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This is the third in a series of three lessons on “priorities”. The central illustration of three chairs came from a presentation by John Maxwell at the Promise Keeper’s rally in Dallas several years back.
[First Chair]
Slide Graphic – Symphony Orchestra
Slide Text - I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
(Revelation 3:15-16)
This Sunday is the last in a series of three discussions on the topic of “Priorities”. Two weeks ago we talked about Fasting – setting aside the unimportant things that are taking so much of your attention and using the opportunity to focus on God instead – readjusting your priorities.
Last week we studied the passage in Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 where Paul gives his “wake up call” to the church. You are spiritually alive – not dead, but you are asleep. You say God is a priority in your life, but you aren’t living that out. There is no apparent difference between you and spiritually dead people. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave he told him to take off the grave clothes – look alive! We don’t want to be a sleepwalking student ministry. Wake yourself up spiritually and deliberately follow your priorities – don’t just go through the motions.
Today we’re talking about priorities again. But, as usual, I’m going to get there by a round-about way. Stay with me…
How many of you are in the school band? What instrument? What seat? For those of you who are not involved in a band, let me explain how this works. For each instrument – clarinet, flute, trumpet, violin – there are several different pieces of music – several different parts. A composer of a symphony may write, for example, three violin parts. These parts, in the music, will be labeled “first violin”, “second violin”, and “third violin.” The violin players in the symphony orchestra will be divided up. The best players will be assigned to play “first violin” – the most difficult of the violin parts. The violinists who have not achieved the same level of skill will be assigned the less difficult “second violin” part, and so on. Do you get the picture? Same thing with the flute section, the clarinet section, and so on. There are a few instruments, like the oboe, English horn, Harp and timpani, that seldom have more than one player, who gets to call himself “first oboe,” or whatever, even if there is no second.
So now the violinists are divided up into first, second, and third violin parts. But there may still be several of your best violinists all playing the same first violin sheet music. Musicians being very class conscious – there must be a way of saying who is the very best first violin. The way this is done is by assigning chairs. The very best violinist is assigned “first violin, first chair.” The next best is still playing the same first violin music, but he is known as “first violin, second chair” to show that he is not quite the player that the first violin, first chair is. The best of the people playing the less difficult second violin part is known as “second violin, first chair” and so on.
This is the picture you need in your heads to understand the discussion today. Three chairs. First chair, second chair, third chair.
[optional]
Video clip – “Maestro” This is a 3-minute clip of a guy who plays classical music with an array of bicycle horns strapped to his body. It’s available free on the internet in many locations. I would suggest using the search engine at AltaVista: http://www.altavista.com/video/results?q=maestro&mvf=mpeg&mvd=all
You guys got to hear some of my kind of music last week – classical music and opera. Before we get into the discussion, let’s continue that tradition by taking a quick look at a video of an amazing classical musician I found recently. This guy is definitely first-chair!
[Second Trumpet – First Chair]
Slide graphics – scanned pictures of me in my high-school band. You would no doubt want to use your own pictures here. Either of your band or the band at the school where your students attend.
My father was in the Army Corps of Engineers, and I grew up in very strict military schools. My father retired from the military in the summer after my ninth grade year. We moved back to Arkansas, where both my parents were from, and I entered the public school system for the first time going into the 10th grade in Sheridan.
Anyway, there was a rule there that you either had to be on a sports team, in the band, or in the choir. Even in the 10th grade, it had been made painfully clear to me that I could not sing, so the choir was out. I grew up in Panama, Korea, Costa Rica, and Japan, and only knew how to play Soccer and Rugby. To this day I haven’t figured out all the rules to football or basketball – so those were definitely out also. I had played the trumpet in junior high, so I joined the band! I was assigned second trumpet, first chair. To be honest, I was pretty good technically, but I didn’t have the gift. Terrell Rea, our first trumpet, first chair – that guy was amazing.
When I was picking out the courses I would take my first year at college, I signed up for the marching band. It was not until much later, while flipping through the list of freshman courses, that I saw a picture of the band. That’s when I saw the uniforms. Duke University Marching Band – D.U.M.B. Big sashes across the uniforms with DUMB emblazoned on them. DUMB on the hats. DUMB on the bass drums. DUMB on the side of the band bus. I figured there were other courses after all that I wanted to take a lot more than band. It takes a great deal more machismo than I had to put on that uniform. Actually, because of that, Duke had a GREAT band. As you might imagine, only the people who were REALLY serious about their music joined the band.
