God’s Promises for Every Need: Lukewarm Faith
Revelation 3:14-22
#EveryNeed
INTRODUCTION
I will need 3 volunteers today from the congregation to come up here, sit at this table for a moment, try some food, and answer a few questions. None of it is gross like last time when we had flavored crickets, but I do need some younger people to come up. [pick 1] [pick 2] [pick 3]
What I need you to do, when I get to you, is tell everyone what you think the item is in front of you, taste it, and then tell us what you think of it. I might have some other questions along the way.
Item 1: Room temperature (lukewarm) ice cream.
What is it? How does it taste? What would make it better?
Item 2: Room temperature (lukewarm) french fries.
What is it? How does it taste? What would make it better?
Item 3: Room temperature (lukewarm) egg.
What is it? How does it taste? What would make it better?
Thank you all for helping me this morning, you may be seated. The keyword in the passage that we are looking at today is “lukewarm.” Each of these items up here today were “lukewarm.” They were neither hot nor cold. Ice cream is meant to be eaten cold. French fries are meant to be eaten hot. Eggs are meant to be eaten hot.
“Lukewarm” is not as easy to talk about as you might think. I first had a list of all the ways we can be lukewarm before God and then I realized I don’t want to be completely negative and I am not the Holy Spirit in our lives. I can point you to the Truth, convicting you of the Truth is His (the Holy Spirit’s) job.
Then I was working on the sermon notes and put in there a list of 20 questions that we can answer to see how hot or cold or “lukewarm” we are. I want to be helpful. I do not know if the sermon notes will be helpful or not in trying to help us be honest about where we are spiritually. I ended up with 20 questions and then wondered what number signifies being lukewarm on a scale of 1 to 20. So I went to trusty Facebook and asked people to respond.
[show post]
“Sermon Research: On a scale of 1-20... 1 being totally dead, non-existent, cold, not even noticed and 20 being alive and piping hot and active and passionate... what number is 'lukewarm?'
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20?”
I did not get a straight answer.
For those that gave one number as an answer, the lowest number was 7 and the highest number was 19. The average of all those who gave one number was 11. Others gave a range of numbers as to what is “lukewarm.” 9-11, 7-10, 10-14, 6-15, and 11-12. The most popular range given was 2-19 which had several agreements.
“Lukewarm” for some of us is right in the middle of hot and cold.
“Lukewarm” for some of us is anything that is not hot or cold.
As I said, the key word in the passage that we will be looking at today
BACKGROUND OF LAODICEA
Laodicea was a town on a hill with valleys on either side. It was about 100 miles east of Ephesus. It was the last of the seven churches to have a letter written to it in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Importantly, it was near Colossae and Hierapolis. It is on the great trade-route from Ephesus to the east and seat of large manufacturing and banking operations. They made famous black wool carpets and clothing. It was the center of worship of Asklepios and seat of a medical school that focused on eye treatments. On one side of Laodicea there was hot springs and on another side of Laodicea there were cold springs. Both types of springs were useful.
What does that mean? It means Laodicea was a very rich town. In fact, in the year 60AD the whole town was leveled by an earthquake and the citizens refused money from Rome to rebuild and paid for the whole city to be rebuilt themselves. It was full of trade. Laodicea was famous for making clothes and helping people to look good and feel good. It was famous for making people’s eye ailments better. This was a rich self-sufficient famous town. It was to this town that Jesus sends the last of the seven letters.
Let’s read from Revelation 3 today.
READ 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. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 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. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
CHALLENGE
I am going to be more honest than I should be. I do not believe it is difficult to be a Christian in the United States and so we have the temptation to become lukewarm easier than other brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world. We might become “lukewarm” and think that “lukewarm” Christianity is normal. Yet, it is not. Melted ice cream is not normal. Room temperature french fries are not normal. Lukewarm eggs are not normal. I think for American Christians, “lukewarm” is normal and we do not realize what spiritual state we are in.
The passage from Revelation says very very very clearly that those who are “lukewarm” in God’s sight are spit out. We all know John 3:16; we should not forget Revelation 3:16. Believe it or not the Greek word for “spit” here means “vomit.” Christ says that you and I need to be hot or cold (because both are useful) in our faith or He will vomit us out of His mouth.
So here is the challenge for today. The first, you will do later. The second, you will do now. The first challenge is to take the sermon notes that are in the bulletin home with you and fill it out. Pray and fill out those 20 questions. It may help you see an area where you might need to abide in Christ deeper. If you want to discuss it with someone, you could do that as well. I am more than available to help and offer ways to deepen faith. The second challenge is to listen this morning with an honest ear and an open heart as we hear from the Scriptures. That challenge we can do now.
