The question we’re tackling today is a doozy: In what ways has culture negatively impacted the life of the church?
Often, we focus on how the church should influence the world. But today, we’re looking at the inverse: How has culture permeated the church? How have we, perhaps unknowingly, bowed to its rhythms, priorities, and expectations?
This isn’t a hypothetical question for “them out there.” It’s a question for us. It’s an invitation to be humble enough to admit that culture has a way of seeping into our faith—shaping what we love, what we tolerate, and what we expect from God. Left unchecked, culture will disciple us more than Christ does.
The Man in the Arena
In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt gave his famous “Man in the Arena” speech. He wasn’t talking about politics or theology; he was talking about culture. He was concerned about a rising tide of cynicism, entitlement, and apathy.
“It’s not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”
When we look at the church today, we have to ask: Has our faith moved from the “arena” to the sidelines? Are we accepting a version of Christianity that is comfortable and culturally acceptable, but ultimately stagnant?
Defining the Issue: Lukewarm Christianity
In Revelation 3, Jesus confronts a specific type of faith that culture finds very comfortable. We call it Lukewarm Christianity.
A functional definition: Lukewarm Christianity is accepting just enough of Jesus to make us feel better, but not enough of Jesus to change our lives.
It’s enough Jesus to soothe a conscience or feel spiritual, but not enough to reorder a schedule, reshape a priority, or reorient a life around His Lordship. It treats Jesus like a spoke in the wheel of life rather than the hub from which everything else is grounded.
The Message to Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)
Jesus speaks directly to the church in Laodicea—a city that had everything culture could offer. To understand why Jesus calls them “lukewarm,” we have to look at the city’s geography.
Laodicea was wealthy and advanced, but it had no natural water source. They engineered aqueducts to pipe in hot water from Hierapolis (known for healing) and cold water from Colossae (known for refreshing). However, by the time the water traveled through the pipes, it arrived lukewarm.
Jesus uses this lived experience to deliver a punch to the gut:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16)
The tragedy of lukewarm faith isn’t just that it’s half-hearted; it’s that it is ineffective. Hot water heals; cold water refreshes. Lukewarm water serves no purpose.
How Faith Loses Its Temperature
How does this happen? In Laodicea, it was distance from the source. The further the water traveled from the hot springs or the mountain snow, the more temperature it lost.
The same is true for the human heart. Distance from Christ produces drift in the soul.
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Culture tells us we can be spiritually healthy while remaining spiritually distant.
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Culture applauds this distance, calling it “balance,” “self-care,” or “protecting your peace.”
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But distance dulls our hunger for Scripture, our sensitivity to sin, and our urgency for prayer.
The Dangerous Lie of Self-Sufficiency
The Laodiceans said, “I am rich and have need of nothing.” Jesus responded, “You do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev 3:17)
This is spiritual blindness. Culture teaches us to trust in our busy schedules, our relative morality, and our past vibrant faith rather than present, daily dependence on God. When we treat sunday services and spiritual community as optional extras rather than essentials, we fall into the trap of self-sufficiency.
The Hope: Jesus is at the Door
The most famous verse in this passage is often used for non-believers, but Jesus is actually talking to the church:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him…” (Rev 3:20)
This is heartbreaking. The church is open, the activities are happening, but Jesus is outside. He has been crowded out by comfort and culture.
Yet, look at His mercy. He doesn’t kick the door in. He knocks. He is patient, persistent, and personal. He isn’t looking to give you a “talking to”; He is inviting you to a meal. He wants relationship, not just acknowledgement.
Next Steps at Windsor Colorado Churches
In what ways has culture negatively impacted the church? It has taught us to live as if Jesus is optional rather than essential.
At Daypring, we aren’t interested in religious “attendance.” We are interested in Lordship. You cannot grow close to what you only show up for occasionally. We invite you to move from the sidelines back into the arena.
Will you open the door?
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Join us for Sunday Services: Re-establish the rhythm of presence.
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Prioritize Proximity: Move past the “1.6 times a month” average and make Christ the hub of your week.
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Seek True Riches: Trade the “black wool” of cultural comfort for the “white garments” of Christ’s righteousness.