Keys to Spiritual Renewal
Revelation 3:14-22
* Our country is in desperate need of a spiritual awakening, but we have a problem. When we consider that the last true, widespread, landscape changing spiritual awakening in this country was in the middle of the 19th century, it is safe to say that no one “alive today” has first hand knowledge of what it's like, how it feels, or even how it begins. My observation is that this culture is more dangerous than almost any previous culture, but it's not because of the crime rate, the immorality, or even the growing drug culture. This is because as a culture who exists absent a true spiritual model of life, we have chosen to follow what seems to be best by human standards rather than what divine scriptures tell us is best. We have become a people who believes if we 'follow our hearts, minds, and wills' to determine what is right or wrong we will be okay. I call this “stinkin' thinkin'” because our thinking continually changes so our standards change. Because we have engaged in this type of thinking, the standards of our culture have now digressed to the point of what used to be considered unmentionable is now the norm. The tragic results are that we fail to see ourselves as God does, through the lens of His holiness & expectations. We have set aside next Friday through Sunday for a time of “spiritual renewal.” I want you to give some thought to this term, “Spiritual Renewal.” In your mind what does this look like, feel like, and even 'how does it start?” Just as an aside, a true spiritual awakening does not happen for people who do not really, truly, and genuinely, desire it. Candidly, renewal involves change and most people don't care to change & sadly, they don't think they need to. We need a renewal, but what are the keys to open this door for the blessings of God to pour out.
* As we consider keys to spiritual renewal we can learn much from the church at Laodicea. There are so many similarities between this church and today's culture that a great argument can be made for us living in the “Laodicean age”. Here is our problem: Because our tendency is to view our life and ministry through the standards of this culture, generally, we don't realize there is a problem. This is huge in this culture, country, & even church. To unlock deadbolts, we need keys. I suggest we find some keys in our text. These are keys, not steps, here are 3 of the needed keys:
1. Be Clear about the Sovereign (God) – This could be one of the most tragic issues of the modern day church. Many are unclear in their beliefs about God. You can look back at each of the seven letters and discover that God will be whatever we need. In our text we can see what is important:
a) Who He is – Verse 14 tells us the three part of who our Lord is. He is forever, today, and yesterday. He is the “Originator of Creation” which tells me that He was here when the world began. He is the “Faithful and True Witness” as He is presence in every place in time. He is the “Amen” which means at the end of time, He'll be the last King standing! Be about who HE is!
b) What He knows – It is easy to say, “He Knows everything.” While true, sometimes it feels so 'general' that the depth of His knowledge escapes us. In verse 15 He says, “I know YOUR works and that you are neither cold nor hot.” We can revisit the other 6 churches and discover that our Lord knows about them also. Don't miss this; HE KNOWS ABOUT ME & HE KNOWS ABOUT YOU! This is a huge key for us to truly desire renewal in our life. Vance Havner said, “The situation is desperate, but the saints aren't.” Why aren't we? Perhaps because we have lulled ourselves into thinking that Jesus; the one with hair like wool, feet of pure brass, a voice like Niagara falls, and eyes of fire, cannot or does not know our every thought, attitude, word, and deed. His words are, “I know who your really are. And I know that you are not really hot for me or cold about me, I know what you really are.” Here is what I know; Every sinful thought I've had, Every lustful look I've given, and Every ungodly word that I spoken, HE KNOWS ABOUT IT & me better than I know myself.
c) What He desires – All my life I have both heard and preached about finding God's will for our lives. Our Lord gives us His heart right here. He says, “I wish you were cold.” A heart that is cold is a heart that is uncomfortable and can be thawed and melted by the fire of God's Holy Spirit. For most people, this is salvation. A heart that is hot is a heart on fire for God and can be used to do unimaginable things. But a heart that is lukewarm is a heart that is comfortable. Most of the time a lukewarm heart give a person of sense of security, safety and even apathy. It is a heart that is difficult to stir. It seems to be that God wants us to either be cold or hot because He can impact us, but He can't do much with lukewarm.
2. Be Clear about your Self – Know what I've observed in this culture? Very few people see themselves through a clear lens. Most of the time when a problem or difficulty arises, they look for someone else to blame as opposed to first looking at “self.” Part of the reason for this is the “self-image” issues of the day. To admit “I” made a mistake is to give the appearance of weakness and ignorance and that will make me an inferior person. Personally, I used to have an inferiority complex, until I discovered I was just inferior. Did you realize that God expects us to judge our selves, and do so severely? Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11 that we should examine ourselves and goes on to say that if we would properly evaluate ourselves we would not be judged. In read our text, I see three question which are sobering because of what they might reveal inside of me.
a) Am I disappointing to God? - The words are I wish you were hot or cold, but you are lukewarm. Since He knows all things we know that we cannot hide our hearts from Him, what does He feel when He looks at me? Is He proud like a father should be or have I lived my life, my choices, and spoken words which makes Him both disappointed or ashamed of me? While I was praying through this scripture and saw this question, I was stunned at the thought.
