In the final letter to the churches in Revelation, Jesus calls out the church in Laodicea for having lukewarm works. What does this mean and how can we avoid the same thing today?Welcome to Antioch Georgetown! We are a church in Georgetown, TX, and our mission is simple--Lead people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:

When our nominal Christianity is lukewarm with complacency, it makes Jesus want to vomit!If you are in need of prayer, let our Prayer Team know by contacting prayer@forestlakechurch.orgSermon video is available on YouTube and full service archives are available on Vimeo.Live services weekly from the sanctuary at 8:45 or 11:30 AM and 11:30 AM (Warehouse Community Contemporary Service) EST at www.ForestLake.Church

Malachi 1:6-14 The Polluted Offerings and the Pure Offering We are in the second week of a new sermon series. We're studying Malachi. It's the last book in the Old Testament. Malachi was prophesying to the returned exiles in Jerusalem…. at some point in the mid-400's BC. However, even though many had returned, the situation was pretty dire. That is why the Lord reminded the people in verses 1-5 that he loved them. He had chosen them to be his people. They had been questioning God's love and thy needed that reaffirmation. Which brings us to verses 6-14 of chapter 1. You can find that on page 953. As you are turning there, let me note that at this point in history, the temple had already been rebuilt – likely a few decades earlier. That meant that the sacrificial system had resumed. People would bring their offerings to the temple, you know, different kinds of animal offerings, and the priests would take them and sacrifice them, presenting them to the Lord. As we come to our text this morning, you will hear that all was not right with the offerings. Stand Reading of Malachi 1:6-14 Prayer – revealed your righteousness. Truth. Like the people of old, failed. HS. Conviction. Ways in which we do not glorify you in our lives and worship. A few years ago, a woman found a Butterball turkey at the bottom of her freezer. She had forgotten about it and after checking the date on it, realized it had been there for 26 years. She wondered if it was still good to use, so she called the Butterball support line. They said that as long as her freezer had stayed below freezing for the entire time, the turkey would be fine to eat. However, the support agent said, it likely has lost all its flavor. To which the woman responded, “if that's the case, I'll just give it to my church.” I know that's just an anecdotal story, but it does illustrate how we often today de-prioritize the things of the Lord including his church and worship and our personal and family Scripture reading and prayer. But as God has called us to in his Word, we're to honor him with our first fruits, or like Mary Magdelene, to anoint Jesus' feet with the finest of perfumes, or like in the sacrificial system, to present to him our unblemished offering, not our leftovers. But what does it mean to offer to the Lord our finest and why does it matter? I hope to answer those questions this morning. Introduction Before we get into our text, I do want to note that the book of Malachi is pretty intense. We are going to see in every section how God confronts the people and the priests with their sin - their corruption, their idolatry, their immorality, their faithlessness, their selfishness, and their lawlessness. God hates it. He hates our sin. His judgment is real, which we will also see over and over. Which brings up a question you may be asking, “ok, well, how does that fit with last week's message that God loves them? That his love for them and us is unconditional? Yet he is angry at their sin?” Let me answer that this way: God's unconditional love does not give us license to live unconditionally. 2x. In other words, we are not free to do whatever we want just because God love us. God's standard and law do not go away when you receive God's love in Christ. To be sure, pursuing God and his commandments are not a prerequisite to receive his love. No, God's love is unmerited meaning we do not earn it by our works or keeping his law in any way. No, we receive it on the basis of Christ's work. But that does not mean that after receiving his love in Christ, we are free to pursue our own desires and will. No, God calls us to submit to him, to pursue his righteousness, to honor him in our lives. That is very important as we study Malachi. God continually calls out their sin because he loves his people. He wants them (and us) to reflect that love by honoring him. Honoring and Fearing the Lord Which brings us to our text. In fact, this whole passage is about honoring the Lord. It is about our hearts reverently fearing him. Honestly, I didn't see that initially. The first couple of times I read it, I only saw the failure of the people to do the thing. You know, they were failing to follow the law. They did not offer the best sacrifices, as they were required. Therefore, I thought that the primary reason the Lord was angry was because their offerings were polluted. Now, it's true that their offerings were unacceptable. But the Lord was angry because they were not honoring him. Their polluted offerings were just a symptom of hearts that did not fear or honor God. That's the thrust of this passage. It's right there in the beginning, the middle, and the end. ·      First, look at verse 6. God questioned why they had not been honoring him and fearing him? He said to them, “where is my honor? … where is my fear?” He was asking, “why have you not been giving me the reverent awe and worship that I deserve as the God of the universe?” Instead, they were despising his name. That's what it says. They were dishonoring him. ·      Next, jump now to verse 11, in the middle. It says, “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations.” Even if you do not honor me, my name will be honored throughout all the earth. ·      Now look at