Lukewarm Living

LUKEWARM LIVING

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15-16

I've been writing about the termites in the temple. The American church is quickly disintegrating. This destruction is not because of persecution from without, but sinful termites from within.

Termites are destructive insects that tend to destroy a building from beneath. Silently, the flooring and other parts of the building are being eaten by the termites. Typically, their damage is not noticed until it is too late.

Today, I want us to focus on another prevalent problem with the American Church. The American church is lukewarm. Just like the church of Laodicea that John wrote to in Revelation chapter 3, many church members are apathetic. They are careless and indifferent concerning the things of God.

As we examine the church of Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3, we learn several things about that church.

1. PASSIONLESS LIVING

First of all, they lacked spiritual passion. The Lord said to them, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” They were neither hot for God nor completely cold. They were lukewarm. They lacked spiritual passion for God. Look around, isn't that the case today? Where are the people who are hot and on fire for God? Where are the passionate Christians today? Where are the zealous soul winners? Do we easily find sold out church members these days? Admittedly, such people are few and far between.

2. PLUSH LIVING

Secondly, they were people of affluence. Comparatively speaking, they were more wealthy than other churches. The Lord reminded them, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing...” My church is not rich. Perhaps your church isn't either, yet compared to the underground church in the Middle East, we are very rich. We have fancy buildings, paved parking lots, comfortable seats and air conditioned sanctuaries. In many countries, Christianity is illegal. Christians must worship in secret, even in the woods. Look back to the first century church. They didn't have church buildings. They didn't have hymn books or large video screens. They didn't even have copies of the Bible available. Yet they had one thing that we don't have today. They had the power of God. The Holy Spirit was leading and blessing their work. This was sadly missing among the Laodiceans and this is missing in our churches today.

3. PROUD LIVING

Notice the pride of the Laodiceans. They said that they, “... have need of nothing.” Compared to other churches, they probably felt rather superior. Their arrogance was obvious. It sickened God. Pride is a major problem in our churches today. We want to brag about the things “we accomplished.” That's our problem. We accomplished them rather than God. Most of the things that happen on Sunday morning in churches can be easily explained. When God shows up, there is no explanation. We must humbly confess if it can be explained, God didn't do it. We need to repent our superficial spirituality and seek God once more.

God's message to the Laodiceans is true for us today. The church needs to return to the Lord. God challenged the Laodiceans to be passionate for Him rather than possessions. He counseled them to invest in eternal matters rather than the flimsy wealth of this world. He told them to clothed with righteousness rather than showing off their latest clothes. He instructed them to have their eyes anointed so they can truly see.

When it comes to the things you are living for now, will they have any value a thousand years from now? Are you passionate for temporal things rather than the eternal? It is time to get your priorities right. It is time to live for the things that matter most. Like the old song says, “Build your hopes on things eternal.”

Be done with apathetic living. Quit living a life of indifference. Refuse to apathetic any longer. Never be spiritual cold. Refuse to be lukewarm. Get your nose back in your Bible and bend your knees in prayer. Have your feet walking in righteousness, your hands reaching out to help others and your mouth open to spread the Gospel. Be active in your local church. Serve the Lord with zeal. Live like there's no tomorrow.

God is sick of lukewarm people. Don't be one of them.

Counterfeit Christians

 

COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 7:21

According to a West Virginia Social Survey, nearly 79% of citizens in my home state claim to be followers of Jesus. Yet the same study found that just 27% of the residents of my home state actually attend church on a weekly basis, and just 22% of West Virginians consider themselves to be “very religious.”

Compared to most states, West Virginia is considered a conservative, religious state. That's what makes this data so shocking. While these are just statistics, they represent a growing problem. Many people consider themselves to be Christians but exhibit little or no fruit of genuine conversion.

It is not my place to judge the spiritual condition of others. I will not render the final judgment concerning the souls of men. However, Jesus did say, “By their fruits, ye shall know them.” That's why I am troubled at the state of the American church today. Few professing believers actually manifest Christian fruit.

Referring to judgment day, Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” In context, we realize that Jesus was speaking of false prophets. There will be many pastors, evangelists and spiritual leaders who will be kept out of heaven. If that be the case behind the pulpit, what will be the case of the flock they lead?

These days, there is a superficial style of Christianity that is very popular. Many think that because they repeat a prayer, walk an isle and get dunked in water, they are now heaven-bound Christians. The problem is that they've never repented of sin. Neither have they truly surrendered their lives to the Lord. They are trusting in an experience rather than in Jesus. They have joined a church without being born again. They have been baptized in water, but never been cleansed by the blood. In a zeal to get numerical growth, many ministers and workers utilize flawed methods in order to get quick results. The result is misled people who think they are now immune to the Gospel message. These individuals can now mark “salvation,” from their bucket list.

