Bible Study - Elijah (2) - Serve with Trust - 1 Kings 17:7-16 - August 1, 2021

 

Bible Study – Elijah (2) – Serve with Trust – August 1, 2021

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “Elijah: Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 17:7-16.

Service to GOD should be/must be fueled by trust in HIM.

The title of our study is “Serve with Trust.” Often, as Christians, most of us think, “Yes, LORD help me to build my faith and trust in YOU.” Often, we think that GOD will sprinkle Holy Dust over us and we are magically empowered with mountain moving faith and trust. Well, GOD does not work that way. Often, HE works by what I refer to as cleaning your clock or cleaning the false things that we have considered faith and eliminating them from our lives. Oh, gee, then what? HE rebuilds using the faith building circumstances that can be trusted and eternal.

I begin our scripture with a review of verses 5 and 6 from last week’s study. The wadi was a ditch with water. It could have been a spring that had water at certain times and dry at other times. The key is GOD controlled its water supply.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Kings 17:5-12:

⁵ So he proceeded to do what the Lord commanded. Elijah left and lived at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens kept bringing him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and he would drink from the wadi. ⁷ After a while, the wadi dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

GOD was building faith and trust in Elijah as HE cared for him while he waited. We know that GOD cared for and sustained the Israelites while they wandered in the desert for 40 years. We know that the angels fed JESUS after HIS 40 days in the wilderness. GOD can be trusted to sustain us when we are in HIS will.

It is important that we not test GOD by us deciding how we can prove to our selves the existence of GOD. I can tell you it will backfire on you every time. Don’t do it! When GOD leads you, do it.

He may direct us to provide food, money, clothing or a word of encouragement to others as we go along life’s journey. When prompted, do it.

The wadi dried up. It was time for Elijah to move on. Did GOD have another faith building event for Elijah? Let’s read on ----

Elijah and the Widow

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him: ⁹ “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” ¹⁰ So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” ¹¹ As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”

GOD spoke to Elijah and gave him specific instructions where he was to go. Elijah didn’t argue with GOD but went as instructed. That is trusting GOD. GOD often gives us baby steps to take as HE builds our faith in HIM. As HIS chosen, we walk with HIM in faith toward the mountain that needs to be relocated. It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed.

GOD instructed Elijah to go to “Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there.” What is unique about this move? GOD has HIS ways and they are exciting.

Zarephath was a village near the Mediterranean coast. Its importance is due to the fact that it belonged to Sidon some eight miles away. Sidon was a city in Phoenicia and essentially Jezebel’s hometown. It could be that Jezebel’s father, Ethbaal, was still king of that area when Elijah arrived in that area. It was a hotspot for the worship of Baal.

This gives us an idea of how GOD works. HE loves a “gotcha” to HIS enemies. Here GOD has Elijah living in the backyard of those who worship Baal. Was GOD showing Elijah HIS protective care for HIM, thus building his faith in enemy territory?  

GOD told Elijah, “Look, I have commanded a woman, who is a widow, to provide for you there.” Most of us are shocked when GOD directs our lives and we see that HE is faithful. GOD gave Elijah further instructions after he responded to GOD’S message as we read on, “¹⁰ So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” ¹¹ As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”

As we respond to GOD, HE reveals further steps for us to take. Again, building our faith as we respond. It is exciting to be called by GOD. But again, it is exciting but we must never get ahead of HIM. We must stay in step with GOD.

Elijah asked the woman first for water and then for bread. This was an opportunity for her to reveal to Elijah her needs and her willingness to meet Elijah’s needs, as we read on ----

¹² But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.”

