THE LUKEWARM CHURCH - TheCypressTimes

In the midst of our crisis, where is the church when We The People need it most? Upon what foundation is a prosperous society built, where the church is asleep at the gate? In the midst of its slumber, by what compass do We The People preserve One Nation Under GOD, With Liberty And Justice For All? By what moral fabric do we clothe ourselves day by day against the elements of the enemy?

This past Veterans Day 2009, my wife and I were given an object lesson concerning the present state of our church in this country. I had spoken before the San Angelo Tea Party group the night before, and it was a powerful evening. I stood before a group of 50-60 people sitting in a horseshoe configuration—fitting for West Texas—speaking about the Truth Is Not For Everyone . . . At the far right end, sitting closest to me, was a tall, distinguished looking man with white hair, probably in his late fifties. As I described how We The People have been voting for the “Lesser Of” too long, and how we must, instead, take a firm and unwavering stand by writing on such ballots “Christ The Lord,” he was transfixed. At the time, I wasn’t certain if he was embracing of the message or appalled—no one is ever indifferent.

After concluding the subsequent question and answer session, I thanked the group and walked over to my book-signing table, where I was promptly met by this tall man. He grabbed a book, handed it to me and said, “This is the message I’ve been waiting for. I am going to preach this everywhere.” He was very excited and I figured he was simply responding to my call that all of us need to speak out “The Truth Is“ wherever we go; at home, at work and wherever we meet our brethren along the way. He firmly shook my hand and promptly departed the meeting room.

Not long thereafter, a couple approached me, thanking me and my family for our commitment to our country. They then asked me if I knew who that tall man was. I shook my head. “That’s the pastor of our church,” they said. “We just saw him in the restaurant lobby, telling everyone about your message. He is so excited about this. He’s on fire!”

Now fast forward to the following evening, Veterans Day. It was late as my family drove up Highway 290 towards Dripping Springs. We were supposed to have gathered with some friends that night down in Boerne, but circumstances had caused that appointment to fall through. As it turned out, the Lord had another appointment for us to keep, and His timing is impeccable.

So, as we drove along the dark stretch of road, we came upon a young woman, alone, walking along the uneven roadside to our right. When our headlights shone on her, she turned back hesitantly, then continued on as we passed, stumbling along the way.

Picture this scene. It’s late, it’s dark, we’re on an uninhabited stretch of highway, nearly 10 miles from the nearest town or city. What in the world is a young woman doing walking alone at this time of night along the highway? Had no one before us pulled over to see if she needed help?

My wife and I did not hesitate. We quickly came to a stop, did a u-turn and headed back to where the woman was walking. As we drove up beside her in the opposite lane, she was visibly nervous. I called out and asked her if she needed help. When she looked over, she must have seen my wife and kids and figured we meant her no harm. I told her to jump in and we would take her to wherever she needed to go. Thank God she accepted our offer and crossed the road to jump inside our Tahoe.

My wife hopped in the back seat, giving her the passenger seat beside me. She was in her mid-twenties, somewhat disheveled, very nervous, distraught, and had clearly been crying. We introduced ourselves and she thanked us sincerely, asking me if I would drive to her brother’s house another five miles or so down the road. As I began to drive, she broke into tears. She berated herself for having been “so stupid.”

Together, my wife and I started to question her about what had happened. Reluctantly, she told us that she had come from a party, which she had gone to with her brother’s friend, whom she really didn’t know. Something—she wouldn’t disclose what—had happened and she left on foot. She had already been walking miles by the time we had crossed her path.

Now you have to understand that during our journey, my family and I have encountered many things that are beyond coincidence. Given our purpose, we are often put to work for our brothers and sisters in need at just the right time and place. Therefore, we did not hesitate to intercede for this young woman suddenly placed within our care.

We told her that God loved her and has purpose for her. We told her that He had sent us to her at this very moment, in her dire time of need, so that she may know that He does indeed answer prayers.

At this, she sobbed all the more. We asked her if she was a believer, and she nodded, saying she was. We then suggested that she come with us, that we would take her to her home, uncertain if she would be safe in her brother’s home—it was his friend, remember. She said she lived in Wichita Falls (about five hours north), and we were prepared to drive her there. However, she said, “I can’t go back there.” We asked her why not, and she disclosed, “I lived there with my mom, and she just committed suicide the other day.”

As you can imagine, my wife and I were torn at the heart. Isn’t this just the way life can be at times. One evil thing compiles upon another, and another, until you just can’t take any more. My wife and I both felt strongly that had we not come into this woman’s circle at this very moment, she may not have survived the week.

Despite our best efforts to convince her to remain with us, she was determined to get to her brother’s house. One can certainly understand her need to be with family.

After we dropped her off, we prayed intensely that the Lord’s light would enter this family and draw them out of the darkness that had enveloped them. We also questioned if we could have done something more, but you have to honor the wishes of those whom the Lord sends your way.