verse 14. Our passage ends with that same reaffirmation. It begins, “Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.” Why? Listen to the reason. “For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” You see, their polluted offerings revealed hearts that did not honor and fear the Lord. God is the great king over all the earth, over all of creation. Yet they were despising and dishonoring his name. And do you know what? They did not even realize it. Or, they denied it. Look at the end of verse 6. “But you say, How have we despised your name?” Side comment here - I've read Malachi several times now, and there's something I've been convicted about. The people did not realize their sin nor the depth of their sin. In every section, like this one, God tells them their sin and every single time, he quotes them question him. Like here “How have we despised your name?” And verse 7 “How have we polluted you?” They didn't see it. I've been asking myself, what sin am I blind to in my life? Is there pride or selfishness or some heart idolatry or some area where I am dishonoring God? Every single one of us in this room is blind to some sin. Now, there are many sins in our lives which we know about and struggle with. But there's also sin that we do not recognize, or we suppress. Will you pray that the Lord reveals that sin, that unconfessed sin? And will you listen to him when he does? May the Lord reveal our sin and refine us. Ok, back to our passage, the returned exiles did not know they were dishonoring God. But it was bad. They were polluting God's altar. Their relationship with the Lord revolved around the temple sacrifices. God had commanded them to bring animal offerings of different kinds for different sin on different occasions. The priests were to take the people's offerings and then sacrifice them to the Lord on the large altar just outside of the temple. Those offerings symbolized the need for atonement for their sin. That is why, as we read earlier in Leviticus 22, they were to bring an unblemished male… the very best and purest of their flock. But, as we read in Malachi 1, they failed to do that and they therefore despised the Lord's name. By the way, the priests were especially guilty here. More on that next week. Now, let's enter back into their situation for a moment. Remember from last week, even though they were in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, they were subjected to a foreign kingdom. That came with heavy taxation. It came with some opposition at the local leve. Much of their forefather's land had been taken over by this godless people. On top of it all, they were enduring a famine. Every day, they struggled to survive. Now, imagine that you lived there and that you had 5 goats. You had to care for and feed them. There wasn't, you know, kudzu everywhere for them to eat. The younger females would produce milk, and you could use and sell the milk. The healthy males were especially valuable – and they could be sold if needed. Your goats were important for your daily sustenance. Well, the time has come for one of the annual sacrifices. You are to bring one of your 5 goats to offer to the Lord. And out of the five, three of them are female. You couldn't offer them. Of the two left, one is a healthy male and the other male has a bad rash and is sterile – it's unable to reproduce. So, which goat would you bring? I know it's hypothetical, but put yourself in their shoes. Their unblemished male goat was their prized possession. Offering it would put themselves at risk. So, what did they do? Well, they brought their weakest or sickliest animal to the temple to be offered. As very 8 tells us, they brought their blind, or lame, or sick animal to present to God Almighty. But it gets even worse. Look at verse 13. It's the parallel verse in the second half. We learn that they didn't even want to bring any sacrifice! The people were saying, “what a weariness this is” and as it says, they snorted at it, you know, like a horse unwilling to move. It furthermore says some even took animals by force for the offering. In other words, they stole and offered what was not even theirs to the Lord. IN all these ways they profaned God's altar. I think we can certainly understand their temptation. But they were dishonoring the creator God of the universe who had commanded them to offer their best…. He's the one who breathed life into them, who called them to be his people, who rules and reigns over all things, who promised them eternity with him. He is the great God who saved Noah and his family, who covenanted with Abraham their forefather, who revealed himself to Moses, and promised through David a kingdom that would never end. And look at the second half of verse 8. God points out that they would never bring such a gift to an earthly governor. The Lord asks, “will he accept you or show you favor?” Of course they would not bring a sickly goat to an earthly ruler as a gift – it would greatly dishonor him. Yet that was the very thing that they were doing to the “Lord of Hosts.” Did you notice that description of the Lord multiple times here – seven times. The Lord of hosts. The Lord of the heavenly armies, king of kings, who has and will subject all earthly rulers under his sovereign reign. Yet they had defamed his great and awesome name. Their worship… because that's what this is – their offering to the Lord… their worship was complacent. They were simply going through the motions. They didn't care about God. After all, as we learned in verses 2-5, they weren't even sure he loved them. Friends, in difficult times, it is easy to slip into a similar pattern. God can become just an afterthought. Instead of giving him our whole heart and mind and body and strength, he's often at the bottom of our list. Instead of giving back to him the first fruits of the talents he's given us, or the first fruits of the resources which we steward; or our most precious resource – our time; instead of