Lukewarm

Big Idea:

I don’t want to be Lukewarm, but faithful to Jesus.

Intro:

Revelation 3:14–22 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Exegesis:

I don’t want to be lukewarm (vv. 15-16).

I want to live with purpose.

Passion for God.

Work (use my gifts) w/ passion for Him.

I want TRC to be a place where that happens. Not the George show. Not the Jon show.

I don’t want to be distracted (v. 17).

Jesus said this will happen (parable of soils).

Buy from God (Isa 55).

I don’t want to ignore God’s love (v. 18).

God’s discipline is love.

I don’t want to leave Jesus outside (v. 19).

I don’t want to be so distracted that I miss Jesus at the door. Every week, at the very least - Jesus is here to meet with us (2 or 3 gathered). Do we open up the door of our hearts? You know how it hurts when someone you value ignores you? Like they don’t even give you the “what’s up” head nod? Do we do that to Jesus?

I want to sit with Jesus. I want to take my place in God’s Kingdom. It’s better than anything here. All of this is unfulfilling and will not last. Did 2020 not teach us that? Everything we thought was so sure came crumbling down in a moment - by an invisible enemy we can’t see. Nothing in the Kingdom of God will ever crumble (not be shaken -Hebrews).

Response:

Summary - 1 Jn 2:16

desires of flesh (chasing wrong things).

desire of eyes (distracted).

pride of life (life of me, not for God).

The path to real life is to deny ourselves. To lose our life so we can find life in God. That’s true life (Jn 14:6; 17:3).

We exist for Him (Rev 4:11). That’s why life is only right when we’re living for Him.

What will 2021 be like for you? Who will you live for this year.

I need this reminder. And it’s my job, purpose, and calling to live in these types of things.

That’s how broken this world is and it’s why we need to be intentional about pursuing God.

Because we WILL slip away.

Things will distract us.

We will want to leave (prone to wonder, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love). Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it, seal for thy courts above.

We have a purpose.

God wants to spend time with us.

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