A Lukewarm Christian Is An Oxymoron.

Rev 3:14-22

Holy, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful God loves you… that’s astonishing!

Even though we could die at any moment, we generally choose to focus on our puny lives rather than loving Him, yet He insists on loving us with unending, outrageous love.

Do you really believe that God loves you, individually, personally, & intimately? (Ps 8:3)

Only reasonable response is to sell everything (worldly entanglements/goods) to “purchase” this heavenly treasure (God’s love for you). (Mt 13:44)

He joyfully sold all that he had so that he could obtain the only thing that mattered.

Enthusiastic response to God’s love is entirely appropriate. What’s your response?

Goals of American church are often a nice marriage, well-behaved children, good church attendance, etc. Most want a balanced life that they can control, that is safe, & that does not involve suffering, & to be just “godly enough” to get into heaven.

To be popular with world & have big numbers… many churches have become culturally relevant, politically correct, seeker sensitive, no hard word (lordship), etc.

When big crowds began to follow Jesus, He began speaking in parables so that those who were not sincere (fake) were eliminated. (Lk 8)

Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? 

Does halfhearted, lukewarm, & partially committed fit better?

What does lukewarm look like… could you be lukewarm? (Rev 3:14-22)

Let Word examine your heart… take searching, honest look at your life. (2Cor 13:5)

Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly… it’s expected, so they go. (Isa 29:13)

Lukewarm people give money to church… as long as it doesn’t impact their std of living.

These people gave out of their wealth, she gave out of her poverty. (Lk 21:1-4)

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right… they desire to fit in.

Woe to you when men speak well of you (Lk 6:26)… or work to be seen. (Mt 23:5)

Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sins… just the penalty of sin. 

They don’t really hate their sin & not really sorry for it. (Jn 10:10; Rm 6:1-2)

Lukewarm people think obedience to Christ’s commands is extreme. (Ja 1:22)

Lukewarm people rarely share faith with neighbors, coworkers, or friends. (Mt 10:33)

Lukewarm people gauge their goodness by comparing themselves to world. (Lk 18:11)

Lukewarm people love others, but not as much as themselves. Typically, they love those who love them back, & rarely have love for those who don’t & certainly not enemies.

Their love is conditional, selective, & has strings attached. (Mt 5:43-44; Lk 14:12)

Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more than heaven. (Phil 3:18-20)

Lukewarm people want to do the bare minimum… how much do I have to give? How much time do I have to spend praying & reading my Bible? (Mt 13:44)

Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries & comforts, & rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. (Ja 2:16; Mt 25:40)

Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith, were baptized, come from a Christian family, etc. (Mt 7:21)

Lukewarm people do not live by faith… their lives are structured so they never have to. Don’t have to trust God, they have saving account, retirement plan, etc. (Lk 12:20-21)

Lukewarm people probably drink & swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from typical unbeliever. (Mt 23:28)

The above is not intended to be all inclusive, nor is it to be used to judge your fellow believer’s salvation. Instead, let it examine yourself. (2Cor 13:5)

All of us are messed-up sinners & no one is totally immune to lukewarm behavior. However, there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these lukewarm traits, & a life that is in the process of being transformed into the image of Christ.

Jesus did not say to follow Him, you could do it in a lukewarm way. (Lk 9:23; 14:33)

Jesus will spit out of His mouth (as repulsive) those who are lukewarm. (Rev 3:16)

Can you go to heaven without truly & faithfully loving Jesus?

Jesus’ call to commitment is clear… He wants all or nothing. Thought of a person calling himself a Christian without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd. (Ja 2:19)

If we claim to know God but don’t obey (love) Him, we are a liar. (1Jn 2:3-4)

Can you be a Christian without being a disciple? The Great Commission is to go & make disciples… teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. (Mt 28:19-20)

He did not add… if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians.

God’s plan for you is to make you righteous… like His Son. (Rm 8:29)

Has your relationship with Christ actually changed the way you live?

Do you know Him? Do you say with Paul, “I want to know Christ…”? (Phil 3:10)

Have you moved from religion to relationship… to knowing Christ?

Many believe it is possible to accept Christ without forsaking the world. (Ja 4:4; 1Jn 2:15)

When God declares a man justified, He instantly sets out to make him righteous.

Justification & transformation cannot be separated. (Titus 3:5)

We must return to biblical truth that real faith invariably produces holiness of heart & righteousness of life.

God’s goal for you in 2009… to become more like His Son (Rm 8:29), & to do the work He has prepared in advance for you to do. (Eph 2:10)

Is that where you are headed in 2009… regardless of the cost?

One of the seven letters in Rev 2 & 3 is written to you… what city are you in?

Don’t assume you are good soil, or resident of Philadelphia… examine yourself. 

Are you lukewarm in some area?  Repent & open door of your heart to renewed fellowship with Christ. (Rev 3:20)

                                                                                                                                              01-25-09