Speaking to Laodicea….

I thought it was interesting that Paul is speaking to the Laodiceans in Colossians…what he desired for them…what he contended for them…encouragement in heart, United in love, understanding that they may know the full riches in Christ….

When Jesus later addresses the churches in Revelations, he calls them out on “lukewarmness”, boasting of riches and calls them

“wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.

They had not continued faithfully…

But, Jesus adds the verse to all, not just the 7 churches…

“Here 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 that person, and they with me.”

He is still calling …He still desires that we heed that call…

Thank YOU…

 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Col.2.1-5

 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

Rev.1.10-11

 “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. 

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

You 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. 

I 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. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 

Here 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 that person, and they with me. 

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Rev.3.14-22

Softly and tenderly…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck58d3BMBX0