Come on in The Water is Luke Warm

Care for a glass of Tap?

I’m not a water drinker. Some people, like Kati for example, drink plenty of water. And there are many reason’s you should, I should, drink more water. It hydrates your body. Most of our bodies are made up of water. 70% of the planet is made up of water. And to those of us that live in a high dessert, we know how important water is to our lives.

I still don’t like to drink it. Why? Mostly, I don’t like the taste, or non-taste of water. But it also has to do with the temperature. If it’s a really hot day, and there is a sweaty ice cold glass of REALLY icy water. We’re talking cold here, like 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Then that is the best beverage in the world. It cools it refreshes and oddly enough, it tastes good. I don’t like hot water, or lukewarm water I like freezing cold water in extremely hot weather. What can I say? I’m picky.

A couple weeks ago we talked about the three kings who went to war with Moab and were promised water from God. They recieved their water and did to the Moabites exactly what God said they would do. Where water was needed it was provided.

The interesting thing about water is that even though it is essential to life, we, me especially, can be very pick about how it is used and for what.

The Book of Revelation

Let’s look to the Book of Revelation today for our 3:16. It is the last 3:16 in the Bible and it is the second to last 3:16 we will focus on this year.

We know a bit about the author of this book, John the Apostle. He is also the author of the Gospel of John and the letters titled 1, 2, and 3 John. He was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples and one of the closer 3, along with James, his brother, and Peter.

The Book of Revelation was written any time after 68 AD during the religious upheaval following the reign of the evil Emperor Nero or as late as 95 AD.

Not a lot of Christians like to read the Book of Revelation, because of some very true points.

It’s Hard to Understand It’s Scary It doesn’t seem relevant to me, RIGHT NOW.

It’s Hard to understand: Yes, John is being given a vision of future events and describing them as best he can with the knowledge he has at the time. Imagine seeing a helicopter in the sky when the only other thing you’ve ever seen in the sky before it living birds. You might call the helicopter a dragon, or a winged beast.

A disclaimer on that. I’m not saying for sure that what John saw in his vision we could adequately describe either. We don’t know the day or the hour of Christ’s return and while I could give a pretty good argument that it could happen in our life times, I could give an equally good argument that it could happen in 5,000 years.

It’s Scary: Not really. Yes, there are some horrifying events that are described in this book, but if you are a follower of Jesus, then none of the scary bits should frighten you.

It doesn’t seem relevant to you? Rev 1:3

Revelation 1:3 ESV

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

This was written nearly 2000 years ago and tells you to read it and you will be blessed. And it says to listen to what it says. If that’s not relevant enough for you, we need to have a longer conversation

What we are looking at today.

Aside from the future events, there are also 7 letters to 7 churches in this account. Our 3:16 falls in the midst of a letter written to the Church in Laodicea.

It has some nice ruins there today, but back in the day it was a town known for it banking, medical, and clothing industries.

And a reminder, the building they met in might not be in operation today, but the Church in Laodicea, Now an area of the country of Turkey, is still in existence. Not as strong as it once was, but it is still there, because remember, Church isn’t a building, a building is just where the Church gathers to worship.

The interesting thing about Laodicea is that it did not have it’s own fresh water source. It had it piped in from two different cities. The first being Colossae, where the water was nice and cool, refreshing to drink. And the other source was from Hierapolis where there was a hot spring that was great for medical treatments.

The problem was is that often when the water got to Laodicea from either location it was neither hot or cold, but Lukewarm, it wasn’t good for drinking or medical treatment. Sure it still had uses, but it wasn’t desired for their chief reasons.

Who here has had tap water in Lakeview? And you’re still living, wow, you’re tough. Their water isn’t very good. Even after high filtration it’s a little yellow. Now Bly’s water is very good. It’s clean, it tastes good to the people who like water. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a member of the water board. But, if it was decided to pipe Bly water all the way to Lakeview, by the time it got there it would probably be pretty yuck. Might even be worse that what they got now. It would be lukewarm.

