Many churches are satisfied simply with the way things are. They may feel that their position is pleasant and safe. Few are willing to make an “all or nothing“ stand for the truths the Bible plainly teaches. They congratulate themselves on being moderate and sober-minded. Like the Laodiceans, they think and speak well of themselves and may be greatly disturbed when someone tends to differ with them by showing them the danger of their position. Such a church
finds it easy to criticize other Christian groups and to have no association with them.
A reason the church at Laodicea was lukewarm is shown in the way they were pleased with themselves. They said. [we] “are rich and increased with goods. and have need of nothing” Text:Revelation 3:17
17 because thou sayest,I am rich,and increased with goods,and have need of nothing;and knowest not that thou art wretched,and blind,and miserable,and poor,and blind,and naked:
Still another reason for their lukewarmness was their emptiness. Look how Jesus saw them: “wretched. miserable. poor, blind and naked.” Did you notice how they saw themselves in the opposite way from what Jesus did? Let‘s examine the words Jesus used to describe them.
They were miserable-deserving pity; poor-no spiritual wealth; blind-to their own condition; covering of God‘s love and grace. What a wretched condition they were in. No wonder it made Jesus sick to see them
A lukewarm church is made up of immature, weak leaders and members who emphasize material values over the spiritual. The writer of Hebrews speaks of this in
Text:Hebrews 5: 12-14
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk,and not of strong meat 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:for he is a babe 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.The writer here tells his readers that they had been Christians long enough that they should be strong teachers, but instead they needed someone to teach them! He added that if they had grown as they should, they would be strong and able to make clear, firm decisions between good and evil. He adds encouragement[basics] of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection [be mature and holy].
This same condition is common in many churches today. We can see many that are Similar to the church in our lesson. Is your church one that is lukewarm, or is it growing in its spiritual expression with vibrant Holy Spirit power?
