LUKEWARM

LUKEWARM

“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)

The book of Revelation begins with these words: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” (Revelation 1:1) As we read these inspired words we must not forget that Jesus is involved in every thing described in the book. For example, Jesus was walking in the midst of the seven churches mentioned in chapters two and three and knew everything that was going on in these churches. This leads us to believe that Jesus is also involved in our churches too! It is significant that Jesus commanded five of these churches to repent:

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The church at Ephesus: “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.” (Revelation 2:5)

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The church at Pergamum: “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Revelation 2:16)

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The church at Thyatira: “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual

immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her

immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.” (Revelation 2:20- 22)

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The church at Sardis: “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:3)

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The church at Laodicea: “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 that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)

On the surface these five churches had much to be admired: Ephesus had endured hardship and had not grown weary. Pergamum had not renounced their faith even in times of persecution. Thyatira had good deeds, love, and faith. Sardis had a reputation of being alive. Laodicea felt they were rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing. In spite of this, as we have said, Jesus Who walked in the midst of the churches, commanded all five of these churches to repent!

The two churches that did not need to repent were at Smyrna and Philadelphia. To human eyes these churches did not seem to be impressive. As you know, however, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:9) Evidently, however, these two churches were more impressive to God than the others!

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The church at Smyrna: “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and poverty – yet you are rich.” (Revelation 2:8-9)

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The church at Philadelphia: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8)

• Jesus carefully examined both of these churches and saw no need for repentance.

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Please note that in none of these 7 letters is there any reference to attendance. In the eyes of God whether a church is good or bad is not determined by how many attend.

THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

In this brief study we will focus on the lukewarmness of the church at Laodicea. We do this because lukewarmness is also a problem in many churches today. Please consider this letter to the church at Laodicea:

“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. 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 that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)

Please note:

• In their own eyes this church was rich, wealthy, and needed nothing.
• In the eyes of Jesus, however, they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
• Their main problem was that they were “lukewarm” and “neither cold nor hot”.

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C. S. Lewis was a famous Christian author in England. He said: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important!”

• “Moderately important” means “lukewarm.”

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There was, however, hope for these lukewarm Christians. Jesus rebuked and chastened them because He loved them!

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Jesus wanted them to be saved and said: “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 that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT

Jewish scholars counted 613 commandments in the law of Moses. The Jews were divided into different denominations based upon which of these commandments they considered the most important. The Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Zadokites, Herodians, etc. were some of those denominations. The Jewish scholars were desperate to divide the followers of Jesus, therefore: “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love is a powerful force that never fails. Love the most excellent of all spiritual gifts: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

John 3:16 is perhaps the best known verse in all the Bible and it explains that God sent Jesus from heaven to save the world because of love. Please consider: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I John 3:16 explains: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (I John 3:16)

This is the kind of love that never fails!

JESUS AND PAUL

Jesus was not “lukewarm” in His love for us and so Paul reasoned that he should not be “lukewarm” in his love for Jesus. Please consider these two passages from the book of Philippians:

Here is how Jesus loved us: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every

knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Here is how Paul loved did Jesus: “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:4-11)

CHRISTIANITY IS LIKE A MARRIAGE

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)

The church is the Bride of Christ and no bride should be “lukewarm” in her love for her husband. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians about husbands and wives he concluded his teaching by stating: “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:22-33)

The Christian must make the same commitment to Jesus that a bride makes to her husband. If the bride is “lukewarm” that her love for her husband the marriage will not last!

CHRISTIANITY IS LIKE BECOMING A SOLDIER

Paul told Timothy: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

Our word “decimate” comes from the practice of the Roman army to kill one out of every ten soldiers when their regiments became “lukewarm” and lazy. If Christians become “lukewarm” and “lazy” we too will be punished. “Lukewarmness” is not a virtue! Remember! The master condemned the servant who buried his talent in the ground as “wicked and lazy” (Matthew 25:26). And Jesus continued: “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30)

Just as the army does not tolerate soldiers who are lukewarm and lazy, so also Jesus will vomit lukewarm Christians out of His mouth!

CHRISTIANITY IS LIKE BEING AN ATHLETE

Athletes should not be “lukewarm” either. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

The writer of Hebrews said it like this: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Christianity is not like a stroll in the park, it is like an athlete running the race. Athletes who are lukewarm and lazy do not win the prize.

JESUS WANTS US TO COUNT THE COST

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:25-33)

Jesus also said: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

YOU CAN CAUSE REJOICING IN HEAVEN

When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for welcoming sinners and eating with them He told the following parables: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he

leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety- nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:4-7)

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10)

Then Jesus told the parable of the Prodical Son. This is perhaps the best known parable in all the Bible. It is about a young man who rebelled against living a godly life and wasted all of his money in a distant country. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:17-24)

JESUS IS KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR

Jesus said: “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 that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Like the prophet Hosea sought after his wayward wife, Jesus loves you and is knocking at your door. He actually wants to come in and share with you a romantic meal. Marian Philips Platig wrote in the August 1965 issue of Christian Herald: “Surely no man can offer a woman a greater compliment than to ask her to become the companion of his life. And this is the compliment that God in Christ bestows upon each of His creatures. Out of all the beings he created, or might ever create, He has chosen us. Out of all the magnificent angels He might have kept company with, He has chosen to settle down to the give-and-take of marriage with this creature called man, this Lilliputian who actually thinks that because he can build a computer, orbit his tiny planet, and write a symphony, that he can thumb his nose at Almighty God. This man, who, in his female counterpart, wastes time instead of using it, while less than 15 miles away children lie in squalid beds with no good night kiss except the

possibility of a rat bite. This man, who will shut his ears to the screams of Jewish children and do nothing until his own nation’s installations are attacked. We are lazy, dull, insignificant, self seeking, and trivial. Why should the Creator of the unimaginable vastness of the universe, the Originator of the incredible complexity of a molecule the Source of all that is perfect and beautiful – why should He look upon this vain creature and offer His name, His honor, and His support for ever? I do not know why. This is the mystery of the Christian Faith.”

PLEASE DO NOT BE LUKEWARM IN YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS!