Awakening from Lukewarm Faith: A Call to Repentance

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound relevance of the seven letters in Revelation, particularly focusing on the letter to the church in Laodicea. This letter serves as a mirror, reflecting the state of cultural Christianity that can easily infiltrate our lives. The city of Laodicea was known for its wealth, medical advancements, and textile industry, yet Jesus used these very attributes to highlight their spiritual deficiencies. The church in Laodicea was neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, a condition that Jesus found so distasteful that He threatened to spit them out. This lukewarmness is a metaphor for a faith that is complacent, self-sufficient, and blind to its own need for Christ.

We examined three evidences of cultural Christianity: lukewarm faith, insight, and works. Lukewarm faith is characterized by a lack of genuine trust and pursuit of Jesus, relying instead on worldly wealth and security. Lukewarm insight fails to grow in wisdom and discernment, conforming to the world rather than being set apart for Christ. Lukewarm works are devoid of true compassion and love, more concerned with appearances than with genuine acts of faith. These conditions lead to spiritual blindness, where one is unaware of their own wretchedness and need for repentance.

However, Jesus offers a remedy. He counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, white clothes to cover our shame, and ointment to open our eyes. This is a call to embrace trials that refine our faith, to clothe ourselves in righteousness, and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for true insight. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open our hearts to Him, to dine with Him, and to be transformed by His love and grace. The call is to be zealous and repent, to conquer the trials of life with faith in Jesus, and to live not for the culture of the world, but for the culture of heaven.

Key Takeaways:

- Lukewarm Faith: A lukewarm faith is one that claims belief in Christ but lacks evidence of redemption and trust. It is a faith that relies on visible wealth and security rather than the invisible God. True faith is the reality of what is hoped for and the proof of what is not seen, and it should lead us to pursue Jesus with all our hearts. [11:21]

- Lukewarm Insight: Cultural Christians often lack discernment, conforming to the world rather than being set apart for Christ. True insight comes from seeking the Lord and allowing Him to transform our thoughts and ways. We are called to be holy, not by our own perfection, but by God's perfecting work in us. [14:22]

- Lukewarm Works: Works that are not rooted in faith are like a crackling fireplace channel on TV—appearing warm but lacking true heat. Genuine faith produces works of love and compassion, reflecting the grace of God. Our works reveal the object of our faith, and they should glorify God, not ourselves. [16:55]

- Spiritual Blindness: Cultural Christianity often leads to spiritual blindness, where one is unaware of their own wretchedness. Jesus calls us to repentance, not to shame us, but to draw us closer to Him. His love is greater than all sin, and He continually offers grace and transformation. [23:40]

- Jesus' Remedy: Jesus counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, white clothes, and ointment for our eyes. This is a call to embrace trials, to clothe ourselves in righteousness, and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance. He stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open our hearts to Him and be transformed by His love. [29:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:41] - Relevance of Revelation
- [04:09] - Laodicea's Cultural Context
- [05:54] - Cultural Christianity
- [08:48] - The Emperor's New Clothes
- [10:00] - Jesus' Message to Laodicea
- [11:21] - Lukewarm Faith
- [13:02] - True Faith and Works
- [14:22] - Lukewarm Insight
- [16:55] - Lukewarm Works
- [18:17] - Faith and Action
- [22:10] - Spiritual Blindness
- [23:40] - Jesus' Call to Repentance
- [27:59] - Jesus' Remedy
- [29:12] - Embracing Trials and Transformation
- [30:52] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 3:14-20
2. Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
3. Isaiah 55:6-8

