"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I AM ABOUT TO SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."  Revelation 3:15-17 - NIV (emphasis mine) ... These are scary words, especially so because they were spoken by Jesus Christ Himself! .. If we look around for even just a moment, it is not difficult to see just how seriously dangerous the 'church condition' is here in America right now. .. And whether we like to admit it or not, it is affecting the direction of our society. .. Simply put, if it continues, this nation will not survive the coming judgement that is about to befall this once-great nation. ... So today, I have a question for each of you ... Are you lukewarm? .. Are you among the 'walking dead?' .. One of the most powerful and sobering passages in our Bible is found in the Revelation 3:15-17 passage  ... "I WILL SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH" ...Christ was speaking specifically to the Church of Laodicea because it was evident that this church had become very complacent in its faith ... 'rich, wealthy - in need of nothing' .. (or so they thought.) .. Sound familiar? .. Does this brief description seemingly fit the church in America today? ... Here's a fact. .. This passage in Revelation has become so well known that the word 'Laodicean' actually appears in the dictionary. .. It signifies those who are 'mediocre, half-hearted, not fully committed' to what they are doing. .. Bottom line? .. They've become complacent. ... The fact is, this not only speaks to the Church in laodicea, but also to each & every church that exists today! .. It is a clear warning to all generations! .. What does this 'condition' really describe? .. It's people who claim to be in God's inner circle but don't bother to obey His commands. .. When Jesus says, "I know your works," (3:15), He's talking about the way each of us lives. .. We can quote the Bible, but still behave like the world. ... It's story time! ..  Several years back, a group of churches in my community co-hosted a community fair. .. It was a simple outing that featured different booths of both Christian & secular interests. .. After walking around with a good friend for a time, i said to him .. "You know what's sad? .. I can't tell the Christians from the non-Christians." .. It's just a living example of what Christ was saying to us, which reminds me of a quote I heard .. "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you." Moving on, is being 'lukewarm' the same as being cold? .. Absolutely not! .. Those of us who are lukewarm lead fraudulent lives, thus causing great harm to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! ..How? .. We claim to be Christians but are led by worldly appetites. .. This becomes a ruinous & destructive testimony. .. It is worse than the 'cold person' who at least admits that he or she doesn't much care about God. .. At least they are not a bunch of phonies or hypocrites! ... Let's for a moment go back to verse 16 & look to where it says .. "I am about to .... " .. This simply points to the opportunity to change our lukewarm condition. .. There is forgiveness for the sins of the 'lukewarm,' just as there is for the 'hot & cold.' .. He is always available to wash away sin from any of us. .. God's wrath against sin was fully satisfied at the Cross, setting us free from all guilt. ... Yet we are not just forgiven. .. Jesus also imputs His righteousness to us. .. In other words, He put His Spirit within us, giving us righteous power over sin! .. Hallelujah! .. So here is the problem. .. Lukewarm believers don't allow God's righteousness to affect them. .. This is a tragedy! .. The lukewarm have experienced the purifying, all-consuming fire of God's presence. .. They've heard about Christ's victorious power over sin, yet they accept these facts with a yawn! ... We can now more clearly understand WHY He - Christ - feels the way He does about 'lukewarmness.' ... I know I'm on a roll here, but please bare with me for a moment. ... Let's try & identify some of the signs, or conditions of lukewarmness ....... *Disobedience to God's Word - We read the Word but we don't 'see or hear' it. .. We read what is says, but we don't take it to heart. .. It is amazing when we see someone get a glimpse of the Holy Truth & how their lives can completely change. .. It happened to me! .. But the lukewarm believer has a different response. .. He or she is like the man described in the Book of James, chapter 1, verses 23 & 24 ... "Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." .. He looks in the mirror & sees his condition, but when he walks away, he quickly forgets what he's seen .. he quickly forgets that being called to Christ IS an all-consuming passion! ... *Being unstirred or indifferent toward God's Word - Reading God's Word is meant to AWAKEN, MOVE, & AROUSE US! .. Yet