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Bible Study 5 Prescriptions for Lukewarm Christianity

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ezra

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this once again is from David Jeremiah .. whether we want to admit it there is little bit of everything in us .that pertains to the 7 churches
our Holiness is Christ in us. beyond that we have nothing and we are nothing. as i have studied the 7 churches today we look at #6 and 7 .church of Philadelphia was the faithful Church Laodicea he was on there case hot and heavy neither hot or cold you make me sick ..ekkk what a bad thing to hear from Christ. so as we read this ..let us consider how we would react if the letters was directed to us..


5 Prescriptions for Lukewarm Christianity


Revelation 3:14–22

Has anyone ever said to you, or have you ever said to another person, "You make me sick!"? Those are strong words, but it's exactly the message Jesus had for the church at Laodicea.

Laodicea was a wealthy city, known for its advances in business, science, and industry. But Jesus had nothing positive to say about the church in this city.

The Laodicean believers were comfortably proud of their own wealth, their own status, and their own accomplishments "for the kingdom." They thought they were prosperous and successful, but in reality, Jesus said they were "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (3:17).

In His letters to the other churches, Jesus was angered by apostasy, but He became positively ill—absolutely disgusted—by the casual indifference of the Laodiceans. He said to the church, "Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (3:16).
This is the only place in the New Testament where the word lukewarm is used. It's actually drawn from the geography of the city. The water at Laodicea was not drinkable, so the city had water pumped in from surrounding cities—hot water from Hierapolis (north) and cold water from Colossae (south). Hot water can be cleansing and healing; cold water can be refreshing. But by the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm and hard to stomach—just like the faith of the church there.
Unfortunately, there are many Laodicean churches today. They have become lukewarm about the Gospel. They have lost their zeal for evangelism, and they don't take a stand on spiritual or moral issues.
Some churches grow vast congregations, increase the variety and number of their programs, and build larger and larger buildings to accomplish their purposes—which they mistake for those of Christ. In reality, He may be pushed outside and left knocking at the door. How sad to think of Him returning to His Church at the end of the age and finding Himself persona non grata!
In light of their lukewarm condition, Christ, the Great Physician, gave the church at Laodicea—and lukewarm churches today—five prescriptions:
  1. For spiritual poverty, Jesus prescribed "gold"—spiritual riches, such as character and virtue, and other blessings and rewards—all refined in the fire of suffering (3:18).
  2. For spiritual nakedness, Jesus prescribed the garments of righteousness (3:18).
  3. For spiritual blindness, Jesus prescribed a spiritual salve that would open their eyes to their true spiritual condition (3:18).
  4. For spiritual compromise, Jesus prescribed repentance and zeal (3:19).
  5. For their spiritual deafness, Jesus prescribed a listening ear, to hear His voice—His knock—and open the door and welcome Him to come in (3:20).
What about you? Are you rich in Christ and in Christlike character? Are you growing in knowledge and in the fullness of His grace (Colossians 1:9–10)? How have you opened the door of your heart to Him lately?
Lord God, give me a heart that burns with love and holy zeal for You! Forgive me for the times I have been lukewarm. Jesus, I gladly open the door of my heart and welcome You to come in today.

Haggai 1:5
Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.
 

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Lukewarm and Spiritual Adultery have the same meaning which = misplace faith. You are proclaiming Jesus, but forsaking the Cross. In other words your Faith is not placed and maintained exclusively in Christ (Who He Is) and the Cross (What He Has Done), i.e., The Finish Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Therefore, the sin nature is reactivated and you are now operating from "The Law of sin and death;" Christ has become no benefit to you. You have fallen from Grace.
 
if you notice i n the last church jesus never took them out even though he was disgusted he stood at the door and knocked giving them another chance --that is what Grace is
 
Once you leave the Cross to fix the problem...on your best day all you can do is patch it up! You cannot fix it. Because only the Cross deals with sin.
 
Once you leave the Cross to fix the problem...on your best day all you can do is patch it up! You cannot fix it. Because only the Cross deals with sin.
easy with the J.S language 1 john 1:9 tells us to confess our sins he will do his part======== grace Jesus takes care of our sins . when we approach the throne of Grace in the right spirit we get mercy grace and help. the cross is the payment for our sin the Resurrection gives us the new lie.. ever notice no body wears a empty tomb necklace . they wear the cross it makes them feel religious
 
Laodicea he was on there case hot and heavy neither hot or cold you make me sick
There is a good case to be made that this church at Laodicea was merely a professing church, but those within were not really saved. This might be true of many churches today, therefore many believe that this church represents Christendom in the last days.
 
There is a good case to be made that this church at Laodicea was merely a professing church, but those within were not really saved. This might be true of many churches today, therefore many believe that this church represents Christendom in the last days.
it is possible it does make a good case of never truly being in the body .one thing for sure the days we are living in are challenging .many proclaim a great end time revival.. not so sure
 
easy with the J.S language 1 john 1:9 tells us to confess our sins he will do his part======== grace Jesus takes care of our sins . when we approach the throne of Grace in the right spirit we get mercy grace and help. the cross is the payment for our sin the Resurrection gives us the new lie.. ever notice no body wears a empty tomb necklace . they wear the cross it makes them feel religious
If you bypass the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, you are leaving God and entering death!

