“Neither Hot nor Cold”

 

Introduction. (Revelation 3:14-22) This describes a condition in which Christians become ineffective. Not totally rebellious—just stagnant. Even so, the Lord is ready to “spew” them out of His mouth. Laodicea received water piped in from hot springs that was lukewarm when it came to them. “You are like your water.” Compare…

·         Lukewarm coffee.

·         Lukewarm bath.

This is not teaching unbridled zeal, nor cold indifference is better. The Lord wants His people to be what they should to be effective for the work He intends them to do. Let’s talk this morning about five things that can affect whether or not we are lukewarm.

I. Sin (Col. 3:1-3). Being a Christian calls for a change in one’s life. Some things end (Col. 3:5-10). Other things begin (Col. 3:12-13). We fail in this in two ways…

A. Sins of commission. Willful sin (Heb. 10:26-27). Works of the flesh  (Gal. 5:19-21).  But also…

B.  Sins of omission. Failure to do what is right is sin (James 4:17). This is a higher standard of good (Matt. 5:38-48).  These are the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). Failure in either area can make us lukewarm. 

II. Prayer. We are to “hold fast” to the Head—Christ (Col. 2:19). Prayer is one way we do this.

A. Without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17).

B. “In all things” (Phil. 4:5-7).

C. Intercession. Christ grants us access (Heb. 7:24-25). The Holy Spirit facilitates communication (Rom. 8:26-28). If we neglect this intercession we may be lukewarm.

III. Study. Since Scripture is “God breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), and can equip us so as to prevent stumbling (2 Pet. 1:5-9). It offers us insight, guidance, and nourishment we can get no other way.

A. Not ashamed. We must put in the effort to know how to use it (2 Tim. 2:14-16).

B. Not a “babe.” We must not stay babes (Heb. 5:12-6:6). To do so can identify us as lukewarm.

IV. Assembly with the church.

A. Forsaking the assembly. It is a sin to “forsake” the assembly  (Heb. 10:23-31). Not all missing the assembly is forsaking the assembly. This is failing to assemble when it is within our power to do so.

B. The church in Jerusalem met daily for awhile (Acts 2:40-47). We can become lukewarm by forsaking the assembly.

V.  Evangelism.

A. “Always be ready.” We are commanded to be ready to talk to others about our faith (1 Pet. 3:15-16). If we can’t do this, it likely indicates we haven’t made ourselves ready. Often this can be because it isn’t important to us—we are lukewarm.