Being Hot in a Lukewarm World

Last Sunday, my husband spoke in church for the first time! He did so great and talked about something that is a constant challenge in the life of a Christ follower– not being lukewarm in our walk with the Lord. And, my parents just happened to be visiting, so it was fun for them to be here for his “sermon debut” 🙂 Since you couldn’t be here for his message and since he did such a great job, I thought that I would share some of his words with you!

“Before I begin, I want to give credit where credit is due. The ideas for this message were based on Francis Chan’s book crazy love from the chapter “profile of the lukewarm.” We start in the story of Matthew 23:1-12 where Jesus is not a happy camper. And why should He be? These people (the scribes and pharisees) are “teachers” of God’s truths and they are living lives that are close to what the Bible says but close isn’t what Jesus is looking for. They try to make themselves look good and essentially use God to benefit themselves instead of using themselves to benefit the kingdom. Sound familiar?  I don’t know about you but that sounds a lot like me.

Last week Ethan (a friend of ours) reminded us that if we truly believe, then the good deeds will follow suit. Because when our hearts are solely after God, we know that saying we believe with our mouths isn’t enough. Jesus calls us to a higher standard of living.

But just because we do good deeds, doesn’t save us from being “lukewarm.” Sometimes, I find myself justifying behavior because I am “usually” a nice person. And God sees me do good deeds so He’ll be ok with me slipping up here and there.

“I read my Bible today so I spent good time with God.” “I definitely deserve these six beers after those long finals.” “I posted this awesome quote or verse about God on facebook so I am doing a good job spreading the love of Christ.””I donated my time to church last week, I think I’m good for the next month or so.”

You guys may be saying, wait Ashkon, I said I believe, and I actually do good deeds to go with my faith, and I still am missing the point? What more can I do? Where does being lukewarm come in?

Francis Chan describes one way of being lukewarm as, “Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this, C.S. Lewis writes, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

I can say that sometimes I am lukewarm because I am not always all in. I love Jesus so much but I easily get lost in the temptations and distractions of this world. I see or hear something that isn’t right and I choose to remain quiet. I see an opportunity to talk about Jesus to someone and I cower. I can make studying my top priority and do that instead of reading my Bible. Where is God in my list of priorities? I can tell you that more often than it should occur, He is not number 1 in my life. James 1:22 says, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James continues in chapter 4 verse 17 and says, “Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” Wait, so in Matthew when Jesus says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” I actually need to do that all the time?

Francis Chan says, Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers.” That definitely sounds like me. Do you guys know who Saeed Abedini is? He is an American-Iranian Pastor who was imprisoned in Iran for his faith. He proclaimed the gospel and is now suffering for it. I think of that story and I am so encouraged by it and I think it is so awesome. And then I look at myself and wonder, would I be willing to do that? Am I willing to risk my life for God? Remember that Jesus said pick up your cross and follow me.

So what can we do as believers to further the kingdom of God? How can we stop being lukewarm and be on fire for God? I don’t have all of the answers but I definitely have some good nuggets that we can use in our daily lives.

1. Pray. Pray without ceasing. -1 Thessalonians 5:17
Paul reminds us to not stop praying. He is saying goodbye in his letter and he is reminding the Thessalonians that prayer is crucial to maintaining contact and a connection with God. Prayer is a great way to exercise our faith and to deepen our relationship with God.

2. Do it all for him. Colossians 3:17 says that anything you do in word or deed do it in the name of Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Everything? You mean school? When I exercise? Every time I eat? Anything.  Although a person’s integrity is often measured by what they do when they are alone, what you do in front of others allows you to make an impact on their lives. But what we must be aware of is that we do not do good things because of others. When I think of the Pharisees, I think of Matthew chapter 7 verse 21-23, Jesus says  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Be giving, be loving, honor God with your actions but do it because you want to glorify Him. You recognize that God is the most important part of your life and that everything else fades in comparison to Him. That is why you do good things. He is worthy.

3. God’s standards not yours. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Boom. You are called to a higher standard. God is wanting more from you because you made the commitment. You called His name. You call yourself His own and as a result, you are held to a higher standard.

4. God sees you! Galatians 6:9 “Do not grow weary in doing good for in due time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up hope.” Work hard to represent God. Be bold. Do good knowing that you are bringing God honor and glory when you do things that are obedient to God’s Word.

5. Jesus has given us the best gift of all. Ephesians 2:8 says that we are saved by grace through faith. No matter our faults and short comings, we are saved. God has made a way where there is no way and now it is up to us to follow the path set out for us. Be encouraged that the battle has been won and it is our duty to go forth and claim the victory. Keep sharing God’s love, keep your eyes focused on the Jesus and be on fire for him.

Matthew 13:44 says “The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Francis Chan tells us “In this account, the man joyfully sold all that he had so that he could obtain the only thing that mattered. He knew that what he had stumbled upon- the kingdom of heaven- was more valuable than anything he had, so he went for it with everything in him.”

My challenge to you is to be like this man. To not just walk the walk but to live the life. Treasure the kingdom and share the wealth! God has called us for a purpose and it is up to us to answer the call.”

 and Ashkon 🙂