Good morning, dear friends. As always, it is a joy and a privilege to gather in this sacred space, a space that is not confined to these walls of this physical church, but into the homes of each of you online now, and when you watch it in the future. In this space we are united by our shared faith and love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today, we find ourselves drawn to a potent passage in the book of Revelation, a passage that speaks directly to our hearts, our spirits, and our lives as Christians in the modern world.
[Title: Are you a lukewarm Christian?]
The eminent preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t." This is a profound statement that challenges us to consider our relationship with the Word of God. Are we merely skim reading the scriptures, or are we truly absorbing and implementing the teachings in our daily lives?
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed,
that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Revelation 3:14-22
Now, as we turn our attention to the first main point, let's consider what it means to be a lukewarm Christian. Are we on fire for God, or are we merely going through the motions? Are we fervent in our faith, or are we lukewarm, indifferent, and complacent?
As we move forward, let's consider the dangers of being a lukewarm Christian. How does this lukewarm state affect our relationship with God, our spiritual growth, and our witness to others?
Finally, let's focus on how we can develop a Christ-like attitude everywhere we go. How can we be the salt and light in a world that so desperately needs to see and taste the goodness of God?
May the Lord guide us as we ponder these crucial questions today. Amen.
Defining Lukewarm Christianity
In the book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea is described as neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. This is a powerful metaphor that can help us understand our own spiritual condition. When we think of something that's hot, we might think of a passionate, enthusiastic, and active faith. On the other hand, when we think of something that's cold, we might think of a faith that's dead, unresponsive, and indifferent. But what does it mean to be lukewarm?
A lukewarm Christian, as depicted in this passage, is not fully committed to their faith. They may attend church, read the Bible, and even pray, but their heart is not fully engaged. They are not on fire for God, nor are they completely indifferent. They are somewhere in the middle, comfortable and complacent in their faith. Now this does not mean that if you are not out preaching on the street-corner you are lukewarm. What I am saying is this…if you are merely trying to look like a Christian while not having that inward love for Christ, then you are a lukewarm Christian.
This state of lukewarmness can be dangerous because it can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency and pride. The Laodiceans said, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." They thought they had everything they needed, but they did not realize their true spiritual condition. They were "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
This is a stark reminder for us. We might think we're doing okay because we're not doing anything particularly wrong. We might think we're rich in spiritual terms because we're doing all the right things. But if our heart is not fully committed to God, if we're not passionate about our faith, then we're in a dangerous place.
The first thing we need to consider is the danger of self-sufficiency. The Laodiceans thought they were rich and didn't need anything. They were self-sufficient and didn't realize their need for God. This is a trap that many of us can fall into. We might think we're doing okay on our own. We might think we don't need God's help. But the truth is, we are nothing without Him. We need His grace, His mercy, and His love every single day.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
John 15:5-8
Another thing to consider is the danger of complacency. The Laodiceans were comfortable in their faith. They were neither hot nor cold. They were just going through the motions. This is another trap that many of us can fall into. We might get comfortable in our faith. We might stop growing, stop seeking, stop striving. But God calls us to a vibrant, active, and growing faith. He calls us to be on fire for Him. Like we just read in John 15, that we bear much fruit, and that fruit are the people you cause to want to know about Jesus, whether it be by your spoken word or simply by your Christian life.
Yet another thing to consider is the danger of spiritual blindness. The Laodiceans were blind to their true spiritual condition. They thought they were rich, but they were poor. They thought they were clothed, but they were naked. This is a sobering reminder for us. We need to constantly examine our hearts and ask God to reveal any areas of blindness in our lives. The psalmist asks for it in this way.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
The last thing to consider is the call to repentance. Despite their lukewarmness, God did not abandon the Laodiceans. He rebuked them and called them to repent. This is a message of hope for all of us. No matter how lukewarm we might be, no matter how far we might have strayed, God is always calling us back to Him. He is always ready to forgive us and restore us. This happens when we turn from our sinful ways and ask the Lord for forgiveness and a clean heart.
Being a lukewarm Christian is not a state that we should be comfortable with. It is a dangerous place to be. But the good news is, God does not leave us in our lukewarmness. He calls us to experience a vibrant, passionate, and committed faith. He calls us to be on fire for Him. And with His help, we can overcome our lukewarmness and become the Christians, He has called us to be.
Dangers of Being a Lukewarm Christian
The lukewarm state of Christianity is a precarious position to be in, as it implies a sense of indifference or lack of enthusiasm towards our faith. This indifference is not only detrimental to our personal spiritual growth, but it also hinders our ability to effectively witness to others about the love and grace of God.
Here is something about this lukewarm state that we need to consider, its impact on our relationship with God. When we are lukewarm in our faith, we are not fully committed to God. We may attend church services, participate in Bible studies, and even pray regularly, but our hearts are not fully engaged. We are not passionately pursuing a deeper relationship with, and an understanding of God, but rather, we are merely going through the motions. This lack of passion and commitment can lead to a stagnant spiritual life, where we are not growing closer to God, but instead, we are drifting further away. Eventually moving to that state of being cold for God.
Furthermore, being lukewarm in our faith can also hinder our spiritual growth. Spiritual growth requires a fervent desire to know God more, to understand His Word, and to live according to His will. However, when we are lukewarm, we lack this desire. We may read the Bible, but we do not take the time to meditate on its truths and apply them to our lives. We may pray, but our prayers are often shallow and lack sincerity. Without a passionate pursuit of God, our spiritual growth is stunted, and we fail to mature in our faith.
