Christian-ish Part 1

Introduction

It wasns’t long ago that I was settled in nice and comfortable binge watching something on Netflix when one of our boys wanted to show me something. I brushed him off and said that dad would come look at it later. I still haven’t gone and looked. When we cling to comfort, we miss the calling. My comfort came at the cost of not following God’s calling on me to be a parent.

I know that at times this comfort has spilled over into my spiritual life and growth; and leads me to ask how many of us a settling for a lukewarm faith?

Failing to confront our lukewarm faith can lead to a life without real purpose and joy. Jesus had something to say about being lukewarm in the letter to the church in Laodecia as recorded in Revelation 3, but before we get there let me tell you something about Laodecia.

Transition

Laodecia was built on one of the major trade routes in the ancient Roman empire. It was the banking center of the area, if it were compared to a city of today, it would have all the luxuries: posh restaurants; swank car dealerships; high paying jobs for everyone; no one really needed anything. In fact, there was a devastating earthquake that struck the city of Laodecia in 17 AD and the city basically total the Roman Empire we don’t need your help we have got everything we need to rebuild.

Just like those of us who find comfort in our routines, the church in Laodicea thought they were doing just fine.

There was one thing, however, that Laodecia did not have - a supply of good water. Water had to be piped in and through pipes that we exposed to the heat of the area leading to very tepid, sour tasting water. Hierapolis - a city nearby had a famous hot spring that held some healing properties. Colassae - another city nearby had fresh mountain springs and water that came from snow melt - cool and refreshing. Yet Laodecia had this tepid poor water supply.

Jesus said these words to the church in Laodecia:

Revelation 3:15-20 NLT

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Jesus doesn’t hold back. The word for ‘spit you out of my mouth’ only occurs this one time in the whole Bible. It means to vomit, to throw up, to spew out forcefully. It conveys a strong, visceral reaction of rejection or repulsion. Jesus is basically saying that not only is comfortable Christianity undesirable to God, comfortable Christianity is intolerable to God.

Revelation 3:17-19 NLT

17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

Jesus is reminding the Laodecians that they still need Him and the work that Christ did on the cross to pay for sin. It is when we get everything we need from Jesus that we are truly rich.

Remember, the Laodecians told Rome that didn’t need the Roman empire’s help. It sounds like the Laodecians need to be reminded be these words found in:

Deuteronomy 8:11 NLT

11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

This reminds me a lot of the western world today - we have just about everything we need, or we are chasing it. I’m a good person, a live a good life. Are we missing something though? Maybe we don’t realize how spiritually we cling to comfort, we miss the calling.

Craig Groeschel shares 5 Signs You Might be Lukewarm

1 - You crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.

We try to fit in, to be like what the culture is telling us we should be. We should have this or that. We strive to hear great job, you did well.

Several years ago I had the pleasure of having brunch with Ted Dibiase (The Million Dollar man from wrestling fame). He shared with me how hearing you name chanted by 90,000 plus people was so intoxicating, yet nothing compares to his walk with Christ.

It should be every believers’ goal to hear these words from Jesus: “Well done my good and faithful servant.” We play to an audience of one.

2 - You rationalize sin.

In our modern society, we see many people justifying their actions by saying, 'Everyone is doing it,' or 'It’s not that bad.' It’s reminiscent of the history of slavery in America, where some argued it was necessary for the economy. They twisted scripture and reasoned it was acceptable. Such justifications for sin can lead to disastrous consequences. This motivational lie echoes in our own lives when we seek validation for our choices rather than aligning with God’s truth. Just like those historic figures, we must challenge ourselves to see sin for what it is, and strive for righteousness instead.

Isaiah said this Isaiah 5:20 NLT: What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil.

3 - You rarely share your faith in Christ.

Matthew 10:32-33 NLT: 32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

Sometimes we embarassed to share our faith in Christ. We don’t want to offend. We don’t want to be pushy. We feel we don’t know how to share so we just don’t.

A young man named Josh grew up in a Christian home but struggled with sharing his faith. One day, he overheard a classmate confiding in another friend about feeling lost and alone. Moved by compassion, Josh found the courage to speak up about the hope he had in Christ. His simple invitation to church opened the door for his friend to experience faith. If Josh had chosen to remain silent, who knows how many opportunities for connection and healing might have been lost?

Peter shared these words in 1 Peter 3:15 NLT - And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

We don’t need to go into some big explanation, just simply share what Jesus has done and is doing in your life.

4 - You only turn to God when you need something.

God becomes a tool in the toolbox of life when things become difficult we take Him out of the box to use Him.

A man who only prayed when facing hardships: a lost job, a broken relationship, a family crisis. Each time he called out to God, his heart was heavy with demands. However, as he began to seek God continually in joy and sorrow, he discovered that true connection with God enriches not only desperate times but every moment of life, deepening his faith and understanding of divine love.

Jesus said these words as recorded in Matthew 6:33 NLT - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

It is out of a deep relationship with God that stems from seeking Him daily is how we are called to live. When we cling to comfort, we miss the calling.

5 - You’re not much different from the world.

This one is tough isn’t it. There is so much pressure that we are exposed to that tells us that we need this or that, or we should live this way or that way. We sound no different when we speak, we gossip, we are critical and negative in our speech. We live to build the biggest pile of ‘toys’ and things.

Reflecting on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor who stood against the Nazi regime, we see a powerful example of one who refused to conform to the world around him. Bonhoeffer understood that being ‘like the rest’ not only jeopardized his faith but also endangered his mission to advocate for truth and justice. His courageous stance inspires us to uphold our convictions, even when societal pressures tempt us to blend in. Like Bonhoeffer, we are called to be beacons of hope and change in a world steeped in darkness. In fact Bonhoeffer’s nonconformity affected some of the guards, the guards preserved and smuggled out some of Bonhoeffer’s letters and writings so they would not be destroyed.

John wrote these words:

1 John 2:15-17 NLT - 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Revelation 3:20 NLT - 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Jesus is at the Door

In the heart of our struggles, Jesus stands patiently at the door of our hearts, much like a beloved friend waiting to be invited in. I recall a time when I was wrestling with doubts - it felt as if I was lost in a storm, yet I heard that gentle knock. At that moment, I realized I needed to open up, to let Him in and trust His promise. His invitation is not just for the perfect moments; it's for every season of our lives.

Just as Jesus stood at the door knocking, where is He inviting you to open up and deepen your relationship with Him this week?

Maybe it means spending more time reading the Bible? Spending more time in prayer? Inviting someone to church?

When we cling to comfort, we miss the calling.

A Suggestion

Each day this week, identify one area of your life where you feel too comfortable and take a small step to challenge that comfort, like trying a new way to serve others or engaging in a difficult conversation about faith.

Conclusion

If we let comfort control our choices, we risk missing opportunities to grow deeper in your relationships and end up feeling stuck and isolated. It is in developing a deep realationship with Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us that we truly turn up the temperature and move from lukewarm to on fire for God.

We began by recognizing the dangers of a lukewarm faith; let’s conclude by embracing the call to challenge our comfort, knowing that God’s invitation is always to something greater.

Let’s let go of our comfort and catch our calling.