[Are you a degenerate?]
Slide text – The process of spiritual degeneration in Israel
Bullet 1 (on click) – First Chair - Joshua’s Generation (Judges 2:7) The people served the LORD
Bullet 2 (on click) – Second Chair - The Next Generation (Judges 2:10) They failed to model and teach their children
Bullet 3 (on click) – Third Chair - The Next Generation (Judges 2:11) They did evil in the sight of the Lord and served other gods.
7The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel. 8Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
10After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. (Judges 2:7-11 )
Slide bullet 1. This passage shows how the People of Israel started out very strongly when they entered the promised land. They were hot. They were “first chair.” That’s where God wanted them. That’s where God want’s us. Focused on our priorities – not distracted. Awake to the moment, not sleepwalking through life. Do you think this describes you? Are you sitting in the first chair? Maybe you are, but it’s hard to stay in the first chair.
Slide bullet 2. Something happened to the Israelites in this passage. They gradually forgot the things that had been priorities. They drifted away, and became interested in other things, spending less and less time serving God. They became lukewarm. They became “second chair.” Does that describe you? Have you been distracted? Are you sleepwalking through life, just drifting along? Are you second chair?
Slide bullet 3. These Israelites slid even further. They began to serve other gods. They weren’t just distracted from the path God chose for them, they were now “gone wild.” They had abandoned themselves to enjoying the pleasures of evil things. They weren’t just sleepwalking – they were actively choosing to run away from God. They were cold to God. They were now “third chair.”
[Are you “bad seed”?]
Slide text – The process of spiritual degeneration in Abraham’s family
Bullet 1 (on click) – First Chair - Abraham (Genesis 13:18) Abraham built an alter first, then dug a well
Bullet 2 (on click) – Second Chair - Isaac (Genesis 26:16-25) Isaac dug a well first, then built an alter
Bullet 3 (on click) – Third Chair - Jacob (John 4:12) Dug wells – never built alters
18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD. (Genesis 13:18)
16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, "Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us."
17 So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. … 25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. (Genesis 26:16-25)
There’s many, many examples of this phenomena. A person or group of people are in first chair, focused on God. Then they get distracted, and start to drift to second chair. Then, they get caught up in worldly things, and abandon God. One example is Abraham, Abraham’s son Isaac, and Abraham’s grandson Jacob.
Slide bullet 1. Abraham was focused on God. He was a man of faith. He was first chair. Whenever Abraham moved to a new place, the first thing he did was build an alter. Seeking and serving God was his highest priority. Only after he had built an alter would he dig a well and take care of his worldly needs. Abraham was first chair.
Slide bullet 2. Isaac, Abraham’s son, still worshiped God, but he was also distracted by worldly priorities. When Isaac moved to a new place, the first thing Isaac did was dig a well. Only after his personal, worldly needs were assured would Isaac build an alter to worship God. Isaac worshiped God, but he was distracted by other things. God was not Isaac’s highest priority. Isaac was second chair.
Slide bullet 3. Jacob, Isaac’s son, never once in the Bible built an alter. Jacob was known for wells.
[“You make me want to vomit!”]
Slide graphics – pictures of ruins at Laodicea
Slide text - So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
(Revelation 3:16)
Note – much of the historical background text for this slide came from an excellent sermon by Rickey Shive on SermonCentral entitled “A Lukewarm Church”
In the book of Revelation, John takes down seven messages from Jesus to different churches. The last of the seven letters is to the church at Laodicea, and this is the only message in which Jesus did not have even one good thing to say about the church. Jesus was disgusted by this church – he said it made him want to vomit. What had this church done that made them so foul in God’s eyes? They had become complacent. They had become second-chair.
14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ’I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.“ (Revelation 3:14-22)
About forty miles southeast of Philadelphia, there are three famous cities clustered in a valley. Hierapolis stood on the north of the river, while on the south bank were Laodicea and Colossae. Laodicea was a very, very wealthy city, founded by Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice. The city was strategically located where three highways converged, thus it was highly commercial. It was well known for its banking industry, its manufacture of black wool and a medical school that produced eye ointment. The wealth in the city had been used to build theaters, a huge stadium, lavish public baths and fabulous shopping centers. Sound familiar? Sounds like any typical American city. So wealthy was this city that when an earthquake almost entirely destroyed it in 60 AD, its wealthy citizens refused help from Rome in rebuilding the city. If you were a real estate agent at the time it wouldn’t be hard to sell Laodicea. It was a great place to live. The land of opportunity. Sound familiar?
