Topical Sermons - Are You An Apatheist?

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                      "ARE YOU AN APATHEIST?"


INTRODUCTION

1. On 12/25/11, USA Today had an article related to apatheism...
   a. Entitled "Many Say 'So What?' To God, Religion, Atheism"
   b. Describing the attitude of those who are 'spiritually apathetic'

2. This is a condition true of many; according to several polls...
   a. 46% never wonder whether they will go to heaven
   b. 44% don't spend time seeking 'eternal wisdom'

[How about you?  Are you an apatheist?  Let's take a closer look at
'apatheism'...]

I. WHAT IS APATHEISM?

   A. DEFINED...
      1. "acting with apathy, disregard, or lack of interest towards
         belief or lack of belief in a deity" - Wikipedia
      2. "describes the manner of acting towards a belief or lack of a
         belief in a deity; so applies to both theism and atheism" - ibid.

   B. EXPRESSED...
      1. An apatheist is also someone who is not interested in
         accepting or denying any claims that gods exist or do not exist
         - ibid. 
      2. An apatheist is someone who considers the question of the
         existence of gods as neither meaningful nor relevant to his or
         her life - ibid.

[In regards to whether God exists, whether there is heaven or hell, the
apatheist's creed is "So what?"  This makes me wonder...]

II. WHAT CAUSES APATHEISM?

   A. CONSIDER THE ISRAELITES...
      1. Warned by Moses about the danger of materialism - Deut 8:11-14
      2. Who deceived themselves when they became rich - Am 6:3-6; Hos
         12:8    

   B. CONSIDER THE LAODICEANS...
      1. Lukewarm Christians, with whom Jesus was displeased - Re
         3:14-16
      2. Their spiritual apathy was the result of their materialism 
         - Re 3:17

[When all is well, when materially blessed, it is easy to become
spiritually apathetic.  Compare that with times of crisis (remember the
religious fervor following 9/11?).  Short of some calamity...]

III. WHAT CURES APATHEISM?

   A. TRUE REPENTANCE...
      1. Brought about by godly sorrow for sin - 2Co 7:9-10
      2. Manifested by diligence, fear, desire - 2Co 7:11
      3. The kind produced by the Word of God - e.g. Deut 31:10-13
      4. Through which we learn of grace, and the penalty of neglecting
         it! - Ro 2:4-11; He 10:26-31

   B. TRUE RELIGION...
      1. Many are apathetic because they have not seen or experienced
         true religion!
      2. But Jesus offers that which truly satisfies!
         a. He offers the water of life that quenches thirst - Jn
            4:13-14; 7:37-39
         b. He offers the bread of life that eliminates hunger - Jn
            6:35
         c. He offers light that dispels darkness - Jn 8:12
         d. He offers freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin - Jn
            8:34-36
         e. He offers the abundant life, filled with joy and peace - Jn
            10:10; 14:27; 16:33
      3. Which comes by knowing and abiding in His word - Jn 8:31-32
      4. As offered to the lukewarm Laodiceans, riches now, and royalty
         to come! - Re 3:18-22
 
CONCLUSION

1. What causes apathy regarding religion...?
   a. It boils down to ignorance, combined with material well-being
   b. Ignorance of God's Word, preoccupation with material success

2. What can cure apathy regarding religion...?
   a. It is simple:  experiential knowledge of salvation
   b. Personal knowledge of God's Word, personal experience of God's
      saving grace

Begin by committing yourself to reading and meditating on the Word of
God.  It will burn like fire within you, leading you to Christ where you
will find salvation and joy through the wonderful grace of God...!

   And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us
   while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the 
   Scriptures to us?" - Lk 24:32

   Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be 
   baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
   and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Ac 2:38

   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
   kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. 
   Against such there is no law. - Ga 5:22-23

   Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in 
   believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the 
   Holy Spirit. - Ro 15:13
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