Awakening the Church: Overcoming Complacency and Sharing Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Peril of Lukewarm Faith

In the book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea is rebuked for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold in their faith. This serves as a powerful warning against complacency in our spiritual lives. When we rely on material wealth or worldly success, we risk becoming spiritually apathetic, blind to our true need for God. The Laodiceans were wealthy and self-sufficient, yet spiritually impoverished. This mirrors the danger many face today, where comfort and routine can lead to a stagnant faith. We are called to be fervent in our relationship with God, actively seeking His presence and guidance in our lives. [06:59]

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you become spiritually complacent? How can you reignite your passion for God this week?

Day 2: Turning from Worldly Wealth to Spiritual Riches

The call to repentance is a call to shift our focus from worldly wealth to spiritual growth. Jesus invites us to invest in spiritual riches, which involves nurturing a deeper relationship with God and prioritizing our spiritual well-being over material possessions. The church in Laodicea was blinded by their material wealth, failing to recognize their spiritual poverty. This is a reminder for us to evaluate where we place our trust and to seek the true riches found in Christ. Repentance is not just about turning away from sin but also about turning towards God and His abundant grace. [08:49]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one material possession or worldly pursuit you can let go of to focus more on your spiritual growth?

Day 3: Boldly Sharing the Gospel

The Great Commission calls every believer to actively share the gospel and make disciples of all nations. Yet, fear and apathy often hinder us from fulfilling this mission. Only a third of churches in America are actively engaged in sharing their faith. We are reminded that Jesus offers hope and redemption, and it is our responsibility to share this message with the world. Overcoming fear and a lack of readiness requires us to trust in God's strength and be bold in our witness. As we step out in faith, we become vessels of His love and truth to those around us. [28:47]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the hope of Christ with this week? What steps can you take to start that conversation?

Day 4: Embracing the Gift of Free Will

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, offering us the choice to follow Him. Our faith is not passive; it requires active participation and a willingness to be transformed by His love. The role of free will is significant in our spiritual journey, as it allows us to choose to open our hearts to Jesus and to be zealous in our faith. This invitation is a reminder that God desires a personal relationship with each of us, one that is marked by intentionality and commitment. As we respond to His call, we experience the fullness of life that He offers. [26:07]

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to open the door to Jesus? How can you actively invite Him into that area today?

Day 5: Living a Transformed Life

Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. As we live out our faith, we become a testimony to the world of the hope and joy found in Christ. The power of a transformed life is evident when we allow God's love to shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. This transformation is not just for our benefit but serves as a witness to others, drawing them to the truth of the gospel. We are called to be a church that is alive, vibrant, and faithful to the mission Christ has given us, embodying His love in all that we do. [41:12]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does your life currently reflect the transformative power of the gospel? What is one change you can make to better embody Christ's love to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the critical issues facing the church in America, focusing on the dangers of complacency and the failure to share the gospel. We began by acknowledging the alarming trend of church closures, with 1,500 churches closing their doors in 2019 alone. This is a wake-up call for us to examine our own church and ensure we are not falling into the same traps. We discussed the importance of having a genuine relationship with God, as highlighted by Pastor Nick, and the destructive nature of apathy within the church.

We delved into the book of Revelation, specifically the letter to the church in Laodicea, to understand how their situation mirrors our own. Laodicea was a wealthy and self-sufficient city, yet Jesus rebuked them for being lukewarm in their faith. They were neither hot nor cold, and their reliance on material wealth blinded them to their spiritual poverty. Jesus called them to repent and to invest in spiritual riches, urging them to see the world through His eyes.

The message emphasized the need for the church to be active in sharing the gospel. We are reminded of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, where Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations. Yet, only a third of churches in America are actively doing this. Fear and a lack of readiness are significant barriers to sharing our faith, but we are called to overcome these obstacles and be bold in our witness.

Jesus offers hope and redemption, even to a church that has strayed. He stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open our hearts and be zealous in our faith. We are encouraged to be passionate about our relationship with God and to share the gospel with the world. As we move forward, let us commit to being a church that is alive, vibrant, and faithful to the mission Christ has given us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of Complacency: The church in Laodicea was rebuked for being lukewarm, relying on their wealth rather than their faith. This serves as a warning to us to not become complacent in our spiritual lives, but to be fervent in our relationship with God. [06:59]
2. The Call to Repentance: Jesus calls the church to repent and to invest in spiritual riches. This involves a shift in focus from worldly wealth to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. [08:49]
3. The Importance of Sharing the Gospel: The Great Commission is a call to action for all believers. We are tasked with making disciples and sharing the hope of Christ with the world, overcoming fear and apathy. [28:47]
4. The Role of Free Will: Jesus stands at the door and knocks, offering us the choice to follow Him. Our faith is not passive; it requires active participation and a willingness to be transformed by His love. [26:07]
5. The Power of a Transformed Life: Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. As we live out our faith, we become a testimony to the world of the hope and joy found in Christ. [41:12]
** [41:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:15] - The State of the American Church
[03:00] - Relationship with God
[04:47] - Living in the End Times
[06:59] - The Wealth of Laodicea
[08:49] - Jesus' Rebuke to Laodicea
[09:42] - The Titles of Jesus
[10:32] - Faithful and True Witness
[12:20] - Lukewarm Faith
[14:40] - The Call to Share the Gospel
[16:06] - Spiritual Poverty
[18:06] - Seeing Through Jesus' Eyes
[19:54] - Hope for the Church
[21:20] - The Love of Jesus
[23:51] - Corporate Repentance
[25:24] - Invitation to Follow
[27:50] - The Great Commission
[29:39] - The Church's Mission
[32:15] - Overcoming Fear
[34:34] - The Cost of Indifference
[36:44] - Responding to the Need
[38:03] - The Church's Role
[39:11] - Action Steps for Believers
[42:56] - Moving Forward as a Church

