A Holy Life In a Luke Warm World

Kodak’s Rise and Fall: A Cautionary Tale

Kodak’s Success: A Giant in Photography

"At one time, Kodak dominated the photography industry. They practically invented consumer photography and were synonymous with capturing memories. “Make every moment a Kodak moment”. Their innovative edge made them a household name, setting the gold standard for film photography.

Failure to Adapt:Apathy to Change

However, as digital photography emerged, Kodak found itself at a crossroads. Ironically, they had developed some of the first digital cameras, yet they refused to embrace the shift. Their reluctance stemmed from a desire to protect their lucrative film business, believing their dominance would last forever. Rather than paying the price of innovation today, they chose the cost of obsolescence tomorrow.

“Comfort can be the enemy of progress”

The Fall of Kodak

"While competitors surged ahead, Kodak clung to the past. Their failure to adapt led to their downfall, reducing them from an industry leader to irrelevance. What was once an empire in photography became a cautionary tale of how even giants can fall.

“Complacency turns giants into ghosts”

Make the Connection:The Warning to the Churches (Revelation 2–3)

"This is exactly the kind of warning Jesus gave to the churches in Revelation. Some had started strong but had become comfortable, complacent, and lukewarm in their faith. They assumed they were fine, but they were actually on the verge of losing everything. The church in Laodicea thought they were rich and needed nothing, but Jesus said they were poor, blind, and naked' (Rev. 3:17). They didn’t realize they were dying."

Challenge Your Listeners

A faith on autopilot drifts into irrelevance.

Could we be making the same mistake spiritually? Are we mistaking comfort for growth? A stagnant faith can render us ineffective in our walk with God. Holiness and endurance--not complacency--define a thriving believer.

5 Steps to Keep Faith Alive

The letters to the seven churches in Revelation are for us even today, and for the future until Christ returns. They illustrate both faithfulness and failures of believers throughout history. We must asses where we stand--whether in steadfast commitment like Philadelphia or in lukewarm complacency like Laodicea. All of these issues that are lifted simplify to two things, a command and an encouragement-- holiness and endurance.

Philadelphia was a place where both Jews and Christians were the minority groups in a dominant Greco-Roman society. The city was located in a rural area and was known for its wine. In AD 17, a major earthquake rocked the city and it depended on resources from Rome to rebuild. Philadelphia had temples to Anaitas, Dionysus, and Augustus Caesar. This congregation is small and we know this because they lack any influence or favor from authorities. Christ however, promises them that he has opened the door with the key of David and no one will shut it. The Kingdom of God is theirs--just hang on.

Laodicea becomes the euphemistic equivalent of spiritual apathy and complacency.

There is no mention in the letter of this church is undergoing any struggle or scrutiny that could result in conflict, imprisonment, or even death. They live day to day in relative safety and ease. There is not even mention of conflict with the local synagogue. There is no mention of false prophets or corrupt teachers, no mention of those Nicolaitans encouraging the community to take on Greco-Roman religious practices. This church is thriving. Yet, Jesus gives a surprisingly sharp message.

What threatens this church are the hearts of the believers themselves.

Laodicea was a wealthy city in Roman history. It was an important trade center for wool (soft black wool) and textile manufacturing in that region. An earthquake damaged the city in 60 AD but it was soon rebuilt. The wealthy class of the city saw to it and they denied any funds from Rome. It was the home of local cults to Dionysus, Zeus, and emperor Domitian. They prided themselves on self-sufficiency.

Jesus introduces himself as the “faithful and true witness” and he confronts the church with its inability to see the truth about themselves. As far as they are concerned they are doing well and fall back on their wealth and means so to “not be in need” Jesus states the reality is they are anything but self sufficient. “they are poor, blind, and naked”. He implores them to buy gold from him refined in the fire— to purchase the security of heaven through their lives lived in holiness.

Naked— Jesus strips their social status because true dignity comes from robes made white by the blood of the Lamb.

