Sermon:

The Lukewarm Christian

Sermon shared by James Pless
May 2006

Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee
out of my mouth.

Introduction

The city of Laodicea was located roughly 45 miles south of Philadelphia. It occupied
an almost square plateau several hundred feet high, some 2 miles south of the
Lycus tributary of the Meander River. Antiochus II founded the city in the middle of
the 3rd Century BC and named it after his wife Laodice. The city was a prosperous
center of banking and commerce. It was famous for clothing made from the wool of
black sheep, and for a popular eye salve produced by its medical school. The city
was so well-off that, unlike Philadelphia, it was rebuilt after the earthquake of AD
17 without any financial assistance from Rome.

In spite of its prosperity, the city had a major strategic weakness-the lack of an
adequate and convenient water source. Water had to be piped in using an aqueduct
from springs 6 miles away. An enemy could easily cut off the water supply, leaving
the city helpless.



In vss 15-16 Jesus tells this church, in a manner they could easily understand, that
they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. North of Laodicea was Hierapolis,
famous for its hot mineral springs, a popular place to bathe for health reasons (like
a spa). South of Laodicea was Colossae, known for its pure, cold mineral waters
which were refreshing to drink. In the middle was Laodicea. By the time water
arrived by aqueduct to Laodicea it was lukewarm. Hot and cold water were useful;
lukewarm water was less-than-refreshing.



Transition

The Laodicean Church was filled with:



I- Lukewarm Christians

1- They had lost their fire.

2- They had lost their vision.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy
is he.




3- They had lost their Ferventis.

2 Samuel 11:1 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth
to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they
destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at
Jerusalem.

2 Kings 12:6 (KJV)
6 But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had
not repaired the breaches of the house.

2 Chronicles 29:34 (KJV)
34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings:
wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and
until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright
in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

2 Chronicles 30:2-3 (KJV)
2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in
Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified
themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to
Jerusalem.



Thought : Lukewarm Christians loose their drive.





II- Lukewarm Church Members.

1- They have lost their concern for the Church.

2- They have lost their faithful attendance.

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another:



and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

LUKEWARMNESS

Topic Contents Old Illust. #3231

7218. Mr. Luke Warm

Recently I talked to a man I will call Mr. Luke Warm, for he is "neither cold not
hot." He says he is a Christian but seldom attends church. "I am under a great deal
of tension where I work," he explained, "and often go fishing on weekends for
relaxation. Church is all right, but a person cant do everything, you know."

Mr. Luke Warm also had an uneasy conscience about his giving, for he continued, "I
put a dollar or two in the offering plate whenever I go, and I think thats all God
can expect of me. If I gave a tenth of my income, it would amount to more than
$2000.

You just dont know how expensive it is for me to maintain my cabin at the lake and
pay dues to keep my membership at the country club and the bowling league.
Anyway, churches put too much emphasis on money. Sometimes I get so disgusted
with this talk about sacrificing for Christ that I feel like quitting altogether."

Our Daily Bread

Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations



LUKEWARMNESS

Topic Contents

7217. Graveyard Reserved For "Living" Death

Harold Barker wrote of a graveyard in Ayrshire, Scotland, where once a stranger
was buried. This greatly distressed the folks in that parishso much so, that they
had a notice put up to the effect that: "This graveyard is exclusively reserved for
the dead who are living in this parish!"

Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations

LUKEWARMNESS

Topic Contents Old Illust. #3236

7216. Faithful To The End

There is a church which sends in its annual statistical statement, year after year, as
follows:

Pray for us, brethren, that we continue faithful unto the end.

Current Anecdotes

Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations



3- They have lost the desire to grow.

LUKEWARMNESS

Topic Contents Old Illust. #3233

7213. Blindly Following Church

An ignorant man was examined on the subject of his faith, as follows:

"What do you believe?""I believe what the Church believes?"

"What then, does the Church believe?""The Church believes what I believe."

"Tell me, then, I pray you, what it is which you and the Church both believe."

"Why, truly, sir, the Church and I both believe the same thing."

Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations







III- Lukewarm Danger.

1- Lukewarm Christians are saved people.

2- Lukewarm Christians are in a dangerous place.

A- They can be spued out.

Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee
out of my mouth.




B- They can turn Jesus out.

Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.




C- They can make shipwreck.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 (KJV)
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which
went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning
faith have made shipwreck:




D- They can fall away.

Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and

have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify
to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.



Conclusion.

To be a Lukewarm Christian is not a good thing. Do you agree?





Invitation.

You dont have to live as a Lukewarm Christian, you can make peace with Jesus.

Revelation 3:20-22 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.