"Whatever"
Rise Up • Sermon • Submitted
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· 12 viewsA passion for Christ comes from seeing ourselves through the lens of the Gospel.
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Introduction
Introduction
Lift high the name of Jesus,
Of Jesus our Light.
No other name on earth can save,
Can raise a soul to life.
Oh sing my soul,
And tell all He's done,
Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
Sing about Jesus and how He has bought you back from the bondage of sin. Proclaim how He has given you His power to have victory over the struggles of life. I hope that song stirs within you a burning passion to lift high the name of Jesus!
Yet, how do you really feel about this message? Are you filled with a sense of mission, passion and excitement for Jesus and what He has done in your life? Or have you settled into a groove of mediocrity or apathy that is so prevalent within both our society and the church today?
Only Jesus can buy us back from the bondage of sin. Only Jesus can equip us with the power to have victory over the struggles of life.
Or does that fire quickly go out when you leave this place? Have you settled into a groove of mediocrity or apathy that is so prevalent within both our society and the church today?
Quote: “Apathy was the chief mark of the period. The elite abandoned intellectual life for their social life. Apathy also showed itself in the arts with a lack of creativity. Officially sponsored art became decadent, the music became increasingly bombastic (high sounding but with little meaning). All of life was marked by the prevailing apathy. And as the economy slumped lower and lower, burdened by costly government and by inflation, authoritarianism increased in order to try to set-off the apathy...And as less people were inclined to work the state took over more and more and more freedoms were lost. And because of the apathy and its results and the oppression, few people thought the old civilization was worth saving. Rome did not collapse because of outward forces such as the barbarians but because of inward rottenness (apathy and it’s resulting consequences) and Rome gradually became a ruin.”
As I heard that during a documentary I was watching, I was shocked with the comparison. A comparison of that attitude not as much to our Western Culture, but of the Western Church. There is a prevailing level of Apathy within the Church towards Jesus. Actually, it’s easy for a church to start to agree with our culture’s perception that Jesus and His teachings are best accepted in moderation. Believers can start to live with the desire of having enough of Jesus to be respectable, but not so much that they are viewed as zealots by their friends and family. Parents can easily be swayed by society to tell their children, either through words or actions, that they shouldn’t be atheists, but, at the same time, tell them not to take this Jesus thing too seriously. Apathy towards Jesus can actually become the goal!
Pressures from all sides tell our parents,
Are the days of passionately following Jesus behind you? Have you settled into a groove
or have you grown cold, grown apathetic to the message of Jesus? Are the days of passionately following Jesus behind you? Have you settled into a groove
For the most part, mainline churches in modern America are actually aiming for the middle ground. They want enough religion to be respectable, but to not so much that they are viewed as zealots. Parents tell their children that they shouldn’t be atheists, but, at the same time, they tell them not to take this religious thing too far. Lukewarm religion is actually the goal.
I ask these questions because, in our society, even within the Church itself, we can find ourelves struggling with apathy (indifference, “whatever”) towards Jesus. Actually, it’s easy for a church to start to agree with our culture’s perception that Jesus + His teachings is best in moderation. Believers can start to live with the desire of having enough of Jesus to be respectable, but not so much that they are viewed as zealots by their friends and family. Parents can easily be swayed by society to tell their children, either through words or actions, that they shouldn’t be atheists, but, at the same time, tell them not to take this Jesus thing too seriously. Apathy towards Jesus can actually become the goal!
How many of you have started to feel this attitude start to creep into your relationship with Jesus? The temptation is there for all of us,.
How many of you have sat through a service and left indifferent to
How many of you have started to feel this attitude start to creep into your relationship with Jesus?
Yet, I want to ask you a question. A question that, if your really honest with yourself, you have asked a time or two over the years. You might even be asking it right now for that matter!
[I pray that you may know] . . .19 [God’s] incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
“The problem, of course, with being apathetic is that you can actually be apathetic about your apathy! Put simply an apathetic church does not think it is that big of deal. But, here are some reasons apathy is a bigger deal than we think”
What went through your mind when you heard those words? What did you think about as Paul underscores for us how incomparable the indwelling power of God is in us. The very power that rose Jesus from the dead, that gave Him new life, that gave us new life, is living in us! And now, this power of the resurrection goes beyond the work of God in redeeming us, buying us back from the bondage of sin. This power equips us to face life’s struggles: anxiety, anger, perfectionism, doubt, despair, addiction. It gives us the ability to Rise UP, to find our strength and reliance on Jesus to overcome.
