Sermon Tone Analysis

Hot or Cold?

Every time I go into my favorite coffee shop I am faced with a choice.

Do I get coffee that is brewed hot or that has been made iced?

Whenever I place my order I get the same question from a plethora of Baristas behind the counter: “Would you like that Hot or cold?”

My first thoughts is: “Who drinks cold coffee?”

After quickly realizing there is a new peculiar group of people in this world who like their coffee cold, I answer the question with a purely repugnant voice: “Hot please!”

Then I smile and walk to the end of the counter and await my order.

The Christian today is faced with this same question from our Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation Chapter 3. As Jesus addresses the seven churches he addresses the church of Laodicea this way:

To the Church in Laodicea

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.

Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

”

Did you catch it?

“Would that you were either cold or hot!” Jesus sets a standard for the Christian life in this world.

It is that Jesus does not commend mediocrity or fence sitting.

He expects his disciples to follow him with everything.

He expects commitment.

He expects us to be “all in.”

As we go into a new year I would ask that you consider the word’s of Jesus our Lord and do some simple reflection.

Are you committed to the things of Christ?

If you were judged by Christ right now, and you are, would he say you were “neither cold nor hot?”

The reality is Jesus isn’t asking us how we like our coffee, he is asking us if we will follow him with commitment?

Pastor Hank