IS YOUR RELIGION BORING?

Overcoming Spiritual Apathy and Embracing Reverence

This teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship encourages believers to honestly assess their relationship with God and confront any spiritual apathy they may be experiencing. The core message emphasizes God's profound desire to dwell among His people, highlighting this as the central purpose of our faith. The teacher explores the crucial role of reverence in cultivating a vibrant and meaningful relationship with God. He suggests that a lack of reverence can lead to spiritual boredom and a diminished experience of God's presence. The teaching also provides practical steps and biblical examples to help believers overcome spiritual dryness and reconnect with God's presence in their lives.

Experiencing Spiritual Dryness

Many believers may experience periods of spiritual dryness, where God feels distant and their faith feels routine or unfulfilling. The teacher uses his friend's experience of becoming agnostic as an example, emphasizing that this disconnection often stems from a lack of feeling or tangible experience of God. He argues that while emotions should not dictate truth, they are important indicators of our spiritual state.

God's Desire to Dwell Among His People

Throughout Scripture, from creation to the New Jerusalem, God demonstrates a desire to dwell among His people. This connection is emphasized through commandments, the tabernacle, and ultimately the eternal dwelling with humanity in His kingdom.

Reverence as a Key to Deepening Connection with God

The teacher introduces reverence as essential in fostering a deeper relationship with God, illustrated by biblical examples like Jacob's encounter with God and the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. Genuine reverence inspires action, commitment, and generosity, and urges us to treat God's presence as sacred.

Challenging Casual Faith Attitudes

Contrasting reverence with the casual approach in Western Christianity, the teaching suggests that seeing God as a "cosmic Santa Claus" leads to a diminished experience of His presence. God should be approached with respect and awe, recognizing His holiness and power.

God's "Little Sanctuaries" and Access to His Presence

Historically, access to God’s presence was limited due to the Fall and the destruction of the Temple. Yet, God offers alternative "sanctuaries," including Ezekiel 11:16’s promise to be a "little sanctuary" in exile, the synagogue, the home, and the New Testament's concept of the body of believers as His temple.

Examining Reverence in Our Gatherings

The teacher challenges listeners to approach time with God with the reverence they would show if hosting a significant figure, like the President. He warns that irreverence can lead to spiritual apathy, boredom, and a consumeristic attitude towards faith.

Ten Practical Steps to Overcome Spiritual Boredom

1. Admit the Problem: Acknowledge any spiritual apathy and confess any known sin.
2. Engage in Prayer and Fasting: Dedicate time to seek God, free from distractions.
3. Struggle with God: Wrestle with doubts and difficult emotions in prayer.
4. Seek Spiritual Counsel: Find trusted individuals for guidance and support.
5. Remember God's Faithfulness: Reflect on past blessings and experiences.
6. Serve Others: Demonstrate love and care through practical actions.
7. Get in Touch with the Transcendent: Seek beauty and wonder in creation.
8. Praise God: Show gratitude and adoration, even without feeling it.
9. Meditate on God's Word: Study Scripture deeply for transformation.
10. Wait Patiently: Trust in God’s timing and continue to seek Him, even in waiting.

Applying the Teaching to Everyday Life

• Cultivate Reverence: Approach God with awe and respect in every aspect of life.
• Prepare Your Heart for Worship: Take time before services to quiet your mind and prepare.
• Engage in Meaningful Service: Seek opportunities to serve with compassion and love.
• Incorporate Moments of Awe: Appreciate beauty in creation to inspire gratitude.
• Practice Gratitude Daily: Regularly thank God for both big and small blessings.

References

• Scripture: Genesis 28:17, Deuteronomy 10:12, Leviticus 19:30, Psalm 8, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 51:10-12, Psalm 119, Isaiah 58:10-11, Ezekiel 11:16, Revelation 21:3
• Jewish Texts/Commentaries: Babylonian Talmud 29a
• Commentaries/Books: Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, When I Don't Desire God by John Piper
• Quotes: "Is your church or synagogue boring? Not real? Irrelevant? Maybe that’s because you are. If you want something more out of your religion, start putting more into it..." - James Pyle

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