Another factor that makes an apathetic church a problem is that it feeds What did you think about as Paul underscores for us how incomparable the indwelling power of God is in us. The very power that rose Jesus from the dead, that gave Him new life, that gave us new life, is living in us! And now, this power of the resurrection goes beyond the work of God in redeeming us, buying us back from the bondage of sin. This power equips us to face life’s struggles: anxiety, anger, perfectionism, doubt, despair, addiction. It gives us the ability to Rise UP, to find our strength and reliance on Jesus to overcome.
That thought right there might sound foreign to some of you. The very thought that you can overcome the struggles of life, the struggles of life that rage not outside of yourself but within your very, soul may seem like a fairy tale. Yet it is this very truth that we would like to share with you over the next month as we lead-up to Easter.
How many of you have sat through a service and left indifferent to “The problem, of course, with being apathetic is that you can actually be apathetic about your apathy! Put simply an apathetic church does not think it is that big of deal. But, here are some reasons apathy is a bigger deal than we think”Another factor that makes an apathetic church a problem is that it feeds our culture’s perception that religion is best in moderation. Ironically, while Jesus says apathy is the worst spiritual condition, our culture contends that it is the best!
What did you think about as Paul underscores for us how incomparable the indwelling power of God is in us. The very power that rose Jesus from the dead, that gave Him new life, that gave us new life, is living in us! And now, this power of the resurrection goes beyond the work of God in redeeming us, buying us back from the bondage of sin. This power equips us to face life’s struggles: anxiety, anger, perfectionism, doubt, despair, addiction. It gives us the ability to Rise UP, to find our strength and reliance on Jesus to overcome.
Yet, I want to ask you, [Slide - 2]
[I pray that you may know] . . .19 [God’s] incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
What went through your mind when you heard those words? What did you think about as Paul underscores for us how incomparable the indwelling power of God is in us. The very power that rose Jesus from the dead, that gave Him new life, that gave us new life, is living in us! And now, this power of the resurrection goes beyond the work of God in redeeming us, buying us back from the bondage of sin. This power equips us to face life’s struggles: anxiety, anger, perfectionism, doubt, despair, addiction. It gives us the ability to Rise UP, to find our strength and reliance on Jesus to overcome.
That thought right there might sound foreign to some of you. The very thought that you can overcome the struggles of life, the struggles of life that rage not outside of yourself but within your very, soul may seem like a fairy tale. Yet it is this very truth that we would like to share with you over the next month as we lead-up to Easter.
Question: What’s wrong with only wanting a little bit of Jesus?
Question: What’s wrong with only wanting a little bit of Jesus?
Transition: [Slide - 3] To answer that question, let’s ask ourselves...
hats wrong with being a bit “whatever” (apathetic) towards the things of God?
I. What Are Jesus Thoughts On The Matter?
I. What Are Jesus Thoughts On The Matter?
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
Rev. 3:
A. Context
A. Context
In and 3, Jesus writes 7 messages to 7 churches in Asia Minor
They speak a message to all churches worldwide in the 20 centuries that have followed.
As we read them we much do so with great humility
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
Revelation 3:14-
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
B. Context
B. Context
“Angel of the church of Laodicea” = Jesus
-
A. Context
A. Context
Jesus’ desciption
Laodicea
Geographically - Built on wide plateau
Impervious against direct assault from enemies
Built on wide plateau = impervious against direct assault from enemies
Piped in water for city via Roman aqueducts from several miles away
Economy
Money: Stood at junction of two important Roman highways and was wealthy center of finance, banking and commerce
Wool: World famous for soft, glossy, black wool which was woven into carpets + expensive black clothing
Eye ointment (medical): Known throughout the Roman world; cured certain eye diseases
So self-sufficient in AD 60, city was destroyed by an earthquake and city refused help from Roman government, funding it themselves
In His letter to the church of Laodicea, Jesus warns us about the danger of self-sufficiency. Laodicea was a wealthy banking center and proud of her rich resources. In AD 60, the city was destroyed by an earthquake. Rather than accepting aid from the Roman Empire, the people of Laodicea refused any help and rebuilt the city themselves with their own resources. They did not need anyone’s charity.
