Sermon: Wittenberg Academy – Dec 15

15 December 2020

Text: Rev 3:1-22

In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

Early in the Book of Revelation, John writes seven letters to seven churches under his apostolic oversight in Asia Minor.  Jesus Himself tells John what to write, and He writes guided by the Holy Spirit – who gives this writing to you today, dear friends, as the final three letters to the churches are laid before us today. 

The first of these is the letter written to the Church at Sardis.  Jesus is blunt: “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die.”  Our Lord preaches the Law to them, calling them to repent, and warning them, “If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief,” that is, when you least expect it.  There are still a few actual believers there, and our Lord “will confess his name before [His] Father.

The last of these letters is written to the Church at Laodicea.  Again, our Lord doesn’t mince words: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”  The Laodiceans brag of their riches and their self-sufficiency.  But they are deceived.  Jesus says: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”

We would all do well to hear this preaching of the Law from the mouth of Jesus, the pen of John, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  For in our ungodly culture, our churches are largely dead.  We look the same, act the same, and speak the same as the world.  We chase after the same things, and live like the heathen.  We are also lukewarm.  We still “go to church” – at least when it is convenient.  We give lip service to God’s Word, as evidenced by shiny pristine Bibles in many a bookcase.  They remain unread because there are teams to cheer for, and shows to binge-watch.  We are neither religious fanatics nor atheists.  Satan doesn’t attack us because it’s not worth his time.  Both our Sardis and Laodicea natures are being called to repent by Jesus – by Him who is coming soon.

Sandwiched between the two is a little church that goes largely unnoticed: Philadelphia.  She is not rich.  She is not lukewarm.  She is not just going through the motions.  And the Lord commends her, and preaches the Gospel to her even as she is being tormented by the “synagogue of Satan.” 

“I know your works,” says our Lord.  “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.”  And little Philadelphia has “but little power.”  But about her, our Lord Himself says: “and yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My name.”  Our Lord promises His protection of her in every time of trouble, even tribulation that is “coming on the whole world.”  Our blessed Lord says to the faithful in every age: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

And as our Lord Jesus Himself says, dear brothers and sisters, “He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.