HOT, COLD OR LUKEWARM
"HOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR DRINK?"
TEXT: REVELATION 3:14-22
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!"
As we open our Bible to Rev. 3 we see that one of the most important lessons comes from the geography of the area. You see, Laodicea was located nearby the cities of Colossae and Hierapolis. Hierapolis was located only six miles from Laodicea was known for its hot waters. Colossae at the other extreme was located in the highlands and was known for its cold waters. Lukewarm water lacks the healing properties of hot water, and the refreshing qualities of cold. Instead it is good for only one thing: If you drank too much it made you SICK.
Pay attention to the PROGNOSIS of the church at Laodicia
It’s the PROGNOSIS of many churches in America today.
- They were LUKEWARM - So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (14-16)
- They were SELF DECEIVED - they thought things were fine. - You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' (V. 17a)
The laziness, love of self, and arrogance which is so prominent in American society is also visible within the church.
Pay attention to the PRESCRIPTION given by Jesus
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
He instructs them to buy three things - 1) refined gold, 2) white clothes, and 3) salve for the eyes.
These instructions were not merely physical advice to the Laodiceans, but spiritual advice.
This church was spiritually poor, naked and blind...
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you
Are you deceived about your lukewarm condition? My friends, Jesus isn’t willing that we remain in that condition. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. (V. 19a)
Pay attention to the PRIORITY of Jesus - says: Be earnest and repent! (V. 19)
And then He says: 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. (V. 20)
Lukewarm Christians should be standing at Christ’s door, begging for forgiveness for their half-heartedness and their apathy. The lukewarm Christian’s heart should be warm with worship, or cold with refreshment night and day - but it’s not. So Jesus comes to our door and pleads.
Won’t you let him in? And when you do, serve Him something hot, or serve Him something cold. Put the lukewarm out of your life forever.
(Isaiah 55:1-3) (V. 18)
