Renewing Spiritual Fervor in Dark Times
Summary
In Romans 12:21, we are called to overcome evil with good, a challenge that resonates deeply in our increasingly dark world. As we navigate these times, the Apostle Paul provides guidance in Romans 12:11, urging us not to be slothful in zeal but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. This call to fervency is crucial as the natural tendency in difficult times is to become half-hearted in our faith, to follow Christ at a distance, and to let our spiritual fervor wane.
Paul's exhortation is a reminder that as the days grow darker, the temptation to become lethargic in our spiritual lives increases. We may find ourselves in a funk, feeling jaded and lacking enthusiasm. This can manifest in various life situations, whether as a young mother overwhelmed by daily chaos, a teacher navigating political correctness, a high school student with unfocused zeal, or a ministry leader feeling like they're on a treadmill. In each scenario, the challenge is the same: to maintain fervency in spirit and not succumb to spiritual lethargy.
The key to overcoming this lethargy lies in understanding and applying three foundational truths: Christ redeems, Christ restores, and Christ reigns. First, we must remember the mercies of God and all that He has done for us in Christ. This reflection on God's grace and mercy can reignite our spiritual fervor. Second, we acknowledge that Christ restores our souls. We are dependent on Him to renew our spirits, and we must come to Him as we are, even when our hearts are cold. Lastly, we serve the Lord, the risen and sovereign Christ, who reigns over all. This perspective gives us motivation and purpose, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In these truths, we find the strength to overcome spiritual lethargy and to serve the Lord with renewed zeal and fervency, even in the face of rising evil.
Key Takeaways:
- Overcoming Spiritual Lethargy: In times of darkness, the temptation to become spiritually lethargic is strong. We must actively fight against this by maintaining fervency in spirit, recognizing that our natural tendency is to grow cold without the application of spiritual heat. [03:26]
- Christ Redeems: Reflecting on the mercies of God and all He has done for us in Christ is essential for renewing our spiritual fervor. This reflection helps us overcome feelings of being jaded and reignites our passion for serving the Lord. [19:01]
- Christ Restores: We are dependent on Christ to restore our souls. When we feel rundown and lethargic, we must come to Him as we are, trusting that He will renew our spirits and restore our joy. [27:22]
- Christ Reigns: Serving the Lord, who is sovereign and victorious, provides motivation and purpose. Knowing that our work is for Him and that it is not in vain encourages us to remain steadfast and fervent in spirit. [36:27]
- Practical Steps for Renewal: Applying the truths of Christ's redemption, restoration, and reign to our lives can lift us from spiritual lethargy. We must take responsibility for our spiritual condition and actively seek renewal through these truths. [16:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Overcoming Evil
- [00:52] - The Rise of Evil in Our World
- [01:09] - The Starting Point: Genuine Love
- [01:30] - Understanding Zeal and Slothfulness
- [03:26] - The Temptation of Spiritual Lethargy
- [04:53] - Everyday Examples of Losing Zeal
- [08:25] - God's Call to Renew Our Fervor
- [11:41] - Applying Heat to Our Spiritual Lives
- [17:30] - The Three R's of Spiritual Renewal
- [19:01] - Christ Redeems: Reflecting on God's Mercies
- [27:22] - Christ Restores: Dependence on the Shepherd
- [36:27] - Christ Reigns: Serving the Sovereign Lord
- [41:03] - Encouragement to Remain Steadfast
- [41:49] - Closing Prayer and Thanksgiving
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:11
- Romans 12:21
- Psalm 23:3
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:11 instruct us to do in terms of our spiritual fervor and service to the Lord? How does this relate to the concept of being "on the boil"? [02:48]
2. In Romans 12:21, what is the Apostle Paul's directive regarding evil, and how does it connect to the overall theme of the sermon? [00:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the natural tendency of our spiritual lives as the days grow darker? What are some examples given of this tendency in everyday life? [04:53]
4. According to Psalm 23:3, what role does the Lord play in restoring our souls, and how is this relevant to overcoming spiritual lethargy? [27:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of "overcoming evil with good" in Romans 12:21 be practically applied in the life of a believer today? Consider the challenges mentioned in the sermon. [00:52]
