Musing – Might it be that We as a Church are Becoming Lukewarm?

 Hebraic Musing – Might it be that We as a Church are Becoming Lukewarm?

There are much more pleasant topics to write or think about, but this is what the Lord has impressed upon me this week.  Pastors probably wouldn’t choose this topic for a Sunday sermon’ nor would a mid-week Bible study group leader; but that’s exactly why this question is so critically important. 

Is it possible that you, me and/or our church has become lukewarm?  Does Hosea’s message apply today?  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6  NKJV   Might any of these be happening today?

1. Lost our first love - The first letter in Revelation was to the church at Ephesus.  Despite several good things they were commended for, the Lord had this to say to them, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else …." Rev.2:4-5.  Churches get started with good intentions and Christians like us get saved and have great intentions; but then the world pressures come into play.  I still remember how fired up, excited and bold I was going to the office the Monday after I made Jesus my LORD!    

2. Lost focus in our prayers – Prayers tend to be focused on our own needs, wants and desires?   “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt.6:3

3. Failing to receive and teach the baptism of the Holy Spirit as Jesus instructed His disciples in Acts 1:4-5  “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘… but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” And later at Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Can we reach the ends of the earth without the Holy Spirit’s power?

4. Neglected to honor God as Lord of our lives - Salvation requires more than repentance for sins and an acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.  The Son of God deserves to be Lord of every aspect of our lives.  We all know Romans 10:9 – “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe … you will be saved.”  Salvation is his gift, but His Lordship is His requirement.

5. Indifference to Sin - In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, sin was rampant.  Lot was horrified by the sins of the people in those times.  Should we not feel the same way?  Have we become indifferent to sin?  How many of those same sins are becoming accepted by the world around us?  And becoming accepted by the “Church”?

6. Loss of the Fearful Respect of the Lord – The Lord dealt directly when Ananias & Sapphira’s fibs (lies).  And what happened? - “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” Acts 5:11

7. Loss of Commitment to Obedience – How important is obedience?  “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4   Fortunately I grew up with the 10 Commandments on the schoolroom wall!  Where are those commandments now?   Jesus gave us another command the church does not always teach!  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” Matt.28:19

8. Loss of the Joy of Giving – Has the church lost its Joy of Giving?  Has giving, tithing, serving become an obligation instead of a heartfelt “want to”?   “…for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7   To be cheerful givers requires us to love our neighbor more than ourselves.  Hmmm?!?!

Points to ponder

What’s the most important gift you can give your neighbor?

Remember how “on fire” you were right after your salvation experience?  What happened?

It is easier to identify “lukewarmness” in other churches and other people,
but might we also be experiencing some lukewarmness?

♫  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And renew a right spirit within me..  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      February 22, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/
Note – Scripture quotes in Red are direct quotes from Jesus Himself.