Are You Lukewarm?
Introduction
Every Christian must pause from time to time and look inward. Paul
told the Corinthians, “Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves”
(2 Corinthians 13:5). Self-examination is not optional—it is
necessary. Without it, we risk drifting into spiritual apathy
without realizing it. The Lord’s words to Laodicea in Revelation
3:15–16 remain a piercing warning:
“I know your
works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold
or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm… I will vomit you out of
My mouth.”
Jesus compares
our faith to a drink. Cold water refreshes the weary, hot drink
warms the chilled. Both are useful. Lukewarm, however, is useless.
Lukewarm Christians make no difference in the lives of others. They
neither strengthen the church nor convict the lost. Today we ask:
what does a lukewarm Christian look like? And even more
importantly—am I lukewarm?
Lukewarm
Christians Do Not Put God First
They may claim to love God, but He is not first in their lives.
Jesus said, “No one can serve
two masters” (Matthew 6:24). He commanded,
“Seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). The greatest commandment
is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew
22:37–38). Lukewarm Christians fail here. They allow other
loves—work, family, possessions, self—to take the throne that
belongs to God alone.
Lukewarm
Christians Settle for a Form of Godliness
Paul wrote of those “having a
form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). A
lukewarm Christian attends services occasionally, says prayers
sporadically, and reads the Bible now and then—but only enough to
ease the conscience. They wear the name of Christ without embracing
the power of transformation.
Lukewarm
Christians Love in Theory, Not in Practice
They agree that Christians should love others. They even say they
love their neighbor. But when called to sacrifice time, money, or
effort, they retreat. Jesus said,
“Love your neighbor as
yourself” (Matthew 22:39). He commanded us to care for the
poor, crippled, and blind—those who cannot repay us (Luke 14:12–14).
Lukewarm Christians help only when convenient.
Lukewarm
Christians Delay Obedience with Good Intentions
They say, “Someday I’ll be more faithful. Someday I’ll study more.
Someday I’ll help more.” Yet someday never comes. Paul told the
Ephesians to redeem the time,
“because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Good
intentions without action are worthless.
Lukewarm
Christians Resist Growth
James exhorted believers to receive the Word and
“be doers of the Word, and not
hearers only” (James 1:22). The lukewarm Christian glances into
the mirror of God’s Word and forgets. They do not strive to add
Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5–7) or to bear more fruit. They are
satisfied with the bare minimum.
Lukewarm
Christians Are Silent About Their Faith
They may live moral lives, but they rarely speak of Jesus. Paul
said, “I am not ashamed of the
gospel” (Romans 1:16). Lukewarm Christians hide their light
under a basket. They fear offending more than they fear God.
Lukewarm
Christians Trust in Themselves Rather than God
The rich fool said, “I will
store up… I will build bigger barns” (Luke 12:16–20). God
called him a fool. Lukewarm Christians lean on their own strength,
wealth, or wisdom instead of acknowledging God as their source and
sustainer.
Questions
for Self-Examination
Paul told us to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). Let us ask:
-
Do I choose
character over comfort, holiness over happiness?
-
Do I draw
near to God often in prayer and study?
-
Do I place
God’s glory above my own preferences?
If these
questions sting, perhaps the Lord is warning us. He calls us to
leave lukewarmness and burn brightly for Him.
Are You Lukewarm? Sermon
Outline
-
Introduction
-
I. God
Must Be First
-
II.
Settling for a Form of Godliness
-
III.
Love in Theory but Not in Practice
-
IV.
Delayed Obedience
-
V.
Resistance to Growth
-
VI.
Silence About Faith
-
VII.
Trusting Self Instead of God
-
VIII.
Questions for Self-Examination
-
Am I
choosing holiness over comfort?
-
Am I
drawing near to God daily?
-
Am I
seeking His glory above mine?
Call to
Action
The Lord cannot use lukewarm Christians. He calls us to be hot—to
burn with zeal, love, and obedience. Examine your heart. Are you
lukewarm? Or are you on fire for Christ? Choose today to repent of
half-hearted service and return to wholehearted devotion. Do not
wait for “someday.” Make today the day you decide to put God first,
love fully, serve sacrificially, and speak boldly.
Key
Takeaways
-
God demands
first place in our lives (Matthew 6:33)
-
Lukewarm
religion deceives us (2 Timothy 3:5)
-
Real love
requires sacrifice (Luke 14:12–14)
-
Good
intentions must become faithful action (Ephesians 5:16)
-
Growth is
expected of every Christian (James 1:22–25)
-
We must not
be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16)
-
Trusting in
ourselves leads to ruin (Luke 12:20)
Scripture
Reference List
-
2
Corinthians 13:5 – Self-examination
-
Revelation
3:15–16 – Warning against lukewarmness
-
Matthew
6:24, 33 – Serving God alone, seeking first His kingdom
-
Matthew
22:37–39 – Greatest commandments: love God and neighbor
-
2 Timothy
3:5 – Form of godliness without power
-
Luke
14:12–14 – Serve those who cannot repay
-
Ephesians
5:15–16 – Redeem the time
-
James
1:21–25 – Be doers of the Word
-
Romans 1:16
– Not ashamed of the gospel
-
Luke
12:16–20 – The rich fool
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
