Jump Start # 193

Revelation 3:17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

 Those Christians at Laodicea were sure mixed up. They thought everything was great. They boasted about how impressive things were. The Lord sure had a different view! He said that they were lukewarm and sickened Him. The Lord didn’t give up on them. There was hope if they would change. We wonder how a group can get this way? Pretty buildings are not an indication of any life on the inside. Some just go through the motions. Never get too excited about anything, especially the Lord.

  The expression that especially grabbed my attention, is when the Laocideans said, “we need nothing.” Excuse me? You need nothing? A church ought to never say that. First of all, we need Jesus. We sing, “I need Thee every hour.” I guess the Laodiceans didn’t know that one. Every member strong? Every member growing? Every member clicking on all cylinders? Don’t need a thing? Every soul in the city of Laodicea converted to Christ? The gospel preached everywhere? All preachers needing money, getting what they need? No problems? No issues? All the teenagers safe in Christ? All marriages solid and wonderful? No one discouraged? No one confused? Everyone giving as they should? No needs? Are you serious!

  A church with no problems is a dead church. Churches that are growing have problems. Growth means change. There will be parking problems, seating problems, problems that new people bring with them. There will be needs for more shepherds, more deacons, more classes, more to be reached with the gospel. A growing church has lots of problems. But that’s ok. If there was no needs, then we don’t need preachers, we don’t need teachers, we don’t need much of anything. Because we have questions, issues, and problems we need. We need more teaching. We need stronger faith. We need more Jesus in our lives.

  I have preached at several very strong and great churches. These were busy places. None of them could say, “we need nothing.”

  But the church at Laodicea felt that way, because the members felt that way. A church is the extension of the members. If the members are weak, the church is weak. If the members are worldly, the church is worldly. If the members are strong, the church is strong. If the members feel that they need nothing, then the church needs nothing.

  We are not talking about a person who gets to a point in life where he doesn’t need any more birthday presents. He declares “I have everything that I need.” This is not the topic here. It is not “stuff” but rather spirituality. Jesus described five deficiencies in that church. He said that they were: wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. That is a terrible state to be in. If I had to choose just one of those, I wouldn’t like the choices. They did not see themselves as Jesus did. They were not even close. They needed everything! They needed to gut the place and start over.

  This lesson tells us that it is possible for a church to see themselves totally wrong. Impressive programs, huge staff of people, and large crowds can be a cover for the reality of what is missing within. Laodicea was lukewarm because the members were. How does a church know? How can a church see itself as God sees it?

  It begins with the members. It begins with you. It begins with me. Stick that spiritual thermometer in your mouth and see what happens. Are you passionate about God? Does the spiritual interest you? Do you think about God outside the church building? Do you open the Bible during the week? Do you pray? I mean really pray to God? Lukewarm people still go to church each week. They wouldn’t miss it for the world. They sing songs in church. They are not “dead,” just lukewarm. Where do you want to be spiritually in five years? What would you like to accomplish for the Lord’s kingdom before you die? What books of the Bible would you like to tackle and really come to know? Ever think those thoughts? Lukewarm doesn’t. What do I need? Not a million bucks, but spiritually? Anything registering on the thermometer?

  The spirit of lukewarmness is thriving in many churches today. Just getting by. Just doing the same thing year after year. Not moving. No challenges. Just the same. Same prayers. Same preaching. Same songs. Same results. The answer to lukewarmness is turning up the heat. Get going and get doing. Raise the temperature by engaging with God, His word and His people.

  A church that needs nothing. Amazing! How sad. It comes from people that need nothing.

I need Thee every hour…

Roger