The Lukewarm Church
Pastor Tan Thai · Apr 20, 2020
This sermon analyzes Christ's letter to the church of Laodicea in Revelation, warning of the spiritual danger of lukewarmness. Christ calls every believer to repent and open the door of their heart so He may restore a close and fervent relationship.
The sermon opens by placing the letter to Laodicea in the context of the seven letters in Revelation. Among them, this is the only letter with no praise and no mention of faithful believers. Christ identifies Himself as the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, emphasizing that everything He speaks is absolutely trustworthy and will be fulfilled according to His will.
The first major section addresses the danger of spiritual lukewarmness. The city of Laodicea lacked its own water supply and had to pipe it in from Hierapolis and Colossae; hot water arrived tepid and foul-smelling, cold water arrived warm — a real-life image Christ uses to describe the church's spiritual condition. The lukewarm person is one who hesitates and wavers, wanting both the world and God simultaneously. Christ warns that this condition causes Him to spit them out of His mouth (Rev 3:16), and that spiritual hardness develops gradually — from hot to warm, from warm to lukewarm, then cold, then frozen solid.
The second section examines the danger of wealth. Laodicea was renowned for banking, medicine, and its distinctive black wool. After the earthquake of AD 60, they refused imperial aid, proud enough to rebuild on their own. The church absorbed this spirit: 'I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing.' Christ exposes the truth that despite material wealth, they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked in spiritual terms (Rev 3:17). He counsels them to buy from Him refined gold (faith and God's Word), white garments (righteousness), and eye salve (spiritual sight) — things money cannot purchase but which require the costly price of wholehearted surrender.
The final section focuses on Christ's tender invitation. Despite the church's lukewarmness, He declares: 'Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline' (Rev 3:19), and He patiently stands at the door and knocks (Rev 3:20). The image of sharing a meal together conveys the intimate fellowship Christ desires with each believer. The sermon closes with the reminder that each person must intentionally listen for His voice — like the still small voice Elijah heard — and open the door of their heart to welcome Him in.