LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN

 

LAODECIAN

 

REV. 3/14-22

 

The lukewarm christian is a spineless, uncommitted, unconvinced, unconverted, (Luke 22/32), excuse making, lover of ease and comfort, (2 Tim. 3/4), bouncing between the “things of this world”, (1 John 2/15-16), and Jesus, “halting between two opinions”, (1 Kings 18/21), doubleminded, (Ja. 1/8), who lurks in the shadows of mediocrity, won`t “walk in the light”, (1 John 1/7, John 3/19-20),  always walking the moderate line, middle of the road philosophy, unthreatening in their witness of “The Gospel”, uncontroversial, “denying the power thereof”, (2 Tim. 3/5, Math. 5/13-16, Mk. 9/50, Luke 14/33-35, ), have donned the religious habit of church on Sunday, prayer meeting on Friday night, Bible study on Wednesday night, (Mk. 7/6-9),  who go about their business on Monday to Friday as if nothing extraordinary has happened to them in life, appear to be no different to the unsaved infidels they work with, live with, do not wish to upset anybody, offend them, put them offside, because they don`t want confrontation, rejection, (Math. 10/35-39, Luke 12/51-53, 14/26-27), be thought of as church going, Bible bashing wowsers, Jesus freaks, (Mk. 8/38, Luke 9/26, Math. 10/33, Tit. 1/16), will not hesitate to go to parties, movies, outings, go on dates, play sport with, be companions, friends with the unbelievers, pagans, infidels, (Ja. 4/4, 2 Cor. 6/14-18, Eph. 5/11-12), cannot handle the thought of being “hated of all men for my name`s sake”, cannot accept that to follow Christ, it will cost you everything, INCLUDING YOUR LIFE, Math. (16/21-23), blend in with whomever they are keeping company with, “chameleon” in their dress and attitude toward others, abhor the thought of being, “peculiar”, appearing strange, different, to those in the world, chase material gain, and think once they have their comfort zone built, that`s it, “I must be blessed”, (Rev. 3/17), would rather go to church on Sunday, AND BE ENTERTAINED THAN TO WORSHIP AND EXPRESS LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TO THE KING OF KINGS, CANNOT HANDLE REBUKE, REPROOF, (Ps. 104/7, Pro. 13/1, Pro. 1/25,30), SHY AWAY FROM ANYONE, OR ANYTHING THAT EXUDES EVEN A HINT OF “THE LIGHT”, “THE TRUTH”, RUNS AND HIDES FROM ANYONE WHO, “SPEAKS THE TRUTH IN LOVE”, (for their sake), RUNS FROM THE ONE WHO WOULD DARE TO UPSET THEIR COMFORT ZONE, MOVE THE SAND FROM UNDER THEIR FEET, (MATH. 7/26), LET THEM KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVING THEMSELVES ABOUT THEIR SPIRITUAL CONDITION WITH THE LORD CHRIST, ARGUES, FIGHTS, CONTENDS, (1 COR. 1/11, HAB. 1/3),  REBELS, STUMBLES, (1 PET. 2/6-8),WHEN TRUTH IS PRESENTED TO THEM, CANNOT HANDLE BEING TOLD (HEB. 12/20), THEY ARE, “CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE”, ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT LOVERS OF THE CHRIST, “LOVING NOT THEIR OWN LIVES UNTO DEATH”, (REV. 12/11), ALWAYS DON THE PRETENCE OF, “I`M ALRIGHT JACK”, I`M OK WITH THE LORD”, ALWAYS EXUDE THE VENEER OF BEING A MATURE CHRISTIAN, (MATH. 23/27-28), DON`T STEP ON MY TOES, TURF, I DON`T NEED CHASTENING, SHAKING, (HEB. 12/8), LOOKING FOR RECOGNITION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND A PROMOTION AS SUCH IN THE FELLOWSHIP, LOOKING FOR THE APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCEOF OTHERS, (JOHN 5/43-44), AND.. IS.. DEFINATELY MOST COMFORTABLE WITH THOSE OF THE SAME ILK, USUALLY FOUND IN THE STINKING PIG PEN WITH ALL THE OTHER HYPOCRITES, HIDING IN THE RELIGIOUS, INSTITUTIONALISED ABOMINATIONS, FUNNY LITTLE CLUBS, CLIQUES, CULTS, SECTS, THAT INVENT AND APPLY POLICIES, RULES OF CONDUCT, (MATH. 23/4), MODE OF OPERATION, DON`T JUDGE, DON`T “NAME NAMES”, DON`T GET UPSET, DON`T EXPOSE THE FAKES, THE IMPOSTERS, THE CHARLATANS, DON`T BE ANGRY, (EPH. 4/26), DON`T, DON`T, DON`T, DON`T, (GAL. 4/9-10, COL. 2/8, 20-23), ALWAYS BE HAPPY, POSITIVE, FEIGN LOVE FOR EVERYONE, (2 PET. 2/3, 1 JOHN 3/18), (even though they don`t know them), ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ANY OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE, POPULARISE THEIR RELIGIOUS TOTEM POLE TO THE UNBELIEVERS, WOULD RATHER GLEAN THE INFIDEL`S APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION FOR THEIR INSTITUTIONALISED ABOMINATION, LOOKING FOR MEN TO “SPEAK WELL OF THEM”, (LUKE 6/26), IGNORE THOSE WHO ARE WARNING THEM, HAVE “STOPPED THEIR EARS TO THE TRUTH”, (ACTS 7/57), CANNOT IMPOSE THEIR CHARACTER, PERSONALITY, NATURE INTO ANY GIVEN SITUATION, WISHFUL THINKERS, WISH I COULD BES, WANNABES, IF ONLYERS, BELIEVERS OF FABLES, FAIRY TALES, (2 TIM. 4/4),”TOSSED TO AND FRO, AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE”, (EPH. 4/14), ONLY HEAR, SEE AND BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO, (MATH. 13/13-14, MK. 4/12, LUKE 8/10), ONLY WANT TO HEAR THAT WHICH JUSTIFIES, ENCOURAGES THEIR SICKENING CONDITION, “HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS HAVING ITCHING EARS”, (2 TIM. 4/3), ARE “LOVERS OF THEIR OWNSELVES, COVETOUS, BOASTERS, PROUD, BLASPHEMERS, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, UNTHANKFUL, UNHOLY, WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION, TRUCEBREAKERS, FALSE ACCUSERS, INCONTINENT, FIERCE, DESPISERS OF THOSE THAT ARE GOOD, TRAITORS, HEADY, HIGH MINDED, LOVERS OF PLEASURESMORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD”; (2 TIM. 3/2-4), WILL DEFINITELY NOT COME TO THE LIGHT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BUILT A “GROVE” IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN HEDGED UP LIVES, WHERE NOBODY CAN INFRINGE INTO THEIR “OCCASION TO THE FLESH”, (GAL. 5/13), WHERE THEY CAN INDULGE IN THEIR LUST FOR FORNICATION, ADULTERY, PORNOGRAPHY, ALCOHOL, DRUGS, GAMBLING, PLEASURE, AWAY FROM THE EYES AND EARS OF, OTHERS,  THEIR PIERS,……….ABSOLUTE PRETENDERS, FAKES, LIARS, …..TARDY, LUKEWARM, IDOLATROUS, VACILLATING HYPOCRITES,……WHO BLOW WITH THE WINDS OF POPULAR CONCENSUS WHO JUDGE BY OUTWARD APPEARANCE: (JOHN 7/24, 2 COR. 5/12,10/7), LIARS, FAKES, IMPOSTERS, ACTORS,  HYPOCRITES,…………THOSE WHO ARE INDIFFERENT,………………

