Bible, Faith, Hope

Why You Don’t Feel Close to God Anymore

You still believe in God… but something feels off. The passion’s faded. The purpose feels distant. You’re showing up, but nothing seems to move you like it used to. In this message, we show how apathy slowly creeps into our faith—and what to do when your heart feels numb and your spiritual life feels stuck. You’ll learn how to recognize the drift, rekindle conviction, and rediscover awe for who God really is.

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MESSAGE NOTES

FIGHTING SHADOWS

Apathy

Big Idea: Apathy is defined as “not caring about what you should care about.” It’s a fog; a dullness that keeps us distracted, disengaged, and stuck. We’re not hostile toward God… just indifferent.

Key Points:

Apathy Sedates Us Spiritually

[Revelation 3:17] “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

  • Apathy can look like increasingly caring more about other things than what God may have specifically called us to do.
  • Sometimes, apathy can come from lacking nothing materially, like with the church of Laodicea.
  • When there is spiritual apathy, it acts as anesthesia towards the things of God.

“The problem isn’t that we’re too busy… it’s that we’re busy with the wrong things.” – Fighting Shadows

“What if the enemy doesn’t need to destroy you? What if he just needs to distract you long enough that you stop noticing more important things?”

Apathy Trades Conviction for Comfort

[Revelation 3:15-16] “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

  • Apathy whispers that ease is better than obedience.
  • That convenience is better than conviction.
  • Conviction is when God prompts us toward something better, even if it’s uncomfortable.
  • Laodicea had it all — wealth, medicine, fashion, industry. They were rich, influential, and self-sufficient.
  • Their faith was replaced by self-sufficiency – Conviction for Comfort.

“Maybe our faith has moved away from being about obedience and more about what’s convenient, what feels good, what doesn’t cost too much.”

Apathy is Overcome by Awe and Action

[Isaiah 6:8] “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.'”

[Revelation 3:14] “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation.”

God is:

Warrior King [Psalm 24:7-8] “Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.”

Creator [Psalm 33:6, 8-9] “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.”

Savior [Isaiah 43:11, 13] “I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”

“How a man views God makes all the difference in the world for how he practices his faith.” – Jon Tyson

[Revelation 3:18-19] “So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

  • Awe without action is admiration.
  • Awe with action is where we align ourselves with what Jesus is doing.

“Jesus isn’t trying to condemn them, but invite them into the better things He has for them and He extends this to us too.”

Next Steps:

1. Take Stock of Your Life

  • What would Jesus say about us if He wrote us a letter?
  • What was the last thing God was prompting me to do and did I do it?

2. Make A Decision

  • Will I stay numb, or will I be like the prophet Isaiah after he encountered God in all His glory?
  • Will you choose to be hot or cold?

3. Do What Matters

  • Start praying again — even when it feels awkward
  • Start serving again — get on a team, use your gifts
  • Start reading again — open the Bible, journal, show up in community
  • Start giving again — prioritize generosity, not leftovers
  • Start obeying again — say “yes” to whatever God has been asking of you

“Pick one of these things to do and build on it. And then you’ll start to step away from the shadow of apathy and into the light.”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

You still believe in God… but something feels off. The passion’s faded. The purpose feels distant. You’re showing up, but nothing seems to move you like it used to. In this message, we show how apathy slowly creeps into our faith—and what to do when your heart feels numb and your spiritual life feels stuck. You’ll learn how to recognize the drift, rekindle conviction, and rediscover awe for who God really is.

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