Look at what John is telling the church in 3:16. You are not cool and refreshing, not are you hot and healing. You are boring.

I had also mentioned that Laodicea was known for it’s banks and medical knowledge. Check out Rev 3:17

Revelation 3:17 ESV

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

In 3:16, Jesus says he it spiting out the Laodicians, the better word might be VOMIT out, but we’ll stick with spit. This is Jesus saying that because they are just lukewarm that he has rejected them. But hope is not lost here. verse 17 reminds them what they have put their faith in. I have money and wealth, I don’t need anything else.

The funny thing about money is that once you get used to having a little more, you want even more. Money, no matter how much you have, is never enough to fulfill you. And Jesus is reminding them of that here.

He is also reminding them of their poor health. They may have good physical health, but spiritually they are blind and naked.

Revelation 3:18 ESV

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.

His solution is repentance. It doesn’t say repent and turn from your evil ways. Nope, that would be way to easy to hear. And if you’ve ever been told you need to do something that’s good for you, hearing it the easy way is not much of a starting point.

You tell an alcoholic they need to quit drinking, they know. But an easy thing to say is a hard thing to do.

You tell a child that they need to listen to their parents, they know. It sure is easy to hear, much harder to put in practice.

What Jesus is doing here is giving a real world example and illustration to show them that need for change is just as hard as the actual change.

You are a lukewarm water and I spit you out. You say you are rich? What has that richness done for you. Are you happier? Or do you need one more dollar? Instead of investing this cheap material gold, buy into eternal life, it’s like the purest gold there is and it never wears out.

You say you have the best doctors at your disposal. I say you are spiritually blind. A doctor has it’s uses, but they cannot save your soul. Put on the lens of the word of God and you will see much more clearly than what even a doctor can give you.

This was an amplified version of what verses 16-18 said.

Basically Jesus is telling them that he get’s that the world offers a lot of things. Wealth, Health, and prosperity. And there’s nothing wrong with making a living, being healthy, and doing well. But if those things are your salvation, then they won’t take you very far.

Jesus is telling them that their salvation is in him alone. What I really like about this passage is verse 19.

Revelation 3:19 ESV

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Are these guys lukewarm? You bet they are. Has Jesus spit them out? Yes, he has.

Does he love them and want them back, 110%

Sometimes t get someone back, the hard things have to be done. Sometimes rock bottom has to be hit. Sometimes we have to be the ones to send them there.

And then through all this imagery Jesus does make it easy.

Repent. Turn away from the evil road you are going down and follow me.

And he doesn’t even make it your effort. Look at 20

Revelation 3:20 ESV

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.

He’s right there, you don’t have to go find him. He’s knocking at your door. Your only part is to open the door and accept him in.

The alcoholic can find healing and riches in turning away from their addiction and opening the door to Jesus.

The disobedient child can find a stronger relationship with their parents by investing in the riches Jesus offers.

You, in whatever is holding you back from a fuller relationship with Jesus can turn and open the door.

Perhaps Jesus will cool you down and you will be a refreshing new different person that will share him with others.

Perhaps he’l heat you up to help a friend or loved battle addiction or another struggle. But you are no good to anyone lukewarm.

I don’t know the hearts of everyone in this room today. But God led me to this passage for a reason.

If there is a lukewarmness in your heart. If you need to answer that door and let Jesus in to work on you, I encourage you to make that step today. Perhaps Jesus is your Savior. and you need a jump start to serve him better. Great, ask him. And talk to me.

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, then accept him. Open that door to your heart and let him in. And he will come in. And he will bless you.

Look at that blessing. Rev 3:21

Revelation 3:21 ESV

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.

Those who belong to Jesus get to sit with him in eternity. Wow.

There is no greater Health, Wealth, and nothing is more prosperous than knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You may never be wealthy in this world, nor prosperous, but God is faithful and will come in when you open the door of your heart. Let us Pray and praise him for his great faithfulness.

Let’s Pray