Naples Community Church's Podcast

This week’s sermon looks at Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22)—a sobering warning against lukewarm faith. Jesus, the “Amen” and beginning of creation, calls us to see our true condition and seek the riches only He gives: refined faith, white garments, and healing sight. In a world scarred by evil and grief, we answer with ora et labora—we pray as if it all depends on God and work as if it all depends on us. Christ stands at the door and gently knocks, inviting churches and individuals to open our lives to His intimate presence and cleansing grace. May we reject complacency, glorify God, and live as bold witnesses who hear, see, and obey.

We explore the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus’ model for personal prayer—not a script to recite, but a roadmap for the heart. We’re invited to come to God as Abba (a perfectly good Father), honor His holiness, long for His kingdom, and trust Him for daily needs. Jesus calls us to practice real forgiveness because we’ve been forgiven, and to ask for protection from the evil one. May our “same old” routine become living communion with the Father.

This week’s sermon: Jesus, the One who holds the key of David, opens doors no one can shut and calls His church to walk through them in humble, persevering love. Looking to the church in Philadelphia, we learn that “small” and “weak” are not liabilities—Christ’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and wounded healers become His hands and feet. Open doors send us out to serve and open our hearts to receive anyone the Spirit delivers, meeting people not first with arguments but with authentic love that points to Christ. Hope anchors us: He is near in our trials and faithful to see us through. Text: Revelation 3:7–13.

Pastor continues our Revelation series with Jesus’ wake-up call to Sardis: “You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead—wake up and strengthen what remains” (Rev. 3:1–6). He warns how churches become “inoffensive” by accommodating the culture and redefining sin, urging us instead to hold fast to the gospel (think Chesterton’s fence) and to repent—simply, to turn. Drawing on C. S. Lewis and the promise of white robes, we’re reminded that grace clothes the repentant and belonging to Christ reshapes how we live. A small moment of kindness at the gym becomes a picture of everyday faithfulness: just be Christian.

In this message we celebrate how our church can’t be neatly labeled “traditional” or “contemporary” but is defined by its love, faith and service. Drawing on the letter to Thyatira in Revelation, we’re reminded that cultural relevance and compromise—like tolerating a “prophetess” who leads us astray—undermine our true calling. Rather than pleasing people, we’re here to worship and obey God, holding fast to Scripture even amid hardship. Jesus warns that compromise can lead to judgment but promises that those who persevere will share in His authority, shepherding with His “iron rod.” Finally, He offers the “morning star”—His own presence—as a reward to every faithful witness.