Challenged by My Own Message

This morning I had the opportunity to speak to about 100 teenagers about being a "Hot Christian", taken from Revelation 3:14-22. This was one of those times when I really felt like I did a poor job of communicating the message which God had burdened my heart with. But I am not so concerned about how I did as much as I am concerned that I really live this message that I preached. Most of us as preachers know how easy it can be to preach a message but not live it. This message was so convicting that I want to share it, not to preach again at you, but to ask you to pray for me that the reality of this message would be actively present in my life. I say this with the most sincerity that I have ever asked anyone to pray for me.

The Author of these Words:

• "the Amen, the faithful and true witness" (v.14)
• "beginning [origin] of God's creation"

The Opinion of Jesus about these Christians

• "neither hot nor cold" (v.15-16)
  
• "you are lukewarm" (I believe this describes me)
• "I will spit you out of my mouth" (disgust and sickened)

Part of the Problem

• You say, "I need nothing." I am fine spiritually and do not need more of Christ. (v.17)
  
• They said this because of the riches and stuff they possessed and how much value they put on such things instead of Jesus Christ.
• The real truth according to Jesus: "You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked"

The Counsel of Christ

• "Buy from me" (v.18)
• So, how can we buy anything from Christ, especially when we are "poor"?
• Christ already paid for it through his body on the cross, so we can be "overcomers" and apply the benefits of His sacrifice.

• Buy "gold refined by fire" [I Pet.1:7-speaking of trials that purify our faith like gold]
• Buy "white garments" so that you will be clothed and not naked [I think this refers to practical righteousness]
• Buy "salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see" the glory of Christ!

The Love of Christ
The love of Christ is demonstrated in that He rebukes us for our lukewarmness. But not only that; it also is demonstrated in that Christ tell us what is for our greatest good--zeal for Him.

Christ's Solution
Let Christ come into your heart and dominate your heart. In other words, seek an intimate relationship with Christ which will give you a heart on fire for Him, a "Hot Christian".

My problems to pray concerning:

• I am lukewarm toward Christ
• I am spiritually ignorant of my condition and spiritually satisfied with Christ and my walk with Him
• I run away from difficulty and when I encounter it, I do not allow God to purify me.
• There is much righteousness that I do not put on daily.
• I am blind to the glories of Christ because I have my eyes fixed on the inferior pleasures of this world.
• I do not have the intimate relationship with Christ of which I spoke today.

I want to be a zealous, hot Christian because of who Christ is--Supremely Valuable!

JT