Oh my, a dire situation. She recognized Elijah as a man of GOD. She discerned that Elijah did not serve a dead god but a living GOD, “As the Lord your God lives.” That shows her faith in the one true GOD. With that confession of faith, Elijah gave her encouraging words as we read on---

Let’s read 1 Kings 17:13-14:

¹³ Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, ¹⁴ for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”

This precious lady chose to trust GOD through the words of GOD’S prophet, Elijah. Elijah told her “Do as you have said.” That is continue gathering wood with a modification, ““Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, ¹⁴ for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”

When GOD gives us instructions, HE expects us to follow them as HE gives them to us. GOD spoke through HIS prophet Elijah and this widow heard and trusted what he said and in turn her obedience would confirm her faith in the One True GOD of Israel right in the heart of those who worshipped the false god Baal.

Was the manner in which GOD cared for this widow, her son and Elijah a witness to her neighbors and friends?

As in the song entitled “Trust and Obey,” “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in JESUS but to trust and obey.”

When the flour jar and the oil jug ran dry, what then? This widow and her son were left with a life long reminder of the care of the GOD of Israel. How would we react? Would we say, “LORD, why have YOU stopped providing us with food?” Or would we rejoice and thank HIM for HIS care and ask HIM to guide us as to how we can serve HIM, trusting that HE will meet our needs both physically and Spiritually?

There are times in our lives when GOD provides and times when HE directs us to what is available to us through work. Why? Work brings us into contact with our neighbors, friends and co-workers so we can share the goodness of GOD in our lives in the middle of those who do not know Spiritual truth.

Let’s read 1 Kings 17:15-16:

¹⁵ So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through^[b] Elijah.

Trust in GOD, WHO opens the path to HIM through JESUS. Do you recall our scripture recorded in Revelation 3:7?

⁷ “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens.

JESUS is the only way to GOD. Faith in JESUS is the key that opens the path to GOD. When JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS blood, that was the key that opened the pathway to GOD and salvation. That pathway is still open until JESUS returns to earth at HIS second coming. JESUS’ shed blood opened the pathway to GOD but all must accept what JESUS did for them to have a personal intimate, trusting relationship with GOD. GOD opened the path for HIM to work in this widow’s life and in the life of Elijah, through their faith.

Elijah had to trust what GOD had placed upon his heart. Did his time at the wadi give him the confidence that he needed to tell the widow what GOD had told him? The widow had to trust what Elijah told her. It is clear that Elijah spoke with authority from the One True GOD of Israel.

We do not know what this widow lady may have thought but her actions revealed her faith in GOD while living in this idol worshipping land. The One True GOD of Israel was demonstrating HIS power over the false god, Baal, who supposedly was the fertility god over rain and the crops. She trusted in the GOD through the words of Elijah. Elijah spoke truth that resonated in the heart of the widow. She was a witness to the power of GOD over the useless, impotent power of Baal.

How long did the drought last? JESUS reveals the timeline in Luke 24:25-26:

²⁵ But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them except a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.

Back to the verses 15 and 16:

¹⁵ So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through^[b] Elijah.

The widow put her faith into action and in doing so, she and her family saw the hand of GOD at work in their lives and in the life of Elijah.

We must be careful that we do not test GOD by challenging HIM to do a certain thing in our lives but as recorded in the Bible, Matthew Chapter 6 verse 33 JESUS was teaching: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life just for you. In doing so HE paid, in full, for all of your sins, past, present and future. When you ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to forgive you, HE does and the miracle of rebirth takes place in an instant. You are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family. You become a Son or Daughter of GOD, eternally. You will never be unborn. Your new destination is Heaven when your earth suit/human body dies. You will leave your human body behind and enter into the presence of GOD and JESUS in your new body fashioned by GOD. That new body is what you need for Heaven until JESUS returns to earth. You will accompany HIM and you will receive your new Glorified body for eternity. Questions – tshaw37@aol.com

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Elijah (1) - Serve with Courage - 1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1-6 -July 25, 2021

Bible Study – Elijah (1) – Serve with Courage – July 25, 2021

This is lesson one in our series entitled, “Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1-6.

Serving GOD often calls for courage.

