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Be Cold or Hot!

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[Revelation 3:15]
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

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The Apostle John was exiled to Patmos while preaching the gospel.
Jesus appeared there and told him about what would happen to the world in the future.
The Bible written by John after hearing the words of Jesus is the book of Revelation.

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Jesus appeared among the seven candlesticks. The first words Jesus spoke to John were about the seven churches in Asia Minor. Today, we would like to learn a lesson together through the word about the church of Laodicea among those churches.

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Jesus said this to the church in Laodicea.
“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.”(Revelation 3:14~16)
Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for having a lukewarm faith that was neither hot nor cold.

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Laodicea The region of Laodicea where the church was located was a very wealthy city economically. Around A.D. 60, there was once a city in ruins due to a great earthquake.
At that time, the city was wealthy enough to refuse the Roman emperor's help and rebuild the city with their own money.

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On the third day after Saul's death, a young man came to David's place.
The young man ripped his clothes and put dirt on his head, and in sorrow he bowed down before David. David asked the young man. “Where are you coming from?”
The young man “is the way out of the camp of Israel.” answered.

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It is said that there was also a medical school there. The Burgia eye drops from this place were recognized worldwide at the time. It is said that in Laodicea there was even a financial system like the present bank that allowed money to be traded.

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The Church of Laodicea was established in such a wealthy city. There was no hindrance to people believing in Jesus. There was no persecution.
It was a good environment to serve God well, but the Laodicea church did not receive praise from Jesus.

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When Jesus said [you are neither cold nor hot] about the church in Laodicea, he was expressing that the faith of this church is like lukewarm water that is neither hot nor cold.
When Jesus expressed this, he was saying that the form of faith of this church was the same as the characteristics of the region.

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11km north of Laodicea, there is a place called Hierapolis overflowing with hot spring water. The hot spring water from here flows down to the Laodicea region. It is said that at first it started out as hot water, but as it passed through the Laodicea region, it became lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Jesus was saying that the faith of the church in Laodicea was lukewarm like this water.

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The Church of Laodicea had faith like lukewarm water.
They listened to Jesus' words, but did not put them into practice.
When they saw someone who was sinning, they didn't take much of a problem.
They did not react to the sin and easily accepted it.

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Jesus continued to warn the church in Laodicea, which had lukewarm faith.
“So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”(Revelation 3:16)
He said that if they continued to be lukewarm, he would blow them out of his mouth.
These strong words of Jesus are warnings from the church in Laodicea to repent.

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The church in Laodicea looked very good from the outside, and was rich and splendid.
Believers were also wealthy. Because they had a lot of money, they lived without lack. Believers lived proudly of their wealth. They were engrossed in the pride that they thought they were good at living a religious life.

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Jesus said how badly their appearance was wrong.
“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.”(Revelation 3:17)

Jesus said that their faith was as if they were poor, blind, and naked.

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Jesus told them to get rid of their false beliefs.
“ 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.”(Revelation 3:18)
Jesus told them to buy gold, put on white clothes, and apply eye drops.
This means that they should not depend on money, but have faith to live by relying on Jesus and follow the example that Jesus set.

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They looked like good believers on the outside, but inside they did not have right faith.
They boasted and valued the money they had more than they boasted about Jesus.
Jesus rebuked their wrong faith and told them to repent and become zealous again.
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”(Revelation 3:19)

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In the eyes of Jesus, we must examine whether our faith is lukewarm like the church in Laodicea. We must be zealous to follow the words of Jesus.
We must firmly reject sin and take clear action.
 
Those who have faith to be praised by Jesus live with the love of Jesus who saved us in their heart. That person, whether poor or rich, has the same faith in Jesus.
Those who have this faith must live by practicing the love that Jesus gave for me.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)