Neck Rings
Kayan woman from Myanmar
(Burma)
Mursi woman
from Ethiopia
Lip Plates
Japanese/Chinese Foot Binding
Longest FingernailsStuart Claxton
and Chris “The
Duchess” Walton
Letter :The Church of Laodicea
Useless Christianity
First Point
Useless Christianity is unpalatable.
Revelation 314 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Revelation 315 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
“…Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of
God's creation.”
• Jesus establishes his “credentials” before making a diagnosis of this church.
Jesus’ Diagnosis: You are lukewarm
•The typical interpretation: Hot, cold and lukewarm are measures of spiritual “warmth”
Second Point
Useless Christianity is vain.
Revelation 317 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Revelation 318 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Laodicea: Main Street
Laodicea: Small Theater
Laodicea: Large Theater
“Laodicea arose from the ruins by
the strength of her own
resources, and with no help
from us.”Marcus Claudius
Tacitus
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing…
The Sources of Laodicea’s pride1. The Banking Industry.2. The Textile Industry.3. The Medical School.
17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Jesus view of their boasts
1. Despite your banking industry, you are wretched, miserable and poor.
17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Jesus view of their boasts
2. Despite your textile industry, you are naked.
17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Jesus view of their boasts
3. Despite your famous eye salve, you are blind.
“The inevitable result of spiritual complacency and self-satisfaction is the loss of all true self-knowledge.”Hanns Lilje
Third Point
Useless Christianity is without Christ.
Revelation 319 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Revelation 3 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
1. Jesus’ love can be…
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock…
2. Jesus’ love is…
20b …If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
3. Jesus’ love is intimate.
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
4. Jesus’ love is generous.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Ephesus: The danger
of lost priorities.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Smyrna: The value of
suffering.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Pergamum: The danger of doctrinal
compromise.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Thyatira: The danger
of moral compromise.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Sardis: The danger
of inoffensive Christianity.
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Philadelphia: The value of perseverance
What have we learned over the past 2 months?
Laodicea: The danger
of Lukewarm Christianity.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
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