Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I’ve always heard that if you don’t like the weather in the Texas Panhandle just stick around it will change tomorrow. That seems to be the way it has gone in recent days for me.
I don’t like the cold weather at all. Sure, I like the wet snow that we received because we needed the moisture, but I liked the rain we received even more. I can put up with the puddles of water a little better than I do shoveling the sidewalks.
Okay, so now you know that I am a warm weather person. But I don’t think I am the only one. I have heard others talk about how the warm weather is much more to their liking than the cold weather.
The reason this comes to my mind so much is that the church seems to be more in the cold than the hot. In many respects the church has grown cold and indifferent concerning the call of Christ. I know that the issues we have faced in our world in the past two years has impacted the church.
At first churches were doing services on-line. This enabled people to watch the service from the comfort and safety of their homes. In the beginning of the pandemic people were so unsure as to what they should do that the on-line services gave them a connection that was needed.
As time moved forward, some returned to services while others didn’t. I totally understand why some were being so cautious. Because of the uncertainties of all that was taking place they were concerned for the health of their members and what could happen.
Yet for many churches it caused them to pull back and become cold. That seems to be where many are stuck at this time. I believe it is time for the church to once again rise and be the witness that is needed at this time.
In the Revelation, John addressed the seven churches in Asia. There were struggles going on there is no doubt. In the Revelation 3:14-16, John addressed the church in Laodicea. He wrote -- 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”
Laodicea was struggling and this was something that John was addressing. John doesn’t mention exactly what was taking place in Laodicea, but he did say that they had become complacent or lukewarm in their ministry. It was something that they had to get past so the church would be where God desired them to be.
The church today needs to take a stand for God that the world needs to see and hear. It is time that we are no longer ‘lukewarm’. I don’t believe we should be cold either. It is time for the church today to be hot for the cause of Christ.
I believe it is time that the church stands for Christ and for Him alone. Our world needs Christ and the truth of His Word. We must be faithful in sharing that ‘Good News’ in every way possible. Now is the time for the church of Jesus Christ to get ‘hot’ for Christ.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
