Overcoming Indifference Through Active Love
This sermon challenges listeners to move beyond a self-focused mindset and embrace opportunities to serve others. It thoughtfully explores how intentional self-discipline enables a life of compassionate action and spiritual growth.
Christians are called to overcome indifference and selfish attitudes by actively loving and helping others, empowered by God-given self-discipline and self-control.
Overview
This sermon challenges a common modern attitude of "don't disturb me," which prioritizes personal plans over the needs of others. The preacher contrasts this with Jesus' life, who was consistently interruptible and stopped to help those he encountered, rather than passing by.
Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, the sermon illustrates that genuine love for our neighbor involves noticing, stopping, and sacrificially helping, even when it's inconvenient or for those we might dislike. It emphasizes that Christians give the devil more ground through unforgiveness than any other thing.
The sermon then transitions to the critical role of self-discipline in living an actively loving life. It highlights 2 Timothy 1:7, stating that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not fear. This God-given ability must be developed, like a muscle, to grow stronger.
Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to set standards for their lives in areas like health, finances, relationships, and spiritual growth, refusing to be ruled by fleeting feelings. By taking thoughts captive and making a conscious choice to be disciplined, believers can overcome indifference and effectively serve as Christ's representatives in the world.
Key points
- Many people today adopt a "don't disturb me" attitude, prioritizing personal plans and avoiding inconveniences.
- Jesus consistently demonstrated an interruptible life, stopping to help people despite being busy or on a journey.
- The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that loving our neighbor means actively helping those in need, even if they are disliked or inconvenient.
- Unforgiveness gives the devil more ground in a Christian's life than any other single thing, highlighting its destructive power.
- God has given believers a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not timidity or fear, which is essential for living an active faith (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Living by feelings and emotions is the enemy of discipline; self-control requires taking thoughts captive and making intentional choices.
- A disciplined life involves setting clear standards for health, financial stewardship, relationships, and consistent spiritual practices like Bible study and prayer.
In Joyce Meyer's words
“Christians give the devil more ground in their lives through unforgiveness than through any other thing.”
“Living by our feelings, by our emotions is the death, the enemy of discipline and self-control.”
Outline
- I. The "Don't Disturb Me" Attitude vs. Jesus' Interruptible Life
- A. The prevalent attitude of busyness and selfishness
- B. Jesus' consistent example of stopping to help
- C. The call to be Christ's ambassadors and personal representatives
- II. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
- A. The question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Love God and neighbor)
- B. The justification: "Who is my neighbor?"
- C. The religious men (priest, Levite) who passed by
- D. The Samaritan who noticed, stopped, and sacrificed without limits
- E. The critical role of forgiveness in loving others
- F. The challenge: Pray daily for opportunities to help others
- III. Overcoming Excuses and Indifference
- A. The "excuse bag" and the cultural attitude of indifference
- B. Biblical examples of making excuses (banquet parable, following Jesus)
- C. Avoiding "dead things" and focusing on God's call
- IV. The Power of Discipline and Self-Control
- A. Discipline as a God-given gift that leads to success (2 Timothy 1:7)
- B. Self-control as a muscle that strengthens with use
- C. Living by feelings as the enemy of discipline
- D. Taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
- E. Setting standards for a disciplined life
- 1. Health: Eating, sleep, exercise, stress management
- 2. Finances: Stewardship and avoiding waste
- 3. Relationships: Treating people right and showing appreciation
- 4. Spiritual Growth: Consistent time in God's word and prayer
Scripture references
- Luke 10:25-37
- Luke 14:12-14
- Luke 14:16-20
- Matthew 8:19-22
- Galatians 6:10
- Amos 6:1
- Amos 6:4-7
- Romans 12:21
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- Hebrews 12:11
- 2 Peter 1:3-4
- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;
5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Insights
Our deepest needs often appear as inconvenient interruptions.
True love for others requires a willingness to stop and be present.
Forgiveness creates vital space for God's work in our lives.
Questions & answers
What is the "Don't Disturb Me" attitude discussed in the sermon?
It describes a common mindset of busyness and selfishness where people are unwilling to be interrupted or inconvenienced by the problems of others, preferring to stick to their own plans.
How does the sermon use the parable of the Good Samaritan?
The sermon uses the parable to illustrate that true love for our neighbor involves noticing, stopping, and sacrificing to help those in need, even when it's inconvenient or for people we might typically avoid.
Why is forgiveness emphasized as critical in this sermon?
The sermon highlights that unforgiveness gives the devil more ground in a Christian's life than any other thing, underscoring its significant negative impact on spiritual well-being and relationships.
What does the sermon say about the source of self-discipline?
Self-discipline is presented as a gift from God, a "spirit of power and love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7), which empowers believers to live out their active faith successfully.
How does the sermon suggest one can develop self-control?
One can develop self-control by believing they have it, exercising it like a muscle, taking negative thoughts captive, and setting clear standards for daily life in various areas like health and relationships.
What is the ultimate goal of living an interruptible and disciplined life?
The goal is to become dangerous to the devil, change the world by overcoming evil with good, and introduce people to God through acts of kindness and love, rather than just being religious.
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Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on Joyce Meyer Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.