Spiritual Zeal
Spiritual Zeal5
Rev. 3:19. the Love and the Discipline
By Horatius Bonar0PSA 51:10PRO 3:12MAT 24:12LUK 15:20ROM 12:112CO 13:5HEB 12:6JAS 4:81JN 4:16REV 3:19Horatius Bonar emphasizes the dual nature of Christ's love as both tender and disciplinary in his sermon on Revelation 3:19. He warns that believers can quickly become lukewarm, losing their zeal and joy in God, and instead becoming consumed by worldly distractions. Bonar highlights that Christ's rebuke and chastening are acts of love, intended to draw back the wayward heart to repentance and fervor. He calls for believers to recognize their true spiritual state, urging them to be zealous and repent from their complacency. Ultimately, Bonar reassures that Christ's love remains steadfast, even in our failures, and encourages a return to the fervor of first love.
Respectable and Dead
By Zac Poonen0LEV 6:13MAT 21:31LUK 11:24JHN 13:35REV 3:14Zac Poonen emphasizes the danger of being spiritually lukewarm, as exemplified by the Church at Laodicea, which was morally respectable yet spiritually dead. He argues that true discipleship requires a fervent love for God and others, rather than merely the absence of negative feelings. Poonen warns that a lukewarm Christian can cause more harm to the cause of Christ than a worldly unbeliever, as they misrepresent the faith. He stresses the importance of actively cultivating love in our hearts, as true disciples are known by their love for one another. Ultimately, Poonen challenges believers to examine their spiritual temperature and strive for a passionate relationship with God.
Xvii. a Church Neither Cold nor Hot
By John Sung0REV 3:14John Sung emphasizes the urgent message to the Church of Laodicea, which symbolizes the end-times church, warning against being lukewarm in faith. He describes the dangers of complacency and the various forms of misguided zeal that can lead believers astray. Sung urges the congregation to seek genuine faith, purity, and truth, which are essential for spiritual vitality. He reassures that God's chastisement is a sign of His love, calling believers to repentance and a renewed zeal for Christ. Ultimately, he invites everyone to open their hearts to Jesus, who desires a close relationship with them.
The Indications and the Guilt of Backsliding
By Charles Finney0REV 3:15Charles Finney addresses the issue of backsliding in the church, particularly focusing on the lukewarm state of the Laodiceans. He emphasizes that this condition is characterized by a lack of zeal for God, neglect of prayer and scripture, and a hypocritical profession of faith. Finney warns that such a state is not only guilty but also injurious to both the individual and the church, leading to spiritual apathy and the hardening of hearts. He calls for repentance and a return to fervent faith, reminding listeners of Christ's warning to the lukewarm: 'I will spew thee out of my mouth.' The sermon serves as a wake-up call for believers to examine their spiritual lives and rekindle their passion for God.
George Fox - the Unshakable Shaker
By Leonard Ravenhill0MAT 5:10Leonard Ravenhill highlights the remarkable life of George Fox, an uneducated shoemaker who sought truth and spiritual authenticity in a time of religious deadness. Fox's determination led him to create a leather suit for his preaching endeavors, symbolizing his commitment to challenge superstition and hypocrisy within the church. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, he fearlessly proclaimed the message of Christ, influencing many and igniting a spiritual revival across England, Ireland, and beyond. His legacy is marked by his powerful prayer life and unwavering faith, which inspired others to seek a genuine relationship with God. Ravenhill emphasizes that Fox's example of devoted service and fearless witness is one that modern believers should aspire to emulate.