 

BOREDOM AND INDIFFERENCE ARE THE HALL MARK OF THE LUKEWARM CHURCH, THE LEADERSHIP OF WHICH ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO PRESENT TO THEIR CONGREGATIONS TO ENTICE, EXCITE, EG SINGING ITEMS, BANDS PERFORMING, DRAMA GROUPS, MOVIES, OUTINGS, BREAKFASTS, CONVENTIONS, DINNERS, SINGLES NIGHTS ETC; FALSE PROPHETS ABOUND, (AND ARE NURTURED BY SAME LEADERSHIP BECAUSE THEIR LIES EXCITE, GENERATE INTEREST), FALSELY PROPHESING  GOD WILL DO A “NEW” THING, PROPHESING, GREAT REVIVALS, HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS, PEACE, WITH PROPHECIES THAT GO ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME; THE LEADERSHIP ARE ALWAYS INSTIGATING NEW PROGRAMMES, PLANS, TRYING TO GET THE FOLK INVOLVED, FIRED UP, IN WHAT THEY MISTAKENLY THINK ARE “FAITH WORKS”, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PROMOTE, POPULARISE, MARKET “THEIR” CHURCH TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY AT LARGE, “MARRY” IN THEIR ACTIVITIES WITH THOSE OF THE UNBELIEVERS, GIVE THE IMPRESSION TO ONE ANOTHER THAT THEY ARE HOT, ON FIRE, BUT ARE DELUDED, DECEIVED: THE HIGHLIGHT OF THESE CHURCH SERVICES IS THE FINISH, THE FOLKVACATE THE BUILDING IN 2 SECONDS FLAT, ARE MORE EXCITED BY THE BBQ, SUNDAY LUNCH, THE TRIP TO THE BEACH, WATCHING THE GRAND FINAL, THE CRICKET, BEING THE HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR DAY: THIS CHURCH IS FULL OF RITUAL FORMALITY, ESTABLISHING “TRADITIONS OF MEN”, FAST BACKSLIDING INTO APOSTACY: THE LEADERSHIP “FEIGN” THE ANOINTING, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND HAVE A HUGE FOLLOWING, ARE POPULAR, DO OPERATE, MOVE IN SOME OF “THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT”, HAVE BEEN “ENLIGHTENED, TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, TASTED OF THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME”: HEB. 6/4-5. ( THE NON-DENOMINATIONAL FLAG FILES HIGH OVER THESE CHURCHES): A MOST POPULAR CHURCH INDEED WITH THE MASSES WHO LOVE COMFORT, AND “STOP THEIR EARS TO THE TRUTH”:

