The book of Revelation begins with seven letters that Jesus wrote to seven different churches. I don’t know about you, but if Jesus wrote a letter to my church, I’d pay attention. Well, actually, he did. When we read these letters, we are reading words that he wants us to hear, too.

On of those important letters was sent to the church in Laodicea. The church of Laodicea was the comfortable church. Their debt was paid off, offerings were up. They had plenty of wealth. Sounds good but it was an unfortunate symptom of a deep spiritual problem—they stopped caring about what it meant to trust and follow Christ. They had become an institution. They were established, had a solid business plan for the future. They were the kind of church where people would think, "Hey, as long as I’m a member here, I must be doing the right thing, I’m OK with God." The trouble is they weren’t following Christ. Christ said to them: You are neither hot nor cold. You think you’re rich! You're wretched, you’re poor, pitiful, blind, naked.

Laodicea’s problem was they were apathetic. They had no feelings for Christ. They came to church, did their thing, went home and life went on. They had a take-it-or-leave-it kind of attitude. Jesus compared them to water, wishing they were either hot or cold. At least hot and cold water were useful for something. But they were lukewarm, worthless. Jesus was about to spit them out of his mouth, to cast them out forever.

That's the danger of spiritual apathy. It's the "silent killer" of faith. Like carbon monoxide, you can't really tell it's there unless it's pointted out. See the problem with apathy is we stop caring about our sins. But when we remember how serious every sin is, then Jesus can spring into action, because then we’re ready for him to help.

Jesus offers you and me the same spiritual gifts he has always offered. These gifts are what change us. You ever notice how, when you’re not so concerned about Jesus he’s always concerned for you? The same love that motivated him to write this hard letter to the Laodiceans 1900 years ago is still reaching out today. He writes to you that you would be truly rich. He offers you the wealth of his blood—the payment for your spiritual apathy and the price to make you right with God. He came to cover over your shame. When we feel our sins the most, he reminds you of his perfect life which is the robe of righteousness to cover your wretched sins so they are seen no more. He came to fix your eyes that you would see the spiritual reality: to see his cross, to see his victory over your sin, to see his triumph over hell, to see his empty tomb, and to see him in heaven interceding for you.

Jesus has opened up his heart to you, won’t you open up yours to him? Confess your sin of apathy. Humble yourself before him and he will lift you up. Then let’s enjoy the gifts that Christ gives us.