many of us read it as if we're reading a novel, or just another book. .. We go through the programs like 'read the Bible in a year' process but really receive nothing of substance from it. .. It either interests us, or it doesn't, and if we get bored, we will most always set it aside. ... Reading God's Word is not meant to be an 'escape' like so many other casual reads. .. It is meant to have just the opposite effect. .. It's supposed to lead us to transformation! .. The heart that opens itself to the power of God's Word is changed forever! .. Sadly, the lukewarm heart isn't transformed because it never allows itself to be examined. ... *Prayerlessness - Want to make a Christian feel guilty? .. Ask them about their prayer life. .. But in reality, a half-hearted prayer life reveals something about any believer. .. That person's works - or lack of them - reflects a condition of the heart. .. Prayer is godly work that springs from a Spirit-filled heart! ... and it's one of the first things that goes missing when a heart is lukewarm. .. *Inconsistent in gathering with fellow believers - I have met so many folks who are no longer affiliated with any particular fellowship. .. While I can certainly understand their concerns regarding the 'condition' of today's churches - I've been there myself. .. The danger lies in the lack of fellowship, which can & will lead to apathy toward God Himself!. .. Hence, lukewarmness. ... (which leads into the next point) .. *An indifference toward apathy in the Church - A lukewarm Christian doesn't really care whether his or her brothers & sisters are lukewarm also. .. They are content to sing worship songs & listen to 'safe' sermons without allowing much to sink in. .. Simply, if they had their way, nothing much concerning the Church would change at all. .. 'Keep it safe & comfortable' .. 'don't stir the water or rock the boat.' .. To the point, he or she could care less whether it ever becomes a vibrant servant-body to the surrounding community. ... *Little regard for the lost - When the lukewarm believer is shown reports of the lost .. the desperate .. whether here or oversees .. he or she remains unstirred. .. Even when considering their own unbelieving loved ones, they're not much bothered. ..... Think of this .. Is there a cry in your soul for those you know are wandering in the darkness? .. Does the light of Christ break through in your prayer time to show you their true condition? .. When you see the pressing needs for the sick .. afflicted .. the homeless .. does a spiritual cry rise up in you? .. Do you have a fire in your heart to see the lost & deprived come to know Jesus Christ? .. Does any of this fit into any part of your being? - your current walk with Christ? .. Charles Spurgeon said in a sermon once .. "If you do not care about the salvation of the one sitting next to you, then you too my friend, are not saved." ... Scary yes, but he was & is absolutely correct. ... But with Christ there is always good news ... "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."  (Revelation 3:19-21) ... So what's the good news here? .. In the same passage in Revelation 3, vs 19 says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest and repent." .. There IS hope for all! .. Even the lukewarm. .. It is Christ's love that causes Him to speak to us in this way. .. Here we see the 'Gospel of Grace' reaching out to even the most lukewarm among us. .. Simply, Jesus is telling us that no matter how stale or complacent we've become, His loving forgiveness is there for us. .. Jesus' love can awaken even the most mediocre commitment, and He offers us this in verse 20 - "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." .. Also, in verse 21 He says, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcome and sat down with my Father on His throne." .. Could there be ANY better news?! .. We must always remember that Jesus does NOT want any to be cast away - or lost. .. In conclusion, Christ's offering of salvation for each of us IS real. .. But we must never take this offer for granted. .. I implore each of you to search your hearts. .. Don't wait for your pastor or a brother or sister to point it out. .. A lukewarm Christian can seem to others like he or she is on fire. .. They worship & show outward affection for Jesus, but sadly, their disobedience goes unseen .. that is, to all but God! ... Have you grown lukewarm? .. Do you lack the 'want to' for your godly passion to be restored? ..If that's the case, I have just two words for you ... "Simply knock" ... and then, keep knocking! ..And remember always .. your heart is precious to Him. .. He said so! .. And He has promised to bring you back to Himself. .. He has declared His love for you even in your lukewarm state .. and His warning to you is the surest sign of His love! ... Hallelujah! .. Until next time, Red