Fervent Service: Overcoming Slothfulness in Faith
Summary
In our exploration of Romans 12:11, we delve into the Apostle Paul's exhortation to the Roman Christians, urging them to be "not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." This passage is a call to action, emphasizing the importance of applying the rich doctrine laid out in the preceding chapters of Romans to our daily lives. Doctrine, as Paul presents it, is not merely for intellectual contemplation but is meant to transform our lives and our conduct.
Paul's message is a reminder that as members of the body of Christ, each of us has a unique role and gift, and we are called to exercise these gifts diligently. The emphasis here is on the spirit in which we serve—our attitude and fervor in our Christian calling. The term "business" is better understood as "diligence" or "zeal," highlighting the need for earnestness and vigor in our spiritual endeavors.
Slothfulness, or spiritual laziness, is a common challenge, often influenced by temperament, natural disposition, or external circumstances. However, Paul encourages us to rise above these natural inclinations by relying on the Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit is a source of power and energy, enabling us to overcome our natural lethargy and engage in our Christian duties with fervor.
To combat slothfulness, we must actively stir up the gift of the Spirit within us. This involves removing the "ashes" of complacency, ensuring a steady flow of spiritual "air" through prayer, and adding "fuel" by immersing ourselves in Scripture and the lives of saints and revivals. By doing so, we maintain the glow of the Spirit, allowing His energy to manifest through us.
Ultimately, our motivation is rooted in the understanding that we are co-workers with God, called to be the light of the world. The urgency of our mission, the condition of the world, and the shortness of time compel us to redeem the time and seize every opportunity to serve the Lord with zeal and fervor.
Key Takeaways:
- Doctrine in Practice: The teachings of the Apostle Paul in Romans are not just for intellectual engagement but are meant to transform our lives. True understanding of doctrine leads to a radical change in our conduct and living, urging us to apply these truths diligently in our daily walk. [01:23]
- Unique Gifts and Roles: As members of the body of Christ, each of us has a unique role and gift. We are called to exercise these gifts with diligence and zeal, contributing to the harmonious functioning of the body as a whole. [02:16]
- Overcoming Slothfulness: Slothfulness is a spiritual challenge that can stem from natural temperament or external circumstances. However, by relying on the Holy Spirit within us, we can overcome this lethargy and engage in our Christian duties with fervor. [09:52]
- Stirring the Spirit's Flame: To maintain spiritual fervor, we must actively stir up the gift of the Spirit within us. This involves removing complacency, engaging in prayer, and immersing ourselves in Scripture and the lives of saints to keep the Spirit's flame alive. [29:30]
- Urgency of Our Mission: We are co-workers with God, called to be the light of the world. The urgency of our mission, the condition of the world, and the shortness of time compel us to redeem the time and seize every opportunity to serve the Lord with zeal and fervor. [38:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 12:11
- [00:33] - Practical Application of Doctrine
- [01:06] - Living Sacrifice and Transformation
- [01:59] - The Christian's Role in the Church
- [03:02] - Principles of Love and Avoidance of Evil
- [04:09] - Brotherly Love and Humility
- [05:50] - Spirit and Attitude in Christian Calling
- [06:30] - Understanding Diligence and Zeal
- [09:32] - Causes of Slothfulness
- [12:54] - The Devil's Influence on Slothfulness
- [15:24] - Overcoming Slothfulness
- [23:14] - Fervent in Spirit
- [29:30] - Stirring Up the Spirit's Flame
- [38:21] - Urgency of Our Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:11
- 2 Timothy 1:6-7
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "not slothful in business" in Romans 12:11, and how does this relate to the concept of diligence or zeal? [06:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming slothfulness? [23:44]
3. What are some natural and external factors mentioned in the sermon that can contribute to spiritual slothfulness? [10:17]
4. According to the sermon, what are some practical steps to "stir up the gift of the Spirit" within us? [29:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of doctrine in Romans 12:11 lead to a transformation in our daily conduct, according to the sermon? [01:23]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome their natural inclinations towards slothfulness? [28:41]
3. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "fervent in spirit" in Romans 12:11, and what implications does this have for a believer's spiritual life? [23:14]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the urgency of our mission as co-workers with God, and how should this influence our daily actions? [38:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you feel slothful or complacent? What steps can you take this week to address these areas? [09:52]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and Scripture in maintaining spiritual fervor. How can you incorporate more of these practices into your daily routine to keep the Spirit's flame alive? [32:19]
3. Consider the unique gifts and roles you have within the body of Christ. How can you exercise these gifts with more diligence and zeal in your church or community? [02:16]
4. The sermon discusses the influence of external circumstances on spiritual slothfulness. Identify one external factor that affects your spiritual life and develop a plan to mitigate its impact. [12:54]
5. How can you remind yourself of the urgency of your mission as a Christian in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to seize opportunities to serve the Lord with zeal? [38:21]
6. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit's power and energy in your life. What were the circumstances, and how can you recreate that environment to experience His presence more frequently? [35:34]
7. The sermon suggests reading about revivals and the lives of saints to fuel spiritual fervor. Choose a book or biography to read this month that can inspire and energize your faith journey. [32:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Doctrine Transforms Daily Living
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that doctrine is not merely for intellectual engagement but is meant to transform our lives. Romans 12:11 calls believers to apply the rich teachings of the preceding chapters in their daily conduct. This transformation is not passive; it requires active participation and a willingness to let the truths of Scripture shape our actions and attitudes. True understanding of doctrine leads to a radical change in how we live, urging us to diligently apply these truths in our daily walk. The call is to move beyond mere knowledge and allow the teachings to influence every aspect of our lives, making us more Christ-like in our interactions and decisions. [01:23]
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you apply a biblical doctrine today to transform your actions or attitude?