* Questions began to flood my mind; Am I what He had in mind when He designed me? Do I act in a manner which honors Him? On my present course of life, will He give me a “well done” or a “what might have been?” Can you personalize this for you and your life? The questions get more difficult?
b) Am I distasteful for God? - Last week I drew our attention to Psalm 34 which says, “Taste and see that the Lord Is good.” How interesting that while the Lord will set well with us, we have the capacity to 'make God sick.' Most of us know about eating things which don't set well on our stomachs and we know how it feels to vomit. After experiencing a bout of nausea, your entire system is affected. Our translation (HCSB) says, “vomit,” the KJV uses the word “spew,” while the NIV read “spit.” The medical term for “throwing up” is 'emesis' taken from the Greek word which is used in this verse. So it would seem that a lukewarm person makes God not spit or spew but sick to his stomach. Here's the question: Am I that person? When He looks at me, takes in what I'm doing, does it set well with Him?
c) Am I deceived before God? - The Bible has so much to say to us about being deceived and even 'self-deceived.' Can you see verse 17 through the eyes of today's churched culture? Look at the concepts of “rich, wealthy, and need nothing” and see the average believer today. Especially in America where most people have not only all we want but all we need, this message could be pointed clearly at us! We just celebrated Christmas and I wonder how many had to work hard to find something that would be a fitting gift because your friend or loved one has all they need and want. What do you get for someone who has everything? The Lord tells us that while we 'think' we are 'wealthy, rich, and need nothing' we are kidding ourselves. Really, we are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, to the point of being wretched. If we do not come to the place that we understand just how self-deceived we are, a spiritual renewal or awakening will not ever happen. (Alabama's return as national champions to 'thousands awaiting in the 17 degree weather. And generally, we cancel our corporate time with the Father if the heat goes out in the building. Am I the only one that sees this misplaced priority and self deception?)
* If a renewal is to come, we will be clear about God and our self as well as;
3. Be Clear about the Savior – To be candid with you, as a young person and even young adult (in ministry) there were times that I thought Jesus just wanted to cramp my lifestyle. Yet, what I thought I wanted was what this world had to offer me. Today, I know that Jesus really does want me to have the best.
a) The Offer – In the Lord's counsel of verse 17, I see 3 offers;
* Offer of Purity – He doesn't just want us to buy gold (the most valuable of all metals), He wants us to get it from HIM! What we get from Him has been refined by the fire of Calvary's cross and the most pure we can get. Here's the truth; God still expects purity from us. He has not lowered His standard. The “I'm as good as them” will not fly before Him. He offers purity.
* Offer of Forgiveness – Jesus came to bring you forgiveness, so you can wear a robe of white. May I suggest this is the imagery of a Bride coming down the aisle dressed in white to signify her purity. It was a statement that she had not defiled herself in a sexual way before this night. Dressing in white means sins are forgiven. If there is to be a spiritual renewal it will ride in on the horse of forgiveness. Some of us have held on to and harbored sins in our lives for years and wonder why the skies seem so dark. We can go down a laundry list of sin which needs to be brought to the Throne of Grace and still not touch yours. It could an attitude, an anger problem, foul language, lust, an relationship which is sinful, immorality, or any of a hundred other issues. Sin is defined and forgiven by our Lord who knows you and me. Not only do you need to be forgiven by the Lord but there may be someone whom you need to forgive. To carry unforgiveness is to become resentful & bitter.
* Offer of Healing – This is a true encouragement. Our Lord does not just forgive us and let us go to 'lick our own wounds', He'll stay with us and apply salve to the hurt. Ointment was one of the main ways to treat sores in New Testament days. He will give & even apply the right salve to effect divine healing. When I had surgery on my eyes, they gave me salve which did 2 things; it relieved the pain and it promoted healing. Never forget, God wants us to be spiritually renewed, be clear about who He is & what He wants.
b) The Opportunity – This is found in the very familiar verse 20. For years, we have quoted & preached verse 20 as Jesus' desire to get into the heart of a non-believer. While this imagery is accurate, this view is incomplete. Think about the context of the verse, it comes at the end of Jesus dictating letters to 7 churches, all (except 1) of whom He was not please with something. Now He says, “I'm knocking at the door trying to get in.” I wonder if He's trying to get in the 'heart' or back inside the CHURCH! Could it be that with all the riches, self-satisfaction, and self-deception, of our day that we have locked Jesus outside the church? Is He sitting and knocking trying get someone to open a door and allow Him to come back in? The opportunity truly exists in renewal to open the door of our hearts and churches to allow Jesus to come in and have dinner together.
c) The Outcome – We become “Victors.” This is the Bible term for “WINNERS.” Additionally, we get to fellowship with the VICTOR! And as a part of that 'victorious' team we will reign with Him forever and ever. Now, don't be deceived, just because we have heard this stirring message and our hearts have been touched doesn't mean we have “arrived”. Now, we must respond.
My last word is this: “Be Clear to Hear.” This may be the most serious moment of your life. Be clear about the Sovereign God, Yourself, and the Savior, so that you can listen to what the spirit says.
