Reviving Spiritual Vitality: Overcoming Apathy in the Church
Summary
It's a joy to be back with you, and I am grateful for your support during my recent illness. Today, I want to update you on our search for a children's pastor. Your generosity has been overwhelming, with $91,600 raised so far. We are actively seeking the right person, and I ask for your prayers for wisdom and discernment in this process. Now, let's delve into our current sermon series, "How to Destroy the Church." This series is crucial because it addresses the often-ignored issues that can lead a church astray.
In 2019, while 3,000 new churches were established, 4,500 closed their doors. This alarming trend highlights the need to examine what leads to such closures. One significant factor is apathy, which 75% of pastors identified as their biggest challenge. Apathy is a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, and it can be detrimental to a church's vitality.
In Revelation 3, Jesus addresses the church in Sardis, which had a reputation for being alive but was spiritually dead. This serves as a warning to us today. Sardis was a wealthy city, confident in its status, yet it fell due to complacency. Similarly, the church in Sardis was perceived as vibrant but was actually on the brink of death. Jesus calls them to be alert and strengthen what remains, offering hope that they can still revive their spiritual fervor.
Apathy is a sin, as James 4:17 reminds us that knowing what needs to be done and not doing it is sinful. Jesus warns that He will come unexpectedly to judge the church if it remains apathetic. However, there is hope for those who repent and overcome apathy. They will be clothed in white and their names will not be erased from the book of life.
To avoid apathy, we must remember the gospel, repent, keep God's commandments, and remain constantly alert. This involves evaluating our spiritual lives and ensuring we are moving closer to Jesus. As we partake in Communion today, let us reflect on these truths and commit to being a vibrant, active church.
Key Takeaways:
1. Apathy as a Spiritual Threat: Apathy, defined as a lack of interest or concern, is a significant threat to the church's vitality. It leads to spiritual complacency and can result in the church's decline. Jesus warns against this in Revelation 3, urging the church to be alert and strengthen what remains. Apathy is not just a passive state; it is a sin that requires repentance. [06:40]
2. The Warning to Sardis: The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive but was spiritually dead. This serves as a warning to us today. Jesus knows our deeds and calls us to be constantly alert. We must not rely on our reputation or past successes but continually seek a vibrant relationship with God. [13:20]
3. Hope in Repentance: Despite the dire warning, Jesus offers hope. He tells the church in Sardis that they are about to die, not that they are dead. This indicates that there is still time to repent and revive their spiritual fervor. Repentance is a powerful tool for overcoming apathy and restoring our relationship with God. [16:46]
4. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance: To avoid apathy, we must remain spiritually vigilant. This involves regularly evaluating our relationship with God and ensuring we are moving closer to Him. We must remember the gospel, repent of our sins, and keep God's commandments. Spiritual vigilance is essential for maintaining a vibrant faith. [40:11]
5. Communion as a Call to Action: Communion is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice and reflect on our spiritual state. It is an opportunity to repent and renew our commitment to God. As we partake in Communion, let us evaluate our relationship with God and ask if we have been apathetic. This reflection can lead to a renewed passion for serving God and others. [43:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:17] - Introduction to the Series
[03:54] - The State of Churches Today
[05:24] - Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
[06:40] - The Challenge of Apathy
[08:35] - Apathy in Revelation 3
[09:28] - The Church in Sardis
[10:26] - Historical Context of Sardis
[12:01] - Lessons from Sardis' History
[13:20] - Jesus' Warning to Sardis
[15:43] - The Call to Be Alert
[17:56] - Hope in Repentance
[19:39] - Apathy as a Sin
[22:33] - The Consequences of Apathy
[29:13] - The Call to Hear and Act
[36:51] - Avoiding Apathy
[41:33] - Communion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Revelation 3:1-6
- James 4:17
- Matthew 25:41-45
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the reputation of the church in Sardis according to Revelation 3, and how did Jesus describe their true spiritual state? [09:28]
2. How does the sermon define apathy, and why is it considered a significant threat to the church? [06:40]
3. What historical context about the city of Sardis helps us understand the message to the church there? [12:01]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus saying the church in Sardis is "about to die" rather than already dead? [16:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the warning to the church in Sardis about being spiritually dead despite their reputation apply to modern churches today? [13:20]
2. In what ways does apathy manifest in a church setting, and why is it considered a sin according to James 4:17? [19:39]
3. How does the sermon suggest that spiritual vigilance can help prevent apathy within the church community? [40:11]
4. What does the promise of being clothed in white and having one's name in the book of life signify for those who overcome apathy? [25:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal spiritual life. Are there areas where you might be experiencing apathy? How can you address these areas to strengthen your relationship with God? [40:51]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance. How can you incorporate regular repentance into your spiritual practice to combat apathy? [38:02]
3. Consider the role of community in maintaining spiritual vigilance. How can you support others in your church to stay alert and engaged in their faith? [40:11]
4. How can the practice of Communion serve as a reminder and call to action against apathy in your life? What specific steps can you take during Communion to renew your commitment to God? [41:33]
5. Identify one area in your church or community where you can take action to serve others and combat apathy. What practical steps will you take this week to get involved? [33:44]
6. Reflect on the historical context of Sardis and its relevance today. How can understanding the past help you avoid similar pitfalls in your spiritual journey? [12:01]
7. How can you ensure that your deeds align with God's will and avoid the complacency that Jesus warned the church in Sardis about? What changes might you need to make in your daily life? [15:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Apathy as a Spiritual Threat
Apathy is a significant threat to the vitality of a church, as it leads to spiritual complacency and decline. It is not merely a passive state but a sin that requires repentance. In Revelation 3, Jesus warns the church in Sardis to be alert and strengthen what remains, highlighting the danger of apathy. This call to action is crucial for maintaining a vibrant faith and avoiding spiritual death. Apathy can manifest as a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, and it is essential to recognize and address it before it takes root in our spiritual lives. [06:40]
Hebrews 6:11-12 (ESV): "And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Reflection: Identify an area in your spiritual life where you have become apathetic. What steps can you take today to reignite your passion and commitment in this area?
