Are You Lukewarm?

Revelation 3:14-22 is a letter to the Church in Laodicea. We studied this passage at our ladies Bible study this past week, with Debbie Giles leading. It was an eye opener for my soul, and I would like to share a few things that I learned and a few things that stuck out to me.

First, we start with looking at their culture. Laodicea was known for its black wool, eye medicine, and its wealthy, powerful government. However, for them to obtain water, they had to have it piped down from the city of Hierapolis, where they were known for their Hot Springs. The city east of Laodicea, however, was known for its cold, pure water.

With that background knowledge, let’s look at the passage. God, who is writing this letter to the Church of Laodicea, starts out by saying that He knows all the things that they do, and proclaims that they are neither hot nor cold (He wishes they were one or the other), but they are lukewarm.

For Laodicea, they understood the importance of hot or cold water. The hot water in Hierapolis dispensed healing, and the cold pure water from the city to the east was refreshing. Since Laodicea had their water piped down from Hierapolis, by the time it reached them it was lukewarm, and not effective for healing or refreshment, and not very desirable. By God saying that this Church was neither hot nor cold, he was saying that, they as a church were not dispensing healing or refreshment in the ministry. They were lukewarm – they were ineffective.

In one word, this letter is about effectiveness, and not about fervor or passion, which is how it is often taught. There are many examples in scripture where Jesus fans and nurtures faith back to health. Jesus doesn’t want people to ‘hate’ him, as cold is often misconceived as.   

Jesus wants His followers to be about healing and restoring broken people. It’s not about feelings, show, etc. True, deep effective ministry is about healing hearts – and only Jesus can do that.

Examples of this effectiveness are found in the following verses. I encourage you to read through them and let God work. Matthew 10:7, 8; Acts 3:1-10; Matthew 10:42; Matthew 11:28; Acts 3:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4; Colossians 3:12, 13; Colossians 4:6.

How do we stay effective in ministry? We must ask this question, because it is not an automatic thing. We need to remain in prayer. In Acts 13:1-3, the Church did not know what to do next, so they worshiped, fasted, and prayed. The Holy Spirit told them what to do next. Let us look to the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Revelation 3:20 is a well know verse, and many times used for evangelism to the lost. But it is also for the Church. Jesus’ solution to the ineffective ministry at Laodicea was to offer them intimate communion with Himself. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (NLT) It is when we commune with our Savior and Lord that we are able to touch souls for Him.

Is the Church today effective in touching – healing and refreshing – souls for Jesus? Let us examine our goals, our motives, and stay ever so close to the Fountain of Life.