AREAS OF CHALLENGE
This morning we are going to cover several different areas of thought and I am going to share a Bible verse which highlights this area of the Christian faith. Please listen honestly and openly to God’s Word and see if this is an area where you are useful and passionate, or useless and lukewarm.
GOD THE FATHER
The first area to think about is God the Father:
READ DEUTERONOMY 6:5-6 (ESV)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”
This passage is a key passage in all of Scripture. Jewish folks recite these verses often. When Jesus was asked about the most important parts of Scripture, He highlighted this verse (Matthew 22) to focus those around Him on what was most important in all of the Words of God.
We have questions to think on:
How is our love for God?
Do we love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our might?
Or are we faking it so people think we do?
Do our words and attitudes and actions match the love that we say we have for God?
Do we look forward to worship and prayer and Bible study?
Do we love God, but it’s more of a lukewarm love?
If we love God, does He know it?
Those are questions only you can answer.
JESUS CHRIST
The second area to think about is Jesus Christ:
READ HEBREWS 12:1-2 (ESV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We find in this passage encouraging words about seeking after Jesus Christ. The word picture we get is a runner dashing for the finish line. Jesus Christ is the beginning, middle, and end of all our faith. Jesus is the reason for our faith. A relationship with Jesus is the motivation for our faith. Christians are all about Jesus.
We have questions to think on:
Are we committed to Jesus Christ and a witness would confirm it?
Do we hang onto our sin instead of getting rid of it?
Are we a half-hearted Christian powerwalking the life of a believer?
Can we explain to a non-Christian why Jesus is important to us?
Do we have joy because we are a believer?
Do we put aside those things in our lives that put Jesus on the cross or do we use the cross as an excuse to do what we want?
Do we take Jesus for granted?
Those are questions only you can answer.
HOLY SPIRIT
The third area to think about is the Holy Spirit:
READ JOHN 16:7-11 (ESV)
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Jesus teaches us that the Holy Spirit is not a thing or a force, but God Himself Who is our Helper. He comes and interacts with our hearts with regard to sinful things. When you know something is a sin, that is the Holy Spirit communicating with you. When you feel the need to change behavior away from sin, that is the Holy Spirit. He comes and shows us righteousness. We know what is Godly and what God’s righteous will is because of the Holy Spirit. He comes and judges our thoughts and actions and emotions and attitudes and shows us the better way in Christ.
We have questions to think on:
Do we listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit or do we ignore Him?
Do we grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live?
Do we hold onto bitterness, anger, harsh words, and slander rather than listening to God?
Do we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Scriptures?
Would we know the Holy Spirit’s influence if we saw it or experienced it?
Are the fruit of the Spirit displayed in our lives?
Do we rely on ourselves or the Spirit for complete Christlikeness in our lives?
Those are questions only you can answer.
BIBLE
The fourth area to think about is the Bible:
READ 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (ESV)
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The Bible is the very words of God. The Apostle Paul encourages Timothy in this passage to continue believing what he learned from his mother and grandmother about God. The Scriptures teach us about God and make us wise to see that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. There is absolutely nothing like the Bible in all of Creation because only these words are breathed out by God. Everything else is second-best.
We have questions to think on:
Do we read the Bible when we are not at church or does it stay in the back seat of the car?
When the Bible states something is wrong, do we then state the thing is wrong?
When the Bible states something is right, do we then state the thing is right?
Do we memorize Bible verses?
Do we accept correction from God or do we consider it more of a suggestion?
Do we spend time in Bible study with other people for their benefit and for ours?
Would someone else say that they know we study the Bible?
Those are questions only you can answer.
PRAYER
The fifth area to think about is prayer:
READ Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is communication with God in Jesus’ Name by the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is talking. Prayer is listening. Prayer is offering joys to the Lord. Prayer is giving our anxieties to God. Prayer is asking God for our needs. Prayer is receiving peace from God. Prayer also guards our hearts from harm by the power of Jesus. Prayer is a normal everyday all the time in every situation for the believer.
We have questions to think on:
Do we find that prayer to God the Father is a significant part of our lives?
How often do we draw near to God for peace in the course of a day?
How much time do we spend in prayer reframing our minds and hearts with God?
Do we pray with other people… and meal times do not count?
When we have had special times of prayer at church, did you come?
Do we only pray when we want something from God?
Would someone else say you are a person of prayer?
Those are questions only you can answer.
There are two more areas that we will talk briefly about this morning. So far, we have thought about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and Prayer. We are asking some questions in order to see if we are “lukewarm” in these areas or all of the areas because the end result is God spitting us out of His mouth. This is important self-reflection.
CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
The sixth area to think about is the church fellowship:
READ Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
The Church is not a building. The Church are the believers in Jesus Christ who gather together to worship, encourage each other, spur each other to do good, and to celebrate all that God does in us and for us. The Church is not a country club. The Church is a weekly meeting of faithful people who have found that Jesus Christ is everything we need.
