Main Idea: We lack any ability to please God on our own and must rely fully on Christ in every aspect of our salvation.

• 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

The Dangerous Deception of Self-Sufficiency

• 15–17 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
  • Proverbs 3:5; 11:28; 26:12; 28:26

The Glorious Grace of Full Dependency

• 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
  • Romans 5:6 (CSB)
  • Ephesians 1:3–5
  • John 15:16
• 19, 20  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
  • John 15:1–8
  • Romans 8:26, 27
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24
• 21, 22  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
  • Romans 8:28–30
  • Philippians 3:20, 21

So What?

• We must repent of our false self-sufficiency and rest wholly on Christ, who alone supplies everything we need.
  • Mark 10:17–27