The answer you seek, is found in the Cross. Jesus Christ is the solution for mankind - there is no other! It takes the Power of God to set the captive free. Many bypass the Cross for their solutions and Grace is cancelled. These problems we face are too severe to be talked out of anybody. Bondage (taskmasters are demon spirits that come to afflict - Exodus 1:11) can be broken only by the Power of God. This is why Jesus had to come from Heaven and die on the Cross in order that the power of sin may be broken. Sin has a power behind it and his name is Satan.

If a Christian will and their efforts to live for God is in anything except Christ and the Cross, i.e., Finished Work, The Blood of Jesus (Romans 8:2), Satan can override your will and force you to do things you don't want to do and trying not to do (Ephesians 6:12). Our willpower is routed in flesh. This is why Jesus said deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me (Luke 9:23). In other words, receive my benefits daily I have provided for you.

The Christian is doomed to failure if he thinks he can face the sin business and simply say yes or no. That's not the way it works. Those who try that (and almost all have) will conclude by failing every time. You may win for awhile, but after awhile, you're going to fail.

Now, stop and think about this for a moment: If it were possible for us to defeat sin and the attacks of Satan by willpower, then Jesus would not have had to come down here and die on a Cross. He could have merely taught us how to function within our willpower, and that would have solved the problem.

However, He didn't do that, did He? The truth is, the problem of sin is so deadly that it took the Cross to defeat this monster, and even then, we have to have the help of the Holy Spirit to get this thing done. That's why Paul said, "But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (God the Father) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).

This tells us that sin is so powerful that it takes the same power to overcome this thing as it did to raise Jesus from the dead, which, of course, is the power of the Holy Spirit. Understanding that, we should come to the conclusion that our personal willpower is totally inadequate.

However, most Christians little understand the victory of the Cross and try to do this thing on their own, which always results in failure.

The majority of Christians know nothing about the Cross of Christ for sanctification. Justification delivers us from the penalty of sin, while sanctification delivers us from the power of sin. The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

Because we are in this body of flesh, as Paul said, "We have not been perfected yet (Philippians 3:12-13)," and because we have a enemy within and a enemy without (the world, the flesh, and the Devil), you can still get tired of trusting. This is why the scripture says:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

JSM
 
i respect jsm just like i do many other ministers.. i have come to where i am by my personal study not what thus saith bro ------- has to say
The majority of Christians know nothing about the Cross of Christ for sanctification. Justification delivers us from the penalty of sin, while sanctification delivers us from the power of sin.
justification is declared righteous /not guilty / just as if we never sinned because of what Christ done .with out the Resurrection there would be no new life .
sanctification is being set apart being made holy 3 steps
 
the cross payment for our sins Resurrection brings new life you cant have salvation with out either one . its like trying make flour gravy with or milk or flour it takes both
 
the cross payment for our sins Resurrection brings new life you cant have salvation with out either one . its like trying make flour gravy with or milk or flour it takes both
Again,“Is the Atonement found solely in the Cross or the Resurrection?”
 
the Atonement
to be technically correct the atonement is in the blood w/o shedding of Blood there is no remission of sins Romans 8:
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
 
Again,“Is the Atonement found solely in the Cross or the Resurrection?”
again read my post with out the Resurrection we could not be BORN AGAIN /saved with out the cross there is no forgiveness of sins. have a good night if you dont like my answer ask JSM
 
again read my post with out the Resurrection we could not be BORN AGAIN /saved with out the cross there is no forgiveness of sins. have a good night if you dont like my answer ask JSM
While the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Exaltation of Christ were of utmost significance, still, these tremendous attributes were the result of what Jesus did at the Cross. This means that it was and is the Cross, which made and makes it all possible.

"…, Behold the Lamb of God (Christ Crucified - 1 Cor. 1:23), which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 1 Cor. 1:23, 1 Cor. 2:2).

JSM
 
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF jsm ?
“As it regards the Cross of Christ versus the Resurrection, the great Apostle said:

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (I Cor. 1:17). If it is to be noticed, he did not say, “lest the Resurrection of Christ should be made of none effect.”

He also said, “For the preaching (Word) of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness; but unto us which are Saved it is the Power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).” “He did not say, “For the preaching of the Resurrection is to them. . . .”

The great Apostle also said, “But we preach Christ Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23). He did not say, as it regards the Atonement, “We preach Christ Resurrected. . . .”

Of course, Paul preached the Resurrection of Christ, even as Chapter 15 of I Corinthians bears out, but not as the Atonement.

He also stated to the Church at Corinth and to all others as well, “For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 2:2). He did not say, “For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him Resurrected. . . .”

“He also stated, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” (Gal. 6:14). He did not say, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .”

As we have stated, while the Resurrection, and the Ascension, and the Exaltation of Christ were of extreme significance, these three tremendous attributes were the result of the Atonement, i.e., “the Cross,” instead of the cause.

