Revelation 3: 15-16 NKJV “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
High blood pressure or hypertension has been classified by the medical profession as “the silent killer.” Primarily it is called that because we do not realize we have a problem until it is too late.
Actually, with a slight increase in blood pressure, one sometimes feels an increase in energy which leads one to believe everything with their health is okay.
The church in America is suffering from a condition similar to hypertension. It appears to most of those that occupy a seat in church on Sunday mornings believe the church health is wonderful.
No state of chemically (or other) induced euphoria could create an illusion further from the truth. We are in many churches and see the same developing state of death-bed sickness in many of those. A great sadness is experienced when we fully realize this is not what Jesus had in mind.
Jesus had in mind a church that would obey His instructions. Specifically to love one another (John 13: 34-35), be of one accord (Philippians 2: 2) and to evangelize (Matthew 28: 18-20), and not be divided by individual notions.
Matthew 16: 18 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The “gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” but the gates of denominationalism and indifference may. Many churches once adhering to a denomination are now adding the term, “independent.” Could we at least recognize that in most cases those matters that divide us are not matters of eternal consequence? We must always teach that eternal salvation is attained by a faith based belief (Ephesians 2: 8) in Christ Jesus crucified (Matthew 27: 35) for the remission of sin (1 John 1: 9) and resurrected (Matthew 28: 6).
Apathy for the church is very similar to the signs of hypertension. Basically, the signs are not recognized as a problem because we consider them to be either good things or at least nonconsequential.
In many of today’s churches in America, we need not be concerned with finding a seat. Attendance has dropped to the point two thirds of the building could be partitioned off.
When preaching, I prefer to stand on the floor with the congregation and not behind a speakers stand. It is usually possible to use the front seat as a place to lay my Bible and notes.
Declining attendance at times is a gradual process and people may not notice until one Sunday morning they look up and wonder, “Where is everyone?” A very interesting statement once heard was “People in church at times look around to see who’s there. We should be looking around to see who is not there!”
“Out of sight, out of mind” must not be a philosophy concerning members that suddenly stop attending.
Do we not care what happened to them or simply not notice? A simple phone call or visit may be all the difference it takes to encourage someone to come back. And don’t wait six months to send someone a mass-produced card “We’re missing you.”
Spiritual weakening contributes to the decision making process of church members. We may ask ourselves “What is more important, which team wins the ball game or eternity?”
Spiritual disconnect is also of paramount concern when observing the apathy and consequent death of a church. We must be alarmed when we as a church or individual lose our supernatural connection with our Creator.
A lack of participation in congregational singing is a sign of a dying church. When we fail to lift up our voices to the Lord, our attitudes are screaming indifference. Psalm 100: 1-2 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
gladness: come before his presence with singing.” The time to worship begins with the spiritual uplifting of the song service.
Pastors get the blame for a dying church and perhaps at times, that is accurate. If anyone is to be excited about Sunday mornings, it must begin with each of us and the pastor.
Also in the pastoral arena is the mission attitude of a church. If Christians fail to comprehend the importance of fulfilling Jesus’ last command (Acts 1: 8) before His ascension, we will continue to see our world digress into chaos.
Jesus told us to “Go ye therefore and preach this gospel to all nations” for a reason. He suffered, shed His blood and died for the sins of everyone; all eightbillion of us. We must see everyone as someone Jesus died for. If mankind has been given any one gift precious above all others, it is eternal life. Acts 4: 12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we may be saved.”
If people do not understand the differences in right and wrong and the differences in actions as being acceptable and unacceptable, the deterioration of civilization will continue. The only reference for those is the Holy Bible.
Once a man was asked, “What do you think about ignorance and apathy? His answer: “I don’t know and I don’t care!” I do not ever want to be that man and neither do you. Van Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and missionary, from Fredonia, Kentucky. His email is vmy3451@gmail.com Serve the LORD with