Sermon for the Bourbon SDA Church
August 25th,
2001
Hot
and Cold
Revelation
3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church of the
Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the
Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:15 “I know your
works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.16
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you
out of My mouth.17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have
need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind,
and naked—18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you
may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of
your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that
you may see.19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous
and repent.20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.21
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also
overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.22 “He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” [1]
II
Examples of “Hot” & “Cold”
Luke
2:25-26
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose
name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed to him
by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s
Christ.[2]
Matthew
3:4-7
4 And John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with
a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.5 Then
Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him6 and
were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.7 But when he saw
many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,
“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?[3]
2 Kings 2:11
11 Then it happened, as they continued on and
talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and
separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
1 Samuel 9:1-2
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the
son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a
Benjamite, a mighty man of power.2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose
name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children
of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.[5]
Matthew 27:3-5
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned,
was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief
priests and elders,4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And
they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”5 Then he threw down the pieces
of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.[6]
Acts
12:21-23
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel,
sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.22 And the people kept shouting,
“The voice of a god and not of a man!”23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord
struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and
died.[7]
Acts
26:27-28
27 “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I
know that you do believe.”28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me
to become a Christian.”[8]
II
How have we come to this “Luke warm” state?
1 John
2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the
world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not
of the Father but is of the world.17 And the world is passing away, and the
lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Matthew
13:3-9
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.4 “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the
birds came and devoured them.5 “Some fell on
stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang
up because they had no depth of earth.6 “But
when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they
withered away.7 “And some fell among thorns, and
the thorns sprang up and choked them.8 “But
others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty,
some thirty.9 “He who has ears to hear, let him
hear!”
Matthew
13:18-23
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:19
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does
not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in
his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.20 “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who
hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;21 “yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.
For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he
stumbles.22 “Now he who received seed among the
thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.23 “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears
the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a
hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
III
What do we do about this?
From “The Sinews of Peace” Winston Spencer Churchill
March 5th, 1946; Westminster College; Fulton, Mo.
When American military men approach some serious
situation they are wont to write at the head of their directive words “over-all
strategic concept”. There is wisdom in this, as it leads to clarity of thought.
What then is the over-all strategic concept which we should inscribe today?
OVER ALL STRATEGIC CONCEPT:
Revelation
3:18-22
18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire,
that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame
of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve,
that you may see.19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be
zealous and repent.20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with Me.21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I
also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.22 “He who has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
2 Timothy
2:15
15 Be diligent
to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.[13] NKJ OR
Study to shew thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.[14]
KJ
Philippians
2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling;13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good
pleasure.[15]
John 17:3
3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.[16]
Chap. 10 - The Science of Salvation
the First of Sciences. {CE 83.1}
The schools established among us are matters of
grave responsibility; for important interests are involved. In a special manner
our schools are a spectacle unto angels and to men. A knowledge of science of
all kinds is power, and it is in the purpose of God that advanced science shall
be taught in our schools as a preparation for the work that is to precede the
closing scenes of earth's history. The truth is to go to the remotest bounds of
the earth, through agents trained for the work. But while the knowledge of
science is a power, the knowledge which Jesus in person come to impart to the
world was the knowledge of the gospel.
The light of truth was to flash its bright rays into the uttermost parts of the
earth, and the acceptance or rejection of the message of God involved the
eternal destiny of souls. {CE 83.2}
The plan
of salvation had its place in the counsels of the Infinite from all eternity.
The gospel is the
84
revelation of God's love to men, and means
everything that is essential to the happiness and well-being of humanity. The work of God in the earth is of immeasurable
importance, and it is Satan's special object to crowd it out of sight and mind,
that he may make his specious devices effectual in the destruction of those for
whom Christ died. It is his purpose to cause the discoveries
of men to be exalted above the wisdom of God. When the mind is
engrossed with the conceptions and theories of men to the exclusion of the
wisdom of God, it is stamped with idolatry. Science, falsely so-called, has
been exalted above God, nature above its Maker, and how can God look upon such
wisdom? {CE 83.3}
In the
Bible the whole duty of man is defined. Solomon says, "Fear God, and keep
his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." [ECCL. 12:13.] The
will of God is revealed in his written word, and this is the essential
knowledge. Human wisdom, familiarity with the languages of different nations,
is a help in the missionary work. An understanding of the customs of the
people, of the location and time of events, is practical knowledge; for it aids
in making the figures of the Bible clear, in bringing out the force of Christ's
lessons; but it is not positively necessary to know these things. The
way-faring man may find the pathway cast up for the ransomed to walk in, and
there will be no excuse found for any one who perishes through misapprehension
of the Scriptures. {CE 84.1}
In the Bible every vital principle is
declared, every duty made plain, every obligation made evident. The whole duty
of man is summed up by the Saviour. He says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . .
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." [MATT. 13:37, 39.] In the word
the plan of salvation is plainly delineated.
85
The gift of eternal life is promised on condition of
saving faith in Christ. The drawing power of the Holy Spirit is pointed out as
an agent in the work of man's salvation. The rewards of the faithful, the
punishment of the guilty, are all laid out in clear lines. The Bible contains
the science of salvation for all
those who will hear and do the words of Christ. {CE 84.2}
IIII
So there is a science and a method by which we can become “HOT”
B.
We
know what it is:
1.
Know Jesus Christ and The Father:
2.
Study
3.
Work
4.
Pray
C.
Are
we doing any of this?
IVI
CARES OF THIS WORLD AND THE CULTURE OF THE MODERN HOME AND WORLD
a
In the climate of my home, there is little I can do in improving my
spiritual situation. If I start something, I’ll admit that I’m not the paragon
of strength that I’m supposed to stand for. I’ll lose face at the head of the house. I’ll admit my weaknesses
which I must never do. I’ll be following someone else’s directions which is a
loss of manhood for me. Men never ask for directions. Further,
I have a basic antagonist attitude about all this. This is within, and not accord to my intellectual understanding.
C.
1.
PRAYER
a
We don’t pray, because it’s not our habit
b
There isn’t time
c
I have no private place not time
d
We have family prayer, but it’s formal
i
We have no husband, wife, children prayer time
2.
STUDY
a
I’m
not a reader
b
I
don’t have any tapes or videos
c
I
spend my spare time relaxing with the TV
d
It’s
not my habit.
e
I didn’t like it in school. I don’t like it now
f
I don’t have the time
g
It’s not interesting – I’m lukewarm
3.
WORK
a
I need direction in who to work for and how
b
I’m embarrassed to talk to other people about religion
c
You can’t work your way to heaven!
d
I am working – on my house, my job, my hobby
e
I don’t have the time
f
I’m not interested - I’m
lukewarm
g
I don’t approve of how we’re working
i
Find some way that you do approve of
D.
The
“Over-all Strategic Plan”
1.
Know Jesus Christ and The Father:
John 14:15
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.[17]
2.
Study
Philippians
4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there
is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.[18]
3.
Work
4.
Pray
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Rejoice always,17
pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit.20 Do not
despise prophecies.21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.22 Abstain from
every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you
completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 He who calls you is faithful, who also
will do it.[19]
[1]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[2]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[3]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[4]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[5]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[6]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[7]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[8]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[9]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[10]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[11]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[12]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[13]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[14]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
[15]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[16]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[17]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[18]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
[19]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.