JSM
 
“Let’s look for a moment at the three great attributes of Resurrection, Ascension, and Exaltation.

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

The Resurrection of Christ was not merely an incident. Several things are attributed to His Resurrection.
• Death was defeated: While we do not yet have all the effects of this great Victory over death, that awaiting the coming Rapture of the Church, still, due to the Cross, and the Resurrection of Christ, death has been defeated. When the Trump sounds, we will then be given the full reward of the great Victory won at Calvary’s Cross. Paul said:”

“So when this corruptible (sin nature) shall have put on incorruption (the Divine Nature in total control by the Holy Spirit), and this mortal (subject to death) shall have put on immortality (will never die), then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory ([Isa. 25:8], the full benefits of the Cross will then be ours, of which we now have only the Firstfruits [Rom. 8:23])” (I Cor. 15:54).

“• The Resurrection of Christ guarantees the coming Resurrection of the Sainted Dead with them given a Glorified Body that will never see death, and with all those in Christ who are alive treated in like manner. So, His Resurrection, while guaranteeing our Resurrection, also guarantees a Glorified Body, actually, like unto Him. John wrote:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God (we are just as much a ‘son of God’ now as we will be after the Resurrection), and it does not yet appear what we shall be (our present state as a ‘son of God’ is not at all like that we shall be in the coming Resurrection): but we know that, when He shall appear (the Rapture), we shall be like Him (speaks of being glorified); for we shall see Him as He is. (Physical eyes in a mortal body could not look upon that Glory, only eyes in Glorified Bodies)” (I Jn. 3:2).”

“• His Resurrection guaranteed our Justification. Paul said concerning this:

“Who was delivered for our offences (had to do with Jesus dying on the Cross for our sins; He had no sins), and was raised again for our Justification (we were raised with Him in newness of life [Rom. 6:4-5])” (Rom. 4:25).”

“Commenting on the words, “was raised for our Justification,” Denney says, “He was delivered up on account of our offences — to make atonement for them; and He was raised on account of our Justification — that it might become an accomplished fact. Paul does ascribe expiatory value to the death or blood of Christ: in a sense it is true the Work of Christ was finished on the Cross. But Paul never thought of that by itself: he knew Christ only as the Risen One Who had died, and Who had the virtue of His atoning death ever in Him; this Christ was One, and all that He did and suffered — The Christ Who had evoked in Him the faith by which he was justified, the only Christ through faith in Whom sinful men ever could be justified; and it is natural, therefore, that he should conceive Him as raised with a view to our justification.”

“• “Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and not water [I Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13]) were baptized into His Death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!)

“Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sin and transgression of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all of our sins into that Tomb as well): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with Him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a ‘Newness of Life’).”

“THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH

“For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of His Death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection (we can have the ‘likeness of His Resurrection,’ i.e., ‘live this Resurrection Life,’ only as long as we understand the ‘likeness of His Death,’ which refers to the Cross as the means by which all of this is done)” (Rom. 6:3-5).”

JSM
 
“THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

• “Of Righteousness, because I go to My Father (As far as we know, the First thing that Jesus did after His Ascension, was to present a spotless Righteousness to the Father, namely Himself, which pertained to His Sacrifice at Calvary, that was accepted by God; consequently, that Righteousness is imputed to all who will believe in Him and His Work on the Cross), and you see me no more (meaning that His Work was Finished)” (Jn. 16:10).

• The Ascension of Christ also opened the door for the Holy Spirit to be sent in a new dimension. He said:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away (the Mission and Ministry of the Holy Spirit to the Body of Christ depended upon the return of Christ to the Father): for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you (concerns the respective Office Work of Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit — Jesus as the Saviour of men, and the Holy Spirit as the Power of the Church); but if I depart, I will send Him unto you (a Finished Work on the Cross was demanded of Christ, before the Holy Spirit could be sent)” (Jn. 16:7).”

JSM
 
“As it regards the Cross of Christ versus the Resurrection, the great Apostle said:

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (I Cor. 1:17). If it is to be noticed, he did not say, “lest the Resurrection of Christ should be made of none effect.”

He also said, “For the preaching (Word) of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness; but unto us which are Saved it is the Power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).” “He did not say, “For the preaching of the Resurrection is to them. . . .”

The great Apostle also said, “But we preach Christ Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23). He did not say, as it regards the Atonement, “We preach Christ Resurrected. . . .”

Of course, Paul preached the Resurrection of Christ, even as Chapter 15 of I Corinthians bears out, but not as the Atonement.

He also stated to the Church at Corinth and to all others as well, “For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 2:2). He did not say, “For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him Resurrected. . . .”

“He also stated, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” (Gal. 6:14). He did not say, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .”

As we have stated, while the Resurrection, and the Ascension, and the Exaltation of Christ were of extreme significance, these three tremendous attributes were the result of the Atonement, i.e., “the Cross,” instead of the cause.

JSM
SIGH****** YOU JUST DONT GET IT DO YOU... you must worship JSM
 
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