Does God Want You to Be Cold?

In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus addressed the church of Laodicea, and it's not a good report.   Jesus tells them that He wishes they were either hot or cold,  but they are lukewarm.   I don't want to address the lukewarm part,  I think Francis Chan handled that beautifully,  you can find his comments on YouTube.   Instead I want to address the hot/cold thing.

The general interpretation is that Jesus wants the church to be either hot,  on fire for Him,  or cold,  not wanting anything to do with Him.  I don't think this is a position that we have fully thought through. Does God really want us to be indifferent towards Him?

I read through quite a few commentaries and studies which agreed with this view,  but it didn't make sense to me that Jesus would wish for His church to out right reject Him.   I understand that being lukewarm is bad,  they will be spewed from His mouth,  but Jesus encourages them to be cold?   I think there is something missing.

What I have found is what happens often.   We are looking at this verse from a strictly textual interpretation and superimposed our meaning on it.   There are geographical implications to consider.  Where is Laodicea,  what is happening around it,  why would Jesus use these terms?   What is the deal with being hot or cold?

I found some help online,  I came across this from March 5 2013 Sparking Gem From the Greek by Rick Renner:

The city of Laodicea was built in a region that was full of seismic activity and had experienced many earthquakes. As often happens in a seismic area, vents came up from the depths of the earth, allowing boiling hot water to reach the surface. In the nearby city of Hierapolis, these hot springs were famous. People came from great distances to bathe in those waters, believing they had medicinal powers. An experience in those waters was viewed to be therapeutic and effective in improving one's health.

Another city named Colosse was not too far away. As Hierapolis was known for its hot springs, Colosse was known for its cold waters. Just as people journeyed to Hierapolis to bathe in the hot springs for health purposes, people would travel great distances to vacation in Colosse, where they could invigorate themselves by taking frequent dips into the famous, refreshing, cool-to-freezing waters of that city.

Laodicea may have been the biggest and richest city in the area, but it had neither hot nor cold water. Therefore, the people of Laodicea had to leave their luxurious homes and travel to Colosse if they wanted to enjoy fresh, cool water. On the other hand, those who desired to soak in the hot springs had to travel six miles to Hierapolis.

Once in an attempt to bring the hot water from Hierapolis to Laodicea, a huge construction project was commenced. The goal of those who initiated the project was to build pipes that would channel the hot water six miles from Hierapolis to the city of Laodicea. The pipes effectively delivered the water - a real feat of construction at that time. Sadly, however, the water lost its heat along the way. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was not only lukewarm, but it had developed a sickening, nauseating taste. The taste was so revolting that no one wanted to drink it!

It's so awesome how the Bible uses real places to give illustrations.   The people of Laodicea would understand this analogy because they lived right in the middle of it.   They understood how the hot water relaxed people and the cold water refreshed people and the lukewarm water repulsed people.  

Jesus wants you to serve Him and to be relaxing or refreshing,  notnot revolting. Have you ever met a self-righteous and arrogant Christian? Someone who wears you out and brings you down?   Don't be that guy,  be refreshing or relaxing,  soothe and encourage people.   Hot is useful,  cold is useful,  lukewarm is just disgusting.

Why Do I Want to Plant a Church?

I got a message from an old friend the other day who is a passionate leader and church planter.   He saw a post of mine about wanting to plant a church and wrote to encourage me. He also wrote to challenge me,  to check myself.   As a facilitator of church planting,  he saw lots of guys who planted out of a bad motive. Often guys who have been hurt in a church go and plant a church with an attitude of "I can do it better"  and he wanted to ensure I wasn't motivated by bitterness.   He knows that I have had some difficult times in the past in local church work,  and it was a fair challenge he gave me. I wanted to check my heart and part of the reason I have been out of ministry for a few years without jumping in and starting a new ministry is to check my heart and heal from some hurts.

It's been a few years,  and my heart continues to yearn to plant a church.   This desire started long before I knew anything about church planting.   In high school I was part of a small group of about 5 students who worked with a student teacher to start an FCA Huddle at our school.   As I went on to Junior College,  I worked with our Director of Missions to start a Baptist Student Union or BSU.   (They have some some name changes,  BSU in some places,  Baptist Collegiate Ministries or BCM in some places,  and Christian Challenge in other places).   When I got to the University,  I worked with our local BSU,  but got to know my first church planter.

