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“WHAT IS A BIG PROBLEM IN THE LORD’S BODY?”

A LETHARGIC, APATHETIC SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE! A LETHARGIC, APATHETIC SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE! Apathy And Lethargy Are Problems That For Ages Have Afflicted God’s People ! Romans 13: “To awake from carelessness and indifference” “To shake off slothfulness, security, and all former sinful courses” “To awake from indifference to eternal things”

Why?

SIN Romans 3: 23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

ROMANS 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus”

HOW CAN SIN CAUSE US TO BE SPIRITUALLY APATHETIC AND LETHARGIC? Lack of Repentance We Can Become Increasingly Hardened Eph 4: Sin Can Lose It’s “Shock Value” We Can Quit Caring

Have We Forgotten Why We Became Christians ?

HAVE WE LOST SIGHT OF “THE GOAL SET BEFORE US”?

1 CORINTHIANS 9: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified”

A Greek Athlete, Preparing To Compete In The Ancient Olympic Games, Trained With One Goal In Mind.

WHAT IS OUR GOAL? Our Heavenly Home By Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus!

HEBREWS 12:1-2 “ Therefore. Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (2) Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”

WHO WERE THOSE WITNESSES? AbelEnochNoahAbraham Plus Many More

HEBREWS 11:1 “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”

PHILIPPIANS 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”

GALATIANS 5:7 “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth”?

Also, we can say what hinders us from obeying the truth?

1 PETER 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”

“THE DEVIL” “Diabolos” – “one prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely” What bearing does this verse have on the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”? We need to be serious (“sober”), watchful (“vigilant”)

“DISTRACTIONS” EntertainmentHealthMoneyFamilyWork“Success”Etc..

ANOTHER PROBLEM Many Christians Practice “MDR” Minimum Daily Requirement

PAUL’S “DISTRACTIONS” – 2 COR 11: Times – 39 Lashes 3 Times – Beaten With Rods Stoned 3 Times – Shipwrecked A Night And A Day In The Deep Multiple Dangers Sleepless, Hungry, Thirsty Worry About The Brethren

WHY DIDN’T PAUL GIVE UP? He Could “See” The Reward! His Faith Carried Him Through!

PHILIPPIANS 2:16 “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not in vain nor toil in vain”

2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing”