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Message Notes
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12
“A stronghold is a mind-set that accepts a situation or a behavior as unchangeable, even though that situation is contrary to the will and the Word of God.” —Tony Evans
What is Apathy? It is having an uncaring attitude, being disinterested, or having a lack of emotion or interest.
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” —Matthew 22:37-39
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.” —John 12:1-12
“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” —John 12:3
“What is worship? ‘Worship is an attention to the Living God who rules, speaks, reveals, creates, redeems, orders, and blesses.’” —Matt Chandler
“Giving all of our attention to God, who gives us everything.” —Jason Chandler
To express all that I am, to all that He is and all that He does.
- Judas’ response – How Irresponsible!
“But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’” —John 12:4-5
- The Disciples’ response – What a waste!
“And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.’” —Matthew 26:8-9
- Jesus’ response – What a beautiful thing!
“But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.’” —Mark 14:6-8
“And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” —Mark 14:9
How Do We Fall into the Trap of Apathy?
- Self-centeredness
We develop an attitude of taking rather than giving.
“He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” —John 12:6
- Indifference
We allow our indifferent attitude towards others to affect our attitude towards God.
“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” —1 Peter 1:22
- Culture
We allow the culture to numb and callous our hearts.
“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” —Ephesians 2:2
- Familiarity
We allow the miraculous to become the mundane.
How Can We Be Set Free from the Trap of Apathy?
- Repent and return to Jesus
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” —Revelation 2:4-5
Repent – to think differently or to change your mind.
- Stay humble before God.
“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” —Psalm 51:17
- Stop being swayed by the culture.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” —Hebrews 12:1-2
How do we avoid the trap of apathy?
- See your entire life as a gift-offering to God.
Question – What gave Mary the confidence to pour out her vase?
Answer – She simply trusted that Jesus would not let her down.