When you're a Christian, your walk with God can be described in multiple ways. You can be a new Christian who recently got saved and on fire, Christian who's passionate about God and serving him. And then there's the lukewarm Christian that isn't on fire for God. And I found that many struggling believers identify with being a lukewarm Christian, but I don't feel like many of them actually know what being lukewarm means. So in this video we're going to go through the passage that talks about the lukewarm church and explain to you what it means to be a lukewarm Christian. And then we're going to cover five steps on what to do if people are lukewarm. So before we talk about the steps, let's go through what it means to be lukewarm. So let's read revelation chapter three, verses 14 to 15. And to the angel of the church of the loud to sins. Right. These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. In revelation chapters two and three, Jesus spoke to seven different churches to either lovingly correct them or to encourage them to continue doing what's right. And of the seven churches, five needed to be corrected. And the church mentioned here in revelation 314 that was located in loud issue needed to be corrected. And Jesus says that he knows their works and that they're neither cold nor hot, and that he wishes that the church was either cold or hot. and I've heard it taught that being hot meant being on fire for God. And being cold meant being against God. And this is the teaching that I disagree with. And the teaching goes like this. God doesn't like it when people are lukewarm. So he'd prefer it if Christians were hot and on fire for God, or cold and hostile towards God. And the reason why is because at least both sides are honest about their view on Jesus. but if someone's lukewarm, They're a Christian. They're just not a serious one and not on fire. And they don't reject God, but they're just kind of they're. So these lukewarm Christians probably have a lower chance of being saved because they don't see their need for God, because they think they have God in their life already. And God doesn't like lukewarm Christians that don't make a decision to follow him fully. So he'd prefer it if they were cold and just didn't follow Jesus, because there would probably be a greater chance in reaching a person who openly rejected God than for a person who didn't really care. And I have some reasons why I disagree with this teaching, and the first reason is based on the geographical context of love. To see a lot to see. It was a city located in modern day Turkey and six miles north of loudest. There was another city called Hierapolis. And ten miles southeast of Lough Dacia was a city named Colossae. And what's interesting is that Hierapolis was known for its hot springs, and the waters there were used for therapeutic reasons. And Colossae here was known for its cold and refreshing waters, which were used for drinking. And, according to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, allowed to see. Despite it being a wealthy city, lacked water. So they in their wealth had a system of pipes laid out to direct water to them. But by the time the water got to allow to see them, the water was lukewarm. So note that hot water was a good thing because it was useful for its medicinal purposes, and cold water was a good thing because it was used for its refreshment. So I'd argue that being hot and being cold are good things, because Hierapolis had good, hot water and Colossae had good cold water. So let's continue and look at revelation chapter three, verse 16. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. You see, the thing that's bad about being lukewarm is the fact that there's no use for lukewarm water. It's not hot and it can't be used for healing. And it's not cold enough to offer refreshment. It does nothing. And I find that this interpretation makes more sense than cold referring to people being against God. Because I disagree with the teaching that God would rather have people disagree or hate him. Because God's heart is always for people to repent and turn to him. So I don't think it makes much sense for God to say, I wish all of you were against me, as opposed to being lukewarm. Another big reason why I disagree with this teaching is because I think that true followers of God are still sinners, and we all have the potential to be lukewarm at different seasons of our life. so, if cold means being against God and God prefers it, if we were cold rather than lukewarm, then that interpretation would tell me that if at any point I'm a lukewarm Christian, God would prefer it if I were against him. And that's not true because God always desires our repentance and for his children to return to him. So here's my interpretation of this passage. God saw the works of this law to see in church, and their faith didn't do anything. Their faith didn't function like hot water and didn't provide healing for the people around them. Nor was their faith like cold water, and that it brought spiritual refreshment to the church. Rather, this church did nothing with their faith. And historically, Leticia was a very wealthy city. So these Christians didn't see a need for them to do much of anything. So with that interpretation, I would say that a lukewarm Christian is one that does nothing with their faith. I'd say that lukewarm Christians could go to church and even Bible study, but their faith doesn't influence or affect anyone around them. Their faith doesn't heal like hot water, and it doesn't offer refreshment or encouragement like cold water would. So when God says he prefers it if they were hot or cold rather than being lukewarm, what he's saying is that he wishes that their faith did something and healed or refreshed people. So if you or someone you know identifies with being a lukewarm Christian and doesn't do anything. Let's talk about how they should respond. So step number one. Pay greater attention to your spiritual needs. Revelation chapter three verse 17. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. In this passage, Jesus spoke of how the loudest beings thought they were rich and had no need of anything. But the reality is that despite the fact that they were financially wealthy. They were spiritually poor. And Jesus describes them as being wretched and miserable. you see the loudest see in church, were full of themselves and were proud. And they only paid attention to their physical needs, which led to them failing to see their spiritual needs. So if you think you're a lukewarm Christian and your faith isn't helping or affecting anyone in any meaningful way. The first step you need to take is to pay greater attention to your spiritual needs. It's important to note that the loudest in church didn't do anything because they were blind to the spiritual realities around them, and they only paid attention to making sure that their physical necessities were met. For them. They looked at their money and were like, we're good. So for you, yeah, you have physical and financial needs, but what are your spiritual needs? Do you need to work on your prayer life, or do you need to learn how to study your Bible in a deeper way? Or do you have any unsaved friends that you need to reach out to? The idea is that while we can be physically and financially all right, we can be spiritually deprived without realizing it. so really reflect and consider the actual state of your spiritual well-being, and then place greater attention on your spiritual needs. Step number two build your character. Revelation chapter three, verse 18. I counsel you to buy from me. Gold refined in the fire. That you may be rich. And white garments that you may be clothed. That the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed. and anoint your eyes with eye salve. That you may see. Immediately after Jesus tells the church the reality of the situation. He tells them to buy gold refined in fire and to purchase white garments. And Jesus did not mean literal gold or actual white garments. They were representative of something, because just in the previous verse. we learned that while they were financially wealthy, they were spiritually poor. So this gold refined in fire, and these white garments to be bought, are meant to be spiritual investments. So I'd argue that this gold here is connected to the treasures that Jesus mentions in Matthew chapter six, verses 19 and 20. 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. So in this passage, Jesus encourages people to not focus on temporary treasures here on earth, but to store treasures in heaven. And if you look at Matthew 25, verse 21, you find that God's servant was rewarded for his faithfulness. And also consider Colossians chapter three, verses 23 and 24. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you. Serve the Lord Christ. So simply put, there is a difference between earthly riches and heavenly riches. earthly riches, is money that saved, spent, and is temporary and heavenly. Riches is the award given to Christians for their faithful service to the Lord In Jesus in Revelation chapter three, verse 18 tells the Lord to see in church to buy gold that's refined in fire. or in other words, store treasures in heaven by faithfully serving the Lord. And the reason why he mentions by fire is because when you truly serve God, God will allow hardship and times of testing to ensure that your work is pure and true. So if you consider yourself lukewarm, the first step is to pay more attention to your spiritual needs. And the next step is to take steps towards actually growing in the spirit. So learn about God. Take steps to study the Bible deeper and start praying seriously. Surround yourself with on fire Christians and start valuing the things that they value. Sign up for that ministry. Try inviting that friend or coworker to church and try sharing the gospel with them. And maybe sign up for that mission trip, or even sign up for that Bible class to help you get deeper. All that to say. Make an intentional and aggressive effort to grow in your faith and in your character. Because by doing so, you'll be purchasing something far greater than gold. Because you'll be gaining character. And the heavenly reward that comes from being faithful. If you have had a question that you have been dying for the Impact Team to answer, tomorrow may be your chance on Sunday, 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. That's tomorrow for most of you guys. We're going to be going through all the questions from the chat. some of the ones that we've been seeing on the comments, we're going to be going through all of the questions. We're going to be trying to answer as many as we can within about an hour and a half time. It's going to be a good time. We're looking forward to it. We hope to see you there. with that, let's get back to the video. Step number three. Feel the fire and turn to God. Revelation chapter three, verses 19 to 