Laodicea, as rich as it was, had a serious water problem. The city’s water was “piped in” from six miles out. It came to them along an aqueduct. By the time it arrived it was lukewarm. The city of Hierapolis, just seven miles north of Laodicea, was famous for its hot springs. Colosee, less than ten miles away, was known for its cool water. The church here in Laodicea was most likely founded by Paul. He actually wrote a letter to them that was lost (cf. Col. 4:16).
“I know your deeds”
Mark 4:22: For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it should come to light.
Col. 3:17: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…
“Neither hot nor cold” What is lukewarness? According to the dictionary, it means lacking warmth of feeling or enthusiasm. To a Christian, it describes a state of indifference, complacency, or apathy. What was Jesus saying to them in His desire that they be cold or hot? He’s saying their spiritual condition is of no benefit. He would rather they be spiritually beneficial like a refreshing drink of cold water or like the soothing warmth of the hot springs!
“Spit you out” The Greek word here means “to vomit.”
Poor – Laodicea was a wealthy city and banking center. There was plenty of money here, but Jesus says they are spiritually poor.
Blind – Laodicea was known for it’s eye salve, yet all of the salve in the world wouldn’t cure their spiritual blindness.
Naked – Laodicea known for its black wool, all of which couldn’t cloth their spiritual nakedness.
The Letter to Laodicea emphasizes a wholeheartedness in everything (Rev. 3:15-16 “You are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold”).
[What chair are you?]
Slide Text – What kind of a life are you living today?
Bullet 1 (on click) – First Chair - I am actively seeking and serving God as my highest priority – regardless of the cost!
Bullet 2 (on click) – Second Chair - I want God to be my priority, but I’ve been distracted.
Bullet 3 (on click) – Third Chair - I am actively choosing to live separate from God.
First chair, second chair, third chair. Which chair are you sitting in today?
First chair – are you actively seeking and serving God? You not only say God is your highest priority, but you are living that out every day. People see a difference in you. You are not distracted. You are not sleepwalking. You are in the first chair.
Second chair – you seek and serve God, but most of the time you are focused somewhere else. You want God to be your highest priority, but you are distracted. You are allowing the tide of life to carry you along, not necessarily steering your own course. You are spiritually alive, but asleep. You are in the second chair.
Third chair – You have found things in this world that you would rather do than seek and serve God. You actively choose to turn away from what you know God wants you to do to do the things you want to do instead. You have abandoned God. You are in the third chair.
Which chair are you in today? Which chair do you want to be in? I know which chair I want to be in! I know which chair I want you to be in!
The Bible begins with Adam and Eve, sitting in the third chair. They chose to turn away from what they knew God wanted and follow their own path. Our whole religion is based on the belief that this choice to turn away from God brought Sin into this world. We cut ourselves off from God. Separation from God is death. The only way a just God could restore us was for Christ to volunteer to pay the price for the sin of mankind – to die in our place. We believe that Jesus was God made flesh, that he lived a perfect life, died a horrible death, and rose again after three days. We believe that if any of us accept that payment and turn from our self-serving ways and serve God instead, we will join Him in heaven when we die. That’s our religion in a nutshell. Do you believe this? Honestly?
If you do, and if you have turned your life over to Christ, then you believe that one day you will wake up in heaven, where you will live for eternity. Do you believe that you are going to heaven? If you do believe you are going to heaven and will live there forever, then you know that for the rest of eternity, you are going to have to live with the knowledge of how you lived your life on earth. Were you sold out to God? Are you going to be able to look Jesus Christ himself in the eye and expect him to say “Well done my good and faithful servant”? Are you going to be able to say you were first chair? That’s my goal for me! That’s what I want more than anything else. Anything else at all. If that is you, congratulations! You see, I will see you in heaven, and, just as Jesus told the church at Laodicea, there will be no secrets. I hope, I pray, I dream that I will see you there in heaven and will immediately be able to tell that you made it! You ran the race to the finish. You didn’t give up. You finished strong. You lived a first chair life! Is that what I’m going to see?
