Luke, Luke – I Am Your Father 5 – Part 5

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Revelation 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (NKJV)

We close our series today on “lukewarmness” with a few more questions that allow us to evaluation our spiritual life.

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Does foul language, taking the Lord’s name in vain, hearing Jesus’ name used in profanity, hearing Christian constantly maligned… does that bother your spirit? I’m not talking about being the language police in this foul-mouthed world. I’m asking, does it bother you anymore? Do you get the feeling of having raw sewage poured into your mind when you hear “f____ing this, and f____ing that” and” J—s C—-t” every two seconds? Or have you voluntarily chose via entertainment to be subjected to this so often, it really has no effect on you anymore? Do you ever make the excuse that “that’s just the way everyone talks”? Do you stand by while the name of God or Jesus is abused and grossly disrespected?

• James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. (NKJV)
• Ephesians 5:3-7 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. (NKJV)
• Romans 3:13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; (NKJV)

Have you become a lover of this world? Is sports, news, entertainment or recreation the REAL focus of your life? Could list off countless facts about football, golf, politics, clothing styles, TV shows, Hollywood or music then hang your head in embarrassment when drawing a total blank about simple Bible basics? Do you honestly find all sorts of time for “unwinding” (TV time, sports time, shopping time, eating out and movie tiem) citing the pressure of life and stress while finding no such motivation or reason to pursue spiritual disciplines with equal vigor?

• 2 Timothy 3:1-9 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (NKJV)
• 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (NKJV)

Do you have compassion for those around you? Do people’s hurts, needs and suffering affect your heart? When you see people, do you see them primarily through the filter of either how they are in your way, or how they can benefit you? Is your heart generally cold and indifferent towards people outside of your friends and family? If you were to carefully evaluate your time, is it almost completely spent on pursuing self interests?

• Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NKJV)
• 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (NKJV)
• 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (NKJV)
• 1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (NKJV)

Does the decline of Godliness all around us break your heart? Does the rapid decay of goodness and godliness in the world concern you? Does the destruction of the family cause you to consider how it will destroy our society? Does the general increase in wickedness in the public at large cause you to grieve over the growing number of souls that will be lost?

• Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (NKJV)
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. (NKJV)
• 2 Timothy 3:1-9 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (NKJV)

Do you enjoy the wicked humor and evil pleasures that have become so acceptable today like sexual innuendo, gay humor, course joking, immoral scenarios, etc? Does the immodesty and growing level of immorality alarm you? Do you accept as “the norm” a greater level of sexual impurity in your entertainment choices for what you allow your eyes to view?

• Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (NKJV)
• Psalm 5:4-5 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. (NKJV)

Do you love your fellow Christians? Do you seek out ways to help them, show concern for them, cry with them, rejoice with them? Is there any part of your time or finances that are unselfishly dedicated to helping others without benefit to yourself? Do you truly consider other Christians to be truly your brother and sister? Do you love other Christians as much or more as you love your biological family? Do you ever stop to realize that you will spend all of eternity with your Christian brethren?

• 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (NKJV)
• John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV)
• Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NKJV)
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, (NKJV)
• Colossians 2:2-3 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (NKJV)
• 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NKJV)

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My intention is to draw your attention to what God thinks about lukewarmness. The good news is that God makes it clear that He loves the people He wrote this warning too. So you can be sure He loves us too and simply warns us for our own good. The church as Laodicea was rich, content, materialistic and satisfied with their “goodness”. This accurately describes the western church today in general. Given that, we are fairly warned and wise to heed the rebuke offered to them: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 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. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3:19-21; NKJV; emphasis mine)