The Lukewarm Church

Intro

Imagine a weary traveler, parched and exhausted, seeking refuge from the scorching desert sun. He arrives at a small oasis town named Laodicea, hoping for refreshing water to quench his thirst. To his surprise, he encounters two types of water sources in the town. The first source is a natural spring, flowing with cool, pure water from the nearby mountains. The water is invigorating, crystal clear, and life-giving. This spring represents the fervent faith and devotion of the believers, whose lives are deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ. The second source, however, is a lukewarm, stagnant pool of water. It neither refreshes nor warms the soul. It represents the lukewarm faith of some in the church, individuals who are neither fully committed to God nor completely rejecting Him. Their tepid faith lacks the zeal and passion that God desires from His followers. As the traveler encounters these two contrasting water sources, he realizes the importance of spiritual vitality.

I saw a show on TV of people trying, on purpose, to survive on an island. They had to find there own water, boil the water over the fire they made rubbing sticks together. One group found water, but it was stale and stagnant, kind of like dipping water out of a slough. They tried to boil it but it made them all sickno matter what they tried.

The natural spring symbolizes the vibrant, authentic relationship with God, where believers are on fire for Him, constantly seeking His presence and guidance. On the other hand, the stagnant pool serves as a warning, depicting the danger of complacency and half-hearted devotion. Just as the lukewarm water is unappealing and unbeneficial, a lukewarm faith fails to satisfy the deep spiritual hunger within. In this illustration, we are reminded of the words of Jesus to the church in Laodicea: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16, NIV).

What we want is a church that is on fire for Jesus. The illustration I used will only go so far. but there are a few things that we see as we go through this.

Spiritual compromise is one. Are we allowing people to lead us away from the word of God. Intolerance of peoples lives is seen as horrible and tolerance the only way. Do we compromise our faith in the way we live?

Do we boldly identify with the messiah no matter the cost. In school are we standing for the word of God?

we are physically well off but are we spiritually rich?

These are things we are going to look through as we go through the last of the churches.

HBI - Jesus is coming in a time we least expect and we need to be found living for Him, not just on the outside but also on the inside. Therefore we must not compromise our faith but boldly stand for the Lord. Are we on fire for God or just going through the motions.

Letter to Thyatira - 2:18-29

Four churches each with their own things going on. They existed thousands of years ago but the truth is still there for us today. We have churches now a days that feel the need to be all inclusive when it comes to moral boundaries and spiritual boundaries. That is okay to love and accept others, bu when it begins to change doctrine, and the way you live for God then it is a big problem. That is kind of what was going on here.

It starts out with again with a reference to Jesus and I want to look at this one because it has reference to what goes on later.

Revelation 2:18 CSB

18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:

I want us to remember that Jesus is the one who sees past the false front that we try to put on. We may be able to hide what is going on with the within from those around us but Jesus sees past that.

served with endurance well

On the surface it looked like the church looked like it was doing good.

Revelation 2:19 CSB

19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.

but most of them where just showing good works on the outside

Revelation 2:20 CSB

20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

the Jezebel - Corrupter of the church

called them a Jezebel - Epithet - the persons name was not actually Jezebel.

Story of me calling my friend Jezebel during a magic trick involving calling an assistant. I Didn't even clue in.

The story of Jezebel comes from the book of 1 Kings.

1 Kings 16:30–33 CSB

30 But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him. 31 Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and then proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Self proclaimed prophetess. - someone who likely claimed to hear from God but really wasn't.

led them into a adultery and idol worship.

Promoting a tolerance towards pagan beliefs.

spiritual compromise.

There is the old adage that we need to plumb the depths of evil before we can know the goodness of God. I have actually met people like that. This was going on back then as well. Running along the same lines as the spiritual compromise, they felt the need to explore evil around them.

Revelation 2:24 CSB

24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan”—as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you.

God sees past the exterior to the heart will give each according to their works as children of God.Our duty, is to hold on to the will of God, faithful allegiance and not compromise is what we are taught. Only through faithful allegiance to the word of God will we overcome.

The promise of a share in the rule of Christ is what is promised to those who chose faithful allegiance. this is a great hope we are promised, to one day be a part of the Kingdom of God.

Letter to Sardis - 3:1-6

No commendation just condemnation. The other churches received praise for what they had done right but this church didn't.

Revelation 3:1 CSB

1 “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.

that had the looks of a church but where dead in their faith.

There where true Christians, but lots where just going through the motions. They seemed untroubled by the heresy around them and where fine living like the pagans around them. They where called a church, called themselves Christians but where spiritually dead.

Revelation 3:2 CSB

2 Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before my God.

“Look out” they are told. according to historical records the city had fallen twice to attackers because of the lack of vigilance of the defenders. Was history going to be repeated in life? was the church going to fall and fail because the lack of defense?

Though the church was dead seemingly there was still a chance for life.