honoring him with those things, we direct them to ourselves. We keep our unblemished offering and we offer him our polluted offering. What about Sunday morning worship? Are you bodily present here but your mind is wandering to things of work, or yesterday's football game, or your upcoming vacation? Do you let your mind wander to those things including your difficult situations and struggles? Are you going through the motions, but your heart is far from the Lord? If you were in the presence of the governor of Georgia, would not your attention be fully on him? I think it would. Yet, when you come into the presence of the Lord of the universe, is your attention on other things and not worship directed to the one who created you and who loves you and who invited you into his very presence? And what about those Sundays that you are not here? Are you travelling because flights are the cheapest on Sunday mornings? Are you at the beach and make excuses that because you are in God's beautiful creation that you don't need to worship with God's people? I'm not saying that we shouldn't enjoy travel, but God desires us to be worshipping together with his people. If you are out of town, find a Bible preaching church where you can worship the Lord with other believers in the splendor of his holiness. Find a church where you can exalt his name and where his Word is declared, where you can give him glory in your hearts and praise him with others lifting your voices together to the one who is worthy. You see, in all of these ways, and many more, we are complacent in our worship of God. I'm talking about both our gathered worship and also how we are to worship God in all of life. And then there is verse 10. It's like the nail in the coffin. “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!” In other words, it would be better if someone barred you from bringing your sacrifice to the temple. It would be better not to bring any sacrifice than the vain polluted offering that reveals your wayward heart and which despises my name. Or as the Lord put it in Revelation 3, writing to the church in Laodicea, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” The Lord is not mincing his words here. They had profaned God's mercy and holiness. God would have been just to consume them with the fire of his eternal judgment. Yet, he didn't. These verses called them to forsake their vain, polluted, and heartless worship. God desired his name to be honored. He was calling them to return to him… to repent… to once again come to him in reverent holy fear. Instead of bringing their polluted offering, they were to once again bring a pure, unblemished offering. There was an even deeper reason why their polluted offerings were profaning the name of Lord. Yes, they were breaking God's commandments. And yes, their offerings revealed hearts that were complacent. But even more so, they were disregarding the Messiah. They were defaming Christ, who had yet come. You see, all of the sacrificial offerings were set in place in anticipation of a Messiah, of a deliverer, who would come and who would be the perfect sacrifice. He would be the unblemished perfect offering. The sacrificial offerings in the old covenant demonstrated the need for a pure offering to once and for all atone for their sins. And so, by offering their sick and blind and stolen offerings, they were rejecting God's promise that he would send a pure, righteous Savior who would be offered in their place for their sin. It was a matter of faith. Their difficult situation did not relieve them from trusting in the future promise that a Messiah would come and would be the pure offering. This is what verse 11 is alluding to. God's name will be great in all nations. As it says, “in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering.” To translate that, incense was the sweet aroma which signified the prayers of God's people. Psalm 141 speaks of our prayer being an incense before God. And in both Revelation 5 and 8, the incense in the golden bowls were the prayers of the saints which would rise to the very throne room of God. The Lord was saying to them, a time will come when throughout all nations, prayers would be offered to the Lord, and a pure offering would be made. And that time has come. Jesus has come and he has offered up himself as the pure offering. His sacrifice has fulfilled all the sacrificial offerings of old. But more importantly, he has satisfied the debt of our sin before our holy God. And so why do we seek to honor God in our hearts when we worship? Why do we seek to be obedient to his commands to worship him well? Why do we set aside this particular day to gather together and praise the Lord? Two answers: ·      First, because when we do, with hearts tuned to him and his mercy, we honor our Lord. We bring great fame to Jesus our Savior. Our prayers are received in his name as a holy aroma to our God. God is both honored in our lives and his glory and name is displayed for all to see. ·      Second, we seek to worship him well because he is the pure offering. As John the Baptist said, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We worship him with grateful hearts because of his mercy and forgiveness. Our worship is a testimony of true faith in him. He enables our worship. He is the center of our worship. And we will be worshiping in his presence forever. Even in those days of trials and pain and temptations and grief (especially those days), come before your great God and your Savior, honoring and fearing his great name. So, leave your 26 year-old Butterball turkeys at home. Give him the first fruits of your time, your talents, your resources. They are all from him, anyway. Furthermore, plan your trips around the Lord's day and worship with God's people, in person together. And when you come to worship, focus your hearts and minds on him. And do all of this because of God's great name and because Christ, our Savior, has offered himself, for you. Amen.