In addition to affecting our relationship with God and our spiritual growth, being lukewarm in our faith also affects our witness to others. As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the world, to reflect the love and grace of God to those around us. However, when we are lukewarm in our faith, our witness is weakened. We may profess to be Christians, but our lives do not reflect the transformative power of the Gospel. Instead of drawing people to Christ, our lukewarm faith can push them away.
In addition to the impact on our relationship with God, our spiritual growth, and our witness to others, being lukewarm in our faith can also lead to a sense of self-satisfaction and spiritual pride. We may think that we are doing enough by attending church services and participating in religious activities. We may even convince ourselves that we are good Christians because we are not engaging in overtly sinful behaviors. However, this self-satisfaction can lead to spiritual pride, where we think we are better than others because of our religious activities. This pride can blind us to our own shortcomings and hinder our ability to humbly seek God's grace and forgiveness.
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
Finally, being lukewarm in our faith can also lead to spiritual apathy. When we are lukewarm, we lack a sense of urgency about the things of God. We may not be concerned about the lost souls around us, or the injustices in our world. We may not be moved to pray fervently or to sacrificially give of our resources for the advancement of God's kingdom. This apathy is a clear indication of a lukewarm faith, and it is a state that God clearly warns against in Revelation 3:16 of our opening verse.
Summing this up, being lukewarm in our faith is a dangerous state to be in. It affects our relationship with God, our spiritual growth, our witness to others, and can lead to spiritual pride and apathy. Therefore, let us heed the warning in Revelation 3:16, and strive to be fervent in our faith, passionate in our pursuit of God, and zealous in our witness to others.
Developing a Christ-like Attitude Everywhere
As we move forward, let's focus on how we can develop a Christ-like attitude everywhere we go. How can we be the salt and light in a world that so desperately needs to see and taste the goodness of God? This is a challenge that requires us to be intentional, to be vigilant, and to be committed to living out our faith not just within the confines of the church, but in every aspect of our lives.
Often, we find it easy to be Christ-like within the church. We sing praises, we pray, we listen to the Word, and we fellowship with other believers. It's comfortable, it's familiar, and it's expected. But what happens when we step outside these church doors? Do we continue to live out our faith, or do we conform to the patterns of the world?
The first point we need to consider is the importance of consistency in our Christian Walk. Being a Christian isn't about putting on a show on Sundays, but about living out our faith every day of the week. This means demonstrating love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness not just to our fellow church members, but to our families, our colleagues, our neighbors, and even to those who may not be easy to love.
Research has shown that our actions speak louder than our words. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people are more likely to be influenced by what they observe others doing, rather than what they hear others saying. This means that if we want to be effective witnesses for Christ, we need to ensure that our actions align with our words. Our talk better match our walk.
The second point to consider is the role of humility in developing a Christ-like attitude. As the respected Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, once said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." This means putting the needs of others before our own, just as Christ did. It means serving others without expecting anything in return, and it means acknowledging our mistakes and asking for forgiveness when we fall short.
The third point to consider is the importance of prayer in developing a Christ-like attitude. Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It's through prayer that we seek His guidance, His strength, and His wisdom. It's through prayer that we express our gratitude, our fears, our hopes, and our dreams. And it's through prayer that we align our hearts with God's heart.
The fourth and final point to consider is the role of the Holy Spirit in developing a Christ-like attitude. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, guiding us, convicting us, and empowering us to live out our faith. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, and be willing to obey, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.
So, how can we put these points into practice? How can we develop a Christ-like attitude everywhere we go? It starts with a decision, a decision to follow Christ not just in word, but also by action. It requires us to be intentional, to be vigilant, and to be committed. It requires us to be consistent, to be humble, to pray, and to be led by the Holy Spirit.
So, let's make that decision today. Let's commit to being Christ-like not just at church, but at home, at work, at school, and everywhere we go. Let's be the salt and light in a world that so desperately needs to see and taste the goodness of God.
Okay, we spent a great deal of time on being lukewarm, but Jesus also wrote to the pastor of the church, that’s the angel of the church mentioned in verse 1 of our opening scripture…well He also mentioned being hot or cold, how He is okay with that, but being lukewarm He would vomit you out. Being hot we know is a good thing, but why is Jesus okay with being cold? Being cold means that you have zero love for God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Unlike the lukewarm Christian who is faking the funk, the cold person…I dare not even call then Christian, is being honest with themselves…funny enough Jesus respects the person who can say they don’t want to be bothered with God and Jesus…God will commit them to the lake of fire, but He will do so with respect for their commitment to their own destruction.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our time together, let's remember that God's love for us is so profound that He refuses to let us remain lukewarm. He calls us to a vibrant, passionate faith that's on fire for Him. He doesn't want us to be complacent or indifferent. He wants us to be fully engaged, fully committed, and fully in love with Him.
God's love for us is not lukewarm, and ours shouldn't be either. He gave everything to us, even His own Son. He loves us with an everlasting love, a love that is steadfast and unchanging. He is faithful, even when we are faithless. His love for us is not based on our performance, our achievements, or our failures. It's based on who He is - a God of love, mercy, and grace.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17
So, let's respond to His love with fervent faith. Let's be on fire for God, passionately pursuing Him, and living out our faith with conviction and authenticity. Let's be the salt and light in this world, showing others the goodness and love of God through our words and actions.
