The Pretense of a Misplaced Hope
November 27, 2022Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
The Laodiceans were living a lie because they believed those lies. They believed they were rich because they had wealth. They believed they were dressed for success because their closets were filled with the finest clothes. They believed they could truly see as evidenced by the way their lives were going. But, according to Jesus, they were poor, shamefully naked, and blind.
It is striking that Jesus finds nothing good to commend in the church at Laodicea, making his expressed love for them all the more surprising. As we enter the Advent season, our first theme is hope. Hope is what the Laodiceans need—a true hope to replace the false hope for which they’ve been living. When they begin living for the true hope of Christ’s kingdom, their deeds will become healing for the nations.
What about us? Are we prone to live according to lies? More concerning still, are we prone to believe such lies to be true, hence not knowing that we are living according to lies. In what ways might we be blind and need healing salve from Jesus?
Join us in worship as we explore Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea and to us (Revelation 3:14-22).