What If We Are Laodicea?

I recently heard the testimony of a missionary couple who served in a Muslim-controlled country.

Their ministry came at an incredible cost. They were arrested. They were beaten. They were threatened. The wife endured horrific abuse. Eventually, they returned to the United States.

You would think they would never want to go back.

But after about a year, they did.

Why?

Their explanation has stayed with me.

They described how real their dependence upon God had become while serving there. They prayed because they needed God. They witnessed things they understood as miracles. They saw God move in ways that reminded them of what they read in the book of Acts.

Then they returned to America, where they felt something was missing.

That got me thinking about the church of Laodicea.

“I Have Need of Nothing”

Jesus says something fascinating to this church in Revelation:

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…”— Revelation 3:17, KJV

That may be one of the most dangerous spiritual conditions imaginable.

Notice that Jesus doesn't condemn them simply because they have possessions.

The problem is that they believe they need nothing.

They look at themselves and see prosperity.

Jesus looks at them and sees poverty.

They see success.

Jesus sees need.

They have become so comfortable with what they possess that they no longer recognize what they are missing.

And I wonder if that same spiritual condition has quietly entered much of the American church.

What Happens When We Don't Need God?

We live in one of the most prosperous societies in human history.

When we're hungry, we go to the grocery store.

When we're sick, we go to the doctor.

When we're struggling financially, there may be programs, loans, insurance, or assistance available.

Our churches can have beautiful buildings, professional sound systems, worship teams, children's programs, marketing strategies, livestreams, and enough technology to reach people around the world.

None of those things are wrong.

But they can become dangerous when our resources replace our dependence.

There are believers around the world who gather knowing they could be arrested.

Some pray for their daily food because there genuinely isn't any.

Some share the Gospel knowing it could cost them everything.

Meanwhile, we can become frustrated because the church service ran fifteen minutes too long.

The difference isn't that God loves them more.

And it certainly isn't that God is more powerful in another country than He is in America.

Maybe the difference is how desperately we recognize that we need Him.

Jesus Is Standing at the Door

Then Jesus gives Laodicea one of the most sobering pictures in Scripture:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…”— Revelation 3:20, KJV

We often use that verse when talking to unbelievers.

But Jesus was speaking to a church.

Think about that.

They apparently still had their gathering.

They still had their religious identity.

They believed they were doing well.

Yet Jesus pictured Himself outside the door knocking.

That should cause every church—and every believer—to examine ourselves.

Is it possible to become so good at doing church that we can do it without desperately depending upon Jesus?

We can produce an emotional worship experience.

We can create excellent sermons.

We can build beautiful facilities.

We can develop successful programs.

We can fill calendars with ministry.

And somewhere along the way, could Jesus be standing at the door saying:

“Will you let Me back into the center of this?”

Comfort Isn't the Enemy

I don't believe God wants Christians to pursue persecution.

Suffering isn't holy simply because it hurts.

Having money isn't evil.

Having medicine isn't evil.

Having a comfortable home isn't evil.

Having church programs isn't evil.

Comfort isn't necessarily the problem. Self-sufficiency is.

The danger begins when everything God has blessed us with convinces us that we no longer desperately need the One who gave it.

Laodicea said:

“I have need of nothing.”

Jesus essentially responded:

You don't realize how much you need Me.

Maybe that's the warning the American church needs to hear.

Maybe We Need to Become Hungry Again

Perhaps we don't need more impressive churches.

Maybe we need more desperate prayer.

Maybe we don't need another program as much as we need His presence.

Maybe we don't need to manufacture another experience.

Maybe we need to become hungry for God again.

And there is good news in Jesus' message to Laodicea.

He's knocking.

That means He hasn't abandoned them.

His correction isn't rejection.

It's an invitation.

“If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”— Revelation 3:20, KJV

Maybe the question isn't whether America is Laodicea.

Maybe the better question is much more personal:

Has the spiritual condition of Laodicea gotten into us?

Have we become so blessed that we've forgotten our need for the One who blessed us?

If so, Jesus is still knocking.

Maybe it's time to become hungry again.

Pastor Scott