Toledo Reformed Theological Conference
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Tom Ascol
Christ Knocking
The reason people don’t love Jesus Christ is they don’t know Jesus Christ. The reason we don’t love Him more, is we don’t know Him better. The better we know Him, the more zealous we will be for Him. If we are going to be passionate about Christ we need to be mesmerized by who He is and what He has done in a fresh way.
How does Christ present Himself in Revelation chaper 3, the church at Laodicea
Rev 3: 14-22
Used and misused by those who doubt the sovereign grace of God in salvation. How do we respond to those who suggest impotence on the part of God in salvation? You must look at the rest of the Bible as it deals with effectual calling. The ability and desire to open that door must come from above.
The letter is addressed to a church, to a local church.
The Laodicean church is a wealthy church, but it was in a bad way. Nothing obvious perhaps. They have forgotten that all that they have comes from God, and that is a dangerous attitude.
They were self-dependent
They were also self-deluding. They were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. (Study deceived, deception and see how often we are warned about being deceived)
They are neither warm nor cold, they are lukewarm.
Spurgeon: They did not opposed the Gospel, but they also didn’t defend it
(that was about the fiftieth Spurgeon quote this weekend!)
Their lack of zeal makes Jesus want to puke them out of His mouth.
That is the diagnosis, what is the cure?
The first step is to agree with Him about our condition
The second step is to depend upon Himself, not on ourselves. You figured our how to live without me, but you need to return to dependence on Me. Quit trusting yourself and your attainments.
- We must cultivate in ourselves and our churches, a sensitivity to Jesus. What would happen if Christ withdrew His presence? Would we notice or are we just too busy to miss Him if He were gone?
Don’t misunderstand His chastening. Jesus chastens those He loves.
Repent and believe, with zeal, red hot passion. The Laodiceans were passionless. Value what He values, change your direction.
He not only gives them a prescription, He encourages them (v. 20) to open the door and He will dine with them. The eternal Son of God will dine with them. He is both the eternal Son of God, and meek and humble at the same time.
He knocks to gain access to His own people, this is one of His churches. (these aren’t unbelievers, this is not new communion, this is renewed communion that He seeks). They are so lethargic that they don’t even hear Him.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is never preached without a call of the Gospel, repent and turn away from your sins.
Christ stands outside of His own church, excommunicated not by a vote but by neglect.
Yet He still pleads with them, if anyone, ANY ONE, opens the door I will come in and dine with Him. Any individual.
Tom Ascol
Christ Knocking
The reason people don’t love Jesus Christ is they don’t know Jesus Christ. The reason we don’t love Him more, is we don’t know Him better. The better we know Him, the more zealous we will be for Him. If we are going to be passionate about Christ we need to be mesmerized by who He is and what He has done in a fresh way.
How does Christ present Himself in Revelation chaper 3, the church at Laodicea
Rev 3: 14-22
Used and misused by those who doubt the sovereign grace of God in salvation. How do we respond to those who suggest impotence on the part of God in salvation? You must look at the rest of the Bible as it deals with effectual calling. The ability and desire to open that door must come from above.
The letter is addressed to a church, to a local church.
The Laodicean church is a wealthy church, but it was in a bad way. Nothing obvious perhaps. They have forgotten that all that they have comes from God, and that is a dangerous attitude.
They were self-dependent
They were also self-deluding. They were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. (Study deceived, deception and see how often we are warned about being deceived)
They are neither warm nor cold, they are lukewarm.
Spurgeon: They did not opposed the Gospel, but they also didn’t defend it
(that was about the fiftieth Spurgeon quote this weekend!)
Their lack of zeal makes Jesus want to puke them out of His mouth.
That is the diagnosis, what is the cure?
The first step is to agree with Him about our condition
The second step is to depend upon Himself, not on ourselves. You figured our how to live without me, but you need to return to dependence on Me. Quit trusting yourself and your attainments.
- We must cultivate in ourselves and our churches, a sensitivity to Jesus. What would happen if Christ withdrew His presence? Would we notice or are we just too busy to miss Him if He were gone?
Don’t misunderstand His chastening. Jesus chastens those He loves.
Repent and believe, with zeal, red hot passion. The Laodiceans were passionless. Value what He values, change your direction.
He not only gives them a prescription, He encourages them (v. 20) to open the door and He will dine with them. The eternal Son of God will dine with them. He is both the eternal Son of God, and meek and humble at the same time.
He knocks to gain access to His own people, this is one of His churches. (these aren’t unbelievers, this is not new communion, this is renewed communion that He seeks). They are so lethargic that they don’t even hear Him.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is never preached without a call of the Gospel, repent and turn away from your sins.
Christ stands outside of His own church, excommunicated not by a vote but by neglect.
Yet He still pleads with them, if anyone, ANY ONE, opens the door I will come in and dine with Him. Any individual.
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