SF409 - THE MOST SICKENING SIN IN THE BIBLE (Revelation 3 14-22)
Revelation 3:14-22
INTRODUCTION
Scripture Background
Ø Called the fashionable church by John Phillips
Ø Wealthy city known for black wool, precious metal trade, and medical center.
Sermon Background
There is a sin that sickens God...
Ø Not homosexuality
Ø Not adultery
Ø Not stealing
Ø Not murder
Ø Not idolatry
It is lukewarmness toward Christ!
"I will vomit you out of my mouth"
1A. CHRIST AGAINST LUKEWARMNESS
Three Truths about Christ
1B. He Is the Confirming Christ (14)
"says the Amen'
Amen = a confirmation
Ø Jesus confirms all of God's promises.
Ø Jesus meets all of man's needs
2B. He Is the Convicting Christ
"the Faithful and True Witness"
He is the Faithful witness - He will not dilute the truth
He is the True witness - He will not distort the truth
Ø He will either testify for us or testify against us
Ø Our world tries to hide the truth ‑ Christ reveals it.
3B. He Is the Controlling Christ
"the Beginning of the creation of God"
Ø He is over all creation
2A. THE CURSE OF LUKEWARMNESS (15-16)
Lukewarmness ‑ too cold to be hot and too hot to be cold
Speaks of a lack of commitment
Ø It is used to make someone vomit when they have taken poison
To Whom is God Speaking?
Ø Not the lost ‑ they are cold
Ø Not the on-fire Christian
Ø The half‑hearted Christian ‑ lukewarm good Lord, good devil type of Christian
How is it manifested?
1B. Some are lukewarm about sanctification
They have compromised with the world
Ø They are not all that bad ‑ They just aren't that good
Ø Don't steal; but they will cheat on their taxes
Ø Don't commit adultery; but they watch it as entertainment
Ø Don't tell big lies: but they will tell half truths
Ø Don't curse: but they use impure language
They not all that bad, but they are not all that excited about purity!
The Average Church
A mild mannered man standing before a mild mannered people exhorting them to be more mild mannered.
2B. Some are lukewarm about service
The take lightly their commitments to Christ
They take lightly their commitments to the church
Ø Sunday School teachers
Ø Choir members
Ø Preschool ministry
3B. Some are lukewarm about the Scriptures
We do not love it, read it.
Peter Lord
"How many of you believe everything you read in the newspaper? How many of you believe the entire Bible? How many of you spend more time reading the newspaper than you do reading the Bible?
We believe the Bible generally but not specifically.
4B. Some are lukewarm about supplication
Ø When was the last time you really prayed for the lost?
Ø When have you missed a meal to pray?
Ø When have you given up sleep to pray?
Ø Satan laughs at us because we do everything but pray.
Ø Satan trembles when we are fervent about prayer
5B. Some are lukewarm about sacrifice
We are called to sacrifice our all to God.
Ø Most church members do not love God enough to give Him a dime out of a dollar.
6B. Some are lukewarm about soul winning
The Problem
Ø We pray without fasting
Ø We give without sacrifice
Ø We witness without weeping
Ø Is it any wonder that we sow without reaping?
Lady With Lost Sons
Evangelist told her that they were unsaved because she had not wept over them. She did and the next day they were saved.
Would to God He would break our hearts for the lost!
7B. What is so bad about lukewarmness? (15)
God would rather have us cold than lukewarm!
Ø Lukewarm Christians send more people to Hell than all the pornographers, prostitutes, and sinners combined.
Lukewarmness is an insult to Christ
G. Campbell Morgan "It is the worst form of blasphemy" ‑ It is a yawn in the face of God.
Ø Fence straddling insults God
Lukewarmness sets you up for all other kinds of sin..
Ø The church of Ephesus ‑ "left their first love"
Ø If you do not have a burning love for Christ you are headed for trouble
3A. THE CAUSE OF LUKEWARMNESS
1B. Complacency (17)
Ø Their biggest need was to see their need.
Ø They thought they were all right!
Ø Their indifference was rooted in their ignorance.
The Preacher, the man and the snowstorm
"If they had been here you would have told them today!"
2B. Prosperity (18)
Ø They were know for their Black Wool ‑ white clothes
Ø They were wealthy ‑ buy form me gold
Ø They were a medical center ‑ salve for the eyes
The Emperor's Clothes
4A. THE CURE FOR THEIR LUKEWARMNESS
1B. We must see the seriousness of our sin
It is not weakness it is wickedness (19)
It is not a choice it is corruption
God will judge you!
Ø God is too good to let you get by with your lukewarmness.
There is only one answer - "repent!"
2B. We need to see the subjects of His call
Jesus calls to the sinner to open the door (20)
Ø It is a definite act
Ø It is a deliberate act
He is knocking!
Ø It is a delightful act
Not a funeral a feast!
"I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me."
Ø Give Him your all He will give you His all.
Picture of Christ knocking by Holman Hunt. "No mistake the handle is on the inside"
Jesus calls to the saint (21)
Ø It pays to serve Jesus!
APPLICATION
The Lukewarm Doctor
Imagine a doctor being lukewarm about disease. You feel sick, so you drag yourself to his office. He gives you a halfhearted exam and tells you to pay the nurse as you leave. You say, "Just a minute, what's wrong with me?" Unconcerned he answers "Nothing to worry about. You just have a bad case of the bubonic plague."
You are amazed, you ask if he is going to treat you. He replies "You have to die sometime might as well be from this as anything. Diseases do not interest me much. Now, if you need surgery, give me a call."
THE MOST SICKENING SIN IN THE BIBLE
Sunday, June 27, 1999 - Revelation 3:14-22
1A. CHRIST AGAINST LUKEWARMNESS
1B. He Is the ________________________ Christ (14)
Amen is a confirmation
2B. He Is the ____________________________ Christ
He is the Faithful witness - He will not _________________ the truth
He is the True witness - He will not ________________ the truth
3B. He Is the ____________________________ Christ
2A. THE CURSE OF LUKEWARMNESS (15-16)
1B. Some are lukewarm about sanctification
They have _______________________ with the world
2B. Some are lukewarm about ____________________
The take lightly their commitments to ____________
They take lightly their commitments to the ________________
3B. Some are lukewarm about the _________________
4B. Some are lukewarm about supplication
5B. Some are lukewarm about ____________________
We are called to sacrifice our all to God.
6B. Some are lukewarm about ____________________
7B. What is so __________ about lukewarmness? (15)
Lukewarmness is an ___________________ to Christ
Lukewarmness sets you up for all other kinds of sin.
3A. THE ___________________ OF LUKEWARMNESS
1B. Complacency (17)
2B. Prosperity (18)
4A. THE ___________ FOR THEIR LUKEWARMNESS
1B. We must see the seriousness of our _____________
2B. We need to see the _________________ of His call
Jesus calls to the sinner to __________ the door (20)
Jesus calls to the __________________________ (21)