The Hope That Comes From The Cure Series

Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#42]

THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM THE CURE

Revelation 3:16

Introduction:

Tharon and I have both been struggling with some health issues. As many of you understand, it is very frustrating when no one knows what to do. What I need, is the cure. There are times, when the Body of Christ is sick. The difference is, we know the cure.

Revelation 3:14-18 (NIV)

“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. 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. You 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. I 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.”

You need to be aware of the…

1. Danger zone.

In my over 15 years of restaurant experience I have learned that one of the #1 priorities in food safety is temperature. 40F-140F is known as the danger zone. When food is in this temperature range, bacteria can grow and spread very quickly. You can’t see things like e-coli or salmonella but it can make you very sick or even kill you.

In my over 18 years of pastoral experience, I have learned that one of the #1 priorities in the Body of Christ is temperature. Luke-warmness is as dangerous to the spiritual body as e-coli is to the human body. The bacteria of sin and apathy will spread all over the body and we will not even notice. In fact, on the outside things may seem like they are going very well. The Church of Laodicea was basing their success upon human standards and Jesus was looking at the heart of the matter.

You need to be aware of the…

2. Signs of bacterial growth.

The longer you allow your life to be in the danger zone the more potential there is for the bacteria to spread and do its damage. Here are several indications of spiritual bacterial growth and damage to the body.

? “Iron fist”. (I’m the boss. Not even Jesus is going to tell me what to do.)

? “Chicken liver” (Scared of the enemy.)

? “Lock-Jaw”. (Will not open your mouth and tell others about Jesus.)

? “Sugary Sweet Heart”. (Just keep everybody happy regardless of what is going on.)

Revelation 3:19-20 (NIV)

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here 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.”

You need to be aware of the…

3. Cure.

There is a cure to the problem of luke-warmness. It is repentance. Christ is standing at the door knocking and all you have to do is let Him in. Now I realize that this passage has been preached many times concerning salvation, but verse 19 indicates to us that this is talking about Christians. Hebrews tells us that God disciplines His children.

The major problem here is the fact that Jesus is on the outside of the Church and not the inside. The good news here is that we simply have to let Christ back into the Church. Once we humble ourselves and repent of our sins, then Christ forgives, forgets, and fellowships with us.

Conclusion:

Revelation 3:21-22 (NIV)

“To 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

If you are sitting here today hoping that someone sitting next to you or behind you is getting this sermon, you are probably lukewarm. If you think you got all of this figured out because you have heard a hundred sermons just like this one, then you are probably lukewarm. If you are thinking about what time it is right now, you are probably lukewarm. If you are mad that I would dare say these things, you are probably lukewarm. If you are agitated at someone and you can’t get them out of your mind, you are probably lukewarm. If you plan on not moving during this invitation and not changing, you are probably lukewarm. If you are more worried about lunch than that lost person God has put on your mind, you are probably lukewarm. Humble yourself, repent, and let Jesus back in before He spits us out.