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#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three attributes of the city of Laodicea that Jesus used to highlight their spiritual deficiencies? [04:09]
2. How does Jesus describe the faith of the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:14-17? What metaphor does He use? [10:00]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three evidences of cultural Christianity? [05:54]
4. What does Jesus offer as a remedy for the lukewarmness of the Laodicean church? [27:59]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of lukewarmness in Revelation 3:14-17 relate to the concept of cultural Christianity discussed in the sermon? [10:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that wealth and self-sufficiency can lead to spiritual blindness? [22:10]
3. How does the sermon interpret the call to "buy from Jesus gold refined in the fire"? What does this mean for a believer's faith journey? [29:12]
4. What role does repentance play in overcoming spiritual blindness, according to the sermon? [23:40]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own faith. Are there areas where you might be lukewarm, relying more on worldly security than on Christ? How can you address this? [11:21]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of discernment and being set apart for Christ. How can you actively seek to grow in wisdom and discernment in your daily life? [14:22]
3. Consider your works and actions. Are they rooted in genuine faith and love, or are they more concerned with appearances? What changes can you make to align your works with your faith? [16:55]
4. Spiritual blindness can prevent us from seeing our own need for Christ. What steps can you take to ensure you remain aware of your spiritual condition and need for repentance? [23:40]
5. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open our hearts to Him. What practical steps can you take this week to open your heart more fully to Jesus and His transformative love? [29:12]
6. The sermon calls us to embrace trials as a way to refine our faith. How can you view current challenges in your life as opportunities for spiritual growth? [29:12]
7. How can you actively participate in creating a culture of heaven in your community, rather than conforming to the culture of the world? [30:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Lukewarm Faith: A Call to Genuine Trust
In the letter to the church in Laodicea, Jesus addresses the issue of lukewarm faith, a condition that reflects a lack of genuine trust and pursuit of Him. This type of faith is characterized by reliance on worldly wealth and security rather than on the invisible God. It is a faith that claims belief in Christ but lacks evidence of redemption and trust. True faith, however, is the reality of what is hoped for and the proof of what is not seen. It should lead us to pursue Jesus with all our hearts, moving beyond complacency and self-sufficiency. Jesus calls us to examine our faith and to ensure it is rooted in a deep, personal relationship with Him, rather than in the superficial comforts of the world. [11:21]

Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."

Reflection: What worldly securities are you relying on that might be hindering your genuine trust in Jesus? How can you begin to shift your focus from these to a deeper faith in Him today?

Day 2: Lukewarm Insight: Seeking True Discernment
Cultural Christianity often leads to a lack of discernment, where individuals conform to the world rather than being set apart for Christ. Lukewarm insight fails to grow in wisdom and understanding, resulting in a life that mirrors the values and priorities of the surrounding culture. True insight, however, comes from seeking the Lord and allowing Him to transform our thoughts and ways. We are called to be holy, not by our own perfection, but by God's perfecting work in us. This requires a commitment to pursuing God's wisdom and allowing His Spirit to guide us in all areas of life. [14:22]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself conforming to the world? How can you actively seek God's wisdom and discernment to be set apart for Him?

Day 3: Lukewarm Works: The Heart Behind Our Actions
The works of cultural Christians often lack true compassion and love, being more concerned with appearances than with genuine acts of faith. These lukewarm works are like a crackling fireplace channel on TV—appearing warm but lacking true heat. Genuine faith, however, produces works of love and compassion that reflect the grace of God. Our works reveal the object of our faith, and they should glorify God, not ourselves. Jesus calls us to examine the motivations behind our actions and to ensure they are rooted in a sincere desire to serve Him and others. [16:55]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Consider the motivations behind your recent actions. Are they driven by a desire to glorify God or to gain approval from others? How can you align your works with genuine faith and love?

Day 4: Spiritual Blindness: Recognizing Our Need for Repentance
Cultural Christianity often leads to spiritual blindness, where individuals are unaware of their own wretchedness and need for repentance. Jesus calls us to repentance, not to shame us, but to draw us closer to Him. His love is greater than all sin, and He continually offers grace and transformation. Recognizing our spiritual blindness requires humility and a willingness to acknowledge our shortcomings. It is through repentance that we open ourselves to the transformative power of Christ's love and grace, allowing Him to heal and restore us. [23:40]

Revelation 3:17-18 (ESV): "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you might be spiritually blind? How can you invite Jesus to open your eyes and lead you to repentance and transformation?

