This week Pastor Chris Hippe finished our sermon series The Seven with the church in Laodicea. We were reminded how easily comfort and self-sufficiency can replace genuine dependence on Christ. A lukewarm faith may look fine on the outside while our hearts slowly drift away from God, causing us to be complacent. Jesus calls us to recognize our need for Him, repent, and return to a life of wholehearted devotion.
The Context
Revelation 3:14 (ESV)
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The Problem
Revelation 3:15-16 (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.
Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
John 15:6–9 (ESV)
6 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
“Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens- they have their savings account. They don’t need God to help them- they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live- they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis- their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.” Francis Chan
Revelation 3:17 (ESV)
17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,”
Deuteronomy 8:17–18 (ESV)
17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
“Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth-century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion.” John Stott
The Danger of Self -Sufficiency
- Does not depend on God (John 15:5).
- Trusts in its own strength (Deut. 8:18).
- Is independent of God and others (Prov. 3:5-7).
- Results in spiritual poverty.
John 5:19 (ESV)
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
John 5:30 (ESV)
30 I can do nothing on my own.
2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV)
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
Revelation 3:17 (ESV)
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.
Revelation 3:18 (ESV)
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.
The Solution
Revelation 3:19 (ESV)
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Proverbs 3:12 (ESV)
- for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
The Invitation
Revelation 3:20–22 (ESV)
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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
“Is it not a sad thing that after all Christ’s love to us, we should repay it with lukewarm love to Him?” Spurgeon
1 Kings 18:21 (ESV)
21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”
Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Discussion Questions:
- What does being “lukewarm” look like in a Christians life today?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing”?
- What are some practical ways we can keep our relationship with Christ from becoming routine or lukewarm?
Application Questions:
- What is one practical change you can make this week to deepen your relationship with Christ and move away from spiritual complacency?
- What is one thing you can do this week to intentionally “abide” in Christ rather than simply going through the motions of faith?