Revelation 3:4 CSB

4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy.

A chance for life if they repented of their sin and actually stand for the Lord God. Repent we are told constantly of the sin we so like to cling too. Are we to dead? do we cling to the world or to spiritual compromise? or are we willing to take a stand on the word of God. We must do this because of the verse before this.

Revelation 3:3 CSB

3 Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you.

Repent for the Lord will come at a time where you least expect it.

Letter to Philadelphia - 3:7-13

The messiah controls access to the eternal kingdom (the key of David, the king and messiah) - eternal security of the believer and Jesus is the only way to get that eternal security.

Revelation 3:7 CSB

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:

They had an open door from the messiah because they where true believers, kept the word of God. Jesus promised because they lived their lives for God, trusted in the power of God alone

Revelation 3:8 CSB

8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

They had little strength, likely a small congregation. yet they faithfully held to the name of God in the community, and because of their faithfulness they where promised eternal life.

Revelation 3:9 CSB

9 Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.

they where excommunicated likely from the local synagogue (vs 9) but they where on the right path.

Because of their faith there was a trial coming that they where promised they would be saved from.

Revelation 3:10 CSB

10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

There is an “hour of trial” coming. They have been saved through the trials already but this is looking forward to another great trial that is yet to come.

The debate is whether it is saved from the trial or delivered through the trial. The term here is used to argue about the timing of the rapture and the tribulation. But this verse is slightly ambigous. We might be on earth and yet be exempt from the great trial. The interpretation of the wording could go either way. Eithert we are here for the trial or taken away from it.

Alan F. Johnson says, and I would agree that In any event, we have here a marvelous promise of Christ’s protection (tēreō, “keep”) for those who have protected (tēreō) his word by their loving obedience

Remember, we need to major on the majors here. This is the basics of what is being said here.

identify boldly with Jesus no matter the cost. We proclaim the name of Jesus, the only name by which we must be saved.

Letter to Laodecias - 3:14-22

it starts out with showing the trustworthiness of Jesus, he is perfect. Opposite of the church which was unfaithful and sinful.

Revelation 3:15–16 CSB

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

To be lukewarm is to be useless. To be complacent, self satisfied, indifferent to the faith and discipleship.

they lacked spiritual riches, even though they had physical riches. Spiritually they where destitute.

Jesus is standing there waiting for them to come and repent, but not forever.

there is no lukewarm Christians.

spiritual compromise - be zealous and repent.

verse 20 is often used as an invitation in evangelism but here we see it takes on a much different tone

The Book of Revelation G. Laodicea (3:14–22)

In the context of the Laodicean letter, however, it is self-deluded members of the church who are being addressed. To the church Christ says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.” In their blind self-sufficiency they had, as it were, excommunicated the risen Lord from their congregation. In an act of unbelievable condescension he requests permission to enter and reestablish fellowship.

He is coming back soon in other words, so we better be ready. It is saying that you guys need to repent, look I am standing here and am going to come soon. If you open the door I will reestablish fellowship with you. If you do not then I will come and it wont be pretty.

What we need are believers that take seriously the word of God. Who are on fire for the word of God and the furthering of His kingdom.

So What?

I am having troubles being concise here, hopefully I will learn. Spiritual apathy vs spiritual renewal and a life lived completely for God. Are we sold out for God and His word or are we compromising are faith?

In March 2012, Matthew Vines posted a video on YouTube suggesting that "being gay is not a sin," and that the Bible "does not condemn, loving, committed same-sex relationships." He spoke eloquently from the heart with poise, conviction and vulnerability. The video quickly went viral.

Vines is a bright young man raised in a Christian home. At age 19, he left Harvard University after his third semester so that he could come out to his family and friends in Wichita. He knew that his father would not agree with the way he reconciled his sexuality with Scripture. So Vines sought to arm himself with biblical scholarship on the affirmation of same-sex relationships and strove to convince his family and church that they were wrong—that homosexuality is not a sin.

This is what we are seeing in the world and why it is important to first go through How we are to live first before we go in to what the end times are going to be. How must we prepare ourselves.

Spiritual compromise

is one. Are we allowing people to lead us away from the word of God. Intolerance of peoples lives is seen as horrible and tolerance the only way. Do we compromise our faith in the way we live? Are we undermining the essentials of the gospel so as to just get along? We must never compromise our faith and let the Jezebels of this generation to lead us away from the only way, the only truth.

Do we boldly identify with the messiah

no matter the cost. In school are we standing for the word of God? Do we boldly identify with the Lord God and the message of the gospel even though it is an unpopular belief.

Are we spiritually rich?

Are we so self sufficient that we no longer rely on the Lord? Have we become lukewarm Christians. A reminder I was given this weak is that we need to preach the word of God with boldness, we need to boldly live our lives for God.

After all Jesus is “standing at the door knocking”. Jesus is ready to come at a moment when we least expect it, will we be found living for Him?