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.