We have questions to think on:
Do we attend church worship services 3 out of 4 or 4 out of 4 Sundays in a month?
Do we tithe 10% to the church for the work of ministry?
Do we come and sit in a pew on Sunday only or do we serve somewhere in the church?
Is it our mission to encourage other people when we are at church?
Do I complain when church isn’t exactly the way I like it or am used to?
Are small groups like Sunday School and youth group a priority for my family?
Do people who come to this church regularly know my name?
Those are questions only you can answer.
WITNESS
The seventh, and last area to think about, is our witness:
READ Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
This passage about salt has a similar flavor (pun intended) to the Revelation 3 passage that we started with. Jesus Christ teaches that as His followers we are salt and when salt isn’t salty, it is thrown out. He teaches that as His followers you and I are a city on a hill and such a thing is never hidden. The Christian faith is never something about us that is hidden, but is something quite obvious and that sticks out about our character, our speech, and our lives. Jesus shares with us that faith in Him is like a lamp that gives light all around. If we have faith in Jesus and we cover it up, we are no good to Jesus and we are no good to those around us who need to hear the Gospel message.
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
If you are here today and you don’t know the Gospel Message, the Gospel is a church word that means Good News. What is the Good News Message? The Good News Message is that God loves us completely even though we turn our backs on Him and He sent Jesus Christ to bring us life and meaning and forgiveness through His life, death, and resurrection. When we accept Jesus, and the Good News He teaches, we become adopted into God’s Family. That is the Good News. Do you need to accept the Good News?
We have questions to think on when it comes to our witness?
Is “Helping People Find and Follow Jesus” a priority for you?
Do the people you work with know you are a Christian because you told them?
Have you shared your faith about Jesus with someone NOT in church in the last month?
Do you know how to share the faith that you have in Jesus with someone else?
Do the 6500 non-Christian people in the three townships surrounding our church building matter?
Do the words that come out of your mouth match the faith that is in your heart?
Does how you spend your time match the faith that is in your heart?
Those are questions only you can answer.
CONCLUSION: WHAT IS GOD’S PROMISE FOR US WHEN WE ARE LUKEWARM?
In Revelation 3:14-22, God promises us that if we listen to the Holy Spirit and we hear the words of Jesus, that we can move away from being lukewarm. It is possible. We can recommit ourselves to serve Him and live for Him and to abide in Him and He will give us faith, purify us, take away our shame, and give us new eyes of faith in our lives. He will open the door to us every single time we knock. God’s promise to us is an intimate relationship with Him when we take Him seriously and make Him a priority. He never moves away from us, but we move away from Him. His promise is to always be steadily knocking at the door ready to welcome us home.
PRAYER
SERMON NOTES MENTIONED IN THE SERMON:
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SERMON NOTES FOR 11/1/20: PERSONAL LUKEWARM SCALE
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Honestly circle your answers. Count up your answers below and total up on the back to see where you fall on the scale.
I consistently [3-4 weeks a month] go to worship services.
Yes | No
I consistently [3-4 weeks a month] go a Bible-focused small group.
Yes | No
I read/listen to the Bible at least twice in any three-day period.
Yes | No
I tithe (give money) at least 10% of my income regularly.
Yes | No
I can define ‘worship’ in a way that a non-Christian can understand.
Yes | No
I would be on a list of consistent servants at the church.
Yes | No
I set aside time daily when I pray to God and also ask Him to speak.
Yes | No
I can recite 5 memorized Bible verses.
Yes | No
I can find a Bible passage easily in my physical copy of the Bible.
Yes | No
I have prayed with someone else (not mealtime) in the past week.
Yes | No
I have talked about God-related things not on Sunday this past week.
Yes | No
I sing worship songs and/or hymns when in worship services.
Yes | No
I sing worship songs and/or hymns when not worship services.
Yes | No
I abide in Christ.
Yes | No
I arrive on time to worship services, studies, and service opportunities.
Yes | No
I have shared about Jesus Christ with a non-Christian this past month.
Yes | No
I have forgiven someone awful only because Christ has forgiven me.
Yes | No
I have canceled, stopped, deleted, cut out, or gotten rid of something in the past month only because it drew me away from Jesus Christ.
Yes | No
Christianity is only about a personal intimate relationship with Jesus.
Yes | No
I know the church’s mission statement.
Yes | No
What is the total number of ‘Yes’ Answers = _____
LUKEWARM SCALE: There are 20 questions. According to some, you either have 20 ‘yes’ or you are lukewarm. If you do not have more than 15 ‘yes’ answers you are probably lukewarm. 10 is the middle. I could not come up with a definitive number. Honestly pray & think on it.
