The Lukewarm Christian
Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Introduction
The city of Laodicea was located roughly 45 miles south of Philadelphia. It occupied an almost square plateau several hundred feet high, some 2 miles south of the Lycus tributary of the Meander River. Antiochus II founded the city in the middle of the 3rd Century BC and named it after his wife Laodice. The city was a prosperous center of banking and commerce. It was famous for clothing made from the wool of black sheep, and for a popular eye salve produced by its medical school. The city was so well-off that, unlike Philadelphia, it was rebuilt after the earthquake of AD 17 without any financial assistance from Rome.
In spite of its prosperity, the city had a major strategic weakness-the lack of an adequate and convenient water source. Water had to be piped in using an aqueduct from springs 6 miles away. An enemy could easily cut off the water supply, leaving the city helpless.
In vss 15-16 Jesus tells this church, in a manner they could easily understand, that they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. North of Laodicea was Hierapolis, famous for its hot mineral springs, a popular place to bathe for health reasons (like a spa). South of Laodicea was Colossae, known for its pure, cold mineral waters which were refreshing to drink. In the middle was Laodicea. By the time water arrived by aqueduct to Laodicea it was lukewarm. Hot and cold water were useful; lukewarm water was less-than-refreshing.
Transition
The Laodicean Church was filled with:
I- Lukewarm Christians
1- They had lost their fire.
2- They had lost their vision.
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
3- They had lost their Ferventis.
2 Samuel 11:1 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 Kings 12:6 (KJV)
6 But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
2 Chronicles 29:34 (KJV)
34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
2 Chronicles 30:2-3 (KJV)
2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
Thought : Lukewarm Christians loose their drive.
II- Lukewarm Church Members.
1- They have lost their concern for the Church.
2- They have lost their faithful attendance.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
LUKEWARMNESS
»Topic Contents »Old Illust. #3231
7218. Mr. Luke Warm
Recently I talked to a man I will call Mr. Luke Warm, for he is "neither cold not hot." He says he is a Christian but seldom attends church. "I am under a great deal of tension where I work," he explained, "and often go fishing on weekends for relaxation. Church is all right, but a person can’t do everything, you know."
Mr. Luke Warm also had an uneasy conscience about his giving, for he continued, "I put a dollar or two in the offering plate whenever I go, and I think that’s all God can expect of me. If I gave a tenth of my income, it would amount to more than $2000.
You just don’t know how expensive it is for me to maintain my cabin at the lake and pay dues to keep my membership at the country club and the bowling league. Anyway, churches put too much emphasis on money. Sometimes I get so disgusted with this talk about sacrificing for Christ that I feel like quitting altogether."
—Our Daily Bread
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
LUKEWARMNESS
»Topic Contents
7217. Graveyard Reserved For "Living" Death
Harold Barker wrote of a graveyard in Ayrshire, Scotland, where once a stranger was buried. This greatly distressed the folks in that parish—so much so, that they had a notice put up to the effect that: "This graveyard is exclusively reserved for the dead who are living in this parish!"
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
LUKEWARMNESS
»Topic Contents »Old Illust. #3236
7216. Faithful To The End
There is a church which sends in its annual statistical statement, year after year, as follows:
Pray for us, brethren, that we continue faithful unto the end.
—Current Anecdotes
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
3- They have lost the desire to grow.
LUKEWARMNESS
»Topic Contents »Old Illust. #3233
7213. Blindly Following Church
An ignorant man was examined on the subject of his faith, as follows:
"What do you believe?"—"I believe what the Church believes?"
"What then, does the Church believe?"—"The Church believes what I believe."
"Tell me, then, I pray you, what it is which you and the Church both believe."
"Why, truly, sir, the Church and I both believe the same thing."
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
III- Lukewarm Danger.
1- Lukewarm Christians are saved people.
2- Lukewarm Christians are in a dangerous place.
A- They can be spued out.
Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
B- They can turn Jesus out.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
C- They can make shipwreck.
1 Timothy 1:18-19 (KJV)
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
D- They can fall away.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Conclusion.
To be a Lukewarm Christian is not a good thing. Do you agree?
Invitation.
You don’t have to live as a Lukewarm Christian, you can make peace with Jesus.
Revelation 3:20-22 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
