December 17 | Standing Against Christian Apathy

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Matthew 24:12-13, “12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Lesson 17 | Standing Against Christian Apathy

Apathy means to “lack care, emotion, and concern for certain things in life.”  To be apathetic in the church means to “lose your passion for the things of God.”  Jesus said in the above passage that in the last days people would grow cold in their love for Him because of the increase of wickedness.  James also said in James 4:17, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”  Consequently, the disciple of Christ should never lose their passion for God but rather should do all the good they can for as long as they can to as many people as they can. 

The world we live in today is in a “war of world views.”  It seems as the homosexual agenda has fought its way out of the closet they have slowly drawn Christians into the closet.  The same is true in the media where everyone wants diversity, however, the disciples of Christ have been left out and made to be as quiet as a church mouse!  

Though in America at one time it was “mainstream” to be a Christian and hold to the values of the Bible.  Now we live in a time where “good is called evil” and “evil is called good,” Isaiah 5:20-21.  Standing up for traditional marriage is called “intolerant and bigoted” and teaching children that certain actions are considered sins in the Bible is now equated to child abuse- God have mercy!   

The pressure of being tolerant, politically correct, and diverse has caused many Christians to become apathetic to the world around them.  Some have altogether left the gospel ship and have set sail with the wicked.  While others have a “hide and huddle” mindset because they are afraid to rock the boat of culture in the slightest way afraid of being labeled a “hatemonger.”  Still there are some that care more about their favorite sport team than the Kingdom of God!

All throughout the Bible people can been seen doing what others were afraid to do, Hebrews 11.  Their strong faith in God gave them the courage and boldness to win mighty battles, change culture, and walk in the miraculous power of God.  The bottom line is that the great men and women of the past were no different than you and I.  What made them able to do mighty things for God was the fact that they just couldn’t sit by and watch the world “go to hell in a hand basket.”  They had to get up and do something because of their faith inspired passion and zeal.  I pray that you and I will answer the call of heaven and find our place in the battle and do something great for the Kingdom of God in our generation, Matthew 22:14.

Here are three ways to stand against apathy: (1) Get on fire for God and stay on fire; (2) Do all the good you can for as long as you can.  You may not be able to do everything, but find something in God’s Kingdom you are good at and do it with all your might; and lastly, (3) Pray for those in apathy to awake and be the world changers God called them to be! 

Reflection | In what ways have you been apathetic?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why apathy is sinful.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to those in the church who have been apathetic.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing against apathy read the following books, “Revolution in the Church,” and “Whatever Happened to the Power of God? & It's Time to Rock the Boat,” by Michael Brown.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Nahum 1:1-3:19, Revelation 8:1-13, Psalm 136:1-26, & Proverbs 30:7-9. Click here to read online.