Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

4 Ways to Avoid Becoming Lukewarm – Revelation 3

Tagged , Leave a comment

Starbucks sells hot coffee and iced coffee, but lukewarm coffee is not on the menu.

The reason for this is because no one likes lukewarm drinks! Being lukewarm spiritually is one of the worst places to be because you are not getting the spiritual benefits of passionately following Jesus and you are not enjoying the sinful things of the world either!

1. Take your spiritual temperature.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Rev 3:15-16

God knows if you are really lukewarm. You may be doing the right things, but if you are not doing them out of a love for God you might be moving toward becoming lukewarm.

2. Beware of the comfort of riches.

“You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.” Rev 3:17-18

Riches can be deceiving. When you have all your needs taken care of it is easy to be lazy. Many people who are well off start trusting their money instead of trusting God. God would rather have us be poor and dependent on Him than rich and lukewarm.

3. Realize that indifference is a sin.

“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Rev 3:19

Did you know that indifference is a sin? Next time you are bored in your relationship with God, ask Jesus to forgive you. There are so many exciting things about following Jesus, it is not his fault that you are bored. Confess your indifference to God and start pursuing Him wholeheartedly.

4. Open your heart to Jesus and fellowship with him.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Rev 3:20

This verse is often used when sharing the gospel with nonbelievers, but it was actually written to lukewarm believers. The greatest way to shake your lukewarmness is to spend quality time with Jesus. He is waiting to spend time with you; will you open the door?

If you have never started a relationship with God, then the invitation is still open.  He wants a friendship with you and all you need to do is repent of your sin and open the door of your heart and choose to follow him with your life.

Why do you think people are so prone to lukewarm living?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Don’t loose sight of love. Revelation 2

Tagged , Leave a comment

Jesus had a specific message for the church in Ephesus that applies to many churches today.

They were doing well in many ways. They were working hard. They were patiently enduring suffering. They were standing for truth and not tolerating false teachers. But they lacked the most important thing. Love.

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” Rev 2:4

“You’ve lost that loving feeling.”

When you a person first comes to Christ everything is new. They are infused with a consuming love for God and others. This passionate love had been lost at the church in Ephesus.

Our love for God should not be based on feelings, but should be a commitment to follow him.  A healthy marriage is a good example of this. The first few years of marriage a couple has the “honeymoon” stage. Everything is new and exciting. But after that, the love can either grow deeper or they grow apart.

With God it is similar. Many people don’t grow deeper after the initial exciting start of their relationship with God. This is sad because they are missing out on so much depth in their relationship with God. What about you?

Have you lost your first love?

Many Christians today know how to go through the motions of church, but many are  are not really experiencing love for God as they should. Here is what Jesus said to the church in Ephesus.

“Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” Rev 2:5

Loosing sight of love is a sin.

We must repent and turn our focus back on loving God. The proof of that love will be good works. Repentance is the key to restoration.

The way to renew your love for God is to start doing the things that you did when you first came to Christ. Some things could include; Reading your Bible, praying, sharing your faith, or investing in other Christians. Do something!

As you start obeying Jesus your love for Him will grow in depth.

What do you need to do today to renew your love for God and others?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 2 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

4 reasons you should read the book of Revelation. (Revelation 1)

Tagged , , , , Leave a comment

1. Revelation is from Jesus Christ.

“This is a revelation from Jesus Christ…” Rev 1:1a

The fact that the book of Revelation is from Jesus is enough for me to want to read it. Don’t let fear of not understanding everything to stop you from reading a book that Jesus gave us.

2. Revelation is a faithful report of future events.

“…which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 1:1b-2

God gave us this book as a warning of future events. He wanted us to know in advance some of what will happen in the end times so that we can remain faithful till the end.

We can be assured that John faithfully reported what he saw in his vision.

4. Revelation is an encouragement to Churches.

“Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Rev 1:11

The first several chapters are written directly to these churches, but I believe it has much that the modern church can apply today.

3. Revelation comes with a blessing to those who read and obey it.

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” Rev 1:3

You will be blessed if you read or listen to the book of Revelation. There is a blessing that we can get from reading and applying all scripture, but this is a specific blessing for this book. You will be blessed if you read Revelation and apply it to your life.

One reason for this is that those who learn what Revelation teaches will be better equipped to understand the signs of the end times. There are also some very valuable encouragements that can apply to every era.

Also there is a stunning description of what we have to look forward to in Heaven and a startling description of Hell. Understanding what we can about Revelation will help us live with an eternal perspective now.

Revelation uses a lot of symbolism that is hard to understand, but I encourage you to read it with an open heart looking for what you can apply to your life.

You don’t have to understand everything to apply something!

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Different people require different ministry approaches. (Jude)

Tagged , , , Leave a comment

There is no “one size fits all” approach to ministering to people.

As ministry leaders, Jude advises us to adjust our methods to the person being ministered to.

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” Jude 1:22-23

1. Show mercy to those who are doubting.

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering…”

Those who are struggling with their belief in God do not need someone yelling at them. They need mercy. They need someone to come alongside them and assure them of their faith.

2. Rescue others more aggressively.

“Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment…”

This phrase implies that some people need a more aggressive approach to get their attention. I’m still not promoting yelling on the street corner.  I believe that even our more aggressive attempts to reach people need to motivated and seasoned by grace.

Sometimes we need to sit across from someone and tell them the hard truths they need to hear without sugar coating it. Some people will respond better to a loving warning than a hint.

3. Be careful that you don’t end up tolerating sin and becoming contaminated.

 “Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”

It is helpful to spend time with the people you are ministering to. The danger comes when they end up influencing you way more than you are influencing them!

As you make friends with non-believers and wavering believers be sure that you also have a solid group of Christians to keep you grounded. Also watch yourself and make sure that you are not falling into the same sins the people you are reaching out to are.

What are some ways of discerning which ministry methods to use for different people?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Jude 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John

Tagged , Leave a comment

As a campus minister, nothing makes me happier than when the people I’ve invested in are walking with Jesus.

John had the same sentiment.

“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 1:4

When you invest time and energy in people it gives you great joy to see that they are following the truth that you taught them.

As ministers our joy is connected to the well-being of our people.

Part of your goal in ministry should be that when the people are not with you that they will still follow Jesus.

Especially for those of us in college ministry and youth ministry this is very important. We only get people for four years (or so) and then they leave. How we have invested in them will play a huge role in if they continue to follow the truth.

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 3 John in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Why “face to face” communication is still the best! 2 John

Tagged , , , , , Leave a comment

It is so easy to Facebook, Instagram, text, tweet, or email.

Though these are valuable communication tools, our culture is in danger of on neglecting face to face human contact.

In the US we spend an average of 7.4 hours staring at a screen! 

According Quartz, “That breaks down to 147 minutes spent watching TV, 103 minutes in front of a computer, 151 minutes on a smartphones and 43 minutes with a tablet.”

These are not all bad communication tools, but spending so much time in front of a screens is taking away from our time with real people!

In the book of 2 John is a very short letter and John ends it like this.

“I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.” 2 John 1:12

John didn’t want to settle for communication via the technology of the day (writing).  He wanted to see these people face to face for two reasons.

1. Some things are better said in person.

When you have something serious to discuss it is often best to talk face to face.

For example, don’t break up with someone over text! Most of the time clearing up relationships and “touch” conversations are better done in person. People need to see your face and feel your compassion when you are saying hard things.  Written words don’t often convey how you really feel well.

2. Face to face communication yields the most joy.

The phrase “Then our joy will be complete” is important. 

There is no substitute for the joy real human interaction.

One reason many or us are lonely and depressed is because we spend time more time with screens than with with people. We are simultaneously the most connected and the most lonely generation.

I encourage you this Christmas season to spend time with the people you love face to face. There is no substitute.

Check out this powerful video on loneliness and social media.

The Innovation of Loneliness from Shimi Cohen on Vimeo.

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 2 John  in the One Year Bible New Testament.

How to be 100% sure you are saved. 1 John 5

Tagged Leave a comment

The book of 1 John is all about how to know if you are saved.

Some of the last verses gives us the easiest way to know if you are saved.

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

If you know you have Jesus you know you have eternal life.

It’s that simple. If you know you have Jesus living in your heart than you can be 100% sure you are going to heaven.

Notice it says, “He has given us eternal life.” This means that there is nothing we have to do but receive it! It is a gift from God.

The purpose of the book of 1 John is to assure true believers that they have eternal life.

“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

I encourage you to re-read 1 John and look at the descriptions of a true believer…

  • Do you have a genuine love for God?
  • Do you love other believers?
  • Do you know you have the Holy Spirit living in you?
  • Do you desire to obey God and can say no to sin?

These are signs that you have Jesus in your life. The good news of the book of 1 John is that you can know 100% that you are a child of God!

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 1 John 5 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

8 characteristics of real love. What is love really? – 1 John 4

Tagged Leave a comment

1. Real love comes from God.

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7a

2. Real love is a sign of being God’s child.

“Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.  But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7b-8

3. Real love is perfectly demonstrated by Christ’s death for us.

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

4. Real love is brought to full expression when it is shared.

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12

“If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. 1 John 4:20-21

5. Real love can be trusted.

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.” 1 John 4:16

6. Real love grows more perfect.

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.” 1 John 4:16b-17

7. Real love expels all fear.

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” 1 John 4:18

8. Real love is a response to God’s love.

“We love each other because he loved us first.” 1 John 4:19

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 1 John 4 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

A lesson from the movie “Frozen.” What is real love? 1 John 3

Leave a comment

“Only an act of true love will thaw a frozen heart!” – Olaf The Snow Man

Spoiler Alert: In the ending of “Frozen”, Anna sacrifices her life for her sister Elsa. Elsa did not deserve this sacrifice, but Anna chose to die in order to saver her sister. This is one of the greatest examples of true love in all cartoons!  True love is sacrificial love. Watch the clip below…

Real love is giving up your life for another.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

Jesus died even though we didn’t deserve it. To share the love of Christ with others we must sacrifice for them. In the same way that Anna came back to life, Jesus also came back to life. Unlike Anna Jesus can give us the power to love like him! If you are a Christian Jesus fills you with his love and gives you the power to share it!

True Love is shown by it’s actions.

As Olaf said, “an act of true love” was the thing that would break the curse. In the same way the “act of” Christ dying on the cross saved us from sin. For us “the act” of love is making sacrifices for the sake of others. Talk is cheap. Love is costly.

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:17-18

If we see someone in need, but don’t help that’s not love. You should question if you really have God’s love if you don’t have compassion for the needy in your life.

This doesn’t mean we have to help everyone but we should be sacrificially loving those whom God has but in our lives!  It’s time to stop talking about about loving people and actually do something.

What is one loving action that you can do for someone today?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 1 John 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

7 signs that you are saved. You might be a Christian if… (1 John 2)

Tagged , 1 Comment

1. You desire to obey God’s commands.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

2. You love your fellow believers.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.1 John 2:9

3. You aren’t driven by the worldly pursuits of lust, greed or pride.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17

4. You have remained faithful to the church.

These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 1 John 2:4

5. You have the Holy Spirit living in you.

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27

6. You can distinguish truth from lies.

So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 1 John 2:21

7. You acknowledge the Father and the Son.

Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 1 John 2 in the One Year Bible New Testament.