Unit Title – The Church God Desires

Lesson Title – Sufficient in Christ Alone

Central Truth – God provides all we need as we pursue Christ daily.

Text – Revelation 3:14-22  Laodicea




Laodicea was a prosperous city located in a fertile farming area. Colossae, Philadelphia, and Ephesus were all in close proximity. The city’s wealth was due in part to their medical community’s production of a sought after eye ointment as well as the production of a black wool used in clothes and carpets. Their ease and wealth led to a complacent lethargy in the church. To their peril they had placed their trust in material wealth rather than in God.

In verses 14-17 Jesus gets right to the point. He referenced something the people of Laodicea would easily identify with. Laodicea did not have a local water source, so it was piped in from a distance. Over the long course the water became warm and picked up mineral deposits from the old waterlines. When the water arrived in Laodicea is was not fit to drink. The water was neither cool and refreshing nor hot enough to be therapeutic – the water was good for nothing.

 In verse 17 we see that the people were deceived. They were rich materially and in need of nothing. Unfortunately, their wealth blinded them spiritually to the point that they did not see their need for God. However, God from His point of view offers several powerfully adjectives to describe the state of the Laodicean church. The treasure they enjoyed was an earthly treasure, but their storehouse of heavenly treasure was lacking. In a sense they had become victims of their own prosperity. Jesus describes the church as: wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. We could spend space on each term but again Jesus uses terms the original audience would certainly identify with. Medically their eye salve was used to treat the blind and their wool industry clothed many in fine garments. The gist is that they thought they were doing well, but in the eyes of God the One who judges all they were failing miserably.

In verses 18-19 a remedy is offered to the church to overcome their spiritual affliction. The process of refining gold by fire is to separate the impurities from the metal so that they can be removed. The product left behind is pure and unadulterated. In the same way Christians are to accept correction from the Father to remove those behaviors and attitudes that are displeasing to Him. (See I Peter 1:6-7.) The white clothes are a direct contrast to the city’s production of fabric from black wool. The whiteness symbolizes purity that can only come from the cleansing blood of Christ. Blindness could be reversed by the ointment He instructs them to put on their eyes. Like the man who was healed in John 9:25 those who are spiritually blind can me made to see if they receive the cure.

In verse 19 Jesus promises that He rebukes and disciplines those He loves. Thankfully, our Savior loves us enough to call us back from those errors and sin that do us harm. Hebrews 12:6-8 is a reinforcement of this principle of the nature of God’s discipline. The Laodiceans are instructed to “be zealous and repent.” The leader guide commentary adds this: “The church was suffering from spiritual indifference and apathy. What they now needed to do was repent and live for the Lord. Repentance involved a change of mind and behavior from how they were presently living in order to go in the direction the Lord expected of them.”

The final verses 20-22 Jesus is pictured knocking at the door of our heart. This is not a light tapping in the hope that no one is home. This is a loud rapping with the intent of getting the attention of the resident. Jesus not only knocks but he calls out for someone to open the door. The person inside will have to choose to ignore the calls of Christ to come in. He will not force the door open. When we allow Him in, He will come and spend time with us. In that culture sharing a meal was a high form of hospitality and fellowship. We are called to commune with Him and welcome Him into our lives as we experience intimate fellowship with the Savior. The promise as given to the other churches is given again. Those who endure and conquer will reign with Christ in eternity.

To me the shortcomings of the Laodicean church could be a dangerous pitfall for us as well. We have experienced the freedom of religion like few others. We live in the wealthiest of nations. Some may feel our religious freedoms are in danger. I certainly agree the climate for the church is not as comfortable as it once was, but growth and maturity are experienced most when resistance is present. We should certainly grieve that people are lost and experiencing eternal punishment, but possibly this will be a catalyst for the true church to arise and fulfill her calling from God. 



Thanks again for reading and blessings to you.

Chris Larsen
Rev Chris Larsen | Email Chris