When in Arizona,  I met a number of church planters and was introduced more to the house church model and some material by Charles Brock on house church planting. It was a great time of learning and I had the opportunity to help out with some house church plants. I started one of the first junior college BSUs in the state,  and I hoped to plant a church on that college campus,  but God had other plans.

While in Seminary,  a good friend and I started a coffee house church service,  it met on Saturday nights at first and later Sunday Nights.   It wasn't a church plant, it was a "church service plant"  I suppose.  We were able to reach new and different people,  and do some fun and exciting things in that atmosphere. I became a staff member at a very young church,  and it was exciting to be in the early stages.  

Once I got to Iowa,  I served again in a young church and saw the need and desire to plant churches grow.   I was blessed to go to the Exponental Conference in 07, and it added fuel to the fire of my desire to church plant.

God has put in me a desire to see new things,  new ideas and fresh starts.  A church plant is a dream I've had for many years,  and I get excited every time I think about the idea. It hasn't been the right time,  but it seems that doors are opening and I may have an opportunity.   I am not sure what the shape will be,  how it will work. It may be a church plant,  it may be a service,  God may lead me to start a ministry instead of a church. I would love if God called me to work with Church planters,  I don't know what is in the future. I am excited about the future and what God is going to call me to do.

I have shared some of my vision for what my church plant would look like, using house church models and some other ideas I've had.  I hope to share more in the future,  and I invite your input and ideas.   Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.

What About the Kids, A Review of Their Name is Today

While I didn't 100% agree with everything, the main premises are right on. Great book, great read. I would recommend it.  I have agreed with the premise that we have found ways to abandon children without actually physically leaving.   We have outsourced our children,  asking the school,  the church,  the daycare and society to raise them,  teach them and lead them.

It's a travesty that children have become so busy that they no longer have time to be kids.   We have filled every moment with activities and stuff.   Jo-Ann Christoph is right on the money in many areas.   I read this book in one sitting,  it was a great read.   Check it out!

Quack Quack, a Review of the Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible

Unless you've been under a rock for the last few years,  you have heard about Duck Dynasty,  the family who began a company making duck calls,  have a reality TV show and are outspoken about their faith.   They are a fun family,  the men having beards,  wearing camo,  hunting and fishing.   Sounds like I would fit right in.   They are also very outspoken about their faith.

The Faith and Family Bible is a resource created by Phil,  the father of the family and his son Al,  who isn't on the show and Pastors a church. Together they have written devotional material that is down to earth and great for individual or family devotions.

If you are looking for something to use for Family devotion time around the dinner table,  this is a great resource.  If you are looking for some material to use in a small group,  this would probably make a good ice breaker type devotion.   It's very practical and real life. It's not a study Bible,  it doesn't have deep and heavy theology or study material.   It's exactly what is says it is,  a family Bible.   If you are looking for something to use around the dinner table,  I would recommend it.   A solid resource.

Writer's Block and Theology

If you read my blog, you know that after 10 years of vocational ministry, I now work a production job.  During the day I often have great thoughts for blogs, but on my days off and my time home, my brain has a tendency to go blank.  I spend the day thinking about God, talking to others about God and in prayer, by the time I get home my brain is toast.  My lack of blogging has come from a lack of ability to get my thoughts written down.  I'm asking for your prayers that God will help me in this way.

I have recently invited some people to join a theology discussion group.  The purpose of this group is to civilly discuss different topics like the rapture, speaking in tongues, predestination, Elder rule, and many other topics.  My hope and prayer is these discussions will help me expand my thinking and really dig into God's word.

There are a few other things I am working on, but I'm going to keep them a secret for now.  I am sorry that my writing has been so. . . lacking lately.  Thank you for those who read and continue to keep up with my writings.  It's been a desert time lately, but my hope is there will be a feast after the famine.  I'll keep writing if you'll keep reading and we can all keep praying.

