Sermon 244

SERMON 244 — KIND ADVICE FOR THE LUKEWARM CHURCH

Text: Revelation 3:18–19
Date: October 4, 1942
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

The tragic condition of the lukewarm church — and the Lord’s terrible threat: “I will spue thee out of My mouth.”At first this seems final, as though the Lord were finished with her forever.Her condition is unbearable, and the saddest part is that she is unaware of her own spiritual misery.Yet, to our surprise, the Lord has not forsaken this church.He comes with kind advice — counsel that, if followed, will restore her and save her from destruction.Once more He shows that He has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but that they repent and live.

SUBJECT: KIND ADVICE FOR THE LUKEWARM CHURCH

I. IT IS THE LORD’S KIND ADVICE

A. He makes clear that He is the One speaking
1. The One they claim to love and trust.
2. He repeatedly says “I…”
3. Advice from One utterly reliable — the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness.
4. The same One who diagnosed their condition now gives the remedy.

B. It is gracious advice — undeserved
1. She deserved immediate rejection.
2. Grace moves Christ to seek her salvation.
3. “I counsel thee…” reveals mercy and tenderness.
4. There is still hope for her.
5. Christ comes as a helper, pointing out obstacles to salvation.
6. Though she has fallen, He has not abandoned her.

II. IT KINDLY OFFERS TO SATISFY ALL HER NEEDS

A. It shows what she lacks
1. What she thinks she possesses, she does not.
2. She is spiritually poor — she needs true riches.
3. She is spiritually naked — she needs white raiment.
4. She is spiritually blind — she needs eye-salve.

B. It shows where these blessings are found
1. “Of Me.”
2. Christ alone possesses what she lacks.
3. Her “wealth” was counterfeit.
4. His storehouse contains:
  a. Gold tried in the fire — true riches.
  b. White garments — righteousness.
  c. Eye-salve — spiritual understanding.

C. It shows how to obtain them
1. “Buy of Me…”
2. Like Isaiah 55 — buy without money.
3. To “buy” is to receive by faith.
4. All is a free gift of grace.

III. IT INDICATES THE LORD’S KIND INTEREST IN THEIR WELL-BEING

A. Love motivates His actions
1. Not hatred or indifference.
2. Love moves Him to speak, warn, and counsel.
3. Like a surgeon who cuts to heal.

B. Love moves Him to reprove
1. If He hated them, He would ignore them.
2. His rebuke is proof of His love.

C. Love moves Him to chastise
1. The form is unspecified, but discipline will come.
2. His purpose is correction and restoration.

D. Love moves Him to urge repentance
1. “Be zealous therefore…” — renewed spiritual earnestness.
2. “And repent.”Turn from lukewarmness, self-confidence, false security, and return to Christ.

CONCLUSION

Are you lukewarm.Here is Christ’s sound and kind advice — the only advice worth accepting.Notice the love of Christ: He warns, He counsels, He offers all spiritual riches, He disciplines, He urges repentance.But remember:This advice must be followed — or the threat will be carried out.