What Jesus Says to His Church – Laodicea- The Nauseating Church – 8 of 8
SERIES STUDY GUIDE
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SERMON SUMMARY
APPLICATION / CHALLENGE
What does Jesus say to the faithful church or disciple? If you would place yourself in the “green zone”, what would he say to you? He says: Do not fear suffering or persecution—I’ll bring you through it. Be faithful. You’re on the right path. Continue straight ahead. Hold fast to what you have—over-comers are called to persevere to the end.
What does Jesus say to who lukewarm or dead? If you would place yourself here, what would he say to you? He says: “Wake up!” You’re slumbering—and it’s a sleep that leads to death! “Strengthen what little bit remains before it’s too late.” “Remember the biblical truths you’ve received and heard.” “Keep my teaching. Knowledge is not enough—I require obedience.” “Be zealous! You cannot afford a half-hearted response!” “Repent. You’re in danger—do a 180! Change course right now!”
And if you’re straddling the fence, Jesus says: “Remember your first love. Get off auto-pilot.” “Repent. This is a matter of life and death. Take it seriously.” “Resume. Do the deeds you did at first, when your love for me was new.”
This is what Jesus says to his church. What is he saying to you— personally? For eight weeks now we’ve been learning what Jesus says to his church. But churches are made up of individuals. And Jesus promises to over-comers are made to individuals. So, it’s time now to respond to the Lord Jesus as individuals. We’re going to take a minute or two now—it’ll feel like an eternity, but I promise you it’ll only be about a minute or two. We’re going to take a moment now of silent reflection to ask Jesus—“What about me? Which of these conditions best describes me? What responses do I need to offer to my Lord? And then we’re going to write our name in one of those blocks—red, yellow, or green. This is just between you and the Lord. Nobody else needs to know how you evaluate yourself. Jesus already knows—and I’m about to pray for each of us that he’ll speak to each of us individually about the condition of our hearts… and the response we need him to help us make.
TAKE ONE STEP
Each week, write down one doable concrete step of obedience, small or large that you will put into practice this week. (James 1:22: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”)