Avoiding Apathy

Eagle's Landing Sermons

There is nothing more dangerous to our spiritual vitality than spiritual apathy. Spiritual apathy is growing numb towards Jesus and His church. “But when they had gazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.” — Hosea 13:6 “So whoever knows what to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” — James 4:17 7 Warning Signs of Apathy 1. Decline in church and/or group attendance. 2. Lack of concern for souls in your community. 3. Lack of enthusiastic participation in singing, serving, and worship. 4. Indifference to the needs of others. 5. No pastoral encouragement. 6. Declining concern for missions. 7. Failure to invest in the next generation. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8–10 How Do We Avoid Apathy? 1. We develop an honest assessment of self. We never merely leave God because we value him so little; we leave God by exchanging Him for what we value more. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images…” — Romans 1:22–23 Pay attention to your affections. 2. We develop a steady habit of confessing sin and resting in His faithfulness to forgive. - IF we confess our sins… - (Then) he is faithful to forgive… 9 Signs of Genuine Repentance that lead to avoiding apathy: 1. You name your sin as sin. 2. You confess your sin before you are caught in your sin. 3. Your confession is accompanied by transparency. 4. You are eager to make amends both with God and others. 5. You don’t consider the consequences of confession. 6. You will do whatever it takes to have victory over your sin. 7. You will not resent accountability. 8. You seek comfort in the grace of God in Jesus. 9. You are humble and teachable. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” — Psalm 51:1–4 “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” — Psalm 32:5