"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, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. – Revelation 3v15-16
I don’t drink it much any more, but when I lived in Alabama there was nothing like a huge glass of iced sweet tea on a hot summer day. I remember working in 100 degree heat (Fahrenheit of course J ) with sweat gushing from every pore in my body. The day wore on and finally I would come home from work, walk in the door, and get my favourite glass, fill it with ice, pour in the tea, and gulp it straight down. Cool, refreshing, marvellous!
Now that I live in Ireland I still love tea. There is nothing like a hot cuppa anytime of the year, especially on a cold, wet, windy winter (or summer) day. The tea steams and you warn your hands around the cup. Hot, comforting, marvellous
Ice cold tea is refreshing. A hot cuppa is comforting. But what about lukewarm sweet tea? Or, even worse, tepid hot tea? Every so often I forget that I have a cup of tea by my side. I finally grab it and take a big gulp. YUCK! All I want to do is find a place to spit it out! GROSS!!!
With that little bit of background we get a picture of what Jesus us saying here. The church was not cool and refreshing and it was not hot in its service. It was tepid, cool, nasty, yucky, and sickening. Lukewarm - what a rotten place to be.
Just like that nasty cup of tea that makes me want to spew it out this church made Jesus sick. Sadly, lukewarmness is the natural state. Ice tea tends to get warm, the ice melts and it gets diluted. A hot cuppa cools off, the milk forms a nasty film on the surface, and it just gets gross.
Isn’t is sad when a church or a Christian gets lukewarm? Worse than sad – it is sickening.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A little strength
"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. – Revelation 3v8
The church at Philadelphia did not really have it any better than any of the other churches. It was tough being a church in those days. No one accepted them and many openly opposed them. The government persecuted them. They didn’t have much, but they had what counted.
This church had a little strength, but it was enough. That little strength gave them the ability to do two mighty things; they kept God’s word and they did not deny His name despite all that was going on around them.
It doesn’t take much to stay faithful. He doesn’t take much to do right. God uses the weak things of this world to defeat the mighty things.
We have accepted the line that we need to fight God’s battles with earthly weapons of money and resources. In reality we don’t need much material might to do what really counts, do we?
How are we all doing when it comes to keeping His word and not denying His name? Do we keep His word when we depend on our strength and wisdom? Do we not deny His name when we think we can use our political might to make sure everything is going ‘our way’ in our society?
When we stay true to Christ and His word we can be assured that He sets before us an open door that no man can shut. We don’t have that promise when we kick the door open in our own strength.
The church at Philadelphia did not really have it any better than any of the other churches. It was tough being a church in those days. No one accepted them and many openly opposed them. The government persecuted them. They didn’t have much, but they had what counted.
This church had a little strength, but it was enough. That little strength gave them the ability to do two mighty things; they kept God’s word and they did not deny His name despite all that was going on around them.
It doesn’t take much to stay faithful. He doesn’t take much to do right. God uses the weak things of this world to defeat the mighty things.
We have accepted the line that we need to fight God’s battles with earthly weapons of money and resources. In reality we don’t need much material might to do what really counts, do we?
How are we all doing when it comes to keeping His word and not denying His name? Do we keep His word when we depend on our strength and wisdom? Do we not deny His name when we think we can use our political might to make sure everything is going ‘our way’ in our society?
When we stay true to Christ and His word we can be assured that He sets before us an open door that no man can shut. We don’t have that promise when we kick the door open in our own strength.
Monday, July 13, 2009
You are dead
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. – Revelation 3v1-2
The Sardis church had made a name for herself. She had quite a reputation. Everyone talked about how strong she was. She had a reputation for being alive and vibrant. It sounds something like certain aspects of the church, especially in the west, today. For the last 20-30 years the church in America and other parts of the west has had a good name for herself. She too has been alive and vibrant. She has hobnobbed with presidents and prime ministers.
All the while something has been happening on the inside. No matter how alive she has seemed, like the church at Sardis she too has been dying on the inside. The church has become so much like the world that it is hard to see how she is different.
The answer to the problem? Be watchful and strengthen the little that is left, those things that are about to die. The works of the church might seem great to the outside, but they are lacking before God.
It has seemed that the church truly thrives when she is not popular. Persecution and opposition make us truly strong and alive. We all fear that kind of opposition. It has been nice to be favoured by the world, but have we gained that while losing favour with God?
The Sardis church had made a name for herself. She had quite a reputation. Everyone talked about how strong she was. She had a reputation for being alive and vibrant. It sounds something like certain aspects of the church, especially in the west, today. For the last 20-30 years the church in America and other parts of the west has had a good name for herself. She too has been alive and vibrant. She has hobnobbed with presidents and prime ministers.