We just finished a series on “The Church GOD Desires.”

If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so, actsclass.blogspot.com.

A person, who is living in sin, does not remove the consequence of sin by joining a church. It is only faith in JESUS, WHO willingly shed HIS sinless blood that atones for all sin. We are all sinners saved by GOD’S Grace. When we repent of our sins and ask JESUS to forgive us, the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place through faith in JESUS.

We see in our lesson today that those who are called by GOD are often called to stand up against the evil that is present in the world. According to the teachings in scripture, many evil and false teachings are being embraced by some churches and denominations.

As Christians, we must never forget that we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. This does not mean that Christians are to call that which is sin, not sin. Doing so gives a person living in sin a false sense of security. JESUS is the only answer for forgiveness for sin. It is vital that a person confess his or her sin and repent; simply stop doing it with the help of JESUS.

Often, it is difficult and takes the power of the Holy Spirit to take a stand against sin.

Our study of Elijah is an example of a man called by GOD to take a stand against an evil king and queen. They had embraced false gods and brought them to Israel, where the One True GOD, was served.

Elijah’s name means “my GOD is YAHWEH” or “YAHWEH is my GOD.” His name translates either way. The key is that Elijah was called by GOD. Elijah may not have been a Jew by birth because he is referred to as Elijah the Tishbite. Bible Scholars believe that “tishbite” could be translated “settler” in the area called Gilead, east of the Jordan River.

There is not much about Elijah regarding his birth or his calling by GOD. In 2 Kings 1 there is an interesting read noting a physical trait of Elijah as revealed in verses 7-8:

Let’s read the account of the event: (Ahab died and his son, Ahaziah assumed the throne without a rebellion. It was a good, uneventful transition of power.)

1 After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. ² Ahaziah had fallen through the latticed window of his upstairs room in Samaria and was injured. So he sent messengers, instructing them, “Go inquire of Baal-zebub,^[a] the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.”

³ But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? ⁴ Therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.’” Then Elijah left.

⁵ The messengers returned to the king, who asked them, “Why have you come back?”

⁶ They replied, “A man came to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you’re sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.”’”

⁷ The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?”

⁸ They replied, “A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist.”

He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”

⁹ So King Ahaziah sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’”

¹⁰ Elijah responded to the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

¹¹ So the king sent another captain with his fifty men to Elijah. He took in the situation^[b] and announced, “Man of God, this is what the king says: ‘Come down immediately!’”

¹² Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” So, a divine fire^[c] came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

¹³ Then the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. The third captain went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious to you. ¹⁴ Already fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains with their companies, but this time let my life be precious to you.”

¹⁵ The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Don’t be afraid of him.” So, he got up and went down with him to the king.

¹⁶ Then Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel for you to inquire of his will?—you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.’”

¹⁷ Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Since he had no son, Joram^[d] became king in his place. This happened in the second year of Judah’s King Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat.^[e] 18 The rest of the events of Ahaziah’s reign, along with his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.^[f]

Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Kings 16:29-33:

Israel’s King Ahab

²⁹ Ahab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Judah’s King Asa; Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. ³⁰ But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him. ³¹ Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and then proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him. ³² He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

It is vital for the leadership of a country or nation to be those who GOD approves. The leadership of Israel began to go astray during the rule of King Solomon when he brought in wives who followed pagan religions. Rather than introducing them to the One True GOD of Israel, YAHWEH, Solomon accommodated these worshipers of pagan religions. Beware America, compromise will lead to our destruction as a nation.

A little compromise here and there results in destruction and that was taking place as the leaders of Israel died off. Each leader was more evil than their predecessor, as we read in verses 30-33.

Ahab married Jezebel who was a dedicated worshipper of Baal. Rather than Ahab introducing Jezebel to the One True GOD of Israel, he worshipped Baal. He was all in because he “proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him,” “He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal,” and “Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”

What is an Asherah pole? It is a monument to the fertility goddess, Asherah. Artwork from that time period suggests plain and carved poles, trees and even tree stumps as examples. Supposedly, Asherah gave birth to Baal.  

