Sermon —— Dealing with End time enemies - Lukewarmness Last week… we spoke of the spiritual climate in the last days… just before the return of Jesus It would be like the days of Noah before the flood. Matt 24:10-14 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 10 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. —-11 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. —12 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. —13 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.—-14 Perilous Times ahead— 2 Tim 3:1-9 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].—-1 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centred, lovers of money …
Today I want to speak about dealing with lukewarmness Because of the pressure of the last days… The spiritual climate, if we do not know how to deal with it… Will produce lukewarmness. Lukewarmness = spiritual drowsiness Lethargy and apathy ,,, very low enthusiasm Going through the motions… But without the fire of God When a person is in this condition… Their walk with God… It’s very difficult Eg Reading the Bible Prayer Going to church— no excitement … just duty Praise… Is almost nonexistent… singing songs, but no connection… No fire �� The apostle Paul said… Rom 12:9-12 Passion Translation Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous.—9 Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honour of one another.—-10
Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.—-11
Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.—-12
Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home.—-13 Note ��️ This topic of lukewarmness… It is very important regarding our relationship with God… it’s a serious matter that affects every area of our life and decisions Without the fire of God, burning with us… without maintaining inner passion for God We will not be able to complete our God-given assignments as believers.
The flesh and the world will swallow up lukewarm believers… defeated life. No spiritual vision = time, energy & resources wasted on the things of this world. Rev 3:14-22 “And to the angel ( Messenger ) of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: —- 14 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. —15 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. —-16 This is not talking about physical tiredness Sometimes people have been working very long hours… And are physically tired This is speaking about a spiritual condition. Note ��️ Lukewarmness == means you’ve cooled off to room temperature To be hot, requires energy To be cold requires energy But lukewarmness requires no energy at all. To be on fire for the things of God… Takes Energy… effort… diligence. Some Christians mistake, lukewarmness… For maturity They used to be on fire… Zealous… Now they have become mature. = Lukewarm. Symptoms of lukewarmness Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’— and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 17 Note ��️ You say ….I am rich… Wealthy = this is not confidence in God… This is a false confidence You say….I have need of nothing = I don’t need Church I don’t need to pray… I don’t need to change anything in my life I don’t need correction Lukewarmness == settling to the spiritual climate of our culture = conformity ( Rom 12:2 ) Worldly and fleshly attitudes prevail // Can’t be told and won’t be taught. Jesus gives the solution
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. —18
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. —-19
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. —-20
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.—-21
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”—-22 Note ��️ So Jesus is telling us that we need to overcome “lukewarmness” in our lives. We must not think that we are immune… To this spiritual condition. Another way to describe lukewarmness… Is drifting Drifting = means we are neglecting our spiritual life…. Spiritual disciplines
Note ��️ Spiritual, poverty comes exactly like this Tired to go to church,,, too tired to read the Bible,,, too tired to pray… I’ll do it later
Heb 2:1 NLT So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 John 1:8 NLT Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 2 John 1:9 NLT Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 1 Peter 1:14 NLT So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t SLIP BACK into your OLD WAYS of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. Note ��️ We need to be on guard against drifting , because the Bible says that one of the signs of the last days will be people wander away from the faith. We want to be very careful that we don’t become those people. And if you’re not moving forward, then you’re automatically going backward. Strong, local churches God places, believers, and churches that will hope you stay strong and grow in your walk with God. Gods, not interested in your comfort… he’s interested in your character. Many believers choose a church based on comfort, convenience… A place where there’s not much involvement. They can come & hear a little sermon, and some good music… And that’s it. But God’s focus… Is transformation God’s focus is your character God is calling us into his service… That means for us to serve in the ministry.
God‘s focus is on raising up sons and daughters… Who will carry the gospel to a sick world. Strong, local churches— Preaching of the Word… solid Bible based teaching & preaching ( not a little Ted Talk ) Encourage involvement Encourage giving… And serving… Growing in your walk with God Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues… Gifts of the Holy Spirit But even in a good strong church— People can begin to drift, spiritually… And become lukewarm To Casual… Too familiar Begin to lose reverence for the things of God Therefore the Bible tells us that we need to judge ourselves Not judge one another But we need to take a look at our own spiritual condition Are we on fire for God? What areas of our life can improve? How is your prayer life? How is our time with God in his word Do we look to the word of God Daily… Do we allow God to speak to us through scripture? Do we actually open our Bibles and have a regular daily reading of God’s word? How about our church involvement? Are we excited about coming to church… Spending time with the body of Christ? How about looking for ways to serve Our generosity. The Bible tells us to examine our walk with God. We’re not supposed to go around, looking at others so much as we should be paying attention to our walk with God. This is an about condemning ourselves This is about evaluating our lives in the light of how God has called us to walk as Christians.
Jesus tells the church… We must overcome lukewarmness Why? Because lukewarmness robs you of your enthusiasm for the things of God. In your heart, you know you should be involved… But you don’t have the spiritual energy Too many distractions Too many excuses Lukewarmness in your life… Causes you to settle and become comfortable.
The circumstances of life can wear a person down Paul’s instruction 2 Tim 1:5-7 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. —5