All the while something has been happening on the inside. No matter how alive she has seemed, like the church at Sardis she too has been dying on the inside. The church has become so much like the world that it is hard to see how she is different.
The answer to the problem? Be watchful and strengthen the little that is left, those things that are about to die. The works of the church might seem great to the outside, but they are lacking before God.
It has seemed that the church truly thrives when she is not popular. Persecution and opposition make us truly strong and alive. We all fear that kind of opposition. It has been nice to be favoured by the world, but have we gained that while losing favour with God?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Hold fast
"Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. – Revelation 2v24
There were some issues at Thyatira. Though the church is commended for some good things they has a allowed a dreadful false teacher to creep in. Jesus here calls her ‘Jezebel.’ Her teaching was that it was acceptable to practice sexual immorality and to seat foods that had been sacrificed to idols. The Thyatirans had allowed her to carry on with the false teaching. Jesus words for her and her followers were very clear – they would be judged severely if they did not repent.
A few folks however remained faithful. They held on and would not accept her teachings. To them Jesus simply said ‘hold fast until I get there.’
At first those do not appear to be very encouraging words. ‘I know its tough, but you need to hold on till I get there.’ That means that those who live in the midst of error have quite a job to do. It would be a lot easier if Jesus would just wipe out the false teachers. That is not how He made us though. People have a free will. We are free to make choices. He never promised to provide a way out of all this stuff. Sometimes He just wants us to hold on.
We have all been there. We have all had times when all we can do is to hold on by our fingertips and wait it out. The wonderful truth is that we don’t have to do that by ourselves. Jesus is our strength and our power. He is right here by our sides holding us up as we ‘hold fast’ to the truth.
In the midst of this wicked and perverse generation we too must ‘hold fast’ till He comes again.
There were some issues at Thyatira. Though the church is commended for some good things they has a allowed a dreadful false teacher to creep in. Jesus here calls her ‘Jezebel.’ Her teaching was that it was acceptable to practice sexual immorality and to seat foods that had been sacrificed to idols. The Thyatirans had allowed her to carry on with the false teaching. Jesus words for her and her followers were very clear – they would be judged severely if they did not repent.
A few folks however remained faithful. They held on and would not accept her teachings. To them Jesus simply said ‘hold fast until I get there.’
At first those do not appear to be very encouraging words. ‘I know its tough, but you need to hold on till I get there.’ That means that those who live in the midst of error have quite a job to do. It would be a lot easier if Jesus would just wipe out the false teachers. That is not how He made us though. People have a free will. We are free to make choices. He never promised to provide a way out of all this stuff. Sometimes He just wants us to hold on.
We have all been there. We have all had times when all we can do is to hold on by our fingertips and wait it out. The wonderful truth is that we don’t have to do that by ourselves. Jesus is our strength and our power. He is right here by our sides holding us up as we ‘hold fast’ to the truth.
In the midst of this wicked and perverse generation we too must ‘hold fast’ till He comes again.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
A New Name
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." ' – Revelation 2v17
A different kind of thought this morning. When I was in seminary many moons ago I took a course on Revelation. As a part of that course we had to study the difficult phrase of the book. One of those sections was this verse.
I still am not sure what the hidden manna, the white stone, or the new name are. I suspect that I am not going to know until I get to heaven. These are all given to the ‘overcomers.’ The overcomers of course are those who have overcome sin and the world through the power of Christ. All those who are not overcomers in Christ will fall by the wayside before we ever get there.
I am intrigued by the ‘new name’ aspect of this verse. I still don’t know what it is, but find it kind of special that Christ has a new name for me waiting in heaven. I really like my name. ‘Roger’ has a great history and a great meaning. It means ‘a mighty spearman’ and its usage is ancient.
As much as I like that name I am looking forward to the new name that Jesus has for me. Part of the fun of this is in the mystery. It gives us something else will look forward to. Others may still call me ‘Roger’ in heaven, but Jesus has a name for me that only He and I will know!
A different kind of thought this morning. When I was in seminary many moons ago I took a course on Revelation. As a part of that course we had to study the difficult phrase of the book. One of those sections was this verse.
I still am not sure what the hidden manna, the white stone, or the new name are. I suspect that I am not going to know until I get to heaven. These are all given to the ‘overcomers.’ The overcomers of course are those who have overcome sin and the world through the power of Christ. All those who are not overcomers in Christ will fall by the wayside before we ever get there.