Day 2: Exercising Unique Gifts with Zeal
As members of the body of Christ, each believer has a unique role and gift. Paul urges us to exercise these gifts with diligence and zeal, contributing to the harmonious functioning of the church. This involves recognizing our individual gifts and understanding how they fit into the larger body of Christ. The emphasis is on the spirit in which we serve—our attitude and fervor in our Christian calling. By embracing our unique roles, we contribute to the growth and edification of the church, ensuring that it functions as a unified body. This requires a commitment to serve with enthusiasm and dedication, recognizing that our contributions are vital to the church's mission. [02:16]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gift has God given you, and how can you use it with zeal to serve your church community this week?
Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Slothfulness
Slothfulness, or spiritual laziness, is a common challenge that can stem from natural temperament or external circumstances. Paul encourages believers to rise above these inclinations by relying on the Holy Spirit within them. The Spirit is a source of power and energy, enabling us to overcome lethargy and engage in our Christian duties with fervor. Overcoming slothfulness requires intentional effort and a reliance on the Spirit's strength. By actively seeking the Spirit's guidance and power, believers can combat spiritual laziness and fulfill their Christian responsibilities with enthusiasm and dedication. [09:52]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your spiritual life where you feel slothful. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome this and serve with fervor?
Day 4: Stirring the Spirit's Flame
To maintain spiritual fervor, believers must actively stir up the gift of the Spirit within them. This involves removing the "ashes" of complacency, ensuring a steady flow of spiritual "air" through prayer, and adding "fuel" by immersing themselves in Scripture and the lives of saints. By doing so, they maintain the glow of the Spirit, allowing His energy to manifest through them. This process requires intentionality and discipline, as believers seek to keep the Spirit's flame alive in their hearts. Through prayer, study, and reflection, they can ensure that their spiritual fervor remains strong and vibrant. [29:30]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to stir up the Spirit's flame within you and maintain your spiritual fervor?
Day 5: Urgency in Our Mission
Believers are co-workers with God, called to be the light of the world. The urgency of our mission, the condition of the world, and the shortness of time compel us to redeem the time and seize every opportunity to serve the Lord with zeal and fervor. This sense of urgency should drive believers to prioritize their spiritual responsibilities and make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel and serve others. Recognizing the fleeting nature of time, believers are called to live with purpose and intentionality, ensuring that their lives reflect the light of Christ in a dark world. [38:21]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make the best use of your time today to fulfill your mission as a light in the world?
Quotes
Doctrine is not something merely to be contemplated intellectually; it is something to be applied, something to be put into practice. There is no point or purpose in our knowledge of doctrine unless it has led to a radical change in our lives and in our living. [00:01:26]
The Christian becomes a member of the mystical body of Christ, and as such a person and in such a position, he is given a gift. As every member of the body has its own peculiar function, all together work as a whole and harmoniously. [00:02:02]
We are all different; we are different temperamentally and constitutionally, and all these things have their effect on their influence upon our Christian lives and living. We've got to realize that, we've got to be aware of it. [00:10:22]
The devil's supreme ambition is to ruin or to mar the work of God. As he did that in the first creation, he tries to do it in the second creation, in the new creation. If he can produce lethargic, slothful Christians, he is very pleased indeed. [00:12:54]
The Apostle is not just saying to them, "Pull yourselves together." He is saying much more, and that's the thing that we've got to bring out. That remains thought; this has got to be considered, as I'm going to show you again, in the light of the "therefore" of the first verse. [00:08:30]
The Spirit is thought of as fire, the energy of fire. Think of the things that fire can do. Think of your steam engines, everything that is done as the result of the power of heat and the fire. Very well, so negatively he says to those, "Quench not the Spirit." [00:31:47]
The Spirit of God is in us. Know ye not that the Spirit, he says, dwelleth in you? We've already seen that in the 8th chapter from which I have already quoted. He keeps on saying this: the Spirit is in you. You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. [00:34:37]
We are given this great dignity that we are co-workers together with God. That's the work. We are in his kingdom, and we are workers in his kingdom. Oh, there are many ways in which this is put. You remember that our Lord Himself tells us, "Ye are the light of the world." [00:38:21]
The urgency of our mission, the condition of the world, and the shortness of time compel us to redeem the time and seize every opportunity to serve the Lord with zeal and fervor. [00:43:38]
The Apostle is thinking of the exact opposite of that. You can't produce the fire any more than the sons of Emma could, but what we can do is to get rid of the ashes. The fire has been given; this is always the great teaching. [00:31:59]
The Spirit of God is in us. Know ye not that the Spirit, he says, dwelleth in you? We've already seen that in the 8th chapter from which I have already quoted. He keeps on saying this: the Spirit is in you. You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. [00:34:37]
The Apostle is thinking of the exact opposite of that. You can't produce the fire any more than the sons of Emma could, but what we can do is to get rid of the ashes. The fire has been given; this is always the great teaching. [00:31:59]
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