Identifying and Understanding Spiritual Stagnation

Title: From Spiritual Stagnation to Holy Habitation - Identifying and Understanding Spiritual Stagnation

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Introduction Statement

Good morning, church family. Today, we embark on a journey through our sermon series titled "From Spiritual Stagnation to Holy Habitation." In this series, we will explore how we can move from a place of spiritual complacency to a vibrant, thriving relationship with God. Our navigating scripture comes from Revelation 2:2-7, where Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus:

Revelation 2:2–7 (NKJV)

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’These powerful words remind us of the importance of rekindling our first love for God and returning to the passion and commitment we once had. As we delve into each sermon, let us open our hearts to God's transformative power, seeking renewal and growth in our spiritual lives. Together, we will discover how to move from spiritual stagnation to a holy habitation where God's presence dwells richly within us.

To set the stage, let's consider a powerful image from Ezekiel 47:1-12,

Ezekiel 47:1–12 (NKJV)

The Healing Waters and Trees

47 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. 10 It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

The prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life wherever it goes. This river contrasts sharply with stagnant water, which can become lifeless and foul. In our spiritual lives, we too can experience seasons of stagnation, but God's desire is for us to be vibrant and flourishing. Today, we will explore how to identify and understand spiritual stagnation.

In the early 1900s, a small town was known for its vibrant church community. However, as years went by, the church became complacent, focusing less on outreach and more on maintaining traditions. As a result, the congregation dwindled, and the town fell into despair. One day, a young pastor arrived with a burning passion, reminding them of their purpose. He ignited a revival that transformed not just the church but the entire town. This reminds us that spiritual complacency can stifle our effectiveness, while a deeper relationship with God can reignite our mission in His kingdom.

Point 1: Identifying Spiritual Stagnation

To address spiritual stagnation, we must first recognize its symptoms. Spiritual stagnation occurs when there’s a lack of growth or movement in our faith journey. Here are some common signs:

Loss of Passion for God’s Word: When we find ourselves neglecting Bible study or feeling indifferent to Scripture, it may indicate spiritual stagnation. Hebrews 5:12-14

Hebrews 5:12–14 (NKJV)

Spiritual Immaturity

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. this reminds us of the need to grow and mature in our faith: "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!"

Neglect of Prayer Life: A dwindling prayer life is another sign. When communication with God becomes sporadic or non-existent, we risk becoming spiritually stagnant. Jesus emphasized the importance of staying connected through prayer in Luke 18:1, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

Disengagement from Church Community: When we withdraw from fellowship and fail to engage with our church family, we miss out on the encouragement and accountability needed for spiritual growth. Proverbs 27:17 tells us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Point 2: The Causes of Spiritual Stagnation

Having identified the symptoms, we must understand the causes of spiritual stagnation. Several factors can lead to this state:

Complacency: Feeling self-satisfied and seeing no need for further spiritual growth can cause complacency. Amos 6:1 warns, "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria..." We must guard against the belief that we've "arrived" spiritually.

Distractions: Allowing worldly concerns to take priority over spiritual matters can lead to stagnation. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:22 illustrates this:

Matthew 13:22 (NKJV)

22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Unresolved Sin: Harboring unrepentant sin hinders our spiritual progress. Psalm 66:18 states, "Psalm 66:18 (NKJV)

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear. It's essential to confront and confess our sins to maintain a healthy spiritual life.

Point 3: The Consequences of Spiritual Stagnation

Understanding the consequences of spiritual stagnation helps us appreciate the urgency of addressing it:

Spiritual Dryness: Just like a stagnant body of water becomes dry and lifeless, a stagnant spiritual life feels empty and disconnected from God. Psalm 63:1 captures this feeling:

"Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

Loss of Fruitfulness: Spiritual stagnation leads to unfruitfulness, preventing us from fulfilling God's purpose.

Imagine a gardener who has grown complacent, neglecting to prune and care for their plants. At first, the garden flourishes, but soon, weeds take over, choking the life out of the beautiful blooms. One day, the gardener realizes that without active care, the garden will die. Similarly, our faith needs tending; spiritual complacency will ultimately lead to stagnation. To bear fruit for God's kingdom, we must passionately pursue a relationship with Him, nurturing our faith daily.

John 15:4-5 reminds us of the importance of remaining in Christ to bear fruit: : (NKJV)

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Vulnerability to Temptation: A stagnant spiritual life is more susceptible to temptation and sin. 1 Peter 5:8 warns,

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Conclusion

In conclusion, identifying and understanding spiritual stagnation is crucial for our growth and vitality in Christ. We've explored the symptoms, causes, and consequences of stagnation, and we've seen how Scripture calls us to continual growth and renewal.

9234 Self-complacency and spiritual pride are always the beginning of degeneration. When I begin to be satisfied with where I am spiritually, I begin to degenerate.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress.

A. W. Tozer

If you’re aware of complacency creeping into your faith, challenge yourself to identify one area in your life that needs attention. It could be forgiving someone or mending a broken relationship. Reach out and take a concrete step—like sending a text or scheduling coffee—to reconnect and demonstrate love. This act not only fosters spiritual growth but also strengthens the church community.

Feeling disconnected from God in your daily life? Try implementing a daily devotion time that features a mix of scripture, meditation, and worship music. Set aside 15 minutes each morning to engage with God before the chaos of the day begins. Journaling your thoughts and prayers during this time can help you reflect on how God is actively moving in your life.

As we go forward, let's commit to examining our spiritual lives, addressing areas of stagnation, and seeking Holy Spirit’s guidance for renewal. Remember, God's desire is for us to be like the river in Ezekiel's vision, bringing life and flourishing wherever we go.

Let's pray: "Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging the areas in our lives where we have become stagnant. We ask for Your forgiveness and guidance to renew our passion for You. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, remain connected to our church community, and bear fruit for Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Numbers 6:24–26 (NKJV): 24“The Lord bless you and keep you;25The Lord make His face shine upon you,And be gracious to you;26The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,And give you peace.” ’