Day 5: Jesus' Remedy: Embracing Trials and Transformation
Jesus offers a remedy for the lukewarmness and spiritual blindness that can infiltrate our lives. He counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, white clothes to cover our shame, and ointment to open our eyes. This is a call to embrace trials that refine our faith, to clothe ourselves in righteousness, and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for true insight. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open our hearts to Him and be transformed by His love and grace. The call is to be zealous and repent, to conquer the trials of life with faith in Jesus, and to live not for the culture of the world, but for the culture of heaven. [29:12]

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What trials are you currently facing that could be refining your faith? How can you embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation in Christ?

Quotes

1. "The reason why it has been on my heart for a very long time to preach through specifically, not just the whole book, but specifically the seven letters, that we received through Revelation 1 through 3, is because the letters are incredibly relevant to today. They have always been relevant since the first century and they will continue to be relevant until Jesus Christ returns. Through them, we see the abandonment of love. We see the tolerance of evil. We see the acceptance of false teaching, of heresy, the degradation of sound doctrine." ([00:01:13] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "I would encourage you, if you've missed some of the series, to go back through online and listen to them. And be willing to address yourself. If something hits you and the buzzword triggers you, if it triggers you, let it trigger you. It might be the Holy Spirit moving on you to call you out because he loves you and doesn't want to leave you in a place of fear. And if you're in a place of fear, if you're in a place of fear, you're in a place of faithlessness, but wants to develop faithfulness in your life. Let the Holy Spirit convict." ([00:02:54] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "The city of Laodicea was well known throughout the Roman Empire, specifically for three attributes. And these attributes are because as you go through this letter, Jesus ironically twists their culture and turns it on its ear in order to reveal to them what they've been doing. These three attributes are shown to us according to a first century historian, a Greek historian named Strabo. They were known for their great wealth, and their excellent banking institutions." ([00:03:26] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "There are three evidences within cultural Christianity that, like the emperor and his advisors, refuse to recognize foolishness, cultivating a culture of pride and vanity. First, a cultural Christian has a lukewarm faith. Though they claim to believe in Christ, there is little to no evidence of redemption, of trust, or the pursuit of Jesus in hope. And love. Their faith is in what they can see, not in Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God." ([00:11:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "A cultural Christian may believe in Jesus, but will not value Jesus, may even devalue his blood shed for us. The second evidence of a cultural Christian is lukewarm insight. They are indiscernible from the world, those who walk in the darkness, and refuse to grow in knowledge and wisdom or even recognize their need to do so. We are called to be a holy people." ([00:13:21] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "God does the perfecting work in us, not ourselves. The only thing we have to do is go to God and love him with all of our heart, soul, and mind to love one another and our neighbors in the way that God loves us and loves them too, to reveal and reflect God's love. When I say, holy and set apart I don't mean that we are called to be perfect but we are called to recognize our sin to let go of sin and take hold of faith." ([00:14:41] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "Cultural Christianity avoids pain and sacrifice, like, if you'll forgive me for quoting this, the Pink Floyd song says, it is my favorite band. There is no pain. You are receding. A distant ship, smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying. When I was a child, I had a fever. My hands felt like, just like two balloons." ([00:22:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "God does not abandon us, even the lukewarm cultural Christian, to sin and death, but continually shows us what we are. What he sees and presents the way to faith, if we will come to him. He exposes our sin, calls us to repent, and continues to offer grace. Thanks to Jesus, lukewarm faith doesn't have to remain lukewarm. Lukewarm insight doesn't have to remain lukewarm. Lukewarm works don't have to remain lukewarm." ([00:27:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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9. "Jesus counsels us to buy from him three specific items. Revelation 3, 18 through 19. I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you may be rich. White clothes, so that you may be dressed, and your shameful nakedness not be exposed. And ointment to spread on your eyes, so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent." ([00:28:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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10. "The question for each of us is, what do we need to give up? What keeps us from investing in his fire -refined gold, ointment to spiritually see in white clothes of righteousness? The gold refined in fire is the proven character of our faith. First Peter chapter 1 verses 5 through 7. You are being guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." ([00:29:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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