It is sad when people place their faith in objects such as four-leaf clovers, rabbit’s foot, so-called lucky charms, fortune tellers, horoscopes, etc.. Our faith in JESUS is not a lucky charm but a walk by faith that HE so orders our lives according to HIS will and purpose. As long as we are under HIS canopy of blessings, HE so orders our steps. Does that mean that bad things will not happen to brothers and sisters in CHRIST? NO! It does mean that GOD is in control!

Elijah was called by GOD to confront King Ahab. The key is that Elijah was called and appointed by GOD to confront the ruler of Samaria.

GOD does all He can to get our attention when we have gone astray. Therefore, GOD spoke a special message through Elijah to King Ahab, as we read on ----

Let’s read 1 Kings 17:1:

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers,^[a] said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!”

GOD called Elijah to confront King Ahab to reveal to Ahab that HE is the One True GOD of Israel WHO reigns supreme and is still on HIS Throne. Elijah told Ahab that he knew GOD personally because he stood in the presence of GOD. And to prove it, GOD had given him a message to pass onto Ahab.  

Ahab had bowed down himself and worshipped the false god Baal. Baal was touted to be the god of rain and fertility. GOD would show Ahab who was really in control. This is an example of the loving, caring GOD we serve reaching out to a king who had gone astray. GOD reaches out to all with HIS message of salvation. Do we accept or reject GOD’S love?

Baal supposedly was the god of the weather and fertility. GOD’S message through Elijah was, ““As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!””

Elijah was GOD’S messenger to Ahab. All of us who have been Spiritually born by the Spirit of GOD, stand in the presence of GOD through faith in JESUS. GOD’S message was to reveal HIS authority over the false god, Baal, by showing Ahab that HE was in control of the weather and fertility; “there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!”

GOD would demonstrate physically HIS power and authority over this false god.

Do we worship false gods today? YES! Some examples are power, money, things, drugs, alcohol, sex, food and the list goes on. Satan uses the good things in life to enslave us and for them to become a barrier for us being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. In some cases, being a Christian is just the hip thing to do.

Elijah was obedient and delivered GOD’S message. Elijah had to trust GOD, which he did. We have to trust GOD when HE directs our lives. Some may say, “If only GOD would do something spectacular in my life, I would serve HIM.” GOD does not work that way. Why? I used to think about challenging GOD to prove Himself to me but every challenge I thought of had flaws. In my college years I had to take a step of faith. It was a step and many years passed before I finally said, “LORD here I am, as I am, make me into the Christian, YOU want me to be.” Oh, it wasn’t long before I heard a voice telling me that I had done it now. Guess whose voice that was? Once you are serious about living for JESUS you realize that Satan is your enemy.

In whom do you place your faith?

Elijah, gave GOD’S Message to Ahab with full confidence.

What did this mean for Elijah? Let’s find out as we read on ---

Let’s read 1 Kings 17:2-6:

Elijah Announces Famine

² Then the word of the Lord came to him: ³ “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. ⁴ You are to drink from the wadi. I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.”

GOD instructed Elijah to turn eastward. The home land of Elijah as not known but speculated to be in the area of Gilead, which was east of the Jordan River.

The prophet of GOD had to hide? YES, when we upset the world run by Satan, GOD takes care of those who are called according to HIS will and purpose. GOD needed to show Elijah that HE would take care of him. This was a time to build Elijah’s relationship with GOD. GOD directed Elijah to a specific safe place where Elijah could witness the care of GOD. GOD instructed Elijah to go to “Wadi Cherith.” Wadi referred to a creek or brook. Cherith means ditch.  It is likely that there were times when the Wadi had water and other times when it didn’t. GOD knows that the human body requires water and food. GOD’S provisions build trust and that was what GOD was doing in the life of Elijah because GOD had a plan and Elijah was chosen to execute HIS plan.

