How Do You Prevent A (Spiritual) Heart Attack?

Intro:

A.  Illust: When Kitty Rosati was a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972, her father died

      suddenly of a heart attack at age 50.  "His death was a shock to me and was a pivotal point in my life," Rosati said.

      1.  Like many who die prematurely of heart disease, he had never been sick a day in his life.

      2.  Yet he worked all the time, rarely took a vacation, smoked cigarettes, ate a typical American diet high in protein,

            fat and salt, never exercised and was going through a divorce.

B.  "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."  2 Cor. 4:1

      1.  What exactly does it mean to "lose heart?"  (It sounds to me a lot like a heart attack).  Ex: My circumstance at

           Hattiesburg clinic, then at Forrest General

      2.  If anyone had reason to lose heart as a Christian, it was the apostle Paul.  ²³ "Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak

           as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths

           often. ²⁴ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I

           was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils

           of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in

           perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness

           often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes

           upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to

           stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?"  2 Cor. 11:23-29

           a.  It is not uncommon for Christians to lose heart today.

           b.  This is both strange and sad.  (Strange, because most of us don't experience the same intensity of hardships

                that Paul did in the first century.  Sad, because of the implications when we do lose heart).  "And let us not

                grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  Gal. 6:9

                1)  Coronary heart disease is the #1 killer in the US.   (More than five million people are treated for it annually,

                      and 700,000 die from it each year). 

                2)  1.1 million people in America suffer a heart attack each year. 

C.  Today, I'm asking each of us to engage in a spiritual heart check-up.  "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,

      and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

      Psm. 139:23-24  "But let a man examine himself…"  1 Cor. 11:28a

 

I.  SYMPTOMS of losing heart

 

    A.  Lack of interest in prayer—spiritual numbness.  (Internal). 

 

          1.  Jesus taught that those who are fervent in prayer don't lose heart.  "Then He spoke a parable to them, that

               men always ought to pray and not lose heart."  Lk. 18:1

          2.  More often than not, one of the very first signs of losing heart is a weak and haphazard prayer life.

               .  "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to the end with perseverance

                  and supplication for the saints."  Eph. 6:18

               .  "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."  Col. 4:2

               .  "Pray without ceasing."  1 Thess. 5:17

 

    B.  Lack of involvement in service—lethargy, fatigue.  (External).

 

          1.  Examples:

                a.  Brethren who once served with fervor and diligence, but who know neglect opportunities to serve may be

                     suffering with a heart condition. 

                b.  Likewise, brethren who were once very faithful in their attendance, but who can no longer be found in the

                      regular assembly probably needs to hook up to a heart monitor.

           2.  Questions: 

                a.  When was the last time you looked for an opportunity to help a brother/sister in the faith, and then went

                      out of your way to see that their needs were supplied?

               b.  In a typical month of 16 assemblies, how many times can you be found at your post?

 

NOTE: Since there is peace that comes from prayer and joy that comes from service, what would cause some to grow

            so disheartened that they fall away?

 

II.  REASONS for losing heart

 

     A.  Transgressions.  (Internal)

 

          1.  "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."  Mt. 24:12

          2.  "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'"  1 Cor. 15:33  (Unrepentant sin discourages the

               faithful and encourages them to further unfaithfulness).

 

    B.  Tribulations.  (External)

 

          1.  Paul was concerned that the Ephesians not lose heart over his trials.  "Therefore I ask that you do not lose

               heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."  Eph. 3:13  (If it is possible to lose heart when our

               brethren suffer, how much more so when we suffer ourselves)!

          2.  Jesus warned in the parable of the soils that some new converts would suffer, grow disheartened and then

               quit.  ²⁰ "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives

               it with joy; ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution

               arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles."  Mt. 13:20-21  (How many children of God can you

               name who once were devoted to the Lord and His church, but have since gone AWOL)?

 

III.  SECRETS to not losing heart

 

       A.  Appreciate the glory of the New Covenant of Christ.

 

            1.  Note Paul's contrast of the New Covenant with the Old Covenant of Moses.  ⁷ "But if the ministry of death,

                 written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the

                  of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, ⁸ how will the ministry of the

                  Spirit not be more glorious? ⁹ For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness

                  exceeds much more in glory. ¹⁰ For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the

                  glory that excels. ¹¹ For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.  ¹² Therefore,

                 since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— ¹³ unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so

                 that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were

                 blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil

                 is taken away in Christ. ¹⁵ But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. ¹⁶ Nevertheless

                 when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the

                 Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are

                 being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  2 Cor. 3:6-18

                 a.  The "letter" or old law is said to kill because it pronounces condemnation on men for their sins, while the

                      "spirit" or new law is said to give life because it  provided a true means of justification.  v. 6

                 b.  The glory of God was reflected in Moses' face after their meeting at Sinai—so much so that the Israelites

                      could not look at the lawgiver—and yet this glory is surpassed by the glory of the gospel.  vv. 7-11

                 c.  The old law judged against an individual by declaring God's laws and exposing man's departure from those

                      laws, while the new law declared an individual righteous by virtue of the gracious provisions of God.  v. 9

                 d.  The old law passed away and was therefore temporary, while the new law remains and is everlasting.  v. 11

           2.  "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."  2 Cor. 4:1  (Do we

                 really appreciate the blessings we having in the New Covenant of Christ today)?!

       B.  Realize the power of Christ when you are weak.  "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward

            man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."  2 Cor. 4:16

 

            1.  Remember that Paul suffered immensely for Christ.  cf. v