Guess who wants to come to dinner?

Revelation 3:14-21 (New International Version)
To the Church in Laodicea
14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.



Today’s scripture is found in the book of Revelation. Before we tackle today’s text I just want to put you at ease with the book of Revelation itself. I grew up in a tradition where reading the book of revelation was almost like reading a Stephen King book. The book of Revelation in the Spanish “Reina Valera” is called “Apocalipsis.” That’s right “The Apocalypse” As a young man I saw the book of Revelation as a book that only related to end time issues, the antichrist, 666, etc.

Some of you may have had the same experience as I have as it relates to the book of Revelation and you may be of the opinion that this is a difficult book full of numeric codes and symbols and may even find it scary, but let me assure you that the book of Revelation is not a book to fear or to be looked at as mysterious, but one should look at this book as 1) one which is encouraged to be read, 2) A book that points to greatness of Jesus 3) His glorious relationship to his bride (the Church) 4) Spiritual warfare that takes place throughout the church age (including now) 5) God victorious warfare against evil

The language in this book is powerful within itself. It goes beyond the poetic to powerful imagery. There is no question that the baby in the manger, or the beaten Jesus and crucified Jesus is now revealed with all of his glory and might. He is now the resurrected Christ ready for action to rule his Church and establish his Kingdom. (Rev. 1: 4-6)
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
As I stated before this is a book for the church. This is not a books whose sole purpose is to “tickle one’s fancy,” but it has a purpose to strengthen the Church.

Anyone who reads the book of Revelation will notice that this book is organized in sevens. This number can be seen throughout the book. This number represents completeness, a tribute or character of God, who never leaves loose ends. The book also begins with the story of seven Churches in Asia minor, all within 50 miles from each other. One must no read about these 7 churches and say “well that’s them almost 2000 years ago, and this is us.” What is written to these churches back then has major relevance to all churches throughout history, then, now, and in the future. These churches represent the Good, the Bad, and certainly the ugly. Nonetheless you see Christ pointing out their deeds but for the bad and ugly he has words of repentance and redemption and for the good he has words of continuous encouragement.

Today’s scripture relates to an economically stable church, which in some way represents many churches in the U.S. Despite our woes, in comparison to places throughout the world such as Africa and Latin America, the U.S. church is a rich church.

I remember once I preached in the Dominican Republic and spoke of my personal trials. At the end of the service a young man approached me and asked me: “What types of trials can anyone have living in the United States, you’re all rich.” Hyperbole? Sure. Overstatement? Maybe. But next to this young man, I was rich.

The Church of Laodicea was known for its banking establishments, its medical school, where an eye salve was created, and its textile industry. (Money, Medicine, and clothing)
The only issue Laodicea had was one of bad water system.

This Church is approached with Christ waving his credentials. He introduces himself as the “Amen.” A term used to describe God and/or what he states as “Truth.” It is a personal designation which describes one who is perfectly trustworthy or faithful. Faithful and true witness.




Using this title, “Amen,” it is saying “Listen I am the truth…and nothing but the truth. I am about to lay some truth on you which may be heavy, but it’s for your own good… so please don’t go into denial mode.”

Listen, God is certainly a God of love, but before our relationship can grow with God, we must allow for him to speak some truth into our hearts, and sometimes this may be a bit uncomfortable. I know, I’ve been there. When it comes to truth-telling, Jesus can do it because he’s the “Amen.”

John 4 describes such an instance when Jesus bumps into the Samaritan and asked her for a drink of water. She tries to pretend she’s something that she’s not, and Jesus finds himself telling her who she really is before she can experience the true living waters.

Jesus describes this Church as lukewarm. It was neither hot nor cold. This was compared to the water supply of Laodicea which was provided by pipes connected to a distant source providing lukewarm, barely drinkable water. This in contrast to the Hot Springs of nearby Hierapolis, which were medicinal. Nor did it offer cold waters as Colosse which were refreshing and drinkable.

The NIV states that I will spit you out, but in the original it means I will vomit you out. Sorry for the graphic details but to Jesus Laodicea had lost its purpose for existence. They existed to exist but somehow their financial abundance had bankrupted their spiritual lives. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Strong words, wouldn’t you agree? God wanted them to see how their materialistic ways and their focus on earthly wealth had made them spiritually insolvent. He basically told the Church, invest in the Kingdom, invest in your relationship with me. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

One cannot just read or quote the first part without this pivotal part: 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

It is sad when we buy into this new age Christianity where everything is honky-dory. Where no matter how we screw up, God just sits up in heaven and says (“who you mess up-nah!!!)



Our behavior has implications both in the earthly and Spiritual. Our bad actions grieve God. Our bad actions as a World, a country, a state, a city, a community, a church, and yes as an individual. But I’ve learned that there is nothing more healing and restorative than repentance.

Today you may be asking what does God want with me? He wants a relationship with you. He’s doing the knocking and he’s waiting for someone to hear his knock and to open the door of their heart. God is a god of relationship both communal and individual. Will you allow Him to enter your life in a spirit of repentance and allow him to share his grace and love. God wants his church to move from an Industrial Revolution focus church to becoming a transformissional where a relationship with him and his Kingdom agenda is everpresent.
Let’s make sure that you walk out with these words pressing in your heart: I love you and I want to have a relationship with you where I become the end all of all things and where I become your prime resource, so that you can serve humanity in the capacity I have created you.