Scripture Reading: Psalms 51:7-17

“WHEN MY LOVE TO CHRIST GROWS WEAK”

Intro.

1. All Christians face times of trial, discouragement & doubt - Acts 14:22.

2. How we deal w/ doubt & discouragement shows our faith – Jas. 1:2-4.

3. “What can a person do when he has lost all desire to pray or serve God?”

I. ADDRESS THE SINS OF APATHY & INDIFFERENCE – Rev. 2:4-5.

A. Remember From Where You Have Fallen – Rev. 2:5 (cf. Lk. 15:17).

1. Acknowledge your sin (apathy & neglect) – Jas. 4:17; cf. Psa. 51:3-4.

­ a. To omit God’s will in our life is to sin against God!

b. cf. One talent man (Matt. 25:24-30) – He sinned & was punished!

2. Remember God’s grace & mercy in your life! – Gal. 5:4 (Rom. 12:1)

3. Let God’s word convict you – cf. 2 Kgs. 22:11-13 (Acts 2:37).

B. Repent of Your Sins – Rev. 2:5 (3:19).

1. Godly sorrow for your sin – 2 Cor. 7:9-10. (A broken & contrite heart - Isa. 57:15; 66:2)

2. Change your mind toward sins of apathy/indifference – Rom. 2:5.

C. Return to the First Works – Rev. 2:5 (Lk. 3:8).

1. Return to faithful service of God – Rom. 12:1 (cf. 1 Sam. 7:3).

2. Increase your works of faith – Rev. 2:19.

II. THINGS YOU CAN DO TO OVERCOME APATHY – Eph. 5:14.

A. Renew Godly Priorities in Your Life – Matt. 6:33.

1. The seriousness of living a faithful life – cf. Matt. 22:5.

2. Devotion to Christ: Your time, values, energy, your all (Gal. 2:20).

B. Put Your Faith in the Lord, Not in Yourself – Jas. 4:13-17 (15-17).

1. Apathy produces self-reliant, self-sufficient, arrogant view of life.

2. Remember Jesus – Heb. 12:3.

3. Rely on the Lord – 1 Pet. 5:6-7. How? – 2 Cor. 12:8-10

C. Renounce Sin in Your Life – 2 Cor. 4:1-2.

1. Continued presence of sin in one’s life causes apathy – Matt. 24:12.

2. Cast off sin & put on Christ – Rom. 13:11-14 (Eph. 4:20-24).

3. Remove stumbling blocks which hinder faithfulness – Matt. 5:27-30.

D. Worship Regularly – Heb. 10:24-25.

1. Don’t just “be here” – Really worship! (Acts 2:42; Jno. 4:24)

2. It is a time for our edification (1 Cor. 14:26).

3. Ex. of worship instead of indifference/despair – Acts 16:22-25.

E. Read Your Bible – Psa. 119:14-16 (cf. 2 Ths. 3:27).

1. Build your faith (Rom. 10:17).

2. Protect you against sin (Eph. 6:18).

3. Instruct you in righteous living (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

F. Accept Encouragement From Others – Heb. 12:12 (Isa. 35:3-4).

1. Do not refuse the loving concern of brethren who exhort you to faithfulness (Rom. 12:10-11).

2. Another warning against prideful self-sufficiency.

G. Get Busy Helping Others – Gal. 6:9-10.

1. Accept life’s challenges as opportunities to grow in faith – Prov. 22:13.

2. Elijah still had work to do – so do you! (1 Kgs. 19:4, 15ff)

3. Doing the work of the Lord is not useless! – 1 Cor. 15:58

Conclusion

1. The “joy of your salvation” can be restored within you! (Psa. 51:12)

2. Rev. 2:5 – Remember, repent & return to an obedient, faithful life in Christ!