Sharing Christ

I heard a praise worthy report from my wife the other day.   My 13 year old daughter used some material from Dare to Share to tell her friend about Christ.   She is open about telling her friends about Jesus,  she invites them to church and to youth group.   It's so amazing to see how she can just share,  it's so natural to her.   I wish I could be more like her in that area.  I am very proud of her.

I have tried to do a few things myself,  like trying to take a little light into the darkness.   I tried to share on a page on Facebook that posts pictures of people who have been arrested.   It was not recieved well,  there is a group that gets on the page to mock the arrested.   They didn't like me praying or being encouraging.   I found that others also encouraged me not to share on that page.   They said it wasn't a good place to share.   That makes me ask the question,  is there places we shouldn't share?

I think about Jesus and the Apostles.   Do you think people told them not to share in some places?   Maybe told Jesus He shouldn't teach around the religious leaders,  cause they were getting mad.   Told Paul not to teach in Ephesus,  they may get angry.   Told him to be quiet before he gets arrested,  beaten,  put on trial,  beheaded?   I was never in danger of any of those things,  I was just called vulgar things and then kicked off the page for a while.

I was thinking about all the other times I could share my faith,  and I don't.   At work,  because it's work time.   I don't share in social situations because that would be awkward.   I don't tell strangers,  because they would feel like I'm attacking them.   These are all excuses,  and not really that good.

Do I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit?   Do  I believe the Gospel has the power to save all those who would believe? Do I believe that the word of God will not return void?   If I believe those things,  then what the heck am I doing? I need to be preaching Jesus,  that He died for sin and rose on the third day and conquered sin and the grave.   There is no reason that I shouldn't share,  whenever and where ever.   In public,  in private,  at work,  even on the Lock Up page.

Where is God calling you to share?

Why?

I have grown up mostly in the 80s and 90s, and during those time periods, there has been a shift in the way examination and beliefs have processed.  In the baby boomer generation, the question was “what should we do”.  In my generation, Gen X and Gen Y, the question is not so much of how, but why?  Why do we do things, what is the purpose and what is the point?  Are we doing something that is worth while, is this worth our time and effort?  This is a departure from the philosophy of our baby boomer parents, who told us what to do, but the question of why was usually answered with “because I said so”.  This wasn’t enough for us then, and it’s certainly not enough for us today.  In the realm of theology and the exploration of God’s word, the question is not so much of “what” but of “why”?  God is moving, calling us to follow and there are things we should do and should not do, but why?

There are many things about God’s rules and laws that we take for granted, like the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes that tell us how we should behave.  These are clear commandments, and like the Great Commission, we need to follow them, but have we ever stopped to ask why?  Have we stopped to ask why God gives us things to do and things not to do?  I believe that God encourages us and pushes us to ask the question why.  The reason I believe is simple, God calls us to obedience to have a deeper, more intimate and fulfilling relationship with Him.  This is the purpose of the commandments, for the Great Commission, for the wisdom of Paul and Peter, James and John, the writings of the Old and New Testament all exist for this one principle, that we can know and love God more and have a deeper relationship with Him.

The purpose of any theological system should not be to understand what God does, but who God is and what God is doing.  We should not approach God as a distant school master, who exists to keep us in line.  Instead, we should approach God as loving father, who desires a deeper relationship with us.  His desire is that we would live a fulfilling life, filled with love and joy and peace.  We can find these things in our Heavenly Father, regardless of the turmoil of life, the difficult situations and the trials and temptations.  The why to our what is this, that we would find all that we need in our Father.

This should change the way we approach God, the Bible and the rules and commands He gave us.  They are not rules to keep us from life, but guidelines to make sure we have a full and substantial life.  These truths that God gives us will free us from the bonds of sin, from the chains of error and the shackles that so often come with all disobedience.  God will set us free if we will be open to be set free.  God will give us life if we are just willing to live it.  God wants to have a deeper relationship with us, and He longs to reveal more and more of His nature and character.  In this, or any theological exercise, our goal should be to know God, love Him more and share what we have found with others.  My prayer in this is that we will discover the depths of truth in His love and the freedom of His grace, as well as His commands.