The Boast of the Lukewarm
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The Boast of The Lukewarm
The Boast of The Lukewarm
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 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.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing...”
There is a familiarity to this description of person.
So much confidence and security in themselves.
And yet we see the foolishness in their logic.
Celebrities - immorality, worldly vices
Neighbors - financially sound, successful
We have tried to witness to these people.
Hardest people to witness to!
Our best presentation of the gospel doesn’t make a dent.
But this isn’t talking about any of them.
These words are for the church!!!!!
They are people who serve in every kind of service in the body of Christ.
Last week we heard the rebuke of the church.
“You are lukewarm!”
Now we get an indication of HOW they got here.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
“For you say...”
There is an honesty in these words!
They truly believed these things of themselves.
Through trials, they saw themselves overcome.
Started crediting themselves instead of God.
I am rich
I have prospered
I need nothing.
How can they believe these things and be so wrong?
Thots how we feel about the lost isn’t it?
How can you not see you are lost?!!!
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
“…not realizing...”
A church could be lukewarm and not realize it.
This would seem to support that point.
There is tenderness in these words.
Legalism = “YOU FOOLS YOU SHOULD”VE KNOWN BETTER!!!!”
Not to make too much of words BUT this is important to consider.
There is a subtleness to this that I think we can learn from.
Devil doesn’t have a red cape and horns.
We think we will sure see him coming
(likewise) Road to becoming Lukewarm may not be well marked with huge warning signs.
There are no doubt many ways to become lukewarm … I suggest two.
Poor Teaching...
False teachers
Poor Teachers (not called, not prepared)
Weak Teachers
Itching ears...
I want to leave feeling good.
Combination of both
Two truths that will help us avoid the path to becoming Lukewarm.
PHYSICAL PROSPERITY is not evidence of SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
This describes ALL OF US WITHOUT CHRIST.
wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, naked.
Doesn’t this describe you BEFORE I found Jesus.
It describes you WITHOUT Jesus.
But I’ve been saved and now I’m fine.
Then why the instruction in verse 18?
18 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.
I Read this article once on Ferrel Hogs
Ferrel Hogs - long snout to forage for food & roots
Livestock (Domesticated) short snouts
If released (become ferrel) = Snout will elongate
Far be it from to me to call us Hogs
But if we go back into the world
We become ferrel
We start looking like our former selves.
There is a remedy for the lukewarm church.
18 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.
“I counsel you to buy...”
Just like when you were still lost
There is an answer to your wretched state
BUT IT REQUIRES YOUR RESPONSE!!!
Just GOING TO CHURCH is not enough.
You much recognize you have a need
then do something about it.
JUST LIKE WITH OUR SALVATION...
Listed here are things you can ONLY GET FROM JESUS.
18 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.
“…buy from me...”
Jesus has a monopoly on these things.
The world offers cheap knockoffs for all of it
But ONLY Jesus offered the real thing...
Gold refined by fire
The world will offer a form of prosperity.
But only Jesus offers Gold that will last for eternity
White Garments
The PRODIGAL SON
ON his own = rags soiled and torn
When Home = Dressed in clothes of royalty
Jesus was clothed in humanity so we can be clothed in royalty!
Salve to anoint your eyes
Religion does not give you sight … on Jesus can do that!
The religious leader asked, “Are we blind too?!!”
Jesus, “ because you say you can see, you are blind.”
AMAZING GRACE!!!!!
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a WRETCH like me, I once was lost, but know I’m found, I was BLIND but now I SEE.