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the main characteristics of the city of Laodicea, and how did these influence the church's spiritual state? [06:59]
In Revelation 3:15-16, what does Jesus mean when He describes the church as "lukewarm"? How does this relate to their deeds? [12:20]
According to the sermon, what are the consequences of the church being lukewarm in their faith? [14:40]
What is the significance of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, as mentioned in Revelation 3:20? [25:24]

Interpretation Questions

How does the wealth and self-sufficiency of Laodicea serve as a warning to modern churches about the dangers of complacency? [06:59]
What does it mean for a church to be "lukewarm," and why is this state so displeasing to Jesus? [12:20]
How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 challenge believers to overcome fear and apathy in sharing the gospel? [28:47]
What role does repentance play in transforming a church from being lukewarm to being zealous in faith? [21:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on your personal relationship with God. Are there areas where you have become complacent or lukewarm? What steps can you take to reignite your passion for your faith? [03:00]
Consider the wealth and resources you have. How can you ensure that these do not become a barrier to your spiritual growth and reliance on God? [06:59]
The sermon mentioned fear as a significant barrier to sharing the gospel. What specific fears do you have, and how can you address them to become more active in witnessing? [32:15]
Jesus calls the church to repent and invest in spiritual riches. What practical changes can you make in your life to focus more on spiritual growth rather than material wealth? [19:54]
Think about someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What is one specific action you can take this week to share your faith with them? [28:47]
How can you as an individual contribute to making your church more vibrant and faithful to the mission Christ has given? [42:56]
Reflect on the concept of free will in your faith journey. How can you actively choose to follow Jesus more closely in your daily life? [26:07]

Sermon Clips

I think one of the dangers, not only in church, but in any organization, is just to only look at the things that are good, the only things that bring you joy, and to never talk about the bad things, the difficult things. And as we prepare to get into Vision Sunday next Sunday, I wanted to take the time to say we have a problem in the American church, and if we're going to start talking about our vision, and where we're going, then we also have to be aware of what's going on in the church in America. [00:00:59] (36 seconds)

And because of that, two weeks ago, Pastor Nick, he taught us the importance of having a relationship with God, that one of the things that destroys the church is forgetting about God, forgetting about that. That relationship. And one of the key takeaways was the importance of understanding the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. [00:03:00] (23 seconds)

It's not enough just to come and sit in the pews and, okay, I'd check that box. We are meant to be relational. We are meant to have a relationship with our Savior. And then last week, I talked about how apathy destroys the church. And I said that 75 % of the pastors across the country said the greatest challenge that they face in their church is apathy, that the church is just apathetic. We've lost all passion. It's a lack of concern or interest for the world around us. [00:03:28] (36 seconds)

And Jesus begins by saying to the angel of the church in Laodicea, write the amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of the creation of God says this, 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 vomit your deeds you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich and I become wealthy and have no need of anything, and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may become rich, and white garments, so that you may clothe yourselves in shame, and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed, and eyesalve to apply to your eyes, so that you may see. [00:07:54] (55 seconds)

The point he is making is that the church is not witnessing to others. They are not sharing the gospel with the people they come into contact with. They are trusting in their wealth and they find security in it. Because they are Christians who do not trust in the Holy Spirit, Jesus finds them lukewarm. [00:13:08] (20 seconds)

The problem with the church in Laodicea, and with most churches today, their faith is built on what they see in the here and now of this world. It's a major problem. We trust. We trust in what we can see and what we know of and what we experience each and every day in the world. [00:17:17] (24 seconds)

But he's doing it for a reason. And I love where Jesus goes next in verse 18. He says, I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may become rich, and white garments, so that you may clothe yourselves, and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed, and eye salt to apply to your eyes, so that you may see. [00:19:14] (24 seconds)

The church in Laodicea has done everything it can to destroy the church. It has forgotten its relationship with God. It's become apathetic and it is not sharing the gospel with the unsaved. Yet, Jesus is still in love with the church. [00:21:26] (22 seconds)

Isn't it beautiful how in our own journey of salvation, that as individuals, we can go before Jesus. And maybe some of you need to hear this this morning. When we go before Jesus, and we genuinely repent of our sins, and we ask for forgiveness. When I say that, I mean, we mean it, right? This isn't just for show that we mean it. It's a heart condition. [00:23:33] (24 seconds)

And it shows his love for us because he has given us a choice. Scripture says, he stands at the door and knocks. Jesus is saying, I stand at the door and knock. I'm giving you a choice. It's up to you whether or not you open that door. It's up to you whether or not you let me in. [00:25:37] (30 seconds)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?