Blind— not healed by salve bought at the market but restored by the holy Word of God who clears their vision with the truth of his message.

Jesus leans on “banquet imagery” the metaphor of meals in the ancient world should not be looked passed. Entertaining guests and dignitaries was viewed on with carrying great favor. In ancient times, wine was mixed with hot water or with snow and offered to guests. This was a pointed and sharp critique of what the Laodiceans were offering the world through their faith— nothing that satisfies or refreshes--just lukewarm wine that nobody wants.

This understanding of “lukewarm” could also be indicative of the aqueduct systems into the ancient city. 6 miles north was a bed of hot springs. This mineral rich water was used for medicinal purposes. However by the time it arrived at the city it was lukewarm. 10 miles south was a refreshing cold water spring that offered refreshing and invigorating satisfaction but as it traveled warmed up. Thus despite the best efforts did not offer anything but something unpleasant to drink.

Christ offers that he would like to be there “he stands at the door and knocks” What will he receive?

Jesus has a hard message but it is not to cause pain. He corrects us because he loves us. Hebrews 12:6 “for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.””

Matthew 7:21 ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Spiritual complacency (Rev. 3:15-16)

Complacency is seeing one’s life through a lens of satisfaction and contentment operating in ignorance of any potential danger, problems, or need for improvement. We become comfortable and satiated and want nothing to change and even stop striving for growth and excellence.

"The almost Christian is one who has a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof." John Wesley makes it clear that an almost Christian appears to live a godly life but lacks the inner transformation that comes from true faith in Christ.

Recognize the problem means that we become aware of sin in our lives, impurity, or anything that hinders holiness. It is about see ourselves in light of God’s holiness.

The prophet Isaiah wrote Isaiah 6:5 “And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!””

As Wesleyan's we see God’s Law as unbreakable, therefore we do not break God’s Law but rather we are broken in our sinfulness upon God’s Law. Like a wave that breaks over the rocks it is the water that must give way because the rock does not move. Our sinfulness breaks over the perfect, righteous, and just law that God has given us for a standard of living.

God has provided a clear standard and given it to the church. The church is called to be holy. 1 Peter 1:15–16 “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

Knowledge and belief are intrinsically connected in that belief comes from knowledge but knowledge alone doesn’t produce belief. James 1:23–25 “For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.”

Refine Your Life

Accept God’s purifying work (Rev. 3:17-18)

Once we become aware we must take action toward holiness. I remember one of the first lessons I learned in my first Criminal Justice course “Ignorance of the Law is no excuse”.

1 Peter 1:15–16 “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

What does a life of refinement look like? Not feel but activity to be done.

Holiness is attending to the ordinances of God. Please be aware we are not drifting into legalism. You cannot do the things God commands apart from the relationship God intended for us. The relationship is the origin and like the fresh water that pours forth from a fountain the fountain is not the source but fed by the spring the wells up and daylights into a world in need of refreshing.

A life that is refined is surrendered. Like a metal to a kiln the fire of the Holy Spirit purifies and strengthens the soul. We surrender fully to Christ and encounter him each day through:

Prayer/ Devotion/ Worship/ Study/ Generosity/ Service

Paul calls believers to “put off the old self...and put on the new self” (Recognize and Refine) Eph. 4:22-24

Repent and Return

Embrace God’s loving correction (Rev. 3:19)

We all need that friend that can point out areas of our lives that could use some improvement? When we are young we are much more open to people in our lives to speak into us in the hopes of making us better. Whether a coach, an instructor, a teacher, or even a pastor have been know to shape us when we were younger but as we get older that willingness to allow this opportunity becomes extremely rare.

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”

Galatians 6:1–2 “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Methodists were called people of the method. A once derogatory term that we embraced because we become a movement of Christians who desired to take our faith seriously. Class and Band meetings became vehicles for Christians to come together in love and humility to spur each other toward holy living. As Christians we are called to confess our sins to each other and allow the church to speak truth, love, and forgiveness into our lives without fear and judgment.

