Beating the Spiritual Blahs

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Beating the Spiritual Blahs

• Getting past coming to worship like a drive-up
  window

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A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. Its commanded

Romans 1211 Do not be slothful in zeal, be
fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
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A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. Its commanded

2. Lacking it makes Christ sick
Revelation 315-16 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.
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A Lack of Spiritual Fervor Can be Deadly

1. Its commanded

2. Lacking it makes Christ sick
3. Lacking it makes our worship vain
Malachi 16-10 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.
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We May Need a Diagnosis

1. Spiritual Depression?

• Comes after a spiritual high
• Post new-building syndrome

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We May Need a Diagnosis

1. Spiritual Depression?
2. Spiritual Doldrums?

Revelation 317 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, poor, blind,
and naked
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• 1 Corinthians 1012
  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands
  take heed lest he fall.
• 2 Corinthians 135
  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!

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We May Need a Diagnosis

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

Detachment, disenchantment?!?
Numbers 1114-15 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.
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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

Romans 129-11 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

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

Romans 1212 Rejoice in hope, be patient in
tribulation, be constant in prayer.

• Love others
• Look for joy, tribulation, and prayer times

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

Romans 1213 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

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet

Romans 1214-15 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

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet
2. Exercise

Revelation 318 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

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet
2. Exercise
3. Changing Lifestyle

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• Exodus 1817-18
• 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 1116-17
•  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.

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The Way to Spiritual Health

1. A balanced diet
2. Exercise
3. Changing Lifestyle

• Schedules
• Priorities
• Rest breaks

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Its Just Like Our Physical Health

1. Symptoms demand that we get tested

2 Corinthians 135 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 122 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