Session I Honest Evaluation Introduction Complete Workbook (page 11) 1
Movie Clip Lukewarm Coffee Spiritually Lukewarm What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? 2
Spiritually Lukewarm "You will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16a having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:5a Spiritually Lukewarm It refers to Christians who are indifferent or apathetic because they are self-sufficient and self-satisfied. Christians who are trusting in themselves and their wealth or what they think their wealth can buy them. 3
The Book of Revelation 2:1 3:22 The Apostle John wrote to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. Each of the messages to the seven churches includes A description of Christ that is relevant to the needs of the particular church A commendation and/or rebuke to the church An exhortation to the church A promise to the church The Letters to the Seven Churches Ephesus - Losing their first love Thyatira - Moral departure Smyrna - Afraid of suffering Pergamum - Doctrinal defection Sardis - Spiritual deadness Philadelphia - Not holding fast Laodicea - Lukewarmness 4
Read Revelation 3:14-22 What does Jesus say to the spiritually lukewarm Christian? Spiritual Lukewarmness 5
The Laodicean Church I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 Some churches make the Lord weep, others make Him angry; the Laodicean church made Him sick. Laodicea was called the church of customs, rights, and judgment of the people 6
The banking center of Asia. The textile manufacturing center. A medical center. The banking center of Asia. The textile manufacturing center. A medical center. 7
Laodicea and the cities of Hierapolis and Colossea were situated in the Lycus valley about ten kilometers apart from each other. Hierapolis had HOT water springs. Colossea had it COLD water springs. Laodicea was dependent for its water supply on transport by the famous Roman aqueducts and when the water reached the city, it was often lukewarm. 8
Jesus uses the water supply of the three cities to characterize the faith of the three congregations: Hierapolis (HOT), Colossea (COLD), Laodicea (LUKEWARM). Both HOT and COLD are positive comparisons. The point of comparison is not faith itself. In applying it to the actual situation, it is better to compare a lukewarm faith to a warm faith (hot) and a refreshing faith (cold), which are both positive. A warm faith is a faith characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). A refreshing faith might be characterized by knowledge and wisdom of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7). 9
Both HOT water and COLD water are both very welcome as a beverage, but LUKEWARM water isn t tasty and refreshing. It is even unpleasant. Jesus judges this congregation about their lukewarmness: I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 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. 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 (v. 17-18). The Christians in Laodicea were wealthy, due to their business in the banking industry ( gold ), the textile industry ( white garments ), and the production of medicine ( eye salve ). Their preoccupation with their business led to an apathetic Christianity. It is very revealing when they say: I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing. 10
At the same time, they didn t realize that they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Wretched and pitiful is an assessment of their spiritual state, which is caused by their spiritual poverty, blindness and nakedness. Poor: they lack a fervent faith (see also 1 Tim. 6:18). Blind: they lack a spiritual judgment (2 Pet. 1:9). Naked: there is a lack of good works. Jesus counsels them to buy from him. This is His way to remind these Christians of the free gift of grace (see Isaiah 55:1-3; 1 Peter 1:7; Rev. 22:17). Our Response to Spiritual Lukewarmness 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Respond to His rebuke and chastening in repentance because it always results in fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22-23). In what ways is The Lord continually allowing distress in your life? Could it be His calling you to repentance in that or some other area of your life? 11
Our Response to Spiritual Lukewarmness 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. If somebody is knocking at the door, he is standing outside and trying to get the attention of the people who are inside. There will be some who don t even hear the voice of Jesus, because they are so preoccupied with their own business. Our Response to Spiritual Lukewarmness 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. After repenting, turning away from sin, turn towards Jesus. If you know you are not supposed to do that (whatever that may be, then what Christian duty are you supposed to do? 12
Our Response to Spiritual Lukewarmness 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. Once the door is opened, the communion with Christ will be restored, symbolized by eating together. This is not as much a reference to Holy Communion as it is with spiritual communion. Our Response to Spiritual Lukewarmness 1. Admit your actual condition. 2. Respond to His correction. 3. Turn towards His ways as defined in His Word. 4. Enjoy communion with Christ. 13
Our Reward 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. 2 Timothy 4:8 Self-Reflection Go back to the self-evaluation on page 11. Now having learned what it means to be spiritually lukewarm, how would your answers change? Change them if necessary. If there was one thing in your life that you could make better to grow in your closeness to God, what would it be? What are your next steps or actions to take to move from where you are to where you want to be? Write out your prayer. 14
Devotional Homework Complete the pages 14-19 (three days) Think about your prayer? What does the Lord say, in His Word, about the thoughts/reflections in your prayer? Enhance your prayer by including those Scriptural references. PRAY Accountability Partner Who will pray for you and hold you accountable to your next action steps? 15