Anchor Verses: Revelation 3:15–19, Matthew 25:1–13, Psalm 51:17

Focus Statement: Don’t settle for safe religion—become a healing presence and a refreshing witness.

Introduction: Be Hot or Cold

  • Revelation 3 reminds us that Jesus desires His people to be useful—like hot springs that heal or cold springs that refresh.
  • Lukewarm faith—comfortable, self-reliant, and indifferent—is rejected. We are called to spiritual usefulness: comforting the broken or reviving the weary.

Add A Note

Vampire Christians

  • Dallas Willard describes “Vampire Christians” as those who want Jesus’ benefits without surrendering to His lordship.
  • Like the foolish bridesmaids in Matthew 25, some live unprepared—comfortable in religious routine but lacking true devotion.
  • We bargain with God, using Him only in crisis while staying spiritually disengaged.

Add A Note

Comfort and Complacency

  • Laodicea was wealthy but blind to its spiritual poverty.
  • Jesus offers true riches:
    • purity (white garments), healing (eye ointment), and vision.
  • He disciplines those He loves and calls us to turn from indifference.
  • Spiritual comfort can dull us to our need for dependence on Christ.

Add A Note

Make Us Useful, Lord!

  • Jesus stands at the door and knocks, desiring relationship—not religious performance.
  • Psalm 51:17 reminds us that what God truly wants is a broken and repentant heart.
  • He calls us to stay on the path of life, to be healed, restored, and made useful—not lukewarm and self-sufficient.

Sermon Questions

  • In what ways have you found yourself slipping into a “lukewarm” faith—one that is safe, comfortable, or self-serving rather than spiritually useful?
    Consider how Jesus’ words in Revelation 3 challenge you. Are you more like the healing hot springs or the refreshing cold ones—or have you settled for spiritual complacency?

  • Reflect on the parable of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25.
    What does it mean to be spiritually prepared in your day-to-day life? How are you keeping your lamp full—through prayer, Scripture, community, or acts of love?

  • Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock.”
    Where in your life do you need to open the door to deeper relationship with Him? What distractions or comforts are keeping you from responding with a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 51:17)?

Add A Note

Email my notes