Beating the Spiritual Blahs

Getting past coming to worship like a drive-up window

A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. It’s commanded

Romans 12:11

Do not be slothful in

zeal, be fervent in

spirit, serve the Lord.

A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. It’s commanded

Revelation 3:15-16

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold

or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and

neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of

my mouth.

2. Lacking it makes Christ sick

A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. It’s commanded

Malachi 1:6-10

6 “… But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. …’ By saying that the

Lord's table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are

lame or sick, is that not evil? … 9 … With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not

accept an offering from your hand.

2. Lacking it makes Christ sick3. Lacking it makes our worship vain

We May Need a Diagnosis

1. Spiritual Depression?

• Comes after a spiritual “high”

• Post new-building syndrome

We May Need a Diagnosis

1. Spiritual Depression?

2. Spiritual Doldrums?

Revelation 3:17

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I

need nothing, not realizing that you are

wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Were actually wretched, pitiable, Were actually wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and nakedpoor, blind, and naked

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that

he stands take heed lest he fall.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether

you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about

yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the

test!

We May Need a Diagnosis

1. Spiritual Depression?2. Spiritual Doldrums?3. Spiritual Burnout?

Numbers 11:14-15

I am not able to carry all this people alone; the

burden is too heavy for me. 15 If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may

not see my wretchedness.”

Detachment, disenchantment?!?

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet Romans 12:9-11

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one

another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be

fervent in spirit, serve the

Lord

• Love others

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in

tribulation, be constant in

prayer.

• Love others

• Look for joy, tribulation, and prayer times

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet Romans 12:13

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show

hospitality.

• Love others

• Look for joy, tribulation, and prayer times

• Put self behind serving others

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet Romans 12:14-15

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and

do not curse them.

15 Rejoice with those who

rejoice, weep with those who

weep.

• Love others

• Look for joy, tribulation, and prayer times

• Put self behind serving others

• Work on a good attitude, find time for joy and for weeping

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

2. ExerciseRevelation 3:18

I counsel you to buy from me gold

refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white

garments so that you may clothe

yourself and the shame of your

nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so

that you may see.

• Invigorates

• Renews

• Strengthens

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

2. Exercise

3. Changing Lifestyle

Exodus 18:17-18

Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to

do it alone.

Numbers 11:16-17

 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel… and

bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17 … And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear

the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.

The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

2. Exercise

3. Changing Lifestyle

• Schedules

• Priorities

• Rest breaks

It’s Just Like Our Physical Health

1. Symptoms demand that we get tested

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.

Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—

unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

2. Diagnosis demands that we apply healing Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by

the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern

what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and

perfect. 

3. Healing is summed up in mind renewal