Intro: Rollo May, “Hate is not the opposite of love – Apathy is.”
One of the most powerful devices of the devil is apathy. Of all the attitudes that are given to the seven churches in the book of Revelation this is the one that makes Jesus sick to His stomach.
What is the purpose of the devil’s devices? (Give a moment to answer.) The Bible is clear to his devices are used to devour, destroy, divide, distract and distort. The Devils main aim is to move us as far away from God and the life abundant he provides through Jesus Christ. So the device of apathy is very effective and powerful. If we don’t care about the glory and renown of Christ and His kingdom then we will not be concerned with it (Apathy) and we will not share it with others.
How do we know if we are locked in the devils grip of apathy?
I. Signs of Apathy
“This people” Haggai 1.2, sounds like something we would say. If you take a look through the Old Testament you will find God calling Israel “My people.” It might seem at first glance that he was deserting them. This is not a statement of desertion but displeasure and or disappointment. Why was God disappointed? Rewind 66 years to 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzer invaded, defeated and destroyed Jerusalem. Many of the best and brightest were taken captive into Babylon where they remained for almost 70 years. The exile in Babylon was God’s judgment on Judah for disobedience and rebellion, otherwise known as sin. God had promised that He would not leave or forsake His people. He also promised that the exile would not be forever. In 536 BC the Babylonian empire fell to the Persians and their King Cyrus issued a decree giving the Jews permission to return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the temple under the political leadership of Zerubabel and spiritual leadership of Joshua. They began to clean and clear the city and prepare for the rebuilding of the temple. However they met with opposition and ultimately stopped doing what God had called them to do. 16 years later the people were still not working toward rebuilding the temple.
A) Sign #1Neglect of the God given Mission
The people had not made any progress on what God had directed them to do. Why, because they were not building the temple? No! It was because they were unconcerned with (Apathetic) presence of God. The temple and the Arc of the Covenant represented the glory and presence of God. They were the places where God’s presence could be physically seen and experienced. Their lack of concern or apathy was a lack of concern for God’s presence among themselves. Look at 1.4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruin.”
Some were discouraged because Solomon’s temple was larger and more beautiful. The important thing is not the size or magnificence of the house, but its existence. What was important then and now was that they wanted the indwelling God among them!
Their mission was to rebuild the temple. What is our mission today? To be part of God’s work of building a temple not made with hands eternal in heaven. Our mission is to be used of God to develop and keep developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ . Matthew 28.18-19 calls them disciples.
Our mission is to take the people that are rejected by the religious and love the whether they deserve it or not, whether they look like us or not, whether they act like us or not. What is the result of neglect of the mission God has for you and us as the church?
If you continue to read this passage it is clear. If you have a heart of disobedience you will experience the hand of discipline from your heavenly father. If you have a heart of obedience you will experience the hand of blessing from God. Which had do you prefer?
B) Sign #2 Narcissistic use of resources
Haggai 1.4 (read) The people of Judah were not only apathetic but self centered. It is clear they used their resources to build nice houses attempted to create a comfortable lifestyle for themselves.
Haggai 1.5 “Consider your ways.” Message “take a good hard look at your life” A more literal translation would be consider what you have your heart set on.
The priorities of the people of God had turned inward. It could be compared to our economy today. Misguided and misplaced priorities led once again to God’s hand of discipline. They planted but never harvested enough, they ate but were never satisfied, drank but were still thirsty, they earned money only to put it into a wallet and economy that seemed to have holes in it.
Brothers, sisters, family and body of God a life that takes its resources and doesn’t consider God or His kingdom leads to frustration. (look at passage no satisfaction)
C) Sign #3 Nonsense (lame) excuses
It appears someone had suggested the restarting of the work on the temple. However Haggai gives us the majority opinion. It is not time to build God’s temple. Do you recall a similar statement in Israel’s History? Numbers 13.1-33 Moses sent 12 spies to examine the land of promise. Ten of those spies said yep the land is full of milk and honey in abundance, and the fruit is gigantic. Then basically said there are giants in the land I don’t think it’s our time to go in. Caleb quieted them and said we can take ‘em boys. But the majority report was listen to the economy, there are barriers that we cannot get past.
John Calvin said, “men are ingenious at making excuses to cover their delinquency.” Moses offered excuses and God said I will be with you. Gideon offered excuses and God said again I will be with you.
What excuses are you offering today in your relationship or lack of relationship to God through Christ? What excuses are you offering in place of your surrender today? What excuses are you offering in not turning your finances over to God, your children, this city, your marriage, your tomorrow? What excuses are your offering in your lack of involvement in the ministries of this local body of Christ? God has an answer for every excuse if you are willing to listen and resist the influence of the evil one and obey the Living God.
“You could get rich manufacturing crutches for lame excuses.”
"There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
Hebrews 6.11,12 call us to be diligent and not become sluggish. Proverbs go to the ant, Paul encourages us to press on.
1 Peter 5.8 “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Apathy is dangerous in a war zone. Never ever forget we are in constant spiritual battle. Apathy causes neglect of 2 Peter 1.3-5 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
What is next is even better. “Because of the provisions that God has lavished upon you, let each believer exert all of his energy, and make haste in bringing his own contributions alongside of God’s, so that there can be a super-abundance of virtues added to the faith, while the believer marches constantly, as a soldier, towards the realization of the moral objectives.”
Because of the lavish provision of God exert all your energy for the kingdom and glory of God!
Apathy by definition is a lack of concern or emotion toward something of importance. The devil would like nothing more than to push us to be unconcerned for the kingdom of God or those that are outside it.
A wife once asked her husband, “Do you think the world’s problems are caused by ignorance or apathy?” The husband replied, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
II. Solution for Apathy
A) Evaluate your priorities and purpose
“Consider your ways” What is your heart set on? What is the guiding purpose of your life?
Do the priorities you have today line up with God’s? Is it clear that you are seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness?
Why evaluate your priorities?
1) For those who pretend to care and don’t God has a strong rebuke (Malachi 1.10,13,14; Matthew 23.27-29 (Pharisees who sought nothing but personal gain.)
2) For those who passionately care and seek God and share His kingdom there is reward
a) There is the promise of power and impact for the Glory of God and good of man.
b) There is deep joy that comes from the adventure of faith
c) There is peace that comes from obedience to God’s will (go to the mountain)
B) Engage in deliberate obedience
“The nice thing about apathy is you don’t have to exert yourself to show you’re sincere about it.” Unknown
Engaging in deliberate obedience means thinking the thoughts of God! However it is never enough to merely think God’s thoughts. The demons believe and tremble James tells us. What is the difference? Deliberate obedience to the call, mission, voice, presence of God. If you haven’t realize lately God is up to some really cool things. Deliberate obedience to the voice of God and leading of His spirit leaves no wiggle room for our adversary the devil and no time for the sickening attitude of apathy. Poverty came to the remnant because they were trying to escape hard economic times instead of pursuing a providing God!
1) Commit to experiencing God’s presence in relationship not mere religious expression
2) Commit to this church body through membership, fellowship, prayer, and service
3) Commit to the building of the maturity of this body through personal discipleship
4) Commit to share the glory and goodness of God in your daily lifestyle as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Calvin Miller in The Taste of Joy; rightly says
Christ is not a happiness capsule; he is the way to the Father. But the way to the Father is not a carnival ride in which we sit and do nothing while we are whisked through various spiritual sensations.
