Category: Apathy
Subject: Apathy
Podcast: How Often Do I Have To Go To Church?
Podcast Number #9
Whether it is observing the Letter of the law (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25) or observing the Spirit of the law (cf. Matthew 10:37,39) it is obvious that God expects for us to be regular and diligent in our attendance to worship services and classes in the local church. We should not be seeking to do the “minimum”, rather we should be diligent to do all we can for the Lord.
To listen to this Podcast, click here .
To subscribe to the podcast feed, click here .
Sermon: The Church of Apathy
Sermon Title: The Church of Apathy
Apathy is defined, and means of overcoming apathy are revealed in this lesson.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here.
Sermon Audio: Click Here.
No Time For Religion
Karen Spurney acknowledges that she hasn’t made much time for her spiritual life while attending the University of California, Los Angeles.
She is busy with schoolwork, piano practice, sorority activities and other aspects of college life. That’s quite a shift for the 19-year-old sophomore, who said that before college she rarely missed Sunday masses with her family and was an altar server at her Temple City, Calif., church.
“I’m a Catholic on pause,” said Spurney, who is majoring in piano performance. “I didn’t come [to college] for the spiritual aspect. My goal is to experience as much as I can.”
According to a recent UCLA study, Spurney’s experience reflects that of many college students who have a high interest in spirituality and religion but are not necessarily looking for ways to explore or practice their beliefs.
The national study, based on a survey of more than 112,000 entering freshmen at 236 universities and colleges, found that 80 percent of the students expressed interest in spirituality. But fewer than half said they considered it necessary to find ways to nurture their spiritual growth.
More than three-quarters of students — 79 percent — said they believe in God. But only 40 percent consider it “essential” or “very important” to follow religious teachings in everyday life.
Natasha Lee
Los Angeles Times
May 15, 2005
Analysis:
We have several young people who will be leaving home next fall, to begin college life. It will be their first extended time on their own, and there will be temptations and distractions which will tend to derail them from a righteous path.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It is invalid to say that the “day to day” activities of life must take precedence over your spiritual walk. This is true at any time of your life. When at college, your responsibility will be the same that this always has been, and it always will be:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
A Challenge for West Side
“…We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).
The work of edification, as revealed by Paul, is a work that belongs to every member of a local congregation. While certain Christians have been given such works as apostle, prophet, preacher and teacher, these offices are intended to equip all Christians for the “work of ministry.” That way, as “every part does its share”, the body grows.
Here at West Side, we have a wonderful opportunity to grow as a congregation. This growth can be both visible, as the church increases numerically, and new souls are added to the Lord’s body; and it can be more subtle, as Christians mature and increase in zeal and steadfastness.
