Under Construction – Part 2

Review 

Last week: 

• New series 
• New theme  
• New context 

New context 

• World more evil 
• Tools more powerful 
• Irony: height of human accomplishment (technology, lifestyle, options, conveniences) + height of human self-destruction (morally, socially, emotionally, spiritually, politically, medically) 

• Producing predicted outcomes: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV): 1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.  
• Stakes are raised 
• Darkness unapologetic  
• Running out of time 
• Less margin for disobedience 
• Big penalties for being Lukewarm 

The Consequences of Being Lukewarm 

• Revelation 3: 14-15 (ESV): 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  
• You don’t fool me. I see who you really are 
• Revelation 3: 16 (ESV): 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you outof my mouth. 
• Like a freshly brewed cup of coffee that’s been sitting for a while because you got pulled into a long phone call. Now try to drink it. 
• Revelation 3: 17 (ESV):17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 
• Revelation 3: 18 (ESV):18 I counsel you to buy from megold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  
• Revelation 3:19 (ESV):19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 
• Revelation 3: 20 (ESV):20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  

The lukewarm attitude says this: “It doesn’t take all that.” 

• Three signs you’re lukewarm [Play Instagram Clip]:
• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTJv3JACWU3/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• You’re comfortable with sin 
• You seek forgiveness, but not obedience 
• You blend in so well that no one knows you follow Jesus 

Stay Woke 

• Revelation 3:1 (ESV): 1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputationof being alive, but you are dead. 
• Revelation 3:2 (ESV):2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 
• Revelation 3:3 (ESV): 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not knowat what hour I will come against you.

You Demonstrate That Your Faith Is Hot When You Teach Others 

• Hebrews 5:12-13(ESV):12 For though by this timeyou ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,  
• Psalm 51:12–13 (ESV): 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 
• 2 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV):1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 
• Paul’s discipleship pipeline: 
• Paul 
• Timothy 
• Faithful men 
• Others 

The Deception of Stream-by-Choice 

• Revelation 2:1–3 (ESV):1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  
• Revelation 2:4 (ESV):4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  
• Revelation 2:4 (ESV):5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 

New Context, New Commitments 

This Year’s Theme 

This Year’s Theme: “Under Construction” 

This Year’s Theme Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV): 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  

Physical Construction Teaching Us About Physical Construction 

• Deuteronomy 4:5–9 (ESV):5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’  
• Deuteronomy 4:7: 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?  
• Deuteronomy 4:9: 9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 
• Moses led a 4G ministry 
• Moses 
• Congregation 
• Children 
• Children’s Children 

Three Areas of Construction 

Identity  

• You won’t behave beyond who you think you are 
• How we behave is tied to what we believe about Christ and who we are in Him. 
• We are  
• Living Stones 
• Priests 
• Holy Vessels 
• Ministers 
• When we know who we are, we will gather, as often as we can, in as many contexts as we can—and even more so as we see more signs of the season of His appearing. 
• It’s also one of the indicators of being hot for the Lord. 

Gathering  

We are rebuilding the way we gather so that we get the most out of our time together 

• In worship 
• In teaching 
• In fellowship 

The difference between teaching and training: 

• Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trainedby constant practice to distinguish good from evil.   

Ministry 

• You will be building your ministry (which is one reason for the training) 
• Doing ministry is critical to your spiritual growth