Day 2: The Warning to Sardis
The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive but was spiritually dead, serving as a warning to us today. Jesus knows our deeds and calls us to be constantly alert, not relying on our reputation or past successes. Instead, we must continually seek a vibrant relationship with God. The historical context of Sardis, a wealthy city that fell due to complacency, mirrors the spiritual state of the church. This warning urges us to evaluate our spiritual health and ensure we are genuinely alive in our faith. [13:20]
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV): "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."
Reflection: Consider your spiritual reputation versus your actual spiritual state. Are there areas where you are relying on past successes rather than actively pursuing a relationship with God?
Day 3: Hope in Repentance
Despite the dire warning to the church in Sardis, Jesus offers hope. He tells them they are about to die, not that they are dead, indicating there is still time to repent and revive their spiritual fervor. Repentance is a powerful tool for overcoming apathy and restoring our relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our shortcomings, turning away from sin, and seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. This hope in repentance reminds us that it is never too late to return to God and renew our commitment to Him. [16:46]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific area where you need to repent. What steps can you take today to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness?
Day 4: The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance
To avoid apathy, we must remain spiritually vigilant, regularly evaluating our relationship with God and ensuring we are moving closer to Him. This involves remembering the gospel, repenting of our sins, and keeping God's commandments. Spiritual vigilance is essential for maintaining a vibrant faith and preventing spiritual complacency. By staying alert and attentive to our spiritual health, we can cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and avoid the pitfalls of apathy. [40:11]
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to remain spiritually vigilant and attentive to your relationship with God?
Day 5: Communion as a Call to Action
Communion is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice and reflect on our spiritual state. It is an opportunity to repent and renew our commitment to God. As we partake in Communion, we should evaluate our relationship with God and ask if we have been apathetic. This reflection can lead to a renewed passion for serving God and others. By approaching Communion with a heart of repentance and a desire for spiritual renewal, we can strengthen our faith and deepen our connection with God. [43:05]
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: As you prepare for Communion, take time to examine your heart. Are there areas where you need to seek God's forgiveness and renewal? How can this reflection lead to a deeper commitment to serving God and others?
Quotes
Churches that lack interest, enthusiasm, or concern for the world around them. When you hear stats like that, it should be a wake-up call to church. We never want to be that. We always want to be a healthy, vibrant church. And we can't turn away from some of the hard, difficult conversations. But we should be able to say, Oh, there is a significant problem in the American church. And one of them is apathy. [00:08:15] (29 seconds)
And Jesus, as he's telling John to write these letters to the churches, he addresses apathy. Now, what's important? Sometimes we don't understand Revelation. Well, the book of Revelation. And it is an end times book, but it's more than that. You see, Jesus is telling John, write to the future church. And we always interpret that through the lens of, Oh, meaning like at the second coming, the end of times. [00:08:59] (30 seconds)
And when we look at Revelation 3, this is what Jesus says. He's writing to the church in Sardis. And he says to the angel of the church in Sardis, write, he who has seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this, I know your deeds, that you have a name, that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be consistently alert and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die. [00:09:47] (28 seconds)
What Jesus is really saying, that the church in Sardis has a good name, meaning that they are perceived as a healthy church to others. Even other churches in the area would think that this church is alive and well. When he says that you have a good name, it means like saying, oh, well, people speak highly of you. You're well known. And even other churches recognize you. Oh, you're a great church. [00:13:30] (27 seconds)
When Jesus says to be constantly alert, we could interpret that as wake up, be watchful, pay attention. That's what Jesus is telling the church. And then Jesus tells the church to strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die. In other words, Jesus is saying that the church, the church is not paying attention to what it is or is not doing to the point that it's going to destroy the church. [00:15:42] (31 seconds)
I mean, Jesus is making a point when he says it's about to die, meaning there's still hope. You're not dead. If you don't fix this, you will die. The church will die. But there's still hope. It's the same thing. I think just about all of us in here have gone camping. You sit around the campfire. And maybe, like Chris Wells, you're the last one there at the campfire at 2 o'clock in the morning for some strange reason. [00:16:49] (39 seconds)
The church in Sardis knows what it's supposed to do, but it isn't doing it. The church is full of apathy, and it's killing the church. There's a strong passage, a strong verse in the Bible that often gets overlooked about apathy. And it comes in the first verse. It's in the form of James 4. James records this. Here's what the church in Sardis needs to hear, and this is what the church today needs to hear. Apathy is a sin. [00:19:48] (46 seconds)
And he will not erase your name from the book of life. Let me give you a little bit of context on that, why that verse is mentioned there, that phrase is mentioned in the ancient world. It wasn't uncommon for kings to have a book that recorded all the citizens of their kingdom. They would write them down. Here's Bob, Bob has a family of four, blah, blah, blah, all that information's in there. [00:26:48] (29 seconds)
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