LEARNING DAILY

Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”  Jesus

Pastor Ed Newton used three different verses of Scripture to help believers grow spiritually. The first comes from what the Lord Jesus said to the church at Laodicea. Jesus was referring to the city’s attempt to obtain a reliable water source. Laodicea got cold water from the springs at Colossae and hot water from the hot springs at Hierapolis. But by the time the water got to Laodicea it was neither hot nor cold. I know some of you like ice coffee, some of you like hot coffee. But if either set too long, the ice coffee is no longer cold and the hot coffee is no longer hot; both have become lukewarm and not as good as what you ordered.

Different theologians have different views about “hot and cold”. Jesus told the people in this church they were neither hot nor cold; they were lukewarm. They were complacent, maintaining the status quo. They were comfortable – neither excited about a Christian walk nor callous about Christian matters. In other words, they just went through the motions, continued with their meaningless activities, and maintained an indifferent mindset.  Those who were lukewarm had just enough knowledge of Him that they were fine with hearing a sermon but lacked much real faith to get them involved walking in their faith. That condition may be more difficult to change than changing the cold-hearted non-believer.   In doing so, they placed and kept the Lord Jesus on the outside of the Church knocking on the door of the Church to come into them; instead, they just continued to sing, do their church thing.

Philippians 3:12-13, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” (Emphasis was Pastor Newton’s)

“Your past does not define you. You need to forget the failures, the mistakes, the shame, and stop putting the past successes in front of others. Not one of us has achieved perfection as Paul wrote” (Pastor Newton). Paul is writing about his future, when he will be with Jesus – perfect and complete. That time has not yet occurred. Paul did not want those who followed him or read his writings to believe differently. Pastor Newton reminded the congregation that that was true of each one of us. At the same time, as Believers, we must move on from our past failures and successes to walk with Jesus on the narrow way as he desires and guides us. This is a time when every Believer is changed by Him to become more like Him; it is a time of sanctification or being made to be holy. It is a time of being separated from the world and become like Him. “The prize is eternity with Jesus. One day every Believer is going to step into heaven and be with Him forever! Until that time, every Believer should want to make their life count right now. Every Believer should want to walk the walk and talk the talk unashamedly!” (Pastor Newton).

Colossians 3:1, “If you have been raised with Christ [born again], seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Matthew 6:33 tells Believers, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”.  The Psalmist wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, an know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Be careful praying this because God will show you! Believer, take an honest look within. Are you distant from serving Jesus, from walking with Him as he desires? “Are you giving Him your very best, not just your leftovers? God only comes to the places He is invited!” (Pastor Newton).

The takeaway from this message was to make sure you are putting God first in your life. Don’t keep Him knocking on the door of your heart – let Him in. You alone can answer if you are lukewarm, stuck in your past, and living your life for eternity! (from the Listener Guide)