B. Jesus’ Diagnosis
B. Jesus’ Diagnosis
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
“Deeds”
Jesus starts with their actions to expose their heart
This is a regular pattern - “by their fruit, you will know them”
[Slide - 4] This is a regular pattern - “by their fruit, you will know them”
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
Imagery:
Laodicean’s appeared to have everything, but lacked one basic resource (geography) - water
Mountain towns had cold water streams = refreshing
Nearby Hierapolis had hot springs = healing properties
Laodicea had no water source
Water supply was via Roman aqueducts and arrived lukewarm and full of sediment = “useless” (comparatively speaking)
Trusted in their own self-sufficiency (moral goodness + resources)
Trusted in their own self-sufficiency
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
“Your heart is addicted to salvation by works.” - Walter Marshall
Quote: “As a result, we often wear our good deeds like spiritual merit badges on preening chests, thinking we can impress God with our righteous acts. Like the Pharisee in , we pride ourselves that we are not like other men. After all, we are not engaging in the perversity of our culture. Instead, we fast, tithe, read our Bibles, and serve in the church. Yet, we must realize that arrogant self-sufficiency results in disgusting works, no matter what these works may be.” (Mark Bates, The Letter to the Church in Laodicea, Tabletalk Magazine)
, we pride ourselves that we are not like other men. After all, we are not engaging in the perversity of our culture. Instead, we fast, tithe, read our Bibles, and serve in the church. Yet, we must realize that arrogant self-sufficiency results in disgusting works, no matter what these works may be.
Whenever we take pride in our own moral goodness, we have fallen into the perilous sin of the Laodiceans. We are lukewarm water.
The Letter to the Church in Laodicea
The Letter to the Church in Laodicea
Transition: [Slide - 5] Rebuke - Jesus is telling them they were just like their water, useless, a perfect description of...
Christ finds the self-sufficient individual as nauseating and extremely repulsive
Why: It misses the whole point of Christianity: the greatness of Christ!
by Mark Bates
II. Who We Are Without Christ
II. Who We Are Without Christ
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
rev. 3.17
A. Their Viewpoint
A. Their Viewpoint
Taken their dependence off of God (Gospel + life)
[Slide - 6] Trusted in their own self-sufficiency (moral goodness + resources)
Their viewpoint: Wealthy and therefore completely self-sufficient
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
“Your heart is addicted to salvation by works.” - Walter Marshall
We too are never too far from possessing attitude
). Jesus finds this sort of spiritual pride so offensive that it makes Him sick. He will spit out of His mouth all those who think that they are rich in their own righteous works.
Quote: “As a result, we often wear our good deeds like spiritual merit badges on preening chests, thinking we can impress God with our righteous acts. Like the Pharisee in , we pride ourselves that we are not like other men. After all, we are not engaging in the perversity of our culture. Instead, we fast, tithe, read our Bibles, and serve in the church. Yet, we must realize that arrogant self-sufficiency results in disgusting works, no matter what these works may be.” (Mark Bates, The Letter to the Church in Laodicea, Tabletalk Magazine)
Whenever we take pride in our own moral goodness, we have fallen into the perilous sin of the Laodiceans. We are lukewarm water.
Christ finds the self-sufficient individual as nauseating and extremely repulsive [Slide - 7]
Why: Self-sufficiency (apathy that accompanies it) misses the whole point of Christianity: the greatness of Christ!
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
). Jesus finds this sort of spiritual pride so offensive that it makes Him sick. He will spit out of His mouth all those who think that they are rich in their own righteous works.
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
“Wretched…pitiful” =
-
“Poor, blind and naked” = Hit at Laodicea’s banking, eye medicine and wool
Their viewpoint: Wealthy and therefore completely self-sufficient
Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary g. To the Church of Laodicea (3:14–22)
it is poor, blind and naked, which is surely a hit at Laodicea’s banking, medical school, and clothing manufacturers.
B. God’s viewpoint
B. God’s viewpoint
Wealthy and therefore completely self-sufficient
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
“Poor, blind and naked” = Hit at Laodicea’s banking, eye medicine and wool
Hit at Laodicea’s banking, eye medicine and wool
(banking, eye medicine and wool)
From Christ’s perspective He says they are they exactly opposite of how they think they are!
Spiritually proud
“Wretched…pitiful” =
The lukewarm person is not one who is mildly passionate about God. Rather, the lukewarm person is one who has lost his dependence on God. In his arrogance, he believes he has no need of Christ’s righteousness because he has enough of his own.
