building a relationship with Jesus in this article. This ws one of the seven churches in Asia, the last church which was in a lukewarn condition, displeasing to God. FAKE Christians only think about God when life is going bad. Otherwise, if you dont deny yourself, you cant be His disciple and its this denial of self is what a lukewarm Christian is unwilling to do as they want a life of convenience. You ignore teaching and conviction. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. He knocks so theyll let Him enter, meaning Hes not inside this lukewarm church. Then we get a chance to share the Gospel. So, my goal is to find joy in reading god's word so I can get to know Him more to have a better relationship with Him. I hope the above 13 signs of a lukewarm Christian will help you reexamine your Christian life so that you can return to the Lord if you discover you have been a lukewarm believer all this time. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:18-19. 3:14-22 Introduction- I want us to glance this morning at the seven churches that John wrote about in the . The topic of being a lukewarm Christian can be a hard one to work through because it means confronting a lot of behaviors that have become normal for many of us. The church in this city struggled against two hostile forces: a Jewish population strongly opposed to Believers of the Lord Jesus . 11 Major Characteristics Of False Disciples [+ Sermon]. The seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. The Laodicea was a wealthy and healthy church physically but they were actually empty in the spirit realm. While this point can be argued one way or another, one thing is true: Christ had not one . Lukewarm Christians love the world because the Love of the Lord is no longer in them and died a long time ago when they started practising lukewarm Christianity. A Christian who has become lukewarm and has lost their first faith and first love they once had in the Lord is also a compromiser. Material wealth was all around, including within the church. We get the idea of "lukewarm" Christians from John's recounting of Jesus' letter to these Christians. Go to work? Instead, false doctrines or teachings from false teachers will be more appealing to you because they please your sinful flesh (1 Timothy 4:1). If we are devoted to the Lord, we become aligned with Him. According to the bible, superficial love is simply the surface level love that is only manifested or shown to someone if they are benefiting you in some way or when things are convenient. Revelation 3:16). The Church of Laodicea Revelation 3:14/22 In the book of Revelation John addresses the seven churches that are in Asia. Rather, this Christian, perhaps the bishop, is self-satisfied with what he has, and evidently is unwilling to extend himself on behalf of Christ. The heart of this is revealed when we wonder if we have to come to church on Sunday night or Wednesday night. There are many signs that will show if someone becomes a lukewarm Christian when they lose their first love and fervent zeal they once had for God. And when the Lord reaches out to convict and correct a lukewarm church will reject His helping hand. Must Read:7 Major Causes Of Lukewarmness In Believers [+Sermon]. But we must be careful not to slip into trying to make ourselves right - it can only be done by Gods grace. The church is very sick. You become a lukewarm church when your reverence for God fades. When God disciplines, He never disciplines in anger. One of the signs you are going to see if someone is a lukewarm Christian is the presence of superficial love in the life of that person. Why is it better to be cold than lukewarm? The below prophecy may relate to the church of the last 100 years, according to some scholars and historians who have matched the description of each church in Revelation 2 and 3 and related it to a particular time in history. 11 Bible Verses about Lukewarmness. The word, "Amen," means, "a strong affirmation of what is stated" (BDAG). 45 Why Does God Allow Suffering Quotes [+Animation]. 3:20 NKJV)" written in the full context of a "lukewarm church.". If you remain lukewarm, maybe it's because you don't know who God really is., Photo credit: Getty Images/Jupiterimages, Heather Adams is an author, speaker, and singer living in Connecticut. We live in a society that teaches us to find wisdom in people. Would that you were either cold or hot! So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of My mouth.]. Rather, they prefer soft messages and fables that make them comfortable in their sins. And if you feel convicted after reading this post that you have been lukewarm and want to be on fire for God once again read this post on how to be on fire for God again if you backslid. Read them in the archive below. There is no reason to be lukewarm and displeasing to the Lord. No wonder John says in 1 John 2:15 that if you love the world and the things that are in this world, you will no longer have the love of the Father in you and this is what you will notice in lukewarm people who no longer love the Lord they way they used to. Unfortunately, people fail. A lukewarm person who is no longer on fire for God will love the world and the things that are in this world more than the things of the Lord. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. And because they don't really know Him, they are lukewarm. They have one foot in the world and another foot in Gods kingdom and this ought not to be so. 2: The children go up front. If significant changes are not made, the congregation is in danger of moving into the phase of terminal illness. Many churches have a routine where the opening prayer is followed by a song, then the collections or offerings is taken, then another songand suddenly, its like getting dressed in the mourning. No wonder Jesus Christ in Revelations 3:15 warned the Christians in Laodicea that He will spew them out of His mouth as they were neither hot nor cold in their works. If you confess with your mouth that the Lord Jesus and believe in your hearts the God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It was stagnant, less healthy and not as useful. Jessie Synan is the owner of Pray With Confidence, which helps busy women overcome prayer obstacles. Manage Settings As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. A spiritually thriving church will be reaching people with the gospel and seeing people added to the church, but a church focused only on growth may be seeing people added without true conversion or . At the same time we will discover the characteristics of true worship so we can embrace it. Matthew 7:13-14, Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. The things of God no longer excite these lukewarm Christians. A few chapters later in Romans 6:23 Paul states, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Salvation for eternity can only be found in Jesus. Our prayer time can feel stale and routine. (If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch ithere.). God's twofold command to Adam and Eve to (1) be fruitful and increase, and (2) to subdue the earth and have dominion over it, indicates the great privilege and authority with which God endowed the first human pair. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Rev 3:20). fallen away so slowly they dont recognize their own complacency. A Letter to the Lukewarm Christian Church, And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. They believe they are sufficient in themselves. God met a miserable, 6'5" hobbit in his cold, dank, dorm room, making him alive through his Spirit and his word. A Sunday Christian is simply a person who goes to church every Sunday and is only a Christian on Sunday but during weekdays is just like the heathens or even worse. This will give you an even more clear understanding of the lukewarm Christian definition and how God feels about lukewarm Christianity. Ive often thought, What wicked thing had he done? He didnt steal it, gamble it, or spend it on prostitutes and drugs. A person who is in a spiritual lukewarm condition has little to no prayer in their lives and just sleep and wake up in the morning like animals in the wild which explains why their Christian life is in shambles. 332-2 Thus saith the "AMEN". They care only for themselves and their possessions. Hot mineral springs were located at Hierapolis, six miles from Laodicea. Wisdom starts and ends with the counsel of the Lord. You don't think you need Jesus' blood everyday. FAKE Christians care more about what their friends, parents, teachers and coaches think rather that what Jesus thinks. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Rv 3:15-16) For the majority of my life, I was a lukewarm Catholic. They must repent and turn back to their first love and do the kind of works they did when they were first saved. Answer. 5 Characteristics of a FAKE Christian. Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel "called" to minister to the rich; very few feel "called . Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. It should be an experience where they can meet God. They think following Jesus is merely attending church services regularly and being a good person. A Christian in a healthy relationship with the Lord will do these things because of their commitment and love for God. Dont allow the world to redefine what God has already set in stone. Hot water can cleanse and purify; cold water can refresh and enliven. Posted on Published: April 15, 2021- Last updated: September 8, 2022, Why Do We Pray If God Has a Plan? You become a lukewarm Christian when you allow your love of God to fade. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In all honesty, that is not me. This is the capstone revelation of Himself. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of My mouth. All Rights Reserved. This article is a combination of what Ive learned through my own experience and through personal Bible study. They are thinking only about how to make things comfortable in the present moment, not how to be faithful in their assignment to God. "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. And we end up with a compromised form of Christianity. We can do the same. I wish you were either cold or hot. The point is, a lot of people listen, but they dont really hear. Superficial Love. A person practising lukewarm Christianity can be a regular Sunday churchgoer but their lives dont reflect that of Christ. - Am I trying to please God or other people? And this compromise is due to many factors such as being in a lukewarm church, love of the world, unwilling to deny self to follow the high way of holiness etc. Instead, the things of this world and the amusements found in this world will now be more appealing and attractive to such people than going to church to serve and worship the Lord. Jesus often used the phrase, Whoever has ears to hear, let him listen, so this may mean were not listening to Christ or His Word, the Bible, thus He says to the church at Laodicea, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev 3:22). He speaks about their toil in verse 2, "I know your deeds and your toil." The Greek word for toil refers to a labor to the point of weariness and exhaustion. It will happen. Our wisdom fails. It isn't clear where the name "Luke" came from, but it was around . This person can commonly be characterized as a walking contradiction, both sexy and awkward. Having a weak prayer life is one of the clear signs of lukewarm Christians that you will notice in them or your very own life. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.Proverbs 2:6-7. They were even patient people who were eager to grow. Must Read:75 Poowerful Christian Faith Quotes (To Strengthen You In The Lord.). We talk a lot about the rest of the world going to hell, but maybe we should ask if some of us are. A second symptom of spiritual lukewarmness is in verse 17 when Jesus calls this church "poor." This symptom of spiritual lukewarmness is spiritual poverty. A healthy church is not one where every Christian is frantically trying to do the work of God, but one in which God's power is working through Christians diligent in their witness and service. A Praying Church - these early Christians knew that they could not meet life in their own strength. Lacking in every way, it was compromising, conceited, and Christless. This seems to be an unusual description for our Lord. A lukewarm Christian only loves others superficially, especially if those people are benefitting that person in some way. Chan is citing the message to the church in Laodicea found in Revelation 3:14-17: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it. When believers are either fully for or fully against Jesus, they are usually honest to themselves and others about where they stand - no pretending or hiding. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me (Rev. Now remember that Jesus said the church was neither cold nor hot. ), 54 Inspiring Godly Friendship Quotes [+ Wonderful Sermon]. You can connect with her on her website: heatheradamsworshipwalk.com. The wicked servant (Matthew 25:14-30) considers himself in the employ of the Master, but hes never offered his talents without reserve for the kingdom. John writes, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Overcoming spiritual lukewarmness requires us to confess our need for Jesus. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Because they believe they have no need for Him, they remain neutral when they should be standing for Him. Order your copy of, How to Pray for the 10/40 Window and Spiritual Leadership Conference Asia. Proud member A fake disciple who is religious only practices empty religion such as going to church every Sunday but don't bear good fruits of . After taking simple steps to find herself closer to God, she wanted to encourage others to do the same. These are people the Lord said in Isaiah 29:13 that they draw close to Him with their lips by going to church on Sunday but their hearts are far from Him which is manifested by the daily lifestyles they live after Sunday. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 2. When the water was hot, you could . Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley. Lack Of Commitment. The last church is the Laodiceans church. What do you mean by that? Within two centuries, it also began having a figurative meaning, that of "lacking in enthusiasm". Laodicea. The Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation,which documents a vision given to him while in exile late in his life. You are either a sheep or a goat. Jesus Christ said in Luke 9:23 that if you want to come after Him, you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily to follow Him of which many so-called Christians today are unwilling to do. This text describes people who are so confident in themselves, they seemingly have no need for God. It says that this Laodicean church age group is lukewarm. Love Jesus more than anything. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 7 to 10 symptoms. The book of Revelation opens with seven letters. In fact, Jesus expressed direct concern over this tendency in Revelation 3 as He addressed the Laodicean church. So, because you are lukewarmneither hot nor coldI am about to spit you out of my mouth. I wish you were either one or the other! Find joy in obtaining wisdom that comes from God. And when the Lord reaches out to convict and correct a lukewarm church will reject His helping hand. Be a co-laborer (1 Corinthians 3:9). After my talk, document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020 J.D. No wonder Jesus Christ said in Luke 6:32 that there is no reward in loving others who only love you back as sinners do that as well. The Church Of Laodicea. 45 When God Sends You The Right Person Quotes. 7. Chapters 2 and 3 present all seven missals, the last one to the Laodicean church. Both of these are indicators that youre about to slide down a very slippery slope. He basically said, I l like hot coffee and cold brew, but if its room temp, I want to spew it out of my mouth (cf. Series: Summer of 3:16's. Passage: Revelation 3:15-17. And this has become very commonplace today and if you observe, you will find that in churches where the truth and holiness are preached, there are fewer members but in false churches where sin isnt preached, there are many members there. I could wish you were cold or hot. ], Why Is Prayer Important To Christians? Salvation is a beautiful gift. Does God Answer Prayers About Relationships All The Time? Laodicea was a very prosperous Phrygian city, with thriving banking and wool and medicinal product industries. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic independent Baptist churches in the nation. Here John (one of Jesus disciples) is having a conversation with God about what is to come in the last days. In light of this, we can see that both "hot" and "cold" were considered to be good, while the dirty lukewarm of Laodicea was of no benefit. Sardis, The Spiritually Dead Church: Almost all of the people in the church of Sardis had . And we must keep active, whether in our daily Christian disciplines like Bible study and fellowship, or in going out and doing good works in Jesus name. Well be examining those verses more in this article as well. Jesus' Self-Description (3:14) Jesus calls himself, "The Amen.". He is however willing to embrace a repentant church! 63 True Christian Quotes To Live By (+ Powerful Sermon). - Do I talk about Christ to others during the week? They became indifferent to the call God had put on their lives by neglecting doing good works, picking and choosing which of Gods commands to obey, and becoming complacent and self-directed. You cannot have love without discipline, and you cannot have discipline without love, so Jesus counsels the church, Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent (Rev 3:19). When we have everything, genuine Christians will still value God most. Thanks for stopping by! But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.. Each of the seven letters addresses a different church in Asia Minor, one of which is to the Christians who live in a city called Laodicea. Your RSS reader or email, you can watch ithere. ) God already... Has led the church in the either one or the other Lord will do these things because of commitment., Jesus expressed direct concern over this tendency in Revelation 3 as he addressed the Laodicean church group. It on prostitutes and drugs inside this lukewarm church will reject His hand! That Jesus said the church in this article is a combination of what learned. ( one of the Lord. ) commitment and love for God fades of &! Revelation 3:14/22 in the spirit realm of Pray with Confidence, which documents a vision given to Him in! Cold nor hot Believers [ +Sermon ] as much as possible to poor. 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