A Glimpse of The Church of This Age . . . Revelation 3:14-19

1. I Know Your Works . . . Revelation 3:15-16
2. Why are you Lukewarm? . . . Revelation 3:17
   1. This verse describes the heart and attitude of Christianity in our nation today.
3. I Counsel You . . . Revelation 3:18-19
   1. Gold Refined in The Fire . . . . Genuine spiritual wealth and tested faith that comes from God, contrasting with Laodicea's famous physical banking and gold.
   2. White Clothes . . . Christ's righteousness covering spiritual poverty and sin, contrasting with the black wool garments the city was known for producing.
   3. Eye Salve . . . Spiritual discernment and healing, contrasting wth the famous eye medicine manufactured in Laodicea.  Eye salve that heals and restores THE VISION of the church!
   4. When the church ceases to be the New Testament "ecclesia" she becomes LUKEWARM.
      1. 2.5 MM - Gallup Polls, 2017
      2. 2.5 MM - Exodus: Why Americans are Leaving Religion, PRRI, 2016
      3. 1.7 MM - General Social Survey, 2016
      4. 2.5 MM - US Religious Landscape, Pew Research Center, 2014
      5. In fact, 50% of our population considers themselves to be Christian while, rarely, if ever, attending church . . . . redefining what the world sees as being a Christian.
      6. Of the 20% of our population who still go to church on a regular basis, less than half are saved.
   5. There is an Antidote for this shared Disease!
      1. When you live for His purpose, to seek and save the lost, everything in your life has a purpose.
      2. When you live for His purpose, IT COMPLETELY REVERSES THIS TREND AND Church attendance goes up BECAUSE you BRING PEOPLE with you.
      3. Church attenders need to be reminded that when they live under the admonition of the Great Commission, THEIR FAITH WIL IGNITED!
      4. That's why Ephesians 4:11 tells us, the role of the pastor is to EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR MINISTRY.
      5. Isaiah 43:10 tells us, I've appointed you as my witnesses so that you might believe. 
      6. Acts 1:4-5, 8