Revelation 3:14-16 — And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

I said I was thinking about new “deadly sins” of modern churches, so why am I starting with the Laodiceans? It’s because I want to think about the churches that are full of deadly warmth.

The Laodiceans were neither cold nor hot. They were voting “present”. They weren’t opposed to the gospel, but they had no passion — for the gospel, for witness or, in the end, for the souls of their neighbors. 

Did you ever go into one of those churches where the preaching was sound, and the music was wonderful, where the people welcomed you to coffee after the service and where there was no interest in you? That’s deadly warmth.

Did you ever spend time in a  Bible study group when the study was great, the teaching was really instructive, where somebody always brought cookies and there was even childcare — but anyone who didn’t seem the same as the other group members wasn’t welcome? That’s deadly warmth too.

Did you ever visit a church that was “inclusive”, watering down the truth of the gospel and refusing to take a strong position on moral issues because that would be “intolerant”, and might frighten seekers away? That’s more deadly warmth.

So what do you do if you find yourself in one of these dreadful churches? Well it depends.

Are you visiting a church with a warm surface and a cold heart? Run! 

Is the deadly warm church your own? Then you have a choice. Stay or go. The question is, “can you make a difference?” It’s certainly not going to be easy, because your fellow members share two terrible characteristics with the Laodiceans — they think they’re doing fine, and they think they’re safe:

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)

Unless the Holy Spirit steps in and a wind of revival sweeps through the church, the deadly warm church will soon be dead. I would rarely say such a thing … but get out before you start to enjoy the warmth!