Lessons from Life

Introduction Addressing the lukewarm Laodiceans, the Lord Jesus said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15-19).

Changing Seasons With the changing seasons, we experience the cold of winter, the rebirth of spring, the heat of summer and the splendid colors of fall. From the time of Noah onward, man has known seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter (Gen. 8:20-22).

Changing Temperatures God commands the earth, giving snow like wool, scattering the frost like ashes, casting forth His ice as fragments. Who can stand before His cold? His word also melts them. He causes the wind to blow and the waters to flow (Ps. 147:15-20).

Physical World—Spiritual Lessons Spiritual lessons may also be communicated through this physical world, and changing temperatures and seasons.

Lessons from the Heat Positive Perilous

Positive Lessons re: Heat Our hearts should be aflame with the word of God. In a moment of discouragement and despair, Jeremiah said, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name." However, his heart became like a burning fire shut up in his bones, and he said, "I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it" (Jer. 20:7-13, esp. v. 9).

Positive Lessons re: Heat After talking with Jesus, the men on the Emmaus road said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:13-35, esp. v. 32).

The Anger of Moses Consider the hot anger of Moses. After announcing the final plague that would fall upon Egypt, Moses went out from Pharaoh in hot anger (Exod. 11:4-8). Yet, anger proved to be Moses' downfall (Num. 20:8-13, esp. v. 10; cf. Ps. 106:32- 33).

The Heated Emotions of David Contemplating the ways of the wicked, he said, "I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, and my sorrow grew worse. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned." Peace returned only when the Psalmist pondered man's transient mortality and God's transcendent greatness (Ps. 39:1-13, esp. v. 2).

The Folly of Fury Consider the hot anger of Nebuchadnezzar, noting his rashness and folly (Dan. 3:16-30). Consider the contentious and hot- tempered man (Prov. 15:18; 22:24-25; 26:20-21; 29:22; James 1:19-20).

The Passion of Lust Weigh Solomon's warning against burning passion: "Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is the one who goes in to his neighbor's wife; whoever touches her will not go unpunished" (Prov. 6:20-35, esp. vv. 28-29).

Lessons from the Cold Positive Perilous

Positive Lessons re: Cold A faithful messenger is reliable: "Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters" (Prov. 25:13-14). Like cold water to a weary soul, receiving good news from a distant land is refreshing (Prov. 25:25).

Positive Lessons re: Cold We should show kindness to those who are in need, such as offering a cup of cold water to one who thirsty, or building a fire and providing warmth to one who is cold (Matt. 10:42; 25:35-36; Acts 28:1-2).

Perilous Lessons re: Cold In times of trial and tribulation, the love of many grows cold (Matt. 24:9- 13). The church at Ephesus, once noted for its devotion and diligence, had left its first love (Rev. 2:4-5).

Conclusion Are we heeding the lesson from the heat? Are we contemplating the lessons from the cold? Winter is coming. Are you prepared for changing temperatures?

Conclusion Sometimes, like ancient Israel, we think we are prepared when we are not (Nah. 3:17). Sometimes, like Simon Peter, we are overconfident and underprepared. Entering the courtyard of the high priest, and standing beside the charcoal fire, Simon Peter unexpectedly found himself on the hot seat (John 18:15-18, esp. v. 18).

Conclusion Judgment is coming. Are we prepared to face the wrath of God when He judges sinful humanity (Hos. 7:1-7)? When God's anger burned against ancient Israel, Moses pleaded on their behalf, and they were spared (Deut. 9:15-21). Jesus Christ is our Advocate and Mediator and Sin-Offering. Dare we reject His intercession?