Scripture:
Revelation 3:15-20 ESV
[15] “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! [16] So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. [17] For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. [19] Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he is with me.
Observation:
A lot of people look at the book of revaluation and get scared, and honestly, if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your savior, it is a very scary book. Looking at the letters to the churches might be somewhat spooky, though. Everyone one of them was told about something they needed to correct. This church, however, got the hardest correction of all of them. The LORD starts by telling them HE knows their works. Let’s think about that for a minute… why is that important… we are not saved by works but by grace, correct? However, the works of this church were at the attention of the LORD. The question that brings to mind is … could your works be evidence of your salvation? That’s a question we will try to answer later. But back to the point. This church wasn’t really doing much. The description of them leads me to believe they were just going through daily life taking care of their own business and not really worried about anything else. If you asked them, they would say they believe in Jesus, but you would have a hard time seeing it in their lifestyle. Luke warm. The warning that the LORD gives them is very harsh. But true. HE basically tells them to choose a side. Stop walking the fence. Fence walkers fall. Or get spit out of the mouth of the LORD. In a violent and uncomfortable way. The word used for spit here means to vomit. So what is the LORD saying here… I will vomit you out of my mouth. It’s not something that HE wants to do, but it’s something that HE has no choice about. I think it’s important to look at verse 17 because there is a key to all this in it. This Luke-warm church didn’t even realize that they were Luke-warm. They thought they had it going on. The LORD made sure that HE told them exactly where they stood. Having money and being in need of nothing doesn’t mean that their heart was in the right place with GOD. HIS counsel for them is that they realize the severity of their puffed-up ego and humble themselves. Returning to HIM for their needs. I would like to zoom in on verses 19 and 20 and remind you that this is the church that the LORD is speaking to. it’s not just a group of people… IT’s THE CHURCH. The LORD tells them HE disciplines those whom HE loves. Then HE makes the statement that is the eye opener. Hey, look, I’m outside… I’m not even in there with you. I’m knocking, but there’s no doorknob on my side. You have to let me in… but if you do the marriage, the supper of the lamb is ours to eat together.
Application:
Where do you stand in your relationship with Christ? Now you can take the easy way out and say… I believe in GOD, and that’s nice. The demons believe in HIM as well, and they shudder at the thought. The reason I ask this is. I’m wondering if you find yourself just going through the motions. Sure, you go to church, and on the surface, you’re doing all the right things, but maybe lately, you’re just not feeling it, or maybe you haven’t seen the power of GOD move in your life and you’re starting to relax a little. Going to church and singing the songs. Taking notes and all that good stuff. However, Sunday and Wednesday may be the only time GOD is mentioned in your circle of influence. I have been in that place…and honestly the longer you walk with GOD, the easier it is to get there. So here is what I am attempting to do. The Bible says to fan into flames the gifts and callings that GOD placed on and in you. We can not afford to be a Luke-warm church. Have you ever had just one hot coal left in a fire?… If you put some dry stuff around it and blow on it slightly. You can get it to catch fire and take off. My desire is to catch fire. So I’m going to ask you to blow on the spark that is left. In the burn pit. Fan it into flames. Rekindle what was once there. You know, they say that 7 out of 10 people who are told about the gospel are told by someone who had committed to the LORD less than 3 years prior. This is proof that the longer we walk with Jesus, the more Luke warm we grow. I’m saying this because it’s really time to wake up. If you look around time, it is growing short and this is the moment we have been training for all our lives. It’s time to armor up and get in the battle. Running up to the face of a giant with a rock and a slingshot and saying, “I don’t care how big you are, my GOD is bigger.” If you are one that is on fire for the LORD, that’s awesome. Here is your challenge. Look around you. Pray for the LORD to lead you to the ones who are Luke warm and pour some gas on them. If you are Luke warm, just going through the motions going to church doing the things, but you feel like GOD has done all HE is going to do in your life. Ask HIM to show you how to rekindle that fire you once had. Honestly, my thought is we don’t have much time, and when my LORD comes to get us. I want HIM to see a glorious church… burning bright like an inferno easy to see. If that’s what I want to see, then that’s what I need to be. There is no Luke warm for me.
Prayer:
Father, we do not want to be salt that has lost its flavor. No good for nothing. We are asking you to show us how to reignite the fire that we once had. Give us a boldness that would shock not only those who we share the gospel with but ourselves as well. We rely on you for the right words to say and the right way to approach. But let us not be hidden. You did not light this lamp to put it under a bucket. You want it placed on a shelf to light the whole room. Show us where we have become Luke Warm and how to change that. Give us fresh anointing to speak your word with excitement and enthusiasm. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit daily so that our cup runs over. We want more of you, GOD. we want to be salt and light. You are our GOD. Let us proclaim it from the rooftops. We want the water you gave us to be attractive to all we come into contact with. Give us the marvelous glow that only comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit. Fan into flames the gifts and callings you have placed on us. So that we can identify them and walk according to them, we love you, Father, and we want to love to lead others to you. Time is short, and the harvest is ready. Send the workers. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen