Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 28, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

DON’T BE A MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD SAINT

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22

Text: Revelation 3:16

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Introduction: Our text describes the average Baptist in America. It also describes the average Baptist church and, sad, to say, even some independent Baptist churches. Today I am going to call this Laodicean Christian a “middle-of-the-road saint.” He does not want to be identified as a liberal, or far left. After all, he DOES believe in the virgin birth. However, he also does not want to be identified as a Bible-believing fundamentalist, or a right-wing fanatic. After all, he DOES want to reach people for Christ and not turn them off by being too extreme.

I. THEY ARE THE MOST DECEPTIVE

Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

You can’t tell whose side they are own

A. Even their family members don’t know where they stand

Their family members don’t know whether or not they will be in church in the evening services or even on every Sunday morning.
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

B. Even their friends don’t know where they stand

Your friends should know where you stand for God!

C. Even the fellowship of their church doesn’t know where they stand

A preacher can’t count on them to do the right thing.
They will never become Sunday School teachers, because they are unwilling to commit themselves to the far right!

II. THEY ARE THE MOST DEADLY

Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

People who travel down the middle of the road cause wrecks!

These “middle-of-the-road saints” are a dangerous bunch!

A. They allow a country to go to hell

Without warning
Without rebuke
Without a godly example

B. They advocate compromise

Their idea is to do whatever it takes to get people to church.
They will do wrong in an effort to do right, justifying the means by the end or goal that they want to reach.

C. They alter a church

Little by little
A change in music
A change in dress
A change in Bible versions
A change in methods
A change in the name (many churches are removing “Baptist” from their name.
A canceling of evening services, for church homecoming, then for long revival services on Sunday morning, then for Super Bowl Sunday … !

III. THEY ARE THE MOST DISGUSTING

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

These “middle-of-the-road saints” will turn your stomach!

A. They make the community sick

A community is not going to experience revival in the presence of middle-of-the-road saints.
A community will not experience Holy Ghost conviction.

B. They make the church sick

These compromisers make a church so that it is no different from the world.
No one experiences deep conviction of sin in their services.
They can live like the devil during the week, come to church, and feel right at home.

C. They make new converts sick

People who actually do get converted in “middle-of-the-road” churches rarely have a change of life that turns them into right-wing, red-hot, dedicated Christians!

D. They make Christ sick

The Bible is plain! Jesus wants us on the far right, NOT in the MIDDLE!
Too many churches are concerned about having “seeker-friendly” services, and have forgotten to make them JESUS-friendly ones!