 

COVETOUS CHRISTIAN

 

PERGAMOS

 

REV. 2/12-17

 

Simple to spot, one who loves and chases money, wants to be rich, (1 Tim. 6/9-10), is covetous, (Luke 12/15, Math. 6/24, luke 16/13), churches that conduct business, (2 Tim. 4-5), merchandise in the name of The Lord, (John 2/15-17, Math. 21/12-13, Mk. 11/15-17), and concoct doctrines to justify their actions, (Math. 15/9, Mk. 7/7, Col. 2/22, Rev. 2/15, 2/6), would be believers, who, would rather “fill their bellies”, (Phil. 3/19, Ro. 16/18), (do have a deliberate direction to follow Christ and not “deny His name”), pouting the “blab and grab it” spiel, “name it and claim it”, the positive confession it`s OK, God wants you to be rich routine, POUTING THE EXCREMENT OF THE PROSPERITY DOCTRINE: EVERYTHING ABOUT THESE CHURCHES OOZES WITH THE IMAGE THAT THE WORLD HAS OF PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS: AGAIN, A HUGE CONGREGATION IS EVIDENT, WHERE HEB. 6/4-5 APPLIES: (AGAIN, THE NON-DENOMINATIONAL FLAG FLUTTERS), TAKES OFFENCE WHEN THE TRUTH IS REVEALED TO THEM, AND WILL VEHEMENTLY DEFEND THEIR HERESY: ALSO HEAVILY POPULATED WITH HERETICS, WHO “STOP THEIR EARS TO THE TRUTH” ALWAYS CHASING MONEY:

 

 

JEZEBEL CONTROLLED AND DOMINATED CHRISTIAN

 

THYATIRA

 

REV. 3/18-29

 

Very easy to spot, any church or christian that allows, permits, women bishops, pastors, women in leadership, totally not on according to Holy Writ: (1 Tim. 2/11-15, 3/1-12, Tit. 1/6-9, 1 Cor. 14/34-35), any man who allows, permits a woman to be in authority over him, dominate, lord it over, control, dictate to: Any woman who is deceived enough to allow herself to be puffed up to put on the garments of leadership and run things, whether in church or the household: Their demeanor exhibits some “faith works”, love, patience and commitment to Christ, but is dominated by “good works” of the flesh, food parcels, street vans, giving to the poor and needy, appearing to folk to be generous, Godly, benevolent, (Math. 23/5), all works out of their own purpose to do so, NOT “FAITH WORKS”, DONE IN OBEDIENCE TO LOVING FATHER: “(and the last to be more than the first),  AGAIN, ANOTHER HUGE GATHERING IS EVIDENT WITH HEB 6/4-5 APPLICABLE: (SSST., CAN YOU SEE THE NON-DENOMINATIONAL FLEECE [MATH. 7/15] HERE TOO)? WHEN EXPOSED TO “THE TRUTH”, ARGUES, FIGHT, CONTENDS, WILL ALSO TRY TO OBLITERATE IT, AND THOSE WHO SPEAK IT: AGAIN, VERY POPULAR WITH WEAK, FEMALE ADORING MALES AND WOMEN WHO FLY THE STANDARD OF, “I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR”, AND DEFINITELY “STOP THEIR EARS TO THE TRUTH”, ALSO CHASES MONEY:

THE DEAD CHRISTIAN

 

SARDIS

 

REV. 3/1-6

 

Again, very easy to spot, any church or person, who has no life in them, conduct their lives and attends churches out of religious habit, that are nothing but ostentatious displays of meaningless, repetitious ritual, acted out in the carnality of the flesh, who name the name of Christ, but are dead to Him, cannot even comprehend, understand Truth, even when it is spoken to them: “have a name that they live, but are dead”: Rev. 3/1.