2. What does it mean to be "fervent in spirit" as described in Romans 12:11, and why is this important in the context of rising evil and spiritual lethargy? [03:26]
3. The sermon mentions that Christ redeems, restores, and reigns. How do these truths provide a foundation for renewing one's spiritual fervor? [17:50]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond when they find themselves in a spiritual "funk"? What practical steps are recommended? [16:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually lethargic. What specific steps did you take, or could you take, to reignite your spiritual fervor? [19:58]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of remembering Christ's mercies. How can you incorporate regular reflection on God's grace into your daily routine to maintain spiritual zeal? [19:26]
3. Consider the role of Christ as the restorer of your soul. How can you actively seek His restoration when you feel rundown or discouraged? [27:22]
4. In what ways can you serve the Lord with renewed zeal, knowing that your labor is not in vain? Identify one area of your life where you can apply this perspective. [36:27]
5. The sermon discusses the danger of spiritual coldness. What are some practical ways you can apply "spiritual heat" to your life to prevent this from happening? [11:41]
6. Think about a specific situation where you are tempted to follow Christ at a distance. How can you draw closer to Him and serve with fervency in that context? [03:44]
7. Identify a person or group in your life who might be struggling with spiritual lethargy. How can you encourage them with the truths of Christ's redemption, restoration, and reign? [29:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Maintaining Spiritual Fervency in Dark Times
In times of darkness, the temptation to become spiritually lethargic is strong. We must actively fight against this by maintaining fervency in spirit, recognizing that our natural tendency is to grow cold without the application of spiritual heat. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:11 to not be slothful in zeal but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. This call to fervency is crucial as the natural tendency in difficult times is to become half-hearted in our faith, to follow Christ at a distance, and to let our spiritual fervor wane. As the days grow darker, the temptation to become lethargic in our spiritual lives increases. We may find ourselves in a funk, feeling jaded and lacking enthusiasm. This can manifest in various life situations, whether as a young mother overwhelmed by daily chaos, a teacher navigating political correctness, a high school student with unfocused zeal, or a ministry leader feeling like they're on a treadmill. In each scenario, the challenge is the same: to maintain fervency in spirit and not succumb to spiritual lethargy. [03:26]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you noticed a decline in spiritual fervor? What practical steps can you take today to reignite your passion for serving the Lord?
Day 2: Reflecting on God's Mercies to Renew Our Spirit
Reflecting on the mercies of God and all He has done for us in Christ is essential for renewing our spiritual fervor. This reflection helps us overcome feelings of being jaded and reignites our passion for serving the Lord. The key to overcoming spiritual lethargy lies in understanding and applying three foundational truths: Christ redeems, Christ restores, and Christ reigns. First, we must remember the mercies of God and all that He has done for us in Christ. This reflection on God's grace and mercy can reignite our spiritual fervor. By focusing on the redemptive work of Christ, we are reminded of the immense love and sacrifice that has been extended to us, which in turn fuels our desire to serve Him with renewed zeal. [19:01]
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy." (Psalm 103:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to list three specific mercies God has shown you recently. How can reflecting on these mercies renew your enthusiasm for serving Him today?
Day 3: Dependence on Christ for Restoration
We are dependent on Christ to restore our souls. When we feel rundown and lethargic, we must come to Him as we are, trusting that He will renew our spirits and restore our joy. Acknowledging that Christ restores our souls is crucial in overcoming spiritual lethargy. We are dependent on Him to renew our spirits, and we must come to Him as we are, even when our hearts are cold. This dependence on Christ for restoration is a humbling reminder that we cannot rely on our own strength to maintain spiritual fervor. Instead, we must continually seek His presence and allow Him to refresh and restore us. [27:22]
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you need Christ to restore your soul today? How can you intentionally seek His presence and allow Him to renew your spirit?