Together the story of our city can be traced to 23 New Testament cities and their churches, by tracing the journey of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends o th earth. From Jerusalem to Laodicea, the story of the early church unfolds like a map of grace; from fire to complacency, from persecution to glory. It is the story of how the gospel began with a small group in an upper room and spread across continents, cultures, and generations.

Week 8, Revelation 3:14-22, Nathan Chapman - Lead Pastor

 Modern pictures often portray contrasting colours.  They rather hit you in the eye, whites and yellows, set against blues, blacks and reds.   This is particularly the case in advertising, as they try to grab our attention.     Our reading today in Galatians does not set colours in contrast – it sets human behaviour!  It describes the good things in human behaviour that our God and our Saviour Jesus are looking to see. These are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (5 v.22-23)     The things that God and Jesus hate to see are “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality … jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries … envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like that” (5 v.19-21)     Paul's warning about the second list is “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”     There is no middle way!  It's either a broad way, which the majority follow, or the narrow way.  The ecclesia at Laodicea was condemned because it was neither one thing or the other, it was “lukewarm” (Rev. 3 v.16)   So many are lukewarm today – the whole gospel that seems to be proclaimed is ‘love your neighbour as yourself and never do anyone any wrong'. That is good, it is a vital part of the foundation we set in place in accepting Christ, but that foundation has to be built upon.     There is real true joy and peace when we join together to follow the narrow way in contrast to the “emptiness” of humanity today – for the narrow way – and the truth of God's word with which that way is ‘paved' (such as knowing the real nature of life after death in God's kingdom) is what our Saviour looks to see in us and loves those who walk along that way. Are you walking so that he loves you?

Pastor Ryan Deas preaches from Titus 2:11–14, Ephesians 2:8–10, and Revelation 3:14–19, warning against becoming the lukewarm church of Laodicea. Grace is not a license to sin but God's power to deliver us from sin and transform us into His workmanship. True Christianity is not measured by material blessings or outward works but by being made new, walking in holiness, and living as a peculiar people zealous for good works.

Are you living on the fence—lukewarm, half-in, half-out with God? In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea for their compromise and spiritual apathy, calling them to zeal, repentance, and full commitment to Him. This message challenges us today to get off the fence, open the door to Christ, and experience the power of a fully surrendered life.

A great marriage doesn't just take work; it takes doing the right work. God calls us beyond going through the motions into intimacy, purpose, and pursuit. Just as Jesus challenged the church in Laodicea to examine their condition, we're called to do the same in our marriages. In this message, Pastor John Conway reminds us that when we return to our first love, invite the Holy Spirit's correction, and pursue each other with intention, our marriages move from apathy to passion and from image to intimacy.

