Pastor Mike's Weblog

Living 3:16 With Passion for Jesus  Revelation 1:9-13,17-18; 3:14-22

So many today are indifferent when it comes to their faith in Christ. Sometimes I really struggle with discerning whether or not they are really saved. The kind of passion and burden found in One Man’s Journey is rare, indeed. In fact, our church just completed meetings where our stated intention was to seek revival and spiritual renewal. I don’t know if we did or not. I believe a few have. I know I have been challenged and refreshed. But some couldn’t have revival because of the music or the evangelist. If we can’t seek for God when things don’t fit our personal preferences, can we ever have revival? I think not.

Our focal text this week is from the beginning of the Revelation. A great book with an astounding message. The message is not necessarily about perseverance in times of trouble, or even end-time events. It is about Jesus Christ. The challenge of our lesson this week is to be passionate in knowing and following Jesus.

This will probably not be the usual commentary format that I write. I sit here today with several things swirling through my consciousness; revival, church needs, ministry, the future, my future, sickness, stress, dreams, passion, discouragement, etc.

I keep returning to Revelation 3:14-17. The church at Laodicea had a comfortable, elevated view of itself. I would guess that most churches do. “We are a friendly, loving church that wants to see all people saved.” Does that sound familiar? And many church members really do believe that about themselves. But in reality we are only friendly to our own folks. We only love those who are like us. And we want to see all people saved, but blacks need to go to black churches, poor need to go to poor churches or missions, etc. We really only want the kind of people who will fit in; and in most churches that means white middle- or upper-class Anglo Saxon protestants with no major histories or hang-ups.

The Laodiceans probably were just like us. And look what Jesus said about them: “Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17 (HCSB). Here is another penetrating verse that sheds light on their and our condition: “If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (HCSB).

Powerful words from our Master that shred away our veneer of satisfaction and leave us naked, destitute and ashamed. Jesus’ diagnosis is found just before the above verse in Revelation 3:15-16. Here Jesus says we literally make Him sick to His stomach. Our lukewarm, lackadaisical, nonchalant manner of Christianity makes Jesus want to hurl. Neither cold nor hot; neither refreshing or warming. Just sickening.

What can we do? Repent! Turn away from sub-marginal lives that chase after mediocrity, temporal gain, and self-sufficiency. Lay all on the altar of Christ. Rejoice in the blessed truth of salvation. Pursue a relationship with Jesus that is vibrant and alive. Serve Him with limitless abandon. Jesus is today knocking at the door to your life (Rev. 3:20) and asking to be allowed to enter. He wants to fellowship with you, forgive you, change you, and show you what real living is all about.

LET HIM IN!!