Pastor continued with Part 4 of his series: It Matters. He reminded us that last week’s part 3, reminded us it was important to come into God’s presence on His terms and conditions, not on ours.
This week Pastor focused on ‘temperature checks’. During the Covid19 pandemic year (plus) many businesses, schools and other facilities required a temperature check for entry. An elevated temperature signifies something going on and is the bodies way of fighting an infection.
Pastor advised that it is time for each of us to get a spiritual temperature check. Is our temperature low, high or normal? Low isn’t good and even normal isn't enough. Our spiritual temperature should be elevated to help fight off the enemy. We need to take action, not just sit passively, in order to get our spiritual temperature to rise.
In Revelation 3:14-16 Jesus wrote a letter to the church at Laodicea noting they were neither hot nor cold. But because they were lukewarm, he said he would spit them out. After chastising the church, Jesus exhorted them to turn from your indifference. “So be earnest and repent.” Revelation 3:17-19.
Indifference kills. It is a gateway for depression. Indifference manifests in laziness, apathy and self-centeredness. The first step to move from indifference is to recognize our need for Christ.
Our spiritual temperature matters. It should be rising. If we understood whose presence we were in, would we ever be indifferent? Taken, one step further, do your actions match up with your beliefs?
Pastor shared a story about a man and his daughter he recently ran into while waiting for an elevator in an Orlando hotel. They were returning from the pool where they had worn their masks. As they chit-chatted, the man said he was from New York and had moved to Tennessee. He expressed that he was scared of those states that had opened too soon, too quickly. Pastor thought, if he is scared, then why is he vacationing with his daughter in Orlando?
There are many examples in the Bible of men and women whose actions matched their beliefs. The woman who broke the alabaster jar to anoint Jesus knew whose presence she was in. The woman with the issue of blood knew whose presence she was in. Stephen continued to preach Jesus even as he was facing being stoned because he recognized whose presence he was in.
The Point: Our spiritual temperature matters. It is proof of the true nature of our relationship with Jesus.
Paul directs believers to examine yourself in 2 Corinthians 13:5 - to make sure you are in the faith.
Do you hunger for His presence? Press into His presence.
When our spiritual temperature is on the rise, God can do something with us.
I had a great time picking a song video today. I started out with one thing in mind but got to find many new songs and listen to some favorites. That made it a harder choice. 😊 I listened to four different versions of this song and chose this one for the beauty, reverence and JOY!
A Verse for Today2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Dear Lord - Please don't let me ever take Your presence for granted.
