How do they relate? Just keep reading. I’ve been sitting here for the past 10 minutes trying to describe the utter joy I just experienced of bathing in a hot shower. Do I have other things I could write about? Yes. are they more important then this hot shower Talk?
You be the judge.
Seriously, it was the best. The first real HOT shower I have had in 7.5 months. Most Of the time it’s cold bucket baths, or lukewarm river baths because of the blazing sun. Showers are rare. And Hot showers??? Never. After I realized this hot shower wasn’t a dream, but real life, I HAD to share this amazing joy with someone, so I tried calling my mom, because of course she would love to hear about this, right? But she didn’t answer. (Maybe because it’s 3am there?)
So now, you get to be the lucky people to hear about hot water, and how LUCKY YOU ARE TO HAVE IT! (If you don’t have it, call me and we can share our experiences.)
You laugh. But try going seven months without hot water, then we will talk.
I love tying in real life scenarios into lessons found in the Bible. I’ve realized most of my sermons on the the race are like this. So naturally, here’s one about hot water.
If you grew up in Christian circles, you’re probably familiar with the term “lukewarm Christian.” A common characterization of a lukewarm Christian goes something like this: The Bible says it’s better to be cold or hot than lukewarm, so in some way it’s better to be an unbeliever than a “lukewarm,” nominal Christian.
Jesus calls the church in Laodicea lukewarm. Revelation 3:14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Jesus makes it clear that this is a dead church. The members of this church see themselves as “rich” and self-sufficient, but the Lord sees them as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (verse 17). Their lukewarm faith was hypocritical; their church was full of unconverted, pretend Christians.
Jesus frequently equates deeds with a person’s true spiritual state: “By their fruit you will recognize them,” and “Every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:16–17). Clearly, the lukewarm deeds of the Laodiceans were not in keeping with true salvation. The deeds of the true believer will be “hot” or “cold”—that is, they will benefit the world in some way and reflect a life transformed. Lukewarm deeds, however—those done without the fire of the Spirit—do harm to the watching world. The lukewarm are those who claim to know God but live as though He doesn’t exist.
Jesus was telling this to the church in Laodicea. Have you ever wondered where the term “lukewarm” comes from? Or why Jesus used this to get their attention?i
Get ready.
‘LUKEWARM’AND LAODICEA
Historians tell us that the city of Laodicea, near what’s now the Turkish city of Denizli, received hot water from about five miles away. The water came through pipes, using a system pioneered by the Romans. But unlike our water-heating systems, the heat wasn’t localized—it started hot, but after five miles in a wooden pipe, very little heat remained. Still, their water wasn’t cold or fresh. So this concept of lukewarm water isn’t a random. Not to Laodiceans. Rather Jesus makes his point to these Christians by drawing from their daily reality.
Laodicean water was lukewarm, and this presented a problem: Their water was useless. As was there christian life.
Wow, and I thought that was just a random phrase used. Nothing in the Bible is at random, everything is worded so specifically and with purpose.
So now you know what the term “lukewarm Christians” come from. Maybe it was something you hadn’t heard before, it was for me!
I want my life to be fire hot for God. Not lukewarm and good for nothing, or cold. I’ve had enough of those showers on the race, and I’m ready for my showers to be HOT. And my faith to be even HOTTER.