So, Elijah had a choice to make. How would he choose? Let’s read on ---

⁵ So he proceeded to do what the Lord commanded. Elijah left and lived at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens kept bringing him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and he would drink from the wadi.

So, Elijah was obedient and followed GOD’S instructions. He lived at the Wadi Cherith and the ravens brough him food. Ravens are scavengers and GOD directed them to carry bread and meat to Elijah twice a day. Where did they get this food? GOD provided it.

We happen to know how GOD used Elijah and it is a beautiful picture of how GOD works in our lives. HE builds our relationship with HIM as we faithfully serve HIM. But it is a learning process with each opportunity and it is exciting.

GOD revealed to Elijah that HE can do all things. Our part is to trust and obey. Living outside our comfort zone is when GOD does HIS work in our lives and to build trust. A caution here. Do not test GOD by going out of HIS will and purpose.

Blessings!!!

  

Bible STudy - Church (7) - Sufficient in CHRIST Alone - Revelation 3:14-22 - July 18, 2021

 

Bible Study – Church (7) – Sufficient in CHRIST Alone – July 18, 2021

This is our seventh and final lesson entitled, “The Church GOD Desires.”

Our focus scripture is Revelation 3:14-22.

GOD provides all we need as we pursue CHRIST daily.

This is our final lesson in this series of study on the seven churches.

Some background on Laodicea will provide an excellent foundation upon which we can build.

Laodicea was located about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia. It was the last stop on the postal road or circuit before the rider returned to Ephesus. This was the postal route the rider followed to deliver letters.

Laodicea appeared to be a prosperous, thriving and an ideal place to live. It was a large banking center. Location, location is vital to most cities and Laodicea was located in the fertile valley of Lycus at the intersection of the main road cutting through the region. Their coins reflected their prosperity by having the image of cornucopia filled to overflowing with corn and fruit. They also had a prosperous wool industry. The sheep in that area had black wool that was glossy.

The god of that area was Men Karou, the god of healing. The residents of that area had discovered a Phrygian powder that was effective in healing eye defects.

But this lovely and prosperous area had it issues. It was prone to earthquakes which resulted in much damage in 60 A.D. Since they were a wealthy city, they refused help from the emperor to rebuild it. They were self-sufficient. This reveals their nature as a people.

Another issue was their water supply, which relates to the message JESUS dictated to the Apostle John. The city had an insufficient water supply and as such, their water came through an aqueduct from the city of Denizli, some six miles away. When their water arrived from Denizili, it was lukewarm. I don’t know about you but what are your thoughts about lukewarm water to drink? It is water but when we are hot and thirsty most of us desire a cool drink, not lukewarm. Plus, it was a mineral water that gave it an awful taste. We will see how JESUS used this in HIS message to the church in Laodicea. Especially, when there were two other sister cities that gave a contrast regarding water e.g., Colossae had cool, refreshing water and Hierapolis water supply was so hot they had to let it cool before they could drink it. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Revelation 3:14-17:

¹⁴ “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator^[h] of God’s creation: ¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit^[i] you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 

Again, JESUS was dictating HIS message to the angel or pastor of the church in Laodicea. Is the message of JESUS vital to our pastor’s and churches today? The answer is YES!!!

Notice, JESUS says, HE is the Amen. Amen is a word of certainty and affirmation of truth. It is a word of authority or “so be it.” JESUS is the faithful and true witness, the originator of GOD’S creation. JESUS has always been and will always be. HE knows our works.

