YOUR FUTURE AND YOUR PASSION

Part 7 of 7

Revelation 3:14-22

Tonight I am going to conclude my series of messages from the Book of Revelation Chapters 2&3 on Getting Ready For Your Future.”  Our text tonight is found in Revelation 3:14-22 and the title of my message is, “Your Future And Your Passion.”

Revelation 3:14, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:”

3 Characteristics Of Jesus

Jesus is UNCHANGEABLE

Jesus refers to Himself as “The Amen.”  How many of you have ever said this word?  How many of you know what you are saying when you say it?  The word “Amen” is actually a Hebrew title for God, which is found in Isaiah 65:16 where He is called the “God of truth.”  It is a word that refers to something that is certain, firm, fixed or unchangeable.  Jesus is the guarantee.

Usually when you find the word “Amen” used in the Bible it is always found at the end of a statement.  Jesus is the final word in everything.  He is the final authority.  He is the Amen!

Jesus is RELIABLE

As the faithful and true witness Jesus will not dilute the truth.  He will not distort the truth.  Neither will He skirt the truth.  He deals with the facts.  He tells us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  He is reliable!

Jesus is THE CREATOR

Jehovah’s Witnesses use this passage to try to prove that Jesus was created by God and is not actually God Himself.  The problem with this is that the Greek word for “Beginning” literally means “source” or “origin” and shows us that Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.  It is through him that we have what we have.

Colossians 1:16-17, “Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can't; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. 17He was before all else began and it is his power that holds everything together.” (TLB)

Jesus is EVERYTHING that the church in Laodicea WASN’T

The church in Laodicea had changed, they were not reliable and they thought they were self-sufficient.  In essence they didn’t think they needed Jesus.  But in reality what they needed was a renewed vision of Jesus Christ.  They needed to refocus their attention on Jesus.  They had become apathetic.

Employees in a Detroit business office found the following notice posted on their bulletin board one day: “The management regrets that it has come to their attention that workers dying on the job are failing to fall down.  This practice must stop, as it has become impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of our employees.  Therefore, anyone found looking dead in an upright position will be taken off the payroll immediately.”

In a survey of 2600 Southern Baptist Churches it was revealed that apathy was the primary issue facing them in the 21st century.  As Jesus speaks to this church in Laodicea He shows us 4 keys to overcoming apathy in our lives today.