I am intrigued by the ‘new name’ aspect of this verse. I still don’t know what it is, but find it kind of special that Christ has a new name for me waiting in heaven. I really like my name. ‘Roger’ has a great history and a great meaning. It means ‘a mighty spearman’ and its usage is ancient.
As much as I like that name I am looking forward to the new name that Jesus has for me. Part of the fun of this is in the mystery. It gives us something else will look forward to. Others may still call me ‘Roger’ in heaven, but Jesus has a name for me that only He and I will know!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Don’t be afraid of what is coming
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. – Revelation 2v10
The other night I was talking with some friends about the way things are in the world today. The economic situation is scary. The political situation is scary. The social situation is scary. And even worse for us, the situation for Christians is not looking great either. Our rights and liberties and freedom to proclaim God’s word are under threat. Simply preaching God’s word may soon see us charged with things like, ‘inciting hatred.’
One of my friends asked me – ‘So what are we going to do?’ I told her that we can be glad that we are God’s children in the midst of all of this.
The church at Smyrna was in a similar situation. Jesus tells them here that some of them are about to go to jail. He told them that they were about to face real trials and tribulations. And He told them what to do.
‘Don’t be afraid of the things you are about to suffer,’ Jesus said, but – ‘be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.’
What do we do in scary times? We be faithful and look to the end. When the end finally comes there will be no poverty, no suffering, no imprisonment, no testings, and no tribulation. There will only be eternity with Christ and the reward of a crown of life.
It may get tough folks – by God’s grace may we stay faithful.
The other night I was talking with some friends about the way things are in the world today. The economic situation is scary. The political situation is scary. The social situation is scary. And even worse for us, the situation for Christians is not looking great either. Our rights and liberties and freedom to proclaim God’s word are under threat. Simply preaching God’s word may soon see us charged with things like, ‘inciting hatred.’
One of my friends asked me – ‘So what are we going to do?’ I told her that we can be glad that we are God’s children in the midst of all of this.
The church at Smyrna was in a similar situation. Jesus tells them here that some of them are about to go to jail. He told them that they were about to face real trials and tribulations. And He told them what to do.
‘Don’t be afraid of the things you are about to suffer,’ Jesus said, but – ‘be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.’
What do we do in scary times? We be faithful and look to the end. When the end finally comes there will be no poverty, no suffering, no imprisonment, no testings, and no tribulation. There will only be eternity with Christ and the reward of a crown of life.
It may get tough folks – by God’s grace may we stay faithful.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Poor, but rich
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)… - Revelation 2v9
The next church on the list is the church at Smyrna. I am not sure, but I think this is the only church of which Christ has nothing negative to say. John sends this message from Jesus – ‘I know how hard you have worked. I know that you are suffering. I know that you are dreadfully poor. But you are not really poor, in fact you are rich.’
Rich poverty is one of those great oxymorons of the scriptures. How can those who know very well that they are poor be called rich? How can people who are just barely struggling along trying to make ends means have any idea that they are the truly wealthy ones.
We are going to see in the next few days a church that is the opposite, who thought they were rich but had nothing. It is clear that the Bible does not tie material wealth to true riches. It is of course possible to be rich in both ways, but it rarely happens. You can’t serve both God and money. It is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven because his wealth is so hard to give up.
Even the world recognises to some extent that wealth is not tied to possessions. We would agree that true wealth is measured by family, friends, and contentment. God’s children would go a step further and say that true wealth is a right relationship with God because family and friends are going to pass away one day, but our relationship to God is for eternity.
Poor, but rich. I have a feeling that is a concept that we are going to need in the years to come.
The next church on the list is the church at Smyrna. I am not sure, but I think this is the only church of which Christ has nothing negative to say. John sends this message from Jesus – ‘I know how hard you have worked. I know that you are suffering. I know that you are dreadfully poor. But you are not really poor, in fact you are rich.’
Rich poverty is one of those great oxymorons of the scriptures. How can those who know very well that they are poor be called rich? How can people who are just barely struggling along trying to make ends means have any idea that they are the truly wealthy ones.
We are going to see in the next few days a church that is the opposite, who thought they were rich but had nothing. It is clear that the Bible does not tie material wealth to true riches. It is of course possible to be rich in both ways, but it rarely happens. You can’t serve both God and money. It is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven because his wealth is so hard to give up.
Even the world recognises to some extent that wealth is not tied to possessions. We would agree that true wealth is measured by family, friends, and contentment. God’s children would go a step further and say that true wealth is a right relationship with God because family and friends are going to pass away one day, but our relationship to God is for eternity.
Poor, but rich. I have a feeling that is a concept that we are going to need in the years to come.
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