When we sin and fail to love God with all our being, we in a sense are rejecting the position of dependence which our createdness involves
When we fail to love God with all our being, we in a sense reject the position of dependence which our createdness involves, and make a bit for independence
Yet, while Laodicea appeared to have everything, it actually lacked the most basic of resources — water. Unlike the mountain towns that had cold water streams or nearby Hierapolis that had access to hot springs, Laodicea had no water supply of its own. Water had to be piped in through aqueducts. By the time it arrived, the water was lukewarm and full of sediment. Cold water is good for drinking, hot springs were reputed to have healing qualities, but lukewarm, sediment-filled water neither refreshes nor heals. It is disgusting.
Quote: “Sin is defiance, arrogance, the desire to be equal with God…the assertion of human independence over against God.” (Emil Brunner, Man In Revolt, pg. 129)
Apathy misses the whole point of the Gospel - the greatness of Christ!
Transition: What a staunch difference between how Jesus sees those who are apathetic/indifferent to His ways and how they see themselves. As I read this I think, ok it’s one thing for a person to realize that they don’t necessarily have a proper view of their standing before God. But what now?
who’s response to the message of the Gospel is simply, “whatever.”
These three industries — finance, wool, and eye salve — will come directly into play in Christ’s stern words to this church.
Ironically, while Jesus says apathy is the worst spiritual condition, our culture contends that it is the best!
[Slide - 8] How can one put to death forever this nasty tendency towards self-reliance and apathy?
III. Where Do We Go From Here?
III. Where Do We Go From Here?
A. Receive Christ’s Counsel
A. Receive Christ’s Counsel
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Jesus gives us sound advice for moving forward - Come to me and buy what I am offering
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Jesus gives us sound advice for moving foward
The currency is the same in this passage: total emptiness before Christ
Inability to do any good thing in and of myself - NOT SELF HATRED but acknowledgement of your need
“Here is my money - my emptiness. I am poor. Save me - help me - heal me.”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Buy from me”
Bring poverty and receive “Gold” = Receive wealth of salvation in Christ
Bring your “Nakedness (nothingness)” = Receive righteousness of Christ (white robe symbol of atonement)
Clothed in fine clothing was to receive honor
Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary g. To the Church of Laodicea (3:14–22)
while contrariwise to be clothed in fine clothing was to receive honour
Bring your blindness = Receive spiritual sight, which is genuine faith
Why did He say to these destitute, spiritually empty beggars — “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,” — that they should come to Him and buy from Him? What currency would they use? This same idea is expressed in : “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” The currency is the same in that passage: total emptiness, inability to do anything of eternal value apart from Christ. They were to bring that and say, “Here is my money — my emptiness. I am poor. Save me — help me — heal me.” That is how you buy from Jesus when you have nothing. It is not a small thing; most people are not willing to look at their resources, at their lives and conclude, “I really am poor, I really have nothing to offer and no ability to do any good thing in and of myself.”
Transition:
Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with these words in : “Blessed are the poor in spirit [spiritual beggars — in Greek, “ptóchos,” meaning ‘have nothing’] — for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Bring this currency to Jesus and humbly lay it at His feet, He says “Buy, I will give you everything you need.”
What Should they Buy from Christ?
Verse 18 says, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
B. Repent And Experience Christ Afresh
B. Repent And Experience Christ Afresh
First, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by the fire, so you can become rich…” This is like the treasure hidden in the field, worth selling everything to obtain. This is the genuine spiritual wealth of salvation in Christ, the wealth of heavenly joy, the Kingdom of Heaven. “I will give you real gold which will last for all eternity — gold that was refined by the fire of my suffering on the cross, the free gift of wealth in Me. You will be rich.”
Second, He counseled them to bring their nothingness, their nakedness, to Him. In return, He promised to clothe them with “…white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness…” This is a symbol of atonement, of the imputed righteousness of Jesus, given as a gift by faith in Christ. He perfectly obeyed the laws of God; you did not. In doing so, He wove a beautiful white robe of righteousness for the purpose of clothing our nakedness with it. On Judgment Day, we will stand in that righteousness and be truly righteous before God because of it.
