Saturday, May 2, 2026
Mark opened with prayer, then announced upcoming events including a youth retreat, women’s retreat and an Association meeting. The mission offering this quarter is going to the Heartbeats of Lincoln County, a pregnancy care center.
Prayers and praises were led by Becky. We are grateful that her neighbor is 99% improved and coming home from the hospital. A family lost a loved one to colon cancer. A church member had a heart procedure and anticipates more treatment. A young woman requested prayer for her family, and Seventh Day Baptist teams are preparing to hold Vacation Bible School in Guyana. More than 500 children and adults attended last year’s event.
Susie led us in a responsive reading based on the Sermon on the Mount “A New Way of Life. Love your enemies. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Davis helped the kids understand that unlike card-guessing games, you never have to guess when it comes to God. He knows everything.
And we sang praises to God. Thank you Chuck and Jessica!
Brother Chuck continued his series on the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, with the message to the Laodiceans from “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” Rev. 3:14b.
The Laodiceans were wealthy. Aqueducts provided running water from mineral-laden hot springs valued for their healing properties. Others brought cold, pure water that refreshed.
The Ruler of God’s creation says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other! So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Rev. 3: 15-16. With neither hot nor cold properties, the water was useless.
The Laodiceans raised glossy black goats whose long silky hair was highly prized for expensive clothing. The city was also famous for salve developed by local phycisians to treat eye ailments. But the church of Laodicea was told, “You say I am rich, I have acquired wealth, and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, poor, blind and naked.” Rev. 3:17
Today, all of the wealth of Laodicea is gone.
But. Not even death itself limits the King of the Universe. Nothing is hidden from His sight. There are no secrets. The lies we’ve believed about ourselves “I’m not good enough, I’m too far gone, — the God of making things happen, who holds the Key of David… the ruler of creation—Jesus, was at God’s side at Creation – everything was made though him, He is Truth itself, and utterly trustworthy. He heals us. He breaks the power of lies.
“I’ve been teaching high school ethics. Our culture is in the midst of a “my truth/your truth” crisis. It’s all over the media. We try to redefine God’s truth. We need to be careful—watchful. Christ Jesus is truth itself. “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1: 1-5
The message to Laodicea is the most severe of the seven messages to the seven churches. Brother Chuck reminded that we were all put on the earth for the glory of God. We are here on purpose for a purpose. You were not an accident, you were not a surprise to God. He is calling every one of us for a purpose.
The American church has a lot in common with Laodicea. Wealth has become an idol. Do we know “how blind, how pitiful and how wretched we really are?” Did those thoughts cross the mind of Jesus when he talked with the rich young ruler (Luke 18-20)?
As individuals we need to pray, “Lord help me take my eyes off the things that take my eyes off of You. Take away what distracts my commitment to you.”
Even with the best eye salve, you’re blind. Even with the fanciest clothes, you’re naked. Why serve what is turning to dust? It’s not about tithe, the board meeting—only Jesus. “Buy gold from me refined by fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the rights to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 3:18b-22
The Laodiceans had lost track of what is truly important. We must walk in humility and repentance. Jesus died for us. He says, “I need YOU in my kingdom – I stand at the door and knock…” All we have do is say, Jesus, come in. Let all the wealth be for you and your glory.”
“Anyone who hears my voice and opens the door—I WILL come in and eat with him.
Lord, Help us see. Break us of our pride. Take away what stands between us and you. We repent of any lies we believe. We want to give you the glory. And more glory.
Amen.
Join us in person every Saturday for Sabbath School, and Worship, or if you’re far away, join us for Worship online via Facebook.
Pataskala Seventh Day Baptist 