20. as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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. In this passage, Jesus talks about how he corrects and disciplines those he loves. and he tells the church of allow to see you to be zealous and to repent and zealous here can mean to pursue earnestly, to strive after, or to exert oneself. So step one see your spiritual needs. Step two take action to grow spiritually. And step three do things that will help stimulate that growth. I want you to see spiritual strength and intimacy with God. And I want you to long for it. Desire it. Fan it to flame and then repent and turn from being lukewarm. So if you're lukewarm and your faith isn't doing anything, understand now that it is a choice that you are making to be lukewarm and that you can do something about it right now. You can be zealous and you can turn. And if you're feeling convicted watching this good. Because Jesus corrects and disciplines those he loves. So instead of doing nothing with your faith, be zealous and start putting things in your life that will propel you forward in your spiritual growth. Right now in my life. I'd say that there are quite a few things that help me stay on fire for God. My best friends Johnny and Jess, who regularly pray with me and encourage me in my ministries, help fuel my fire. Another thing that inspires me is hanging out with my mission team, that's all. Planning to move from California to Japan later this year. Something else that helps is being surrounded by my girlfriend, my mom, my dad, my sister, and my brothers who all have a heart for God and will tell me how God is leading them. And honestly, just hanging out with God in the mornings has really transformed my faith. So for you find at least one thing that you can do right now that will fuel your fire. and do it. And as you do this, look at lukewarmness and know that being lukewarm is not a feeling. It is a choice that you make. And by doing something right now to build your walk with God, you are making the choice to repent. And as you take action, you know that Jesus has a heart for those that are lukewarm and he knocks at the door of your heart, waiting for you to respond to him so that he can have fellowship with you. Step number four overcome being lukewarm. Revelation chapter three, verses 21 to 22. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne. as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. In this passage, Jesus tells the loudest in church what happens when people overcome lukewarmness. And he says that for those who do, he'll grant them the privilege of sitting with him on his throne. So step number four on what to do if you find yourself in a lukewarm state, is to understand that you can actually overcome and win this fight. You see, Jesus is telling us here what the reward is for those who overcome this. And that means that Jesus sees us winning against being lukewarm as a reality. So you need to see it as a reality, too. The word overcome means to conquer. So make sure you have your mentality right as you view your own lukewarmness. This isn't something that you casually do. This is a fight that you engage in with umph and with ferocity. And don't forget that as you fight. According to Romans 837, Christians are more than conquerors. So have the mentality of a victor. When you fight. Because Jesus, the captain of our salvation, already won for us. And if Jesus is on our side, then we have everything we need in order to win. So don't be daunted as you take arms to conquer your lukewarmness, but instead lift your eyes to see the power of the Lord and know that you don't have to fight alone. And finally, step number five. Listen to what God is telling you. Revelation chapter three, verse 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. In this passage, Jesus wraps up his letter to the loudest in church and tells them that if anyone can hear, listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. Son, know this. In the same way that Jesus tells us what to do in Scripture. The Holy Spirit will also urge us, as followers of God, to do something. So if you're watching this video and you feel like God is calling you to do something to fight against your own lukewarmness. Do it. Jesus closes this letter by telling his listeners to hear what the Holy Spirit would say. So if Jesus made it a point to make this verse be the final thought before moving on to the next point, then we should understand its importance. So to make things simple, if you feel like there's something God might be leading you to do right now, and that doing that thing would improve your walk with God and combat your lack of activity. Listen to God. And be obedient to what His Spirit might be leading you to do. Okay. So if you feel like you're lukewarm, remember these two points. Remember that being hot or cold means to do something with your faith, and that being lukewarm means to do nothing with your faith. and in addition to that, if you're lukewarm, follow these five steps. Pay greater attention to your spiritual needs. Build your character, fuel the fire, and turn to God. Overcome being lukewarm and listen to what God is telling you. To close. Understand that if you find yourself being lukewarm, God has a heart for you and is waiting for you to turn to him. His love towards you hasn't changed. And he knows that you have what it takes to win this fight. And remember that one of the keys to winning against Lukewarmness is owning and resting in the truth that Jesus loves you.