A great marriage doesn't just take work; it takes doing the right work. God calls us beyond going through the motions into intimacy, purpose, and pursuit. Just as Jesus challenged the church in Laodicea to examine their condition, we're called to do the same in our marriages. In this message, Pastor John Conway reminds us that when we return to our first love, invite the Holy Spirit's correction, and pursue each other with intention, our marriages move from apathy to passion and from image to intimacy.

The post Laodicea: The Deceived Church Revelation 3:14-22 appeared first on Sharon Heights.

This letter is a dramatic call for radical repentance, urging them to buy "gold refined by fire," "white garments," and "salve to anoint your eyes" from Him. We explore the profound imagery of Christ standing at the door and knocking, offering a deeply personal invitation: if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and eat with them, promising the overcomer a place on His very throne—a powerful reminder that true spiritual richness begins not with self-reliance, but with humble obedience.Please complete the content survey here.My Portion: A 40 Day Journey of Finding All you Need in GodMusings of A Redneck Reverend

In the end, our purpose in life comes down to one of two things.  Jesus sums it all up in today's reading in Luke.  “No servant can serve two masters … he will be devoted to the one and despise the other”   He ends by bluntly saying, “You cannot serve God and money” [16 v.13]   What is it to “serve” money?This is not the most common Greek word for ‘serve',  in Acts, Luke only uses the word in Ch. 20 v.19 when he quoted Paul's words to the Ephesian elders (and Luke was with him at the time),  he told them, “You yourselves know how I lived …. serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials … I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable …”   This was serving indeed!In writing to the Romans about issues over the law of Moses Paul says, “but now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so now we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.” [7 v.6]   But the commitment involved in serving is parallel; it is the same!  Most interesting is the fact that the one place where John used the Greek word in his gospel (8 v.33) it is translated as “enslaved”!Those Jesus sees as serving money he sees as being enslaved to it.  It is the ‘be all' and ‘end all' of their thinking.  Today, it is a matter of the things money can ‘buy,' the pleasure and pride of owning the best of everything, of taking fabulous holidays, etc., with a token gesture toward others to ease their conscience, even fitting in a visit to church.Those who serve God, see how temporary and misleading are the rewards of serving money.   People who decide to serve God have a “bigger mind”, i.e. a bigger vision of thought. That famous chapter of Hebrews 11 selects the example of Moses when, surrounded by wealth as the adopted grandson of Pharaoh, “choosing to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt” [v.25-26]What do we consider to be of greater wealth today?  Less and less would make Christ their choice.  Some, foolishly, try to have it both ways. If we are “lukewarm” –  as with Laodicea, let us remember the message of Jesus to them – read Revelation 3 v.15-16.

You may be living lukewarm! Dr. Gabe takes us on a deep dive into Jesus' message to the church of Laodicea, as revealed in the book of Revelation. Unlike the typical fire-and-brimstone sermon, this teaching challenges modern cultural mindsets about wealth, work, and generosity—and their alignment (or misalignment) with kingdom principles.Dr. Gabe presses us to reconsider our relationship with generosity, shatters the myth of the “prosperity gospel,” and invites us to experience abundance God's way—not through endless toil or stinginess, but by reclaiming passion, purpose, and trust in God's provision.Support the showText encounteratl to 94000 to stay up-to-date on all things Encounter.Worship with EncounterSundays at 9 AM ET | Wednesdays at 7:30 PM ETSupport EncounterText egive to 77977 Connect with EncounterFacebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | WebsiteConnect with Dr. GabeInstagram | YouTube | Website

The final message in the series through the Letters to the Church.

In this powerful exploration of Revelation 2-3, we're invited to see the church through God's eyes. These letters to seven churches offer a piercing look at our spiritual condition, reminding us that appearances can be deceiving. The message to Ephesus and Laodicea stands out - one church rich in good deeds but lacking love, the other wealthy but spiritually impoverished. This contrast urges us to examine our own hearts. Are we, like Ephesus, doing all the right things but missing the heart of our faith? Or like Laodicea, comfortable in our prosperity but blind to our spiritual needs? Christ's words cut through our self-deception, calling us to return to our first love and recognize our true condition before Him. This passage challenges us to seek authentic faith that goes beyond outward actions or material success, reminding us that true richness in God's kingdom often looks very different from worldly measures of success.