"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." Revelation 3:15-17

In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 we find Jesus walking among His seven Churches which were in Asia Minor. He is examining the Church in each city and in a letter wrote to them about what He found. Jesus told them what they were doing right and what they needed to repent from.

Only the Churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia pleased the Lord. Ephesus had lost their first love, Pergamum held some false doctrines, Thyatira tolerated the spirit of Jezebel which caused the saints to commit immorality, Sardis had become spiritually dead and Laodicea was lukewarm and didn’t even know it.

Though these Churches existed and received these corrections during the time of John, many Bible scholars believe that they also represent current conditions of the Church. And there are some who believe that each Church represents an era in time with Ephesus representing the Apostolic Church and Laodicea representing the End Time Church.

If you were to ask most fundamental Christians today if they thought the Church was as spiritually vibrant now as it was 30 or 40 years ago, most would answer no. Most older fundamental Christians believe that today’s Church is more worldly than the Church of their youth. By fundamental Christian, I mean a Christian who believes that the Word of God is infallible and should be lived.

The Barna Group recently did an intensive study to determine the flavor of America. They conducted a number of polls, surveys and more than 30,000 interviews. The research showed that 85% of Americans claim to be Christians but only 16% believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. 67% claimed to be moderate Christians who are at peace with the world.

The Barna Group refers to these a casual Christians. According to the research, these believe that moral truth is relative - place family over faith in importance - pursue happiness over holiness - tolerant of the sin of others - conforms to what is presently acceptable - accommodates Christianity within the framework of their personal goals and desires - and view God as benign and forgiving who will happily accept them just as they are. What Church in Asia Minor do you think would best represent these casuals?

Let’s examine these beliefs to see if they are supported by the Bible or not. Paul wrote Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for instruction for salvation - the Bible is infallible. Jesus said that He is the Truth, and Hebrews says that He is the same today, yesterday and forever - truth is not relative but is absolute.

Jesus warned those following Him that it would cause division among family members and said whoever places anyone above Him is not worthy of Him - God first, family second. Jesus said to keep the Kingdom of God first and things and happiness would be added to us.

Peter wrote that we must be holy for He is holy. Paul wrote that to tolerate sin in the Church was not good and said to not associate with such a "so-called brother." James said to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God.