Welcome

1. Welcome Evans Church of Christ

2. Are You An Apatheist ?

3. December 12, 2011 “Many say ‘So what?’ to God, Religion, Atheism” 46% never wonder about heaven 44% never seek ‘eternal wisdom’ Ben signed up for online dating Religion - “spiritually apathetic”

4. Apatheism “apathy” = absence of emotion “theism” = belief in God Apatheism can be described as the position that neither the existence nor the nonexistence of God is important.

5. Religious Preference • None Questions: • Does God Exist ? • Is there a Heaven ? • Is there a Hell ? • Is the Bible from God ? Apatheist says “I don’t know and I don’t care”

6. I Don’t Know Apatheism I Don’t Care

7. Apatheism - Is it in the church ? “If you love Me, keep My commandments” Jn.14:15 Bible classes Work of the church Visit Teach the lost

8. “Lukewarm” Rev. 3:14-16 14. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” V. 15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” V. 16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

9. “Lukewarm” Rev. 3:14-16 Lukewarm = indifference in religion Half-hearted Christians Neither cold nor hot Cold = sinner Hot = dedicated Christian Why ? Cold - could see their condition Lukewarm - self-satisfied

10. “Rebuked” Rev. 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” • Rich = abundance • Increased with goods = wealth • Have need of nothing = did not need God

11. “Rebuked” Rev. 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” • Wretched • Miserable • Poor • Blind • Naked Deceived

12. Laodicea… • …. had not, but knew not that it had not. • …. knew not, but knew not that she knew not. • …. saw not, but saw not that she saw not. • …. was ignorant, but was ignorant of her ignorance • …. was blind, but was blind to her own blindness.

13. What is the cure for Apatheism ? “Lukewarmness” Repentance Rev. 3:19 2 Cor. 7:9-11 True Religion Water of life Bread of life Light dispels darkness Freedom from sin Abundant life

14. Cause of Apathy Ignorance of God’s word Concerned more about material success

15. “Lukewarmness” Deadly sin Hypothermia - death by freezing Symptoms of spiritual hypothermia: Dwindling prayer life Lack of Bible study Absence from Bible study / Worship Insensitivity to sin Dependence on self

16. Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

17. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning March 16, 2014