LUKEWARM OUTREACH
In this day and age where we live, Christ's words to Laodicia ring so true. Denominational loyalties have taken the place of hearts that are on fire for God, zealous for His truth. The only thing warm anymore are the pews in the thousands of churches where people just don't care about the truth. The comfort and satisfaction that has fallen upon us don't leave us hungering and thirsting after righteousness any longer. We long for tolerance now. Tolerance of sin and of other religions that leave us content and leave us in danger of being one of the many that Christ will spit out of his mouth. In this day, we all think we are "rich, and increased with goods, and think we have need of nothing," when the cold reality is that we are in more need than we realize. The Barna Reseach group found that 62% of Americans profess to be Christians, while the book The Day That America Told the Truth said that 91% lie regularly.
Christ said He would rather have us cold or hot. Why is that? It is not that He would want us to remain cold, but then at least we would see how far away we are from the glorious Son, who burns His truth into our hearts. Of course He wants us zealous and on fire. But when we are lukewarm, we don't think we are far away. We feel a little warmth here and there, but it quickly goes out as we keep our distance from the Lord, and talk ourselves out of truly committing our Lives to Him.
Are you trusting in anything or anyone other than our Risen Lord and Savior? Are you trusting in the fact that:
1. You were baptized as an infant?
2. You were baptized as an adult?
3. You haven't missed Church a day in your life?
4. Your good works will get you into Heaven?
5. Your pastor told you that you were going to Heaven?
6. You think you belong to the right denomination?
7. You hold to the right school of theology?
8. Your parents or siblings or kids are Christians?
9. You think that the grace of God cannot change you and transform you, and so you live a life of immorality?
10. That you perform a certain ritual or rite, or say a certain prayer, so many times, every day?
11. You THINK that YOU are the only person in the truth?
None of these are reasons you are going to get into Heaven, and none of these reasons give you the right to live in ignorance of God's truth as revealed in the Bible. We can think we are right and we have need of nothing, but the Lord wants us to examine ourselves as to whether or not we are in the truth. Failure to do this could have eternal consequences. Remember the Lord said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:19) The Lord has eternity in mind. He who sees everything and knows everything definitely knows what is best for us. So let us be zealous of the truth God, and repent from the lukewarm attitude that Satan tries to convince us that it is the safest place to be. It's not.
If this message does not pertain to you, that is fine. Let he who has ears to hear let him hear. If the shoe fits, wear it. But if this message has convicted you and you feel guilty, good. Praise God. Repent, turn to Jesus Christ, trust only in Him, and follow only Him. Your salvation is as important as eternity is long.
Acts 4:10-12
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 8:31-32
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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