Neck Rings

Kayan woman from Myanmar

(Burma)

Mursi woman

from Ethiopia

Lip Plates

Japanese/Chinese Foot Binding

Longest FingernailsStuart Claxton

and Chris “The

Duchess” Walton

Letter :The Church of Laodicea

Useless Christianity

First Point

Useless Christianity is unpalatable.

Revelation 314 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

Revelation 315 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

“…Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of

God's creation.”

• Jesus establishes his “credentials” before making a diagnosis of this church.

Jesus’ Diagnosis: You are lukewarm

•The typical interpretation: Hot, cold and lukewarm are measures of spiritual “warmth”

Second Point

Useless Christianity is vain.

Revelation 317 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Revelation 318 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Laodicea: Main Street

Laodicea: Small Theater

Laodicea: Large Theater

“Laodicea arose from the ruins by

the strength of her own

resources, and with no help

from us.”Marcus Claudius

Tacitus

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing…

The Sources of Laodicea’s pride1. The Banking Industry.2. The Textile Industry.3. The Medical School.

17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Jesus view of their boasts

1. Despite your banking industry, you are wretched, miserable and poor.

17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Jesus view of their boasts

2. Despite your textile industry, you are naked.

17b … not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Jesus view of their boasts

3. Despite your famous eye salve, you are blind.

“The inevitable result of spiritual complacency and self-satisfaction is the loss of all true self-knowledge.”Hanns Lilje

Third Point

Useless Christianity is without Christ.

Revelation 319 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3 20 Behold, 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.

Revelation 3 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

1. Jesus’ love can be…

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock…

2. Jesus’ love is…

20b …If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

3. Jesus’ love is intimate.

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

4. Jesus’ love is generous.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Ephesus: The danger

of lost priorities.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Smyrna: The value of

suffering.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Pergamum: The danger of doctrinal

compromise.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Thyatira: The danger

of moral compromise.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Sardis: The danger

of inoffensive Christianity.

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Philadelphia: The value of perseverance

What have we learned over the past 2 months?

Laodicea: The danger

of Lukewarm Christianity.

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”