Reviving Passion: From Lukewarmness to Zeal for Christ

This morning, we gathered as a church family to celebrate the dedication of six precious children and their families, recognizing that children are a heritage and reward from the Lord. We affirmed together that parenting is a sacred trust, a calling to love, protect, challenge, and prepare our children for a life of faith, and that no parent or child stands alone in this journey—God has given us a church family to support, nurture, and encourage one another. As we dedicated these families, we also renewed our own commitment to be a loving, prayerful, and supportive community, helping each child and parent grow in Christ.

Turning to God’s Word, we examined the sobering message to the church in Laodicea from Revelation 3. Jesus’ words to this church are a warning against spiritual lukewarmness—a state of apathy and complacency that neither refreshes nor heals, but instead makes Him sick. The Laodicean church was materially wealthy and self-sufficient, yet spiritually bankrupt, blind to its true condition. Jesus’ rebuke is not out of anger, but out of love; He disciplines those He loves and calls them to repentance and renewed zeal.

We reflected on the dangers of measuring our spiritual health by outward success, comfort, or prosperity, rather than by our passion for Christ and our willingness to be used by Him. Lukewarmness is subtle and deceptive; it often goes unnoticed by those who are in its grip. It is not outright rebellion, but a lack of passion, a desire to be left alone, to avoid the demands of discipleship and the call to serve, witness, and give. Jesus offers a cure: a renewal of spiritual values, virtue, and vision, and above all, repentance—a turning back to Him with zeal and love.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting each of us to open our hearts afresh to Him. Revival begins not with programs or crowds, but with individuals who are honest about their spiritual temperature and willing to let Christ reign in their hearts. May we be a people and a church marked by a burning love for Jesus, never content with lukewarmness, but always seeking to be filled with His Spirit and passionate for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Parenting and Community as Sacred Trusts Children are a gift from God, entrusted to parents and the wider church for a season. Our calling is to love, nurture, and prepare them for a life of faith, recognizing that no parent or child walks this path alone. The church is called to be a family, offering support, prayer, and spiritual guidance, so that each child may one day confess Christ as Lord. [22:05]
• 2. The Danger and Deception of Lukewarmness Spiritual lukewarmness is not open rebellion, but a subtle, apathetic state that neither refreshes nor heals. It is easy to slip into complacency, measuring our health by comfort or material success, while being blind to our true spiritual poverty. Jesus’ strongest rebuke is reserved for this condition, which He describes as making Him sick, and which can do more harm to the witness of the church than outright opposition. [49:17]
• 3. Self-Examination and Honest Repentance Lukewarmness is often invisible to those who have it; it takes honest self-examination and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to recognize it. We must daily ask ourselves if our faith is marked by passion, love, and obedience, or if we have settled for a comfortable, anonymous Christianity. True repentance is the only cure, and Jesus lovingly calls us to be zealous and return to Him. [55:52]
• 4. Renewal of Values, Virtue, and Vision Jesus offers a threefold prescription for spiritual renewal: seek true riches in Him (values), put on His righteousness (virtue), and receive spiritual sight to see as He sees (vision). These are not achieved by our own efforts, but by coming to Christ in humility, allowing Him to clothe us, heal us, and restore our spiritual passion. [67:29]
• 5. Revival Begins with the Individual Heart While lukewarmness can infect an entire church, revival always starts with individuals who open the door to Christ. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, never forcing His way in, but always ready to enter and reign in any heart that welcomes Him. Our willingness to respond determines whether we remain in spiritual no man’s land or become vessels of His love and power.
  
  ** [70:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [12:15] - Celebrating Family and Child Dedications
• [13:19] - Fathers Share Family Covenants
• [21:38] - The Call to Raise Godly Children
• [22:05] - The Church’s Role in Nurturing Families
• [23:42] - Congregational Commitment and Prayer
• [25:08] - Gifts and Blessings for Families
• [26:20] - Introduction to the Susquehanna Baptist Association
• [41:52] - Church Growth: More Babies and Sharing Jesus
• [42:18] - Introduction to Revelation 3 and Laodicea
• [43:51] - The Problem of Spiritual Lukewarmness
• [45:52] - Jesus’ Rebuke: Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm
• [49:17] - The Sin That Makes Jesus Sick
• [55:52] - Self-Examination and the Call to Repentance
• [67:29] - Jesus’ Prescription for Renewal
• [70:04] - Jesus Stands at the Door and Knocks
• [72:36] - Invitation to Salvation and Rededication
• [81:01] - Celebrating Lives Rededicated to Christ

Bible Reading

Revelation 3:14–22 (ESV) — > “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
> “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea, what was their spiritual condition, and how did they view themselves? ([46:08])
2. What does Jesus say He will do because the church is lukewarm? ([45:52])
3. What three things does Jesus counsel the church to “buy” from Him, and what do they represent? ([01:07:29])
4. In the sermon, what role does the church family play in supporting parents and children? ([22:05])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus say He would rather the church be “hot or cold” instead of lukewarm? What does this reveal about His expectations for His followers? ([45:52])
2. The Laodicean church measured their health by their wealth and comfort. Why is this a dangerous way to assess spiritual health? ([58:05])
3. The sermon says lukewarmness is often invisible to those who have it. Why do you think it’s so hard to recognize spiritual apathy in ourselves? ([58:27])
4. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for an invitation. What does this teach us about how Jesus relates to us when we are spiritually distant? ([01:10:04])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described parenting as a “sacred trust” and emphasized the church’s role in supporting families. If you are a parent, what is one way you can invite the church family into your parenting journey? If you are not a parent, how can you intentionally support a family in our church this month? ([22:05])
2. Jesus’ strongest rebuke was for lukewarmness, not open rebellion. Looking at your own life, are there areas where you have become spiritually comfortable or apathetic? What is one step you can take this week to rekindle your passion for Christ? ([49:17])
3. The sermon challenged us to examine whether we measure our spiritual health by comfort, success, or by our passion for Jesus. What is one “comfort” or “success” you tend to rely on instead of Christ? How can you shift your focus back to Him? ([58:05])
4. The prescription for lukewarmness was to seek true riches in Christ, put on His righteousness, and receive spiritual sight. Which of these three do you most need to pursue right now, and what would that look like in your daily life? ([01:07:29])
5. Jesus calls us to honest self-examination and repentance. What is one practical way you can make space for self-examination this week (e.g., journaling, prayer, talking with a trusted friend)? ([55:52])
6. Revival begins with individuals. Is there a specific area where you sense Jesus “knocking” on the door of your heart? What would it look like to open that door to Him this week? ([01:10:04])
7. The sermon mentioned that lukewarmness can do more harm to the church’s witness than outright opposition. How might your spiritual temperature affect those around you—at home, at work, or in church? What is one way you can be a source of spiritual encouragement to someone else this week? ([56:06])