Or will I see you, but see that you sat in the second chair your whole life? You may have wanted to serve God, but you let things distract you. For all eternity, everyone in heaven will know that, yes, you gave your life to Christ, but you spent your time digging wells instead of building alters. You only sought out God when the wells were taken care of. Is that you? Don’t let it be you! Maybe that’s where you are today, but you can get up. Change chairs. Move up to the first chair. We are going to be talking through the summer about things you can do to change chairs. We’ve already talked about fasting – setting aside those things that are distracting you and returning for focus to God instead. We’re going to talk about other ways you can move up to the first chair. You can start by praying right now. Pray and tell God you don’t want a second-chair life. Ask for God’s help – tell him you want to step up to the first chair. Let me help hold you accountable.
Or maybe you are in the third chair today. You understand what I’m saying about the first and second chairs, may believe there is a God, but you are living apart from Him. If you died today, I would not see you in heaven at all. You would not be there, because you never chose to stop living apart from God and run to Him. Don’t let that happen. The Bible makes it very clear that we will remember our earthly lives and the people we knew. I don’t really understand how it will all work there, but I promise you, if it is possible, I’m going to look for you - each and every one of you. I’ll have all of eternity! Will I find you? If you think you are in the third chair today, it’s not too late. Don’t let it end like this. Let me tell you how you can make sure I find you in heaven. Come up here and talk to me. In an instant your whole life can changed. You were spiritually dead, but now you are alive. You were lost, but now you are found. You were blind, but now you can see.
[You can have grace]
Slide graphic – Picture of a sailing ship. John Newton’s ship, the Greyhound, is portrayed in stained glass in his church. A picture can be found at http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/htmlpages/newtonbiog3.html
Slide text –
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
Note – there are many incorrect versions of the story behind this song. For a good reference of the actual history, see www.snopes.com/religion/amazing.htm or the Newton museum site at http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/index.html
One of my favorite songs is Amazing Grace. It’s a great song, but it’s even more special to me since I heard the story behind it. It seems there once was a man named John Newton, was a captain of a sailing ship. He was a slaver. He sailed between England, Africa and America bringing slaves to America. It was apparently a very lucrative business, and had made him quite rich. He would land on the coast of Africa and purchase slaves from the local tribes – slaves they had in turn purchased or taken in wars and raids from settlements deeper in the continent’s interior. These slaves were taken in chains to the ship, where they were chained in narrow, crowded, stacks of palettes in the dark hold. They were fed little, if any. There were not unlocked to relieve themselves. Many died from the heat and from disease and were simply thrown overboard. The captain was responsible for all of this. Surely if any man had sinned so much that he could not become acceptable to God, this was such a man.
But God still loved and pursued even this despicable man. One night off the coast of England the ship encountered a heavy storm. In seconds the mast was taken away and the ship was taking on water. Newton and the others manned the pumps for hours, wrestling against the storm, and losing. During this period, Newton began to realize what he had become, and cried out to God to save him. While it did not happen overnight, John Newton began a long process of turning back to God. He had a long way to go, but he was now facing in the right direction. Newton abandoned the slave trade, and became an active abolitionist in England, eventually becoming a pastor of a church. In a period where most protestant churches were known for preaching fire and brimstone, judgment and damnation, Newton was known for preaching on Grace. Looking back on his life, John Newton wrote the words to the song we now know as “ Amazing Grace”.
I really admire that man. That slaver. He realized that it is never too late to turn your ship around. I would be proud to know him today. I consider him my brother. There is only one unforgivable sin - the sin of repeated rejection of Christ as your savior. Christ is standing at the door of your life, knocking. If you accept him in to your life as Lord and Master, you are adopted into the family of God. If die having never done this, if you have rejected God, then you are not his. You are third chair, and you will spend eternity in Hell.
If you are not a first-chair Christian today, but want to be – it’s not too late to turn your life around. God still loves you. He is pursuing you. He wants you to be first-chair. His amazing grace is more than enough to bring you home to Him. All you have to do is turn from your current course and face God. Set aside the things that are distracting you and pursue God.
We’re going to put on the music to this wonderful song – Amazing Grace. While it is playing were going to turn down the lights so you can pray. I encourage you to come right down here to these three chairs. Our leadership will be here to pray with you, to encourage you, to help walk through this with you.
[prayer]
