The”L”Word

Written by cycleguy on October 13th, 2016

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Yeah…not that “L” word.

Many churches have their wings clipped. What I mean by that is many churches stop dreaming or they tell themselves “we can’t do that.” You have probably heard the old ditty about The 7 last words of the church: “We never did it that way before.”

The “L” word I’m speaking about this Sunday as I wrap up the series on the 7 churches of Revelation is

LUKEWARM

We have Instagram these days; this short letter is a Nastygram. Laodicea holds the distinction of being the only church of the seven in which Jesus has absolutely nothing good to say. And that negativity is centered around one major problem: Laodicea is inflicted with the “L” disease…it is lukewarm. Not cold. Not hot. Lukewarm. Like water left in a car. Like water in a water bottle after a long bike ride…long after the ice has melted.

The word used for cold in this passage is “icy cold.”

The word used for hot in this passage is “boiling hot.”

Laodicea was tepid. They would have known exactly what Jesus was talking about. They lived near two special sources of water. One was a pool of medicinal springs and the other was pure, cold water.

Laodicea was doing just enough to get by. You know…minimum requirement stuff for being “acceptably” Christian. The result was a spiritual farce. Just enough to ease the guilty conscience but certainly not enough to set the world on fire or to make a difference in lives.

I’m praying OVCF avoids that. I’m praying I avoid that. What about you?

 

9 Comments so far ↓

  1. Betty Draper says:

    I also pray I avoid being lukewarm. We have a new associate pastor who is very good at challenges us to serve the Lord with passion because He had a passion for us. Some do not like it in our church, most do though. The pastor has been there 30 years and would like to do something else so we are in a transition. Transition is threaten to some who do not like their comfort to be shaken. It will be interesting to see who can stand the challenges coming from the pulpit.

  2. Rodney Olsen says:

    The difficulty can be that the drift towards becoming lukewarm can be almost imperceptible.

    Another problem is that our human nature causes us to compare all the time and so we compare ourselves to those around us who don’t yet know Christ. We can see that we are ‘more spiritual’ or we believe that we are living a more ‘moral’ life so we think we’re doing OK. Of course the true indicator is what God requires of us, not what passes for being a ‘good person’ by the world around us.

  3. floyd says:

    It’s a good reminder; I don’t want to be “spewed out”. It takes desire and discipline, but the yoke is easy, the burden light.

    Good reminder, Bill. Praying for you and yours.

  4. One of my favorite Christian songs in “Soul on Fire” by Third Day. What a great reminder to us to not be lukewarm, but be on fire for the Lord. Passion! That’s what we all must have in worship.
    Blessings for Sunday’s service, Bill!

  5. This is a great post. As humans, we all have a tendency to grow lukewarm, and as organizations, groups and families – even churches! – the ability is somehow increased! Great reminder… – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

  6. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! I remember the words about being ‘lukewarm’ and how they would be ‘spit out’. That’s pretty sobering.
    It’s easy to be lukewarm, that way you don’t rock the boat, you don’t insult anyone…just skating by. But that’s not the kind of follower Jesus wants.
    I like the interpretation of hot and cold you offer here. May I be boiling hot in faith!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

  7. Ed says:

    Is Laodicea where Foreigner got the idea for their song “Cold as Ice?” I’m just wondering because their ex-singer is a Christian…Hmmm….and the lyrics are hitting me like “WOW” now!

  8. Pam says:

    Amen, Bill. Praying along with you.

  9. TC Avey says:

    A grave warning we must heed. Sadly I think many churches in America are affected with this.. perhaps our current election is evidence of this, or maybe I’m too quick to judge.