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Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?
06/11/04
"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... Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and
repent."
Revelation 3:14-19
In
Revelation 3, Jesus calls the church in Laodicea lukewarm. He begins this stern
rebuke with the statement, "I know your deeds." Truly
Jesus knows each church and each disciple's life. You cannot hide from God; He
will not be mocked. (Galatians 6:7)
Yet sometimes we deceive ourselves by thinking, "But in my heart..."
Remember the words of Jeremiah, "The heart is deceitful...who can
know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus' judgment of the Laodicean Church
is based on deeds, "hard facts not feelings." We deceive others by our
lack of openness. Then over time our hearts harden and we then begin to believe
our own darkened hearts and "we deceive ourselves." (2
Timothy 3:13) Two questions must be asked, "Is your church hot, cold or
lukewarm? Are you hot, cold or lukewarm?"
Those
whom Jesus loves "He rebukes and disciplines." Therefore
as "the faithful and true witness," He "lays it
out" to His congregation in Laodicea, "You are neither cold nor
hot, but lukewarm." He then says, I will "spit you out
of my mouth!" This response is similar to drinking tea - one enjoys
it hot or cold, but lukewarm no one wants any part of it! Likewise, Jesus will
not endure a lukewarm church. It is interesting that Jesus underscores
Laodicea's lukewarmness by saying, they are "neither cold nor
hot." Why? He answers this in verse 17. Jesus says, "You
say" (self-deceived) you are doing fine, you do not need anyone or
any help; yet, in fact, your deeds or lack of, reflect a heart that is "wretched,
pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." In a lukewarm bath or shower, one
simply chills out and tunes the world out. I remember one occasion in college at
my fraternity house, I had just come in from playing "brothers
football" and was so tired. It was early Saturday afternoon, so I had the
entire shower area to myself. So, I pulled up a chair and just sat very relaxed
under the strong, warm stream of water from the shower. All the sudden I felt
freezing, cold water on me! I yelled in confusion and anger. One of my
"dear Christian" fraternity brothers had taken advantage of my
situation and turned the hot water completely off! No longer was I entranced by
the shower, but I was shocked back to reality!
If
we are in cold water, we know where we stand. If we are in boiling water, we are
likewise painfully aware, but lukewarmness dulls the senses. Therefore being
lukewarm is rarely discerned by a church or an individual. To see if we are
lukewarm or our church is lukewarm, we must simply define cold and hot; if we
are neither then we are lukewarm! To be "cold for Christ" essentially
means to be "a member but not be present." I still remember a little
church in Lexington, Massachusetts that every summer closed its doors. The sign
in the front of the church simply read, "Closed for the Summer." This
is a "cold" church. Likewise, an individual who is cold for Christ
will not even attend church. Well, what are the "outward deeds" that
evidence the heart of a "hot" church?
- Fire in the Fellowship
- People are at services early and stay long after the last "amen"
talking and sharing their lives! Every member has daily, encouraging
discipling relationships that make it so special when the whole family comes
together. Tiredness and sickness do not shrink attendance. All want to be
there more than their work or school. If someone misses because they are
weak or very sick, several caring disciples quickly follow-up after
services.
- Fire in the Singing -
Every member sings because they love God with all their heart! They sing
with gratitude in their hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
- Fire in the Preaching -
No Eutychuses here! (Acts 20:9) The preacher preaches the Word in fear of
God, not the people. Motivated by grace, he preaches that every member be a
"sold out" disciple willing to "go anywhere, do anything,
give up everything" for Jesus. This ideal is the standard, though
obviously at times we all fall short and need the merciful forgiveness of
our Father and our spiritual family.
- Fire for the Mission -
Every member is a disciple who actively shares his faith. Great numbers of
people are being baptized and restored! (Acts 11:24)
- Fire in the Kids Kingdom
and the Teen Ministry - If you really want to know how a church is doing
look here! People who love God with all their hearts want the same for their
children. Also essential, the members of a hot church will make the
financial sacrifice for youth ministers.
- Fire for the Contribution
- Since the church is rapidly growing, the contribution parallels this
growth. The people have confidence in God and in God's leaders. They give
their contribution to God. They trust His leaders, who are held accountable
by God, to spend His money to meet the needs of the church as well as the
poor, orphans and widows.
- Fire seen by Truth Seekers
- The light of a "bonfire church" can be seen from afar. People in
cold or lukewarm churches will move hundreds of miles to be involved in a
"hot church," because they are attracted by the fire!
If
you or your church is not "cold" or "hot" as described
above, then logically you must conclude that you are lukewarm! Sadly, in too
many churches today, lukewarmness is not just tolerated by preachers and elders
it is accepted as the "norm of maturity." Recently a brother said he
was considering getting out of the ministry after fifteen years because anytime
he preaches on evangelism people say, "It's preached too much, just
encourage us!" He reports there are very few baptisms; he sadly shares if
he "takes a stand" so that this lukewarm church will become hot, he
feels he would be fired or most members would leave. Jesus says this church can
become hot again, but the price would be high. Repentance would likely leave
fewer members, yet in time because of discipling, the impact of this
congregation would be multiplied exponentially!
In
closing, let me commend the Portland Church for becoming a "bonfire
church" for Christ in this age of lukewarmness. Lukewarmness is the AIDS of
our generation. It seems impossible to stop this pandemic, but Jesus gives every
church hope. He says, "Repent...to him who overcomes, I will give the
right to sit with me on my throne." (Revelation 3:19-21) A high
price, but worth it! Let us individually and collectively decide to be "on
fire" for God. And to God be the glory!
Kip McKean
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