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Sermon #5097

The Lukewarm Church

A Sermon on the church of Laodicea from Revelation 3:14–22

Originally preached Oct. 1, 1967

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Scripture

Revelation 3:14-22 ESV KJV
“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. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither …

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Sermon Description

The Christian must soberly consider if they get more excited about the things of this world than they do about God. In this sermon on the church of Laodicea from Revelation 3:14–22 titled “The Lukewarm Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches against lukewarmness in the church—not only as a whole, but the lukewarmness that is pervasive in each individual’s heart. The lukewarm heart is one that does not despise God, but it does not love God. It is one that is sentimental towards God. Ignorance is the cause of this lukewarmness; ignorance towards the greatness of God and ignorance about the history of the church. Lukewarmness can look like nice, moral people who are involved in church, yet they desire to be in control of their religion. Listeners will be charged to examine themselves to see if they truly desire God, have His peace, and desire more of Him.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The church of Laodicea was lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. They were complacent and self-satisfied.
  2. The cause of this condition was ignorance. They did not know their own wretched state. They did not know the riches and possibilities of God's grace.
  3. They were ignorant of the New Testament descriptions of what the church should be. They were ignorant of revivals and movements of God's Spirit in church history.
  4. They did not examine themselves in light of Scripture or church history. They did not ask if their experience matched that of Christians in the New Testament or history.
  5. Christians are meant to enjoy the unsearchable riches of Christ, know Christ intimately, have fellowship with Him, experience His peace and joy, and have His power and zeal.
  6. The only hope for lukewarm Christians is Christ's concern for them. He rebukes and chastens those He loves. He stands at the door and knocks, offering what we need.
  7. We must listen to Christ, repent of pride and self-satisfaction, and open the door. He will come in, give us spiritual understanding, and make our hearts burn within us.

Sermon Q&A

What Did Jesus Mean by Calling the Laodicean Church "Lukewarm"?

The term "lukewarm" used by Jesus to describe the Laodicean church refers to a spiritual condition that is neither hot nor cold but somewhere in between. According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, this represents a state of sentimentality rather than true emotion or passion for Christ.

"It is to be in a kind of sentimental condition," explains Lloyd-Jones. "You can't say that the sentimental person is devoid of feeling. But you can say that the sentimental person knows nothing about true emotion. That is the difference between sentimentality and emotion."

Jesus found this lukewarm state particularly offensive, saying He would "spew thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). This strong language demonstrates how seriously God takes half-hearted commitment.

Why Does Christ Find the Lukewarm Condition So Reprehensible?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the lukewarm condition represents the greatest possible insult to God because:

  1. It implies we are still in control of our relationship with God
  2. It keeps us in a state of self-satisfaction rather than spiritual hunger
  3. It prevents true intimacy with Christ

"It means this, that we are in control of the situation and that we have decided that even in our relationship to God, we are still in charge," explains Lloyd-Jones.

The lukewarm believer prides themselves on being "balanced" and "respectable," never going to extremes in their faith. They're content with orthodoxy, morality, and church attendance while missing the passionate relationship with Christ that's available to them.

What are the Signs of a Laodicean Christian?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several characteristics of a lukewarm, Laodicean Christian:

  1. Self-satisfaction: "Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" (Revelation 3:17)

  2. Complacency: They feel they've "arrived" spiritually, with no sense of need

  3. Pride in orthodoxy: They're satisfied with having correct doctrine

  4. Preoccupation with respectability: They value decorum over passion

  5. Ignorance of their true condition: "Knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17)

Lloyd-Jones notes: "The people at Laodicea hadn't been examining themselves. They didn't need to—all was well, and they don't realize how poor they are."

What Does Christ Offer the Lukewarm Christian?

Despite the severity of His rebuke, Christ offers remarkable grace to the lukewarm believer:

  1. Intimate fellowship: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)

  2. Spiritual riches: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich" (Revelation 3:18)

  3. Spiritual clothing: "And white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed" (Revelation 3:18)

  4. Spiritual vision: "Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (Revelation 3:18)

Lloyd-Jones explains these symbols: "What's the gold? I believe it's faith that opens to us the riches of his grace. The clothing, the garment of praise, the eye salve. Oh, it's spiritual understanding."

How Can Lukewarm Christians Be Restored?

The path to restoration for a lukewarm Christian involves:

  1. Recognizing Christ's loving rebuke: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Revelation 3:19)

  2. Being zealous and repenting: "Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19)

  3. Hearing Christ's voice: "If any man hear my voice..." (Revelation 3:20)

  4. Opening the door to deeper fellowship: "...and open the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20)

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this isn't about becoming a Christian initially but restoring intimate fellowship for believers: "This is a text for Christians only. We've got the power to open the door, and we have got to open the door and he will come in."

When we respond to Christ's call, "in a moment he'll give you to feel something that you've never felt in the whole of your life. Your heart will be warm, it'll begin to burn, and you'll go on your way, rejoicing."

Other Sermons

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.