ZEAL – Part 4 – Overcoming Apathy
if you have your Bibles -please open them up – we are going to be in Revelation 3:14-20 together.
Passage:
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:14-20)
Introduction:
we defined zeal as:
- wholehearted surrender and fierce devotion to God rooted in the gospel.
Then last week – we transitioned into the next section of our series where we are taking a few weeks intentionally talk about common blockers to zeal – and how to overcome each of those. Last week, Pastor Dave talked about legalism –
- This week – we are talking about another blocker to our zeal that many of us face at one point or another – and that blocker is spiritual apathy.
the dictionary definition of apathy “a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.”
Spiritual apathy – I think is something that often sneaks up on us and creeps into our life in a much slower and more sinister way
to give you a little background – Laodicea was a great city by the world’s standards and it has an interesting history
- It was founded by the Seleucids in the 300s BC.
- and became a part of the Roman Empire in 133 BC.
It was a rich city. Due to their location at the crossroads, it became the city for imports and exports.
- They were known for their vast banks
- They were known for a textile industry –
- They also were known for a medical school in their city
And due to all of the resources going in and out of this city – Rome made it a fortress – Highly defensible with thick walls and a huge army to defend it-
- They were confident in their wealth and prosperity
- They felt safe protected by their walls and mighty military.
- They felt cultured and advanced because of the fact that they were the center of trade and business
- they were the captains of their ship, the masters of their destiny and they pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps.
In their mind – they didn’t need anyone!
If you look at your text – the first thing he points out to those of us who get stuck in our apathy – is the importance of recognizing our condition –
Recognize where you are (15-17)
‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.
This church named Christ but didn’t live for him
The first step to overcoming apathy – is recognizing it – it’s owning up to the fact that our love for him has grown lukewarm
Once we recognize our apathy – we able to move to step two which is – to embrace repentance
Embrace Repentance (18-19)
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
- Christ calls us to come back – he tells the people here – to return to him – to find their value – to find their treasure not in the things of this world or in their self-sufficiency – but in Him
- don’t rest in the gold in the of the world – but purchase Gold refined by fire
- don’t hide behind the clothing of the world – but get from Christ white garments of the gospel that cover shame.
- don’t use the world’s salves to try and see but buy the salve from Christ that heals your spiritual eyes!
In the book of Isaiah God calls out with a similar cry, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (Isaiah 55:1-3).
He calls them – he calls us to repent – but then he ends on an invitation – look at this.
Pursue Genuine Fellowship with Christ (20-22)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus doesn’t want partial fellowship with you – he wants total fellowship.