Several years ago, I stood before my congregation and held up an old $1 bill and a crisp, new $20 bill and asked them which one they would prefer to have. Of course, most people would choose the $20 bill, right? Yet when I turned them over, the $1 bill looked like it should, however the $20 bill was blank. The $20 bill was a fake. From afar, it looked real. Even up close it appeared genuine. Very close examination would tell otherwise. The texture was not like money. Obviously, the back of the bill showed it to be fake. (By the way, there is a story about the “fake” $20 bill --- but it would take too long to share it here).

From a distance, some appear to have it all together. They attend church, have a good family and enjoy a great career. However, upon closer examination, things are not as good as they appear. Like the fake $20 bill, they have a great image, but little substance. From afar, they appear to be genuine, but the truth tends to leak out eventually.

I am not putting myself into a place of judgment. Ultimately, I won't be the judge of others. However, God has already warned that there would be tares among the wheat and goats among the sheep. There are counterfeits among us, passing themselves off as true believers. Some are very devout and are active in ministry. Others can talk the talk but never walk the walk. Sadly, these are difficult to reach with the Gospel, because they think they are immune. They don't believe they need it. It is easier to win a notable sinner to Jesus than a lost church member.

It isn't my job to uproot the tares or unmask the goats. It is my job to simply follow Jesus and proclaim His Word. But I am very concerned about those who claim to know Jesus but show no evidence that they love Him.

One day, the counterfeits will be put to the test. They will be exposed. Just as counterfeit money is confiscated and destroyed, counterfeit Christians will one day be revealed and face destruction.

It isn't what you profess, but what you possess that makes the eternal difference. It is one thing to know about Jesus, it is another thing to know Him personally.

If you were to die today, are you confident where you would spend eternity?

Sin In The Camp

SIN IN THE CAMP

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.” - Joshua 7:1

Do you believe it is possible for revival to be withheld because of one man's sin? Do you believe that a mighty move of God can be withheld because of someone's disobedience? I think most of us would agree that if the pastor or leader has sinned, it may impact what God chooses to do in a church, but what about a lay member? What about you? Do you think God may withhold a great blessing from your church because of your sin?

This was the case for Israel. They enjoyed a mighty victory at Jericho. The walls came down and the foe was defeated, just as God had promised. Yet when they came to the city of Ai, disaster struck. The Israelites were humiliated and defeated by a less fortified city than Jericho.

As I ponder the Ai defeat, I notice a few things. First of all, the Israelites were presumptuous. They looked at the city of Ai as being inferior to Jericho, so they thought that victory was no big deal. We tend to make the same mistake ourselves at times. We look at a situation and think it is a minor obstacle, then set out to overcome it in our flesh.

Secondly, they didn't seek God before attacking Ai. They got their marching orders from the Lord when it came to Jericho, but at Ai, they felt that they didn't need to consult God about that. I've done that before, haven't you? Every time I've dealt with a situation without consulting God, it has ended up a disaster.

In spite of these leadership failures, the main problem that brought defeat at Ai was that someone had sinned greatly against God. When Israel defeated Jericho, they were told not to take any spoil from the city. It turns out that someone disobeyed God. His name was Achan.

No one, apart from Achan (and maybe his family), knew of his sin. So when Israel attacked Ai, they were soundly defeated. God was not going to bless sin. He still doesn't today. There was sin in the camp. Until the sin was removed, God was not going bless Israel.

Here are three things we need to know about Achan's sin.

1. IT WAS A SELFISH SIN

First of all, it was a selfish sin. Although he was commanded not to take a spoil from Jericho, Achan looked and saw items that he wanted badly. Thinking that no one was watching, he took them and hid them. He looked and lusted. He selfishly sought things that were forbidden. Sounds like many in America today, doesn't it? Sin, at its core, is man's selfish attempt to get what he wants, even if it is wrong. Achan's sin was a selfish sin.

2. IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT SIN

Secondly, it was a significant sin. Ultimately, Achan's sin cost him his life. Some may argue that the penalty was too great, but we need to consider the truth about sin. First of all, Achan disobeyed God. These days, obedience is considered an option. However, when we disobey God, it is a serious matter. It is a felony. It is an act of rebellion and treason against our King. Secondly, Achan's sin brought dishonor to Israel, and more importantly, to God. The pagans had feared God after the Jericho conquest, but the Ai battle gave the unbelievers reason to blaspheme and dishonor the Lord. Next, Achan's sin cost several soldiers their lives. Several soldiers never returned home to their families because of this one man's sin. It was a significant sin.

