Text: Revelation 3:14-22
Most everyone in the United States of American can remember where they were and what they were doing when "9/11" happened. Moments that change history have the ability to indelibly imprint themselves in our minds and hearts. We were all violently and rudely awakened to the need to be prepared. In the days following, everyone was calling for and talking about prayer. The urgency of the crisis, refocused many minds God-ward, but as is so often the case - when the pressure eased, prayer returned to closet , out of sight, out of sound, and out of mind. Preachers of all denominations hastened to assure their congregations that God was still in charge and He would protect the nation because we were founded on trust in Him.
In many ways, the U.S. can be likened to the church in Laodicea. Lukewarm, neither cold not hot, the church in Laodicea was on the fence. God wanted them to decide, which side they were on. This isn't the first time God has pressured men to make a choice.
- Moses called Israel to make a choice between blessings and cursings
- Joshua cried, "Choose ye this day whom you will serve!"
- Elijah cried, "How long halt ye between two opinions?"
- Joel declared, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision."
- Regarding Laodicea, God said, "I would that you were either cold or hot - because you're neither I will spue you out of My mouth."
- Prayerlessness (no communication)
- Unstirred/Uninterested (God's Word transforms!)
- Disobedient
- Forgetful hearers
- Bored
- Don't care about the lost
- Don't attend church regularly
- Dull - Don't hear or heed warnings
The way to heat up the lukewarm - "Buy gold tried in the fire." Step one is repentance - the opportunity to turn the tide before it's too late. Baptism in Jesus' Name washes away sin, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, brings the power to become an overcomer! Overcomers are not lukewarm!
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