 

THE DEAD CHURCH MARCHES TO THE FUNERAL DERGE OF MEANINGLESS, REPETITIOUS, RELIGIOUS RITUAL, FROCKING UP ITS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES WITH THE PARAPHERNALIA OF CANDLES, GOWNS, SASHES, (different colours to denote the standing and the puffed up importance of the wearer), HOLDS AND CONDUCTS SERVICES THAT ARE NOTHING BUT SCRIPTED, CHOREOGRAPHED THEATRE, PERFORMED AND ACTED OUT BY THESPIANS WHO LOVE TO “BE SEEN OF MEN”, USUALLY APE THE MODE OF OPERATION OF WHAT THEY PERCEIVE AS OTHER CHURCHES HAVING SUCCESS WITH, TO KEEP AND ATTRACT MORE FOLK TO THEIR PEWS, (eg “everyone turn to the one next to you and shake their hand and say “God loves you and so do I”, introducing the “rock beat”, bands into the service), DECORATE THE BUILDING WITH THE IDOLATROUS PRACTICE OF STATUES OF, “SAINTS AND ANGELS”, (Ex. 20/4-5) THE WHICH FOLK PRAY TO!!!! SATURATED WITH TRADITION, FORMALITY: AGAIN, IS REEKING WITH THE NON-DENOMINATIONAL PUKE OF THE DEVIL: USUALLY “CAN`T HANDLE THE TRUTH” AND DON`T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT:

 

 

THE CLANGING GONG

 

EPHESUS

 

THE LOVELESS CHRISTIAN, CHURCH

 

REV. 2/1-7

 

Again, easy to spot, a christian, a church who exude correct doctrine, knowledge, they know the Holy Writings backwards, can parrot off Scripture book chapter and verse, can even spot fakes a mile away, and hate “all appearance of evil”, but there is no passion, depth of emotion, warmth, their expression of the Gospel is cold, ineffectual, because they would rather study the letter of the Bible than go into their prayer closet and be intimate with Jesus; HENCE THEY BECOME AS “TINKLING BRASS”: (1 COR. 13/1-3): It is difficult to sense a depth of passionate conviction with them, as they go about patiently labouring in the faith, bearing His reproach: Again, Heb. 6/4-6:

 

 

PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN

 

SMYRNA

 

REV. 2/8-11

 

Those who suffer tribulation, persecution, reproach for Christ, (John 16/33, Acts 14/22, 2 Tim. 3/12, Math. 5/10,13/21, Mk. 4/17, John 15/20, ), living with the pain of other so called Christians who oppose them, calling them heretics, false, “persecuted for righteousness sake”,  who are materially poor, some of whom will be killed standing for His Holy Name: (Rev. 2/8-11: Math. 23/34):

THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN

 

PHILADELPHIA

 

REV. 3/7-13

 

I will also add that it is common discussion, intent and purpose with the churches of Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis and Laodecia to pursue as they fulfill Holy Writ, Prophecy, (2 Thes. 2/3) and to become,

 

As is obvious from the above, the most difficult spiritual condition to identify and pin

down is, “THE LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN”, BECAUSE OF THEIR SHADOWY, SLIPPERY MODE OF LIFESTYLE, DUCKING, DODGING, WEAVING, BOUNCING BETWEEN THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS, CAREFULLY AVOIDING GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE FIRE OF THE HOLY GHOST, BUT NOT SEEMINGLY ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO WANDER TOO FAR AWAY, OR SO THEY THINK, NOT REALISING THAT THE LORD SPUES THEM OUT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bevan Kluver,

Straight Talk Ministries,

P. O. Box 405,

North Tamborine Qld., 4272,

Ph/Fax 07 55452874,

Website www.straighttalkmin.org

bevan.kluver@bigpond.com

 

“speaking the truth in love, in the spirit of meekness, earnestly contending for the faith;”

 

HELPING HIM PREPARE A BRIDE WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH:

 

HATING EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FELLOWSHIP COMMITTED TO DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES

 

I am a part of the fellowship committed to doing “whatever it takes!”. I have Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I`ve stepped over the line. I am out of the comfort zone. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His.

 

I won`t look back, let up, slow down or back away. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame vision, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals!

 

I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotions or popularity. I don`t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by Presence, lean on faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labour by power.

 

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

 

I won`t give up, shut up, or burn up till I`ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops.

 

And when He comes to get His own, He`ll have no problem recognizing me because I have dedicated my life to being a part of the fellowship committed to doing “whatever it takes”.

 

WRITTEN B A YOUNG AFRICAN PASTOR AND TAPED ON THE WALL OF HIS HOME.

 

 

DR. ISHAKAMUA BARASHANGO

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