You know one of my favorite verses is Ephesians 1:4:

⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 

JESUS used an example that the Christians in Laodicea could relate:

¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit^[i] you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 

JESUS stated, “I know.” What did HE know? HE knew that they were self-sufficient and relied upon their own ability and strength to reach out to others in their city with the truth of the Gospel. JESUS knew that the lukewarm water, that was vital to their physical existence made them nauseous. JESUS said it would be better for them if they were either cold or hot. When you think you know the truth that is really false, there is a chance for you to see the truth. You think you are doing the works that I want you to do in MY name but what you are doing makes ME sick, to the point that I want to vomit. WOW! That is serious.

The use of the word “vomit” was not to spit something out of HIS mouth but it was to throw up.   The Laodiceans thought they were on target for JESUS but they were making HIM sick.

Are our efforts both as individuals or as a body of believers making JESUS sick? How can we know?

We know that the Laodiceans were a proud and self-sufficient people. They refused assistance from the emperor when an earthquake destroyed much of their city.  Had this self-sufficiency carried over into their relationship with JESUS and the message of salvation had become ineffective? Oh my! “Daddy, “me do it” says the child to the parent.”

WHO reveals truth to us and WHO guides us along the path we are to follow? It is The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is vital to us as Christians who make up the Spiritual body of the true, Spiritually, alive church and to the leadership of the body of believers where we worship.

Why the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the conduit to all Spirit-born Christians. Why? It is because GOD is all seeing and all knowing. GOD sees that which is hidden in the recesses of the human heart and mind. Satan cannot read our thoughts or know your intents but GOD can. Satan can see your actions and hear your spoken words.

Contentment and self-sufficiency are stumbling blocks to both our individual Spiritual growth and to the body of believers where we attend to learn and grow Spiritually. JESUS told the Laodiceans that they, “have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

Contentment, satisfaction and complacency are the enemy of those who seek to serve the LORD JESUS. These natures can sneak up on Christians when lukewarm become the norm. Is our church emerging from such an attitude or spiritual nature? If so, what do we need to do to change?

Here, we see the love of JESUS reaching out to the body of believers that can be salvaged and motivated to rekindle their relationship with HIM and reach those souls, as HE directs. JESUS never leaves us or forsakes us and HIS vision for what we can do when we Repent.

But rejoice, when we recognize this condition there is hope.

What are we to do? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Revelation 3:18-19:

¹⁸ I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. 

JESUS will give HIS advice as we read in verse 18:

¹⁸ I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 

The encouraging word from JESUS is “I advise you to buy from HIM,” what? “Gold refined in the fire.” So, we need to invest in gold? YES!!! But it is not material gold but Spiritual gold that comes from being in right relationship with JESUS by going through the refiner’s most intense heat.

Most of us know the story of the refiner’s fire that purifies physical gold. A person was observing the process of refining physical gold. The refiner began heating the physical gold in a crucible with the flame underneath. The refiner began the process and as the gold melted a skim would form on top of the liquefying gold and the refiner would skim the film off. The observer asked the refiner what he was doing. The refiner stated that the skim was referred to as dross or impurities in the gold that needed to come out of the gold ore. The refiner would turn up the heat on the crucible and the dross would keep rising to the top of the liquefying gold. The observer got impatient and asked the refiner, “how do you know when the gold is ready, because every time you turn up the heat on the gold, dross keeps coming to the top of the crucible.” The refiner said, “when I have turned up the heat to its highest level and I can lean over and look into the crucible of liquified gold and see my reflection, it is then that I know the gold is ready.

No one likes to go through tough times in life but often it is the searching for truth that refines our relationship with JESUS. WHO reveals truth to us as we search? It is the HOLY SPIRIT. Yet, somehow, we have become afraid of seeking the fulness of CHRIST in us and using the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to us to minister. We may say, “oh, people will think we are fanatics.” Yes, Satan can get us off track in worshipping JESUS and ministering to the those around us by getting us to focus on the gifts of the Spirit rather than the giver, JESUS.

Are we ready to buy gold that has been refined by fire from JESUS?

What does JESUS promise to those who desire to buy this everlasting, eternal relationship with HIM?

-         so that you may be rich, (not materially but relationally.)

