Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Truth for Today
Occasionally I (the devo author, John MacArthur) am asked by young men seeking to pastor a church if I know of a church without any problems. My response to them is, "If I did, I wouldn't tell you; you'd go there and spoil it." The point is that there are no perfect churches. Churches struggle because all are made up of imperfect sinning people. The church is not a place for people with no weaknesses; it is a fellowship of those who are aware of their weaknesses and long for the strength and grace of God to fill their lives. It is a kind of hospital for those who know they are sick and needy.
Reflecting on the Text
1. Regarding the letter to the church at Laodicea, John R. W. Stott has written: "Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth-century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion." How would you describe your spiritual temperature - hot, cold, or lukewarm? Why?
2. The church at Sardis had a reputation for being spiritually alive and vibrant, but in reality it was dead. Can you think of any ways in which your spiritual reputation exceeds your true spiritual situation? How is God calling you to change?
3. The church at Philadelphia was commended for keeping Christ's word and for persevering in the face of trouble and hardship. What qualities do you think Christ might affirm in your life?
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6 comments:
1. For the most part I would consider my spiritual temp as hot. I want to serve the Lord and I want Him to work through me. I pray everyday that I would not be lukewarm, and ask Him to forgive me when I struggle with lukewatm attitudes. Being cold for God is not something I struggle with right now.
2. I can't think of any way right now...not because I think I've arrived, but I am an open person. Who I am in public is who I am all the time.
3. My dedication to His Word, my desire to live biblically, and my passion to see lives changed.
1. Well I know i was lukewarm because for a long time I was just kind of there, but lately through my devos and everyday life I'm trying to become more and more warm.
2. Sometimes as a pastors kid people expect you to be at a certaing ""spiritual level" and I havent always been at that level.
3. The fact that I am able to stand up for what I believe in and I dont care if the rest like it or not.
1. Lukewarm, because i want to be a better servant for God.
2. i witness to friends even if they don't listen. to be a better servant for him.
3. That I am able to stand up and be a witness for Christ in my school even if no one else is standing with me.
1.well, it has sadly just been lukewarm. i know you cant really be standing still in your relationship with God, but i've just been up and down in my relationship with him. Its kinda sad, but hopefully it will change.
2.well, i think at church im so on fire for God because no one is going to judge me at church for trying to do right for Him. But, even though i go to a Christian school, people will like judge you and be like oh she's such a teachers pet and tries to get everyone t think she's so holy. its really hard.i've noticed lately though that there is more kids who look up to me and want me to do the right thing then the people whp judhe me for it.
3.well, just that like when we have q & a time in Bible i know what im talking about. i think thats a really good thing (lol).
The struggling churches are being rose in numbers and church loan necessity is a growing need as a result. Griffin Church Loans has wonderful solutions for that.
You have written the things so smoothly and wonderfully. I loved it. The church loan necessity for the struggling churches are a lot.
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