Third, He counseled them to buy “…salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” He is speaking of the gift of the eyesight of the soul, spiritual sight, which is genuine faith — the ability to see the spiritual world as it really is, things in the spiritual realm that they had never seen before. “I counsel you to bring your blindness and I will touch your eyes,” — like the man born blind in . “I will touch your eyes and you will be able to see. You will behold the glory and holiness of God; God the King sitting on His throne; Me sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for you; your shameful condition as it really is; Me on the cross, having atoned for your sins; the empty tomb and My bodily resurrection; the coming wrath of God as it will be; your future glory of walking in the new heavens and earth; the present world and its terrible status under Satan’s dominion; people enslaved in sin. For the first time, you will see things as they truly are. You will see and flee to Christ; you will turn from darkness to light, and from lies to the truth.” Christ alone can give all these things.
III. Repent And See Christ Anew
III. Repent And See Christ Anew
Rev. 3:
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Revelation 3:19-
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.
Repent and believe the Gospel
Rev. 3:
Repent and believe the Gospel
Repent of your feeling of apathy
Allow Christ again a seat at the table of your heart and enjoy + delight in the riches of God’s grace
Allow Christ again a seat at the table of your heart and enjoy
Enjoy the victory promised you in Christ
To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Rev. 3:21
The Gospel has come to give us victory over the struggles of life. Victory over our sin, our shortcomings and our failures
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:20–21
With Christ on the outside, there can be no fellowship or genuine wealth. With Christ on the inside, there is wonderful fellowship and sharing of the marvelous grace of God. This was an appeal to Christians rather than to non-Christians. This raises the important question concerning the extent of one’s intimate fellowship with Christ. To those who respond, Christ promises to give the right to sit with Him on His throne and share His victory.
Has your love and passion for Christ, that once raged strong, grown cold? Are you finding yourself desiring less and less interested in church, God’s Word and your relationship with Jesus? If so, acknowledge that apathetic attitude for what it is, an unhealthy self-sufficiency. Then...
Examine your hearts to see if you are in Christ...
Repent of that attitude and once again accept Christ’s offer to refocus your view of yourself and life through the lens of the Gospel. Live out a life of faith and trust God + His Word, for He is able! (song)
If you are in Christ, repent + turn from your lukewarm attitude.
Illustration: On January 2, 1956 Jim Elliott + four other missionaries had the opportunity they had waited for most of their life. They hoped to meet face to face the Aucas Indians, a dangerous and uncivilized Indian tribe in Ecuador. The five men had no doubt that God wanted them to tell the Aucas about Jesus. After a friendly initial contact, six days later these men were murdered by this very tribe (didn’t defend themselves).
These men willingly gave their everything, all they were and all they could do, for Jesus and the Gospel. They did so b/c they truly believed God was worth it all, He was worth sacrificing everything b/c of Who He is and What He Has Done for His people.
[Slide - 9] “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep (His life) to gain what He cannot loose (Christ).” - Jim Elliott
They
were murdered by the Aucha Indians in Equador
January 2, 1956, was the day that 29-year-old Jim Elliot had waited for most of his life. He jumped out of bed, dressed as quickly as he could, and got ready for the short flight over the thick Ecuador (Eck-wah-door) jungle. Almost three years of jungle ministry and many hours of planning and praying had led Jim to this day. Within hours, he and four other missionaries would be setting up camp in the territory of a dangerous and uncivilized Indian tribe known then as the Aucas (Ow-cuz), known now as the Waodani (Wah-o-dah-nee). The Aucas had killed all outsiders ever caught in their area. Even though it was dangerous, Jim Elliot had no doubt God wanted him to tell the Aucas about Jesus.
We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking a $1,000 dollar bill and laying it on the table - "Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all."
But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $1,000 for quarters (schillings). We got through life putting out 25 cent here, 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying "Get lost." Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home.
Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time.
Once again accept Christ’s offer
refocus your view of yourself and life through the lens of the Gospel.
The only question is Jesus worth enough to you to life this way? Let me let you in on a little secret, He is!
Live out a life of faith and trust God + His Word, for He is able! (song)
Realize that God is able to take all that you are and all that you give Him to do greater things than you can imagine.
Sermon Purpose: Christians should determine to repent and accept Christ’s offer fellowship passionately follow Christ, overcoming their apathy.
If so, acknowledge that attitude as what it is, an unhealthy attitude of self-sufficiency. Repent of that attitude and once again accept Christ’s offer to refocus your view of yourself and life through the lens of the Gospel. Live out a life of faith and trust God + His Word, for He is able! (song)
Fellowship and feasting