As we drove back up Highway 290 and into Dripping Springs, I spotted a church on the left side of the road. A large cross, suspended over the main entrance captured my attention. I instantly knew that we needed to stop at that church and seek their help for this woman and her brother. We pulled into the church parking lot, which was full, just as the congregation began to emerge from their Thursday night fellowship. The church elders greeted me at the door, and I promptly shared our encounter with this woman. I told them the Lord had drawn me to their door and that they needed to intercede for this family. I told them that a small group of them should go to her brother’s home and minister unto them, for they were in dire need of the Word.

However, to my dismay, they looked at one another blankly. I could almost hear their thoughts, “Go to their house? Well, who’s going to do that? What can we do?” Then someone suggested this was a task for the police.

Now just what benefit to this woman’s soul are the police going to be? Does it say in the Bible, when your neighbor has been robbed and lay bleeding beside the path, CALL THE POLICE TO COME RESCUE HIM!

My wife and I did pray with this group for this family in need, but I was still hoping they would snap to and get out to their house, not later, but now! Who cares if the door is slammed shut when they arrive. Isn’t that their job, to visit every door with faith that for the many doors shut, at least one will be opened?

Before we departed, I told them, “This family has need of a church. The Lord brought me here. It is upon you He has placed this burden, so I hope you will do what needs to be done.”

Still, they looked at one another with much question and no decision. I could feel that this was so outside their normal protocol, they didn’t have a clue about what foot to put forward. After all, aren’t those who wish to be saved supposed to come to the church, versus the church coming to them?

Here stands our church, our foundation, and so stands our country.

Months later, my family was honored to congregate with brothers and sisters from Ottawa, Ohio at Faith Assembly of Believers Church on January 10. There, Pastor Larry Bibler gave a powerful and deeply stirring sermon concerning what Revelations describes as the Lukewarm church:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, poor, pitiful, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Revelation 3:15-18

How true these words from Christ to the Church in Laodicea ring today. Consider the pastor from San Angelo, whom that couple described as being “On Fire!” Now, consider that church near Dripping Springs, frozen at the very moment they were called to duty? Perhaps a church that is Cold is no church at all, and a church, which prays for the Lord’s intercession, but takes no action on behalf of the Lord, is Lukewarm. The church and its pastor who takes action on behalf of the Lord, and unabashedly speaks the Truth, must be Hot!

Christ once spoke to the Jews concerning His purpose, and counseled those who would follow Him, concerning the obligation of a disciple:

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:16

Now does the good shepherd stand within the pen and wait for his lost sheep to find themselves, or does he go out and find them? Moreover, when someone comes to the shepherd and says, I have found your lost sheep and this is where you may find them, shall the shepherd pray to the Lord that the sheep find their own way? Would a good shepherd not go to where the messenger said the lost sheep were and rather pray to the Lord that his voice may be recognized?

If you are a pastor and discover in this reading that you have been Lukewarm, I pray you take action for the Lord, begin boldly speaking the Truth and become Hot. If you are an individual or family among the congregation of a Lukewarm church, I pray you urge your church leadership to turn up the heat. If you are among the many who are seeking a church where hot meals may be found, then fret not. There is at least one Hot church in San Angelo, another at Faith Assembly of Believers, under Pastor Bibler in Ottawa, Ohio, and I assure you there is at least one near your hometown. Seek and you shall find it.

If We The People are to restore our republic to its founding grace, then it must begin with the church. We Christians must unite, for united are our enemies, who root in the enemy. We must put aside our petty differences, arguments and quarrels over doctrine, which are altogether unprofitable and useless concerning the engagement at hand. We are in the midst of the great battle between good and evil of our times, and yet so few churches are even willing to call to attention the signs of the times. Remember that we vote our Caesars into office, and therefore are accountable for their actions. If the church does not engage matters of state, in order to provide the flock with perspective concerning their votes, then by whose perspective will they vote their conscience?

These are not the days to be satisfied with being Lukewarm. Let there be Hot or let there be Cold, for at least the Cold may be awakened and led to the Lord’s keep. But the Lukewarm falsely believes they are awakened, and so they sleepwalk through this struggle.

Turn up the heat, oh Israel. Challenge the sleepers with The Truth Is Not For Everyone . . . Let them deny themselves and at last take up the torch of Truth. Let them choose a side in this conflict for the soul of our nation, but let no one choose the way of neutrality. In the battle of decision, those who attempt to take the middle ground will see it disappear beneath them. They will be consumed just as those who were Cold and heard not the call to arms.

No matter our religion or denomination, we Christians belong to the one true church. It is the church of the God Most High, a church of We The People who take root in Christ The Lord, both with prayer and with action. It is a church which honors The Good Shepherd, who knows not the Cold, nor the Lukewarm, but seeks those who burn with the brightness of the sun.

Therefore, let us Unite In Truth that the minions of the enemy may fall, for United We Stand, but divided, We The People will most certainly fall.

God Bless Your New Year And Always Speak The Truth!

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