No, No, No, & No! – The Apathetic Spirit

Is it true today?

“The greatest enemy of the church today is not false doctrine. The greatest enemy is not the evil moral climate of the world outside. The greatest enemy of the church is a lack of interest in the things of God, a lack of a burning desire to see souls saved and to live lives that glorify God.” -A.W. Tozer

Matthew 24:12 (NIV)”Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”

WHO IS OUR ENEMY?

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Identifying the Apathetic Spirit: An apathetic spirit is characterized by indifference and complacency.
“Apathy is the self-defense of the powerless.”

Proverbs 1:32 (NIV)”For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”

of the Apathetic Spirit: 

• Lack of Passion or Enthusiasm
• Neglect of Spiritual Disciplines
• Indifference to Sin
• Emotional Numbness
• Isolation from Community
• Lack of Purpose or Direction
• Resistance to Change or Growth
• Disinterest in Serving Others
• Complacency
• Lack of Conviction in Faith

What are the signs I see in my own life?

Jesus’ Letters to the churches

• What would he say to the today?
• What would he say to church?
• What would he say to today?

Church in Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7 (To the Church in Ephesus): “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.‘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.

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 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.

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Church in Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22 (To the Church in Laodicea): “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.“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

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 one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

The Condition of the Ephesian and Laodicean Churches

of the Apathetic Spirit: 

• Distractions

Psalm 19:9-14 (NCV)

9 Respect for the Lord is good;   
it will last forever.The judgments of the Lord are true;   
they are completely right.
10 They are worth more than gold,   
even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,   
even the finest honey.
11 By them your servant is warned.   
Keeping them brings great reward.
12 People cannot see their own mistakes.   
Forgive me for my secret sins.

13 Keep me from the sins of pride;   
don’t let them rule me.Then I can be pure   
and innocent of the greatest of sins.
14 I hope my words and thoughts please you.   
Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me.

Causes of the Apathetic Spirit: (CONT.)

• Distractions
• Sin
• Disappointment
•  Disillusionment
• Comfort
• Complacency

“Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin” FRANCIS Chan, “Crazy Love”

of an Apathetic Spirit:

• Loss of Passion 
• Neglect of Prayer and the Word
• Indifference to Sin
• Lack of Evangelistic Zeal

“Has your relationship with God changed the way you live?”
FRANCIS Chan, “Crazy Love”

Jesus’ Call to His church and us personally today…

JESUS’ CALL…

“God is not someone who can be tacked on to our lives”

FRANCIS Chan, “Crazy Love”

What would Jesus say in a letter to the church today…