By: Dale Weckbacher
Revelation 3:16
So then, because you
are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
NKJV
Coffee is a beverage enjoyed either hot or cold. I know I enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee first
thing in the morning. For me it seems to
help me get going so I can focus on my day.
Since I live in the hot desert of Phoenix
Arizona
Situated southeast of Philadelphia
in the Lycus River
valley we find the ancient city of Laodicea . The congregation of the church
of Laodicea , possibly along with the
church Ephesus ,
received communications from both the Apostle Paul and John. (Colossians 2:1, Revelation 3:14-22). (1) Paul spoke of his desire that the hearts of
those in Laodicea
be encouraged (Colossians 2:2). However,
the warning in Revelation leads us to conclude something occurred which caused
the church to grow lukewarm.
Even though scripture does not tell us specifically what
occurred that made the church lukewarm, Revelation 3:17 provides a hint and a
warning to us in the church today. It
seems that unlike Christians in the other churches addressed in Revelation, the
Christians in Laodicea
had prospered. Revelation 3:17 implies
that the people in the church boasted that they had become wealthy and were in
need of nothing. Proverbs 16:18 tells us
that pride goes before a fall. Perhaps
the boastful pride of the church in Laodicea
had caused them to believe they could succeed on their own abilities and no
longer needed to depend upon God.
In an article appearing October 30, 2015 in the Christian
Post, the Rev. Billy Graham issued a warning to America ’s churches to prepare for
persecution. In the article, Rev. Graham
speaks of how the church in America
has been largely unfamiliar with persecution and that this immunity from
persecution is unusual. (2)
Rev. Graham continues by saying that the church in America does
not know what privation is, what sacrifice is, or what suffering is. He postulates that if persecution were to
come to America ,
it is likely many would deny Christ under persecution’s pressure and that
perhaps those shouting the loudest about their faith may be among the first to
surrender. (2)
As a means of inoculating ourselves against buckling under
persecution, Rev. Graham proposes a five-step program of fortification that
includes,
1) Making
sure of our relationship with Christ. (2)
Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The only way for one to have salvation from
the sin that separates them from God is a personal relationship with Christ,
which involves making Jesus Christ Lord of your life. Our good works (Ephesians 2:8) do not achieve
salvation with God for our good works are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah64:6). If you have never asked Jesus to
be Lord of your life or if you are unsure of your relationship with God, Please
take a moment to pray with me now,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know
that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse
me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).
I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now
declare you Lord of my life.
2) Walking
with God. (2) Once we have assurance
of our relationship with God, it is important that we walk with God. This does not mean we will physically see God
and take a walk with him as we would take a walk with someone on earth. What it means to walk with God is to strive
to live our lives in a manner that pleases Him remembering that we are still
imperfect beings and as such will have to seek forgiveness from time to time (1John 1:9). We live in a world governed
by sin and evil and as such, walking with God makes us different. This difference may actually bring on
persecution but as we remain steadfast in our faith when we face persecution,
we may cause some to believe after seeing our dedication to Christ as happened
with Stephen in Acts 7:54-60
3) Regularly
reading scripture. (2)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and said His sheep hear His
voice and follow Him (John 10:27). Even
in Israel
today, shepherds call out to their sheep and they came running at the sound of
their shepherd’s voice. (3) The
sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice by regularly hearing the voice of their
shepherd. The Bible, the Word of God is
the voice of God speaking to us and when we regularly spend time reading
scripture, we are able to hear the voice of our shepherd as he calls us and run
to him when persecution comes instead of denying him. It is not those speaking out loudly for
Christ that will be strong when persecution comes but those that have spent
time with their shepherd through scripture.
They are the ones that will recognize the voice of the shepherd and
remain strong by running towards Him.
4) Praying
always. (2) Whereas the Bible is how we hear from God, praying
is how we speak to God. No relationship
remains strong without regular communication.
Since communication involves both listening and speaking, a strong
relationship with God is one involving regular prayer and study of the Bible.
5) Meditating
on Christ. (2) When most of us think of
meditation, we picture someone sitting cross-legged on the floor chanting some
mantra. Psalm 1:2 speaks of one that
delights in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. The word translated meditate is the Hebrew
word daw-gaw, which means to ponder, imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar,
speak, study, talk, or utter. (4) Meditation
on Christ means not to just superficially read scripture but to take time to
ponder, study and even utter the Word of God.
In essence, meditation on scripture takes the words on the page and
makes them part of our lives.
The church in Laodicea
had grown complacent and comfortable in their worldly success. In many ways, churches in America have
also grown complacent and comfortable.
However, we must constantly be on guard not to grow complacent as
Christians for when we do, we too can become lukewarm and sickening to
God.
Jesus warned us that in this world we will have tribulation,
but Jesus also reminds us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). However, in order to prepare for coming
persecution, we must apply the five steps outlined by Rev. Graham so we will
run to the one that has overcome the world instead of denying Jesus the
overcomer.
1. BibleGateway.
The Message to Laodicea .
www.biblegateway.com. [Online] BibleGateway. [Cited: November 8, 2015.]
2. Gryboski, Michael.
Billy Graham's Warning to American Churches: 'Prepare for Persecution.'. m.christianpost.com.
[Online] The ChristianPost, October 30, 2015. [Cited: November 8, 2015.]
m.christianpost.com/news/billy-graham-warning-american-churches-prepare-persecution-148764/?m=1.
3. youtube. The
Good Shepherd & His Sheep. www.youtube.com. [Online] You Tube.
[Cited: November 8, 2015.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coq_grSFlNs.
4. Strongs Concordance.
daw-gaw. www.godrules.net. [Online] Godrules. [Cited: November 8, 2015.]
www.godrules.net/library/strongs2a/heb1897.htm.
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