TODAYS CHURCH

The church of today is getting further and further away from the strait gate and the narrow way of the Bible. New ideas and doctrines are coming into most churches at what seems to be an ever increasing rate. People are being tossed to and fro with the winds of all kinds of misleading doctrines. The God-fearing, born-again, Spirit-filled, fruit-bearing, obedient, Bible-reading, and discerning Christian, who understands spiritual warfare, who demonstrates his love for God by obeying His commandments, who reveals his faith by serving God and going into all the world and preaching the Gospel, and taking a stand for truth, and who is watching and ready for Jesus to return, seems to be a disappearing figure in this generation.
Most churches today are places where make-believe Christians gather on Sundays to feel comfortable and be entertained. (Everyone wants to feel good) ...They leave church confident and reassured that all is right in their life. Then they die and are shocked, as they find themselves in a place called "hell."
Today, many Christians make light of sin, or explain it away with goofy interpitations of scriptures. The strait gate and the narrow way is seldom taught. Many so-called Christians today also have a golden calf. Their money, pride, selfishness, television, job, house, automobile, the things of this world, drinking, drugs, sex, or their own desires are their "golden calf." Jesus is to be your LORD and Savior. He is to come "first." Most Christians today, have not known God’s ways. Many call upon the name of the Lord, but they will not follow "Him." Many commit abominations and are not ashamed. They are NOT "SOLD-OUT" FOR THE TRUTH.
Jesus described the Laodicean church as lukewarm. The lukewarm are confident they are correct and righteous. Their confidence is so deeply rooted that it is nearly impossible to reach them with the truth. Lukewarmness comes from mixing both hot and cold. They are not cold toward the things of God, but neither are they hot. They are content, apathetic, indifferent. They are not truly concerned with what is right and wrong or what is good and evil. Within the Laodicean church is the prevailing attitude of "live and let live; don’t rock the boat; don’t cause waves; it will all turn out O.K." They are taking a neutral position. They are trying to serve God, but are also trying to please men. They are serving two masters and justify their position. They are serving God, and they are serving "self." They are serving God, and they are serving the world. This is totally unacceptable with God. Remember, the name "Laodicea" means "the rights of the people." Their knowledge and understanding of God, His Word, and of these things is, at best, only lukewarm. Their obedience, love, fruits of the Spirit, and works are, at best, only lukewarm. They hardly ever witness the cross of Jesus,their daily conversation may be centered on both the things of the world and the things of God. They are like a wave. They are carnal and have not denied themselves. They are not fully following Jesus, though they are usually sure they are. Jesus is in their life, but He is not the center of their life. Their life revolves around things of the world and worldly circumstances; Jesus is only a part. They have need of milk (basic doctrines) and not meat (perfection). They are not ready for the doctrine of seperation and holiness. Their thoughts are divided between Jesus and the things of the world. Laodiceans want to maintain a level of control over their lives; they will trust Jesus only to a point. They do not have the understanding that Jesus is in control when very difficult situations come against them; their knowledge is lukewarm. At best, their understanding of who is saved, by the grace of God, and who is not saved is only lukewarm. It may be said, they do not fully comprehend the strait gate and narrow way. Their teaching may consist of some sound doctrine mixed with confusion, false doctrine, deceit, doctrines of men and new fads, or other distortions of Scripture that come along. They may have a great church complex, a magnificent choir, large attendance, much money coming in, a vast radio and television ministry, an extensive mailing list reaching multitudes with a monthly magazine, and many letters and telephone calls coming in. The following should be considered. Sound doctrine is disappearing; most people will not tolerate it. One might ask, "What would happen if sound doctrine was being taught?" The answer is found in the Scriptures. In the days of the apostles, sound doctrine was being taught in Laodicea; however, it was rejected. The Laodicean church was only lukewarm; this is unacceptable to God. For those who may wonder if lukewarm is really so bad, Jesus gives the following warning.
I WILL SPEW (or spit) THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH. The entire Laodicean church will be spit out and perish. There will be such a small number from this church that will repent, not even the word "few" is used as it was in the "dead" church of Sardis.
Oh God, help us! to repent of the luke-warmness and deadness in our lives!!
-The RAVEN MIDWEST TEAM