Renew Your Fellowship

Open the door to Christ (Rev. 3:20)

Philadelphia: Was known for for is “rocking heritage” by this over the course of history this city has been almost destroyed by earthquakes. Their sacred buildings would be shaken and thrown down. The faithfulness of the church was to become the very pillars of the new temple made of their own bodies of which Christ himself is their foundation.

1 Peter 2:4–5 “Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Jesus has the keys to the door. Jesus is holds the keys to heaven and no one in this world can shut it. No one has the power or authority. Christ has promised that this door stays open. So endure. Stand firm. Keep the faith because it is worth it. A small group of believers in Philadelphia thought the entire world was set against them and that the future was nothing but shadow but the white rider has come as a conquering hero and brought light into the darkness. The light of the promise of Christ. There is hope and a future for those who believe.

Rejoice in the Reward

Share in Christ’s holiness and reign (Rev. 3:21)

The Kingdom of God is here. It is with us. Jesus declared it. We are citizens of the Kingdom.

We are Co-Heirs with Christ Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

We receive the Crown of Life James 1:2 “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,”

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

So be mindful church. Be weary of being guilty of spiritual apathy. Run away from complacency. The church in Laodicea still belonged to Jesus, it wasn’t too late for them. Jesus handed down the warning because of his love for them. God does not desire to harm but to guide. Teresa of Avila once stated she complained to God during prayer about her suffering. God replied to her in that time and said “This is how I treat my friends” her response is said to have been “it is no wonder you have so few” But it is not God that visits the suffering upon us but the world as it rejects to standards of God’s holiness. It is the world that rejects the authority of God. It is easier to go with the flow, to kick back and take it easy requires less strife and struggle. But as the great quote goes “ Nothing worth doing comes easy” God corrects us to stir us up to holiness, to remind us that not only is he a friend but Lord and desires His people to lead righteous lives. So don’t sit there smug and self-satisfied when you are poor, naked, and blind. Christ stands at the door, he knocks to be let invited in so that he may enjoy a relationship that brings refreshing, restoration, and rejoicing.

Recognize the problem

Refine your life

Repent and return

Renew your fellowship

Rejoice in the Reward

Week 3

Thy Kingdom Come: A Holy Life in a Lukewarm World (letters to the churches)

Complacency turns giants into ghosts.

Biblical Connection: The Warning to the Churches (Revelation 2–3)

A thriving appearance can mask a dying faith.

Jesus gave a similar warning to the churches in Revelation. Some had started strong but became complacent and lukewarm. The church in Laodicea, for example, believed they were rich and self-sufficient. Yet Jesus declared them "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17). They mistook their comfort for success while their faith was withering.

Five Steps to Keep Faith Alive

1. Recognize the Problem

Holiness and endurance: the two pillars of true faith.

The letters to the seven churches remain relevant today. They illustrate both the faithfulness and failures of believers throughout history. We must assess where we stand—whether in steadfast commitment like Philadelphia or in lukewarm complacency like Laodicea.

2. Refine Your Life

Faith without refinement is faith without growth.

When we recognize complacency, we must actively pursue holiness. Like metal in a kiln, refinement strengthens us through:

Prayer

Devotion

Worship

Study

Generosity

Service

3. Repent and Return

True faith is not just hearing but doing.

Wesleyan theology teaches that sin breaks upon the immovable law of God. Repentance restores us. Accountability within the body of Christ helps keep our faith active and engaged.

4. Renew Your Fellowship

An open heart is the key to an open door.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Will He find faithfulness or complacency in our hearts? We must remain vigilant in our devotion and deepen our fellowship with Him.

5. Rejoice in the Reward

Spiritual vigilance leads to eternal victory.

The Kingdom of God is at hand. Those who endure will reign with Christ as co-heirs. A steadfast faith, free from apathy, leads to the ultimate reward.

Challenge: Evaluating Our Own Faith

A faith on autopilot drifts into irrelevance.