Reading for Today Revelation 3:14-20

Matthew 26:26-28 (NKJV) 26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Revelation 3:14-20 (NKJV) 14  "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17  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--

Revelation 3:14-20 (NKJV) 18  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. 19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20  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.

It is all or nothing with the Lord, no middle-ground, no Luke-warmness. Whole-hearted service is a must with him. (Matt. 22:37; Luke 14:33). Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) 37  Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

It is all or nothing with the Lord, no middle-ground, no Luke warmness. Half baked half hearted lukewarm devotion and service is disgusting to him. Will spew (vomit) such out of his mouth.

It is all or nothing with the Lord, no middle-ground, no Luke warmness. Will not tolerate the middle ground. (1 Kgs. 18:21; Mt. 6:24) Will not have part-time Christians. (Like fan missing 2/3 of games). 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) 21  And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) 24  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

“I have need of nothing” It is all or nothing with the Lord, no middle-ground, no Luke warmness. It is good to look the needs of the lukewarm who say, “I have need of nothing”

The Lukewarm Need To Hear The Lord. (Rev 3:20). Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) 20 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.

The Lukewarm Need To Hear The Lord. (Rev 3:20). Need to hear His knocking — His eagerness to save. (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9). 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The Lukewarm Need To Hear The Lord. (Rev 3:20). Need to hear His voice — His instructions and admonitions. (Heb. 2:1-3). Hebrews 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

The Lukewarm Need To Hear The Lord. (Rev 3:20). Lukewarm seldom studies Bible for himself. (2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11). Lukewarm often rely on teachers and preachers to spoon feed them. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. An understanding of their spiritual condition.

The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. Not “hot” so that they can do the most good. If so, they could save self and others who hear. (1 Tim. 4:16). If so, they could effectively influence others.(Mat 5:16) Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) 16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV) 16  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Not “cold” so that they can do the least harm. The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. Not “cold” so that they can do the least harm. A “cold” one is seldom mistaken for a Christian. A “cold” one easier to reach than lukewarm, who considers himself faithful.

The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. But “lukewarm” so that they are in no position to save self or others. Lukewarm neighbor cannot help neighbors become strong Christians. Lukewarm parent cannot help children become strong Christians. Lukewarm church cannot help community become Christians. Lukewarm maybe “hot” on some points, but “cold” on others.

The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. An understanding of their real needs. (Rev 3:17-18). Revelation 3:17-18 (NKJV) 17  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-- 18  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.

The Lukewarm Need An Understanding Of Themselves. Thinks of needs only in social, economic and temporal terms. Thinks of church as means to fulfill these needs. Church attendance is social event rather spiritual exercise. Church affiliation determined by social and temporal advantages. Church loyalty depends on how he perceives these needs being met.

The Lukewarm Need Enthusiasm For God. (“zealous”–Rev 3:19). Revelation 3:19 (NKJV) 19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The Lukewarm Need Enthusiasm For God. (“zealous”–Rev 3:19). Enthusiasm regulated by knowledge. (Rom. 10:2) Romans 10:2 (NKJV) 2  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

The Lukewarm Need Enthusiasm For God. (“zealous”–Rev 3:19). Unregulated zeal can make havoc of church. (Paul). Unregulated zeal like car without steering wheel or brakes. Unregulated zeal produced by motivational “hype” rather than teaching.

The Lukewarm Need Enthusiasm For God. (“zealous”–Rev 3:19). Enthusiasm toward good works. (Gal. 4:18, Tit. 2:14). Enthusiasm toward good brethren. (Col. 4:12,13). Colossians 4:12-13 (NKJV) 12  Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13  For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Galatians 4:18 (NKJV) 18  But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. Titus 2:14 (NKJV) 14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

The Lukewarm Need Repentance Before God. (Rev 3:19). Revelation 3:19 (NKJV) 19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The Lukewarm Need Repentance Before God. (Rev 3:19). He needs to repent (change his mind) of his indifference.

The Lukewarm Need Repentance Before God. (Rev 3:19). He needs to produce fruits of repentance — abound in Lord's work. (1 Cor. 15:58). 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) 58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The Lukewarm Need Repentance Before God. (Rev 3:19). He need to repent before God spews him out. (v. 16). Revelation 3:16 (NKJV) 16  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

If you have been lukewarm, why not repent of it? If you repent and become zealous you can save yourself and influence others? The Lord is giving you this morning another opportunity to become faithful unto Him. Will you do it this morning?

What Must I Do To Be Saved