The Lukewarm Church

October 9, 2011

Introduction

            Sunday evening we have begun a study in the book of Revelation.  We have not gotten to the church at Laodicea, but this morning, I want to study with you this lukewarm church.  It is a rather disturbing study because Jesus said they made Him sick at his stomach.

Body

I.       Laodicea, the lukewarm church.

1. The address to the church at Laodicea.

•         (Rev 3:14 NKJV)  "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

1.      Jesus could be described as being 100%

2.      The church at Laodicea was far short of being 100%

2. Message of the Army is “Be all you can be.”

1.      That’s the message Jesus had for the church at Laodicea.

2.      Jesus wants them to compare themselves to Him so they can see what they should be.

3. The  church at Laodicea made Jesus sick at His stomach.

•         Rev 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

II.    What is our Temperature?

1. With respect to our church attendance?

1.      Do we thirst for righteousness?

2.      (Mat 5:6 NKJV)  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

3.      Are we guilty of forsaking the assembly?

(Heb 10:25-29 NKJV)  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. {26} For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. {28} Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  {29} Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

4.      The early Church met Daily.

(Acts 2:46-47 NKJV)  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, {47} praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

2. How is our Bible Reading?

1.      We are to study to be approved to God.

(2 Tim 2:15 KJV)  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2.      Those in Berea: were daily Bible readers.

(Acts 17:11 NKJV)  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

3. How is our prayer life?

1.      Praying always.

(Eph 6:17-19 NKJV)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; {18} praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; {19} and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

2.      Pray without ceasing.

(1 Th 5:16-19 NKJV)  Rejoice always, {17} pray without ceasing, {18} in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. {19} Do not quench the Spirit.

4. How is our giving?

1.      The example of Macedonia

(2 Cor 8:1-5 NKJV)  Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: {2} that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. {3} For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,  {4} imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. {5} And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

2.      How is our giving?

(2 Cor 8:7-15 NKJV)  But as you abound in everything; in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us; see that you abound in this grace also. {8} I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. {9} For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. {10} And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; {11} but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. {12} For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. {13} For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; {14} but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack; that there may be equality. {15} As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

5. How is our love for the lost?

1.      Jesus was a Man of great compassion.

(Mark 6:34 NKJV)  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

2.      Jesus said the harvest is ready to reap.

(John 4:35 NKJV)  "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

III. Jesus great invitation.

Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

A.    What Does it Mean?

1.      It means someone had caused Jesus to move out.

2.      We need to invite Him into our lives sincerely.

3.      Is these one here this morning who may need to ask for the prayers of the church to overcome being “lukewarm”?

4.      Is there one here who needs to be baptized into Christ to become a Christian?

B.     Always the challenge!

Rev 3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

 Conclusion