3. IT WAS A SECRET SIN

Finally, Achan's sin was a secret sin. The Israelites were completely unaware of Achan's transgression. What he did in secret brought serious consequences to others and himself. There was sin in the camp and most didn't know it. Like Achan, many in the church are involved in secret sin. Like the psalmist, we should pray, “Cleanse thou me of secret faults.”

Last week, I wrote about termites in the temple. Ongoing sin, like termites, eats away the health of a church. Like cancer, sin is a silent killer. God will not bless if there is sin in the camp. Most people, like Achan, try to hide their sin from others. As Bailey Smith once said, “What we cover, God uncovers.”

The Bible says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” Like Achan, if we refuse to repent, God will render His judgment against us. Sin is likened unto leaven (yeast) in the Bible. The Bible says, “A little leaven leaveneth the who lump.” In other words, left alone, sin will soon consume everything. That's why the Bible says, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.” We must get rid of the sin in the camp. It begins with you and me, recognizing our sins and truly repenting. As John Owen once said, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.”

Perhaps we're not seeing revival today because there is sin in the camp.

Termites In The Temple

 TERMITES IN THE TEMPLE

“And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple.” - John 2:15

Lee Roy Abernathy was a pioneer in Southern Gospel Music. He was a gifted singer, pianist and songwriter. He was very unique in his approach to performing and writing. For instance, he formed the “Happy Two,” a 2-man quartet, teaming up (most of the time) with Shorty Bradford. His best known contribution to Gospel Music was his composition, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” also known as “Gospel Boogie.” That song has been recorded numerous times.

One of Abernathy's most unique songs was, “Termites In The Temple.” This song can be found on Youtube, sung by the “Happy Two.” In the song, Abernathy lists a number of things that tends to destroy a local church.

Abernathy passed away in 1993. If he were still alive today, he probably would add a few verses to “Termites In The Temple.” The devil is busy working to destroy churches today. He is clever and finds new and innovative ways to bring destruction to houses of worship.

Think about termites. Termites are a destructive for several reasons. First of all, they are silent pests. Typically, the work of termites is not detected until it is too late. Secondly, they work internally. They like to eat away at the flooring and other internal parts of a home. Next, they are difficult to destroy. Usually it takes a professional pest control technician to rid your home of termites.

Although many are expecting opposition and persecution from the world in future days, each local church faces the possibility of demise from within. Our greatest problems are internal issues. It is true that persecution seems to loom on the horizon, but typically persecution refines the church and leads local churches to flourish. It is the internal struggles that tend to bring mass destruction to congregations.

There are many termites that need to be eliminated. Most of all, false teachers are termites that bring destruction. No, I'm not suggesting that we do physical harm to them, but they need to be exposed and removed from pulpits. There are preachers that use their platform to promote themselves. Whether it is selling books and DVDs, or seeking greater public esteem, they are busy exalting themselves rather than God. It is embarrassing that preachers will strut across a platform or spend enormous amount of time bragging on themselves. Pride is still a sin.

Furthermore, there are those in ministry who are giving in to worldly influences. Some have turned the pulpit into a comic stage. Others have reduced the sermon to a pop-psychology lesson. Even worse are the preachers who use their platform to condone sin. When preachers embrace and encourage acts that God condemns, be assured that the church is being destroyed.

Sadly, most of these false teachers have become well known. Television and the internet are used strategically to promote these termites. The termites are in the temple. Gullible and Biblically illiterate people rush to follow these men, not knowing the incalculable harm they are bringing to the American church.

Too many of these pastors focus solely on numbers. They want to attract and maintain a crowd, even at the expense of Biblical truth. How much more are they willing to sacrifice to get a following?

Just because a man wears an impressive suit, quotes a verse of two of Scripture (often out of context) and has a persuasive personality does not make him a preacher of truth. Some are wolves in sheep's clothing, seeking financial gain at the expense of poor, unsuspecting people. Others want to be “cool,” and “relevant,” desiring the applause of men rather than the praise of God.

Preachers need to boldly tell it like it is. They need to preach that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. They need to boldly state that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that a person to needs to be born again to get there. There needs to be preaching about sin and repentance. Pastors, teachers and evangelists need to preach the Word and not give in to the latest fads in ministry. In the end, preachers should seek to please God rather than be invited to the White House or a talk show.

It is time for Christians to read and study their Bibles. We need to know what the Scriptures teach. Every Christian needs to attend a good, Bible-preaching church and support it. Yes, there are good preachers on TV and the internet, but they should never replace your allegiance to a local body of believers. When you study the Word, you'll find that some popular preachers on TV are just wolves in sheep's clothing.

They are termites in the temple.