Day 4: Serving the Sovereign Lord with Purpose
Serving the Lord, who is sovereign and victorious, provides motivation and purpose. Knowing that our work is for Him and that it is not in vain encourages us to remain steadfast and fervent in spirit. The perspective of serving the risen and sovereign Christ, who reigns over all, gives us motivation and purpose. This understanding that our labor in the Lord is not in vain encourages us to remain steadfast and fervent in spirit. By focusing on the sovereignty of Christ, we are reminded that our efforts are part of a greater plan and that our service to Him has eternal significance. [36:27]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that Christ reigns and your labor is not in vain impact your motivation to serve Him? What specific actions can you take to serve with renewed purpose today?
Day 5: Taking Responsibility for Spiritual Renewal
Applying the truths of Christ's redemption, restoration, and reign to our lives can lift us from spiritual lethargy. We must take responsibility for our spiritual condition and actively seek renewal through these truths. The practical steps for renewal involve applying the truths of Christ's redemption, restoration, and reign to our lives. By taking responsibility for our spiritual condition, we actively seek renewal through these truths. This involves a conscious effort to reflect on God's mercies, depend on Christ for restoration, and serve the sovereign Lord with purpose. By doing so, we can overcome spiritual lethargy and serve the Lord with renewed zeal and fervency, even in the face of rising evil. [16:01]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to apply the truths of Christ's redemption, restoration, and reign to your life? How can you take responsibility for your spiritual renewal and actively seek God's presence?
Quotes
Now all of us are aware that we are living in days that are becoming evidently darker. We grieve the violence of our own city, we grieve the violence in our country. We see that many people have lost a sense of living under the fear of the Lord, and we can list multiple ways in which evil is clearly on the rise. [00:25:23]
Surely the point is that as the days get darker, the great temptation that we face is to become half-hearted Christians, that we sort of follow Jesus Christ at a distance, that we say things are getting tougher out there, that we somehow keep our heads down, that we say well let's just keep our faith private. [00:18:44]
Everybody knows how hard it is to run when the wind is in your face, to make progress in swimming if you're going against the tide. So when evil is on the rise, the natural effect of that is to become more quickly jaded. We begin to wonder more often what's the point. [00:49:09]
What I want us to see today is that when God speaks to us as he does in the scripture that's before us today about going off the boil, about running cool, about losing our energy, our passion, our commitment for living for him and serving him, he is speaking to something surely that every Christian in some way and at some time experiences. [08:28:44]
If there is one consideration more humbling than another, we would say more humbling than any other to a spiritually minded believer, it is that after all God has done for him there should still exist in the heart a principle the tendency of which is to secret, perpetual, and alarming departure from God. [13:12:31]
When you feel jaded, flat, lethargic, lacking in enthusiasm, when you feel yourself growing cold, you have to take responsibility for your own spiritual condition. You're in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God lives within you, you're not helpless, you can act, you must take yourself in hand, you must rouse yourself. [16:04:19]
There are certain truths that when you rightly apply them to your own condition will lift you and will renew you and will re-energize you and will motivate you. Here is how to rouse your soul when you are in a funk, how to restore your spiritual fervor, how to get yourself back on the boil. [16:58:59]
Christ redeems, Christ restores, and Christ reigns. These wonderful truths rightly applied to your own life when you're jaded and lethargic will be by God's grace his means of restoring your soul and renewing your spiritual fervor. Let's look at the three together: number 1, Christ redeems. [17:36:05]
When you're rundown, when your soul is sluggish, the place to begin is in renewing your fervor is really to take in a good dose of all that it is that God has done for you in Jesus Christ. Now I want this to be really practical today because I know that I'm speaking to a real experience. [19:20:39]
The Lord restores my soul. So God commands us not to be slothful in zeal but to be fervent in spirit, but we don't have what it takes in and offer ourselves to obey these commands. Remember how Augustine and that very famous statement said of God's commands when he looked at them. [27:30:49]
When you run down, when you're jaded, when you're in a funk, you have to come to Christ as you are. You can't come any other way, can you? And Octavius Winslow who I mentioned earlier in that book that I pointed to, he makes this point always remember that Satan wants to keep you in a funk. [31:00:21]
Jesus Christ does not say now look get yourselves back on the boil and then come to me and I will give you rest. He says come to me all you who are weary, see just as you are, you come to me when you're in a funk, you come to me and you're jaded in your discouragement. [33:44:69]
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