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Am I A Lukewarm Christian? Introduction: After the first of the year a lot of stores take inventory. They want to find out what is actually in the store versus what should be in the store. Sometimes they find out that some things are missing, stolen, misplaced, or just plain gone. As Christians we are to examine ourselves, 2 Corinthians 13.5. Why? Because we need to see if our lives are actually what they are supposed to be. I) Are We Measuring Up? A) Think parable of the Sower, Luke 8 1. Do we assume we are the good soil? Why? 2. Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live your life? B) What chokes out the word of God in our lives? 1. "Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." -- David Goetz. 2. What worldly things do we have to watch out for? C) Revelation 3.14ff 1. Understanding what is hot and cold. 2. The one group we know for certain was displeasing to the Lord was the "lukewarm" Christians. a. Note they were Christians, had obeyed the Gospel, and were a part of the local congregation. b. They were not totally apostate, perverting the Gospel of Christ, but they were not pleasing to the Lord. B) Some Traits of Lukewarm Christians A) Go to church, give money to charities and the Lord. 1. But it is out of the surplus and not the first fruits. 2. The lacking element is the heart and proper purpose, Isaiah 29.13. B) Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when there is a conflict. 1. They desire to fit in with the people at church and away from church. 2. They are more concerned over what people think of them than what God thinks. Luke 6.26; Matthew 23.5-7. C) Don't want to be saved from their sins, only to be saved from the penalty of their sins. 1. Are we truly sorry for sinning against God or sorry we got caught. a. Getting caught and the shame is often what brings about repentance but it should be deeper than that. b. We should love God enough to want to do His will and be upset when we don't. 2. Don't really believe their new life is Christ is better than the old one. John 10.10. D) Are moved by stories of people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. 1. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers. How many times do we read the Bible and then say, "I can't really do that" or "But we live in the real world." 2. We are told to be doers of the word and not merely listeners, James 1.22. E) Gauge their morality or goodness by comparing themselves to the secular world. 1. Israel often thought they were better than the nations around them, and they were, but that was not good enough. 2. We can always find someone not as good as us but that is not the standard. Luke 18.11-2. F) Say the love Jesus, and He is a part of their lives, but only a part. 1. He isn't allowed to control their lives, Luke 9.52-62. 2. In like fashion they love God but not with all their heart, mind, and soul. G) Love others but not as much as themselves, Matthew 5.43-47 1. There are limits to how much they are willing to forgive or sacrifice for others. 2. In a me first society it is hard to think of others first. H) Think of life here on earth and then eternity in heaven 1. This week's schedule, next month's vacation, retirement, etc. 2. Heaven becomes an afterthought but this week's schedule is more real. I) Do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. 1. They are willing to do the minimum, "good enough" but nothing more. 2. How far can I go before it is considered a sin? 3. How much do I have to give? instead of, How much can I give? Conclusion: As we look at this year we need to look at ourselves, 2 Corinthians 13.5. Jesus ask for us to follow Him, place Him first in our lives, and take up our cross. Those who do so will not be lukewarm but pleasing to Him.
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