Spiritual Dementia
Jude 1:5
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
2Pe 1:12 ¶ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.
James 1:23-25
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jer 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Dementia is not something to take lightly. It is a real problem, especially for many individuals over 65 years of age. It is basically a matter of forgetting things often and/or being able to reason correctly. Presently, there is no known cure for dementia.
The concern of this sermon is to deal with what I am labeling "spiritual dementia",
It is a problem amongst believers who have not "remembered" to act accordingly to the commands of God. Sometimes it is through lack of belief, sometimes it is a priority problem.
I. Continuing to Believe
It is not just about what God did for you 10 years ago, but are you still believing with the same diligence today? We are not talking about your church attendance or your tithe paying. It is more than going through the motions. Keep your salvation current.
Ho 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD
II. Pursue with Passion
Revelations 2:4 speaks of returning to our first love. The enthusiasm of being a child of God should never grow old. Let us stay as excited as we were the day we prayed for salvation. Don't let a casual walk with Christ become the new normal. Never forget all that God has done for you.
III. Living in Love with the Brethren
The Lord has put us in a new family when we became believers. Brothers and sisters who pray with us and share our burdens; they understand our troubles and cares.
By and by, differences arise, and we fail to communicate as we should. Our tendency is to good to others as long as they are doing good to us. Spiritual dementia will cause you to not reason correctly and even hurt the ones you love.
Some have even become disconnected with their local church.
Thank God for care givers like your pastor and church members who help when the mind plays games with us.
Ga 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
