Lukewarm Is the New Normal
Lukewarm Is the New Normal
Text: Revelation 3:14–22
My friends the world has turned things upside down.
What the Bible calls normal—wholehearted, cross-bearing discipleship—
is now labeled radical, extreme, or fanatical.
And what the Bible warns against—lukewarm, half-hearted religion—
has become the accepted, respectable “normal”
in much of what calls itself Christianity today.
Giving up all for Messiah may sound radical.
But in Scripture, that is the normal call of discipleship.
Lukewarm faith, on the other hand, is diluted—watered down.
It is a mixture: part God, part self;
part kingdom, part world;
part Spirit, part flesh.
The Lord calls it out, saying:
“Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).
This morning let’s examine how lukewarmness has become normal,
why it is deadly,
and what true discipleship looks like.
1. Lukewarm Christianity in Scripture
Revelation 3:15–16 – The Lord said to Laodicea:
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot…
I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Lukewarm faith is not openly hostile.
But it is useless, ineffective, and offensive to God.
Illustration: Lukewarm water isn’t refreshing like cold water.
It isn’t healing like hot water.
It is worthless.
That is how God sees diluted devotion.
2. How Lukewarm Became Normal
Comfort over conviction –
Many prefer a faith that asks nothing, costs nothing, risks nothing.
Culture over Scripture –
Zeal is labeled “fanaticism.”
Compromise is praised as “moderation.”
Yet Paul said, “It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing” (Galatians 4:18).
Numbers over truth –
Leaders fear offending people more than offending God.
They tone down repentance, holiness, and cross-bearing faith.
This has created a culture where lukewarmness is the standard,
and true discipleship is seen as radical.
3. True Discipleship Looks Radical to the World
Luke 14:33 – Yeshua said:
“Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Giving up all may sound radical.
But this is normal discipleship.
Lukewarm faith, in contrast, is a dilution.
It is part hot, part cold.
Part Spirit, part flesh.
Part God, part self.
Spirit and flesh – Galatians 5:16 warns us:
Walk by the Spirit.
Lukewarmness tries to walk partly by Spirit
while indulging flesh.
World and kingdom – Matthew 6:24:
“You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Yet lukewarmness tries to straddle both.
Obedience and convenience –
True discipleship obeys fully.
Lukewarm faith obeys only when convenient.
Faith and fear – Hebrews 11 shows saints who risked all.
Lukewarm faith says: “I’ll follow as long as it’s safe.”
Confession and compromise – James 1:8 calls double-mindedness unstable.
Lukewarm faith professes devotion
while keeping self in control.
4. Israel’s Divided Heart – Old Testament Picture
Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1–6) –
Israel tried to worship God through an idol.
Ritual mixed with rebellion.
The Judges (Judges 2:11–13) –
Israel served both the LORD and Baal.
Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21) –
Elijah rebuked them:
“How long will you go limping between two opinions?”
Divided Worship (2 Kings 17:33) –
They feared the LORD
but also served their own gods.
Prophets’ Rebuke (Hosea 10:2) –
“Their heart is divided; now they are held guilty.”
Lukewarm faith is nothing new.
Israel’s divided heart is a warning:
The Lord will not accept half-hearted devotion.
5. The Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19:16–22 –
The young man had kept all the commandments.
Outward obedience? Yes.
Inward surrender? No.
He would not give up self for Messiah.
James 2:19 – Even demons believe God exists.
Belief alone does not save.
Isaiah 1:13–14 –
Ritual without heartfelt obedience is vain.
If belief, religious motion, or good behavior were enough,
Messiah’s sacrifice would be unnecessary.
Following the Old Testament alone would suffice.
But Yeshua came to call us to faith expressed in obedience.
6. Belief and Baptism – Where Faith Meets Obedience
Mark 16:16 –
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved,
but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Acts 2:38 – Peter told the crowds:
“Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Baptism is not empty ritual.
It is the outward expression of inward faith.
Romans 6:3–4:
“All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death…
that we too might walk in newness of life.”
Ritual without belief is empty.
Belief without obedience is dead.
But belief with obedience—
faith expressed in baptism—
is saving faith.
Conclusion
Brethren, lukewarm faith has become the new normal.
But the Lord has not changed His standard.
He calls for all of us, all in, surrendered, cross-bearing discipleship.
Lukewarm is diluted, mixed, double-minded.
It fails Israel’s test.
It fails the young ruler’s test.
It fails Messiah’s call.
True discipleship looks radical to the world.
But it is simply normal obedience to God.
Belief alone, rituals alone, good behavior alone—none are enough.
Faith must be expressed in obedience,
in repentance,
and in baptism.
The Lord is still at the door (Rev. 3:20), knocking.
He calls you to surrender completely,
to be fully His,
to reject lukewarm compromise.
That is the normal faith of the saints.
It may look radical to men,
but it is what pleases God,
saves the soul,
and grants eternal life.