Sermon @ Coast Vineyard by Michelle Wilson on September 21st, 2008

Let Me In! Learning to Cry Out to God When We Need Help — A message from Revelation 3:14-22

Laodicea was famous for its wealth (banks with great capital and the ability to lend and be generously charitable with neighboring cities.)  When the city was completely leveled by an earthquake, they refused the Roman government’s aid because they didn’t need outside help to rebuild.  They were famous for fashion, specifically a finely woven black wool that was desired across the ancient world.  They were also famous for medicine, specifically their eye doctors and their medical school.  It seems apparent, that most Laodiceans had very few felt needs, were completely self sufficient and relatively lukewarm as far as Christianity goes.  They had so much that they were out of touch with what they truly needed.

These three aspects of the city of Laodicea plays into human condition where we are poor (ultimately material wealth is worthless), we are blind (we can have the best optometrists in the world but still not see God), and we can be in fashion but still covered in sin).  The three aspects were further lined up with what God offers us through Jesus death on the cross, namely spiritual wealth as heirs to God, cleansing from sin and new sinless coverings, and restored relationship with the triune God.

Michelle ended the sermon with the phrase “I stand at the door and knock…”, positioning Jesus outside our heart’s door willing to step into our messyness and transform our lives, redeeming and healing along the way.  She suggested that we’ve found a place to hide from God despite his knocking and that God’s provision and presence comes with us opening the door in admission that we need help.