First streamed on 4.12.23. First posted on 4.14.23.
Concerning perishable food, when it’s hot it’s safe. When it’s cold, it’s safe.
But when it’s at room temperature, it’s in the danger zone. It’ll make you sick.
Likewise, when the conduct of Christians is hot (like the healing hot springs of Hierapolis), it’s safe. When the conduct of Christians is cold (like the refreshing cold springs of Colossae), it’s safe.
But when it’s at room temperature – when it’s the same spiritual temperature as the ungodly world around us — we’re in the danger zone. And we make Jesus sick (Rev 3:15-16).
Let’s not be lukewarm like the water in Laodicea that was good for nothing.
We want to be useful to the Master; we want to be effective in our ministry. But how can we tell this ungodly world to change if we behave the same?
Human evaluations often differ from divine diagnoses (Rev 3:17); we must see our lives through spiritual eyes. Something that looks good on the outside can still make you spiritually sick on the inside.
And let’s not let self-reliance from worldly endeavors seep into our spiritual lives. We must beware of having material prosperity yet spiritual poverty.
If we have fallen away from the faith, we must strive to gain true (i.e., spiritual) riches (Rev 3:18) – a free gift from Christ that costs us our independence.
In spite of Christ’s harsh words, remember that the Lord disciplines those He loves. We must be zealous (continually) and repent (Rev 3:19).
Jesus offers an invitation to fellowship in the present, and to rule in the future. Those who are victorious by being faithful witnesses – even unto death – will reign with Christ in the consummated Kingdom (Rev 3:20-21).
Whoever has an ear, they must hear (Rev 3:22). We must take heed.
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Revelation 3_14-22 Bible Study Slides 4-12-23
Also see the previous Revelation 3:14-22 Bible Study.
Bibliography
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