-         white clothes so that you may be dressed and

-         your shameful nakedness not be exposed, (secure in JESUS)

-         and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. (Remember, they had an ointment to heal physical eyes but JESUS is the Spiritual ointment to heal our Spiritual eyes.)

-         ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. (JESUS was reaching out to them because HE loved them.  And HE loves you.)

-         So be zealous and repent. (Make a decision to not be lackadaisical but to be zealous and on fire for JESUS. Change of attitude is vital. Choose to be hot.)

We, as Christians, think we are serving when we have, in fact, missed the mark. FATHER, I admit, I have not served YOU as YOU desire for me to serve. I ask YOU to forgive me and may the rest of my life be in accordance to what YOU desire for me, as led by the Holy Spirit. Help me to be bold and use the Spiritual gift or gifts YOU have given to me according to YOUR will, purpose and glory. Thank YOU for what is yet to be as YOU lead me. May YOU and YOU alone be glorified. I am a sinner saved by YOUR grace and by the shed blood of JESUS.

¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. 

Who does JESUS love? John 3:16-18 expresses it so well:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

So, does JESUS just wait until a person comes to HIM? Or does HE reach out to individuals and churches? Let’s read on –

WHO is knocking on my door or your door?

Let’s read Revelation 3:20-22:

²⁰ See! 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.

²¹ “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

²² “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

JESUS comes to every individual and knocks on his or her heart’s door. JESUS can knock but the individual has to respond and answer by opening his or her heart’s door. Open your heart’s door and JESUS will enter and come in to live with you so you can get to know HIM intimately. JESUS was intimate with GOD, HIS FATHER as we read in John 17:8: I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you, HE will be intimate with those who open their heart’s door.

Satan will do all he can to prevent you from opening the door of your life to JESUS. You may think: What will my friends think? Or I want be able to enjoy the life I like to live. But remember JESUS has defeated Satan and JESUS is greater than all. Asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life is Spiritual birth. As a human, you must be born in your spirit by JESUS to enter Heaven.

You are Spiritually conceived by the Holy Spirit to become a child of GOD and eternally changed. When you accept JESUS as your Savior, your eternal destination is instantly changed from being bound for Hell to being bound for Heaven.

Where do you desire to spend eternity? Don’t believe the lies of Satan. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. You were created to serve JESUS and chosen by JESUS. But you have the freedom to choose.

JESUS stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Only you can open your heart’s door because the doorlatch can only be opened from the inside, by you, to allow JESUS to come into your heart. The miracle of Spiritual birth takes place in an instant when you become GOD’S Son or Daughter. The Holy Spirit indwells you and confirms that you are GOD’S Child through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

²¹ “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Those who buy from JESUS the gold that has been refined by fire, JESUS gives them “the right to sit with JESUS on HIS throne.” In essence, when JESUS gave HIS sinless life on the cross by the shedding of HIS blood, those who place their faith in HIM were crucified with HIM. When HE was buried, we were buried. When HE was raised from the physically dead, all who place their faith in JESUS were also raised from physical death but to remain upon earth to be witnesses for JESUS. JESUS desires for those who have been Spiritually-born to share the Good News with others while they are upon earth.

This world is not our home, we as humans are travelers on a journey to either Heaven or Hell. The choice is up to every individual. Choose wisely my friends.

²² “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? Just as a new born baby needs care and nourishment so will you. Ask JESUS to lead you to the right place where you can be Spiritually fed and cared for as you build your relationship with HIM.

FATHER, we ask that where we worship will be a welcoming body of believers who listen and respond to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We ask YOU to help us to be a sanctuary for those needing salvation and seeking Spiritual growth. Guide us as we reach out beyond the four-walls into the world, where YOU desire for us to serve.

Give us the balance and pace us such that we are always in step with YOU and YOUR leadership. Thank YOU for where we have been and where we are going.

Blessings!!!