Today's Scripture:
Revelation 3:14-22

Key Verses:
Revelation 3:15-16

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

The Point:

Temperature Check - Hot, Cold, or Bleh?

If you are an avid hot coffee drinker, you will relate to this thought readily! You are up for the day and working quickly through the morning routine; your routine is interrupted by an urgent matter (e.g., important phone call, kid crisis, minor emergency in another part of the house). Time goes by and you really aren't aware of how much time; you return to the routine, pick up the coffee and it is at that precise temperature that makes you - Bleh!
     Or
You are outside working on a hot day, sweating and getting dirty. You left a cold bottle of Gatorade sitting in the shade. You are making great progress, time goes by and you reach a milestone in the work. Time to take a break, you are really thirsty. You pick up the Gatorade and it is about the temperature of the air. A quick swig and - Bleh!

There are other scenarios, but you get the idea.

God used a similar example when he inspired the apostle John to write the letter to the Church at Laodicea recorded in Revelation 3:14-22. Just a quick aside: that made this illustration more powerful to that Church. Laodicea was located at the point where two streams of water merged. There was a stream of water that was hot and full of minerals. The was another stream of water that was cold, clear, and refreshing. The two streams merged near Laodicea and the people really had no use for the merged water stream. The people of Laodicea and surrounding areas enjoyed both streams prior to the merge because of their respective properties; the hot water for bathing, the cold water for drinking. The merged stream wasn't useful for either purpose. The Laodiceans had a vivid, tangible example of God's disgust for their spiritual condition!

Indifference, apathy, self-indulgence or even self-satisfaction in the heart can be the principal cause of a lukewarm spiritual condition. The Bible describes this condition as a heart that is "waxed gross." (Acts 28:27, take a moment to put that verse in proper context; read 28:17-29)

Today's Scripture documents the letter John wrote to the Church at Laodicea, and it is an eye opener, to say the least. Here was a Church that "felt" pretty good! They were well off (enjoying the blessings of God) and needed nothing. Their self-assessment was much too shallow as you will see in today's study.

Study Today's Scripture for a few minutes and answer these questions:

1. Notice how God identifies himself in verse 1 (just to be clear, John was the "author" but he wrote what God inspired him to write), why did God emphasize that He is the faithful and true witness?
2. Considering verse 2, what did God know? What does he know about us?
3. Who is God holding accountable for the lukewarm condition of the Laodiceans?
4. Were the Laodiceans believing a lie about themselves?
5. What is the unmistakable evidence in verse 19 that God still loved the Laodiceans?
6. Look carefully at verses 5 and 6, what two definitive actions did the Laodiceans need to take?
7. Note this passage is used at times to make an appeal to the lost, but who is the real target for this message from God?