- Preacher: Steve Constable
- Sermon Series: Seven Letters for Seven Churches
- Sermon Title: Laodicea
- Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22
SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ Revelation 3:14-22
LAODICEA
1. Jesus says that the church in Laodicea is lukewarm, neither cold nor hot (vv. 15-16). What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm?
2. We can understand why Jesus would want a church or a Christian to be “hot” in their love and devotion to him, but he says, “I wish you were hot or cold.” Why would he want us to be “cold” rather than “room temperature”?
3. How did the Laodiceans see themselves (v. 17)? Jesus sees them as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Why is there such a radical difference between the two perspectives?
4. Jesus offers the Laodicean church gold, white garments, and salve (v. 18). What is the significance of each gift?
5. Even though the Laodicean church is only lukewarm in devotion to Jesus, what do you learn from verse 19 about Jesus’ attitude toward them?
6. Revelation 3:20 is often used as a picture of salvation—Jesus is knocking at our heart’s door seeking entrance. What does the verse mean when we see it as Jesus’ words to his church?
7. As you look back over the churches in Revelation 2–3, which of the seven churches does your church or small group most closely resemble? Why?
8. What can you glean from Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea to help bring repentance or encouragement to your church? 9. Which of the seven churches do you as an individual most closely resemble? Why? Are you certain your evaluation lines up with Jesus’ evaluation? Ask Jesus to give you his evaluation of your spiritual condition. Listen quietly and submissively for his response.
Questions taken from Douglas Connelly’s Seven Letters to Seven Churches. InterVarsity Press, pp. 41-43.