The Silent Killer

Introduction:

Would you or do you think of yourself as being worldly? Scripture is full of warnings concerning the trap of worldliness. Consider 1 John 2:15-17 and Mark 8:35-37. What will it profit to gain the world but lose our soul? Is 21st century American life adversely affecting us? Is the spiritual vitality of individual Christians and congregations being compromised? Tonight…we will examine one of the greatest threats to today’s church.

I.      What is the Silent Killer?

A.    Over commitment to worldly concerns & pursuits.

1.     Lifestyles today place many responsibilities on us.

2.     These are not wrong or sinful in and of themselves.

3.     But…many of us are overcommitted. Stressed. Tired.  Very tired.

B.    Mk. 13:7, 22 – how many of us letting spiritual lives be slowly choked out?

1.     With most, the moving of spiritual pursuits to secondary status is not intentional.

C.     How many Christians here are running on spiritual empty?

D.    We can get busy with life & wonder why our spiritual lives are weak.

II.     Over commitment leads to indifference.

A.     Satan’s subtle, yet effective weapon.  Consider Rev. 3:15-17.

B.     No time or desire for study & meditation on God’s word.

1.     Bible is a treasure. Mind of God revealed to mankind.

2.     Psalm 119:11-16, 18, 33-34, 97-99, 125, 127-130; Mt. 5:6

C.     Less time & energy to attend and participate in worship. Psa. 122:1

1.     Maybe we are at worship, but so tired can’t sing, stay awake, etc.

2.     Maybe we run consistently late to bible class or worship.

D.    More emphasis on the physical than the spiritual.

1.     How hungry are we for the spiritual? Excited? Is it a deep, burning hunger?

2.     Spiritual hunger can be diminished by filling ourselves with the desire for worldly prestige, status, and friends.

E.     Waning efforts to win souls to Christ.

1.     Mk. 16:15-16 – everyone’s responsible to spread the gospel.

2.     Acts 8:4 – Difficult to spread the gospel under these circumstances?

III.   How to Successfully Fight This Silent Killer

A.    Col. 2:6-7 – become well rooted & grounded in Jesus.

B.    Eph. 4:14-15 – be anchored to the truth.

C.     Heb. 6:18-19 – work on having a steadfast hope.

D.    Build self discipline.

1.     Spiritual growth is important. Essential.

2.     1 Pet. 2:2 – what are we feasting on?

a)    Mt. 4:4 – LIFE is connected w/the word.

b)    2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13, 15-16

Conclusion:

A.    Luke 8:14-15 – are we giving ourselves entirely to spiritual matters?

B.    Would you or do you think of yourself as being worldly? Mk. 8:35-37