Sermon Outline Title: Laodicea – The Luke Warm Church
Bible Text: Revelation 3:14-20
Theme: Christ’s Warning to a Lukewarm Church
Big Idea: A church that loses its zeal for Christ becomes powerless and displeasing to God — revival begins when we open the door and let Jesus back in.
1. The Laodicean Condition
a. The church of the Laodiceans mirrors the modern church — rich in possessions but poor in spirit.
b. They had everything money could buy, yet lacked the one thing they truly needed — a heart burning for God.
c. Material abundance replaced spiritual dependence; prosperity replaced prayer.
d. Without Jesus at the center, a church becomes nothing more than four brick walls and empty pews.
2. The Lukewarm Spirit
a. Jesus said they were neither cold nor hot — a spiritual condition that makes Him sick.
b. A lukewarm attitude is indifferent and unconcerned about the things of God.
c. The danger of lukewarmness is its comfort — people think everything is fine when it’s not.
d. Christ would rather have a cold-hearted sinner who knows he’s lost than a lukewarm Christian who doesn’t care.
3. The Deceptive Example of Lukewarm Faith
a. Lukewarm Christianity misrepresents what true salvation looks like.
b. It deceives the world into thinking Christianity has no power or passion.
c. The greatest threat to the church is not outside persecution — it’s inside apathy.
d. When there’s no difference between the church and the world, the church has lost its testimony.
4. The Discouragement It Causes
a. Lukewarm believers discourage new Christians who are trying to live right.
b. Their half-hearted worship and careless attitude drain the joy from others who are excited about serving the Lord.
c. New believers often wonder why older Christians seem bored with God’s work.
d. Indifference kills the spirit of unity and quenches the fire of revival in the church.
5. The Disease It Spreads
a. Lukewarmness is contagious — it spreads like a virus through the congregation.
b. One heart without passion can influence another until the whole church grows cold.
c. Soon, services become routine, the Spirit’s presence fades, and worship becomes habit instead of heartfelt.
d. A lukewarm church has no power in its prayers and no victory in its shout — just a form of godliness without fire.
6. The Disgust It Brings to Christ
a. Jesus said this kind of Christianity makes Him want to “spew” it out — it’s nauseating to Him.
b. He calls us to buy gold tried by fire — a faith refined through obedience and sacrifice.
c. He calls us to wear white garments — a life of holiness and righteousness before God.
d. He calls us to anoint our eyes — to see our true spiritual need and repent before it’s too late.
Illustration / Example:
A pastor once said, “The greatest tragedy in the modern church isn’t her poverty — it’s her comfort.” When a church has everything except the presence of God, it has nothing that matters. Jesus stands outside, knocking, waiting for someone to care enough to open the door again.
Alliterated Main Points:
Condition – A prosperous but powerless church.
Complacency – Lukewarm hearts that no longer burn for God.
Corruption – A deceptive example that misleads the world.
Coldness – A discouragement to the faithful and new believers.
Contagion – Lukewarmness spreads like disease through the church.
Conviction – Jesus calls His church to repent and return to Him.
Conclusion / Invitation:
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” He’s not forcing His way in — He’s waiting for hearts to open. A lukewarm church makes Him sick, but a repentant heart makes Him welcome. If you’ve lost your fire, let today be the day you open the door again. Invite Him back in. Let Him reign once more as Lord of your life and of this church.