Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Loss of First Love Results in a Lukewarm Heart

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered 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.’”  Revelation 3:14-22

A. The Result of Loss of First Love: A Lukewarm Heart – Revelation 3:14-22

1. Severity of a lukewarm condition: Revelation 3:16

2. Self-sufficiency revealed in a lukewarm condition: Revelation 3:17

3. Self-deception revealed in a lukewarm condition: Revelation 3:17

B. The Indicators a Lukewarm Heart is Present

1. Dullness of Christian Practice

a. Half-hearted Obedience: Jeremiah 48:10, Romans 12:11, 1 John 5:3

b. Heartless worship: Isaiah 29:13

2. Decay of Spirituality

a. Powerless lives: 1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

b. Christ-absent Christianity: Revelation 3:20, John 14:21-23

3. Deterioration of Spiritual Relationships

a. First Great Commandment is not shaping our lives: Luke 10:27

b. Second Great Commandment is not directing our lives: Matthew 22:39-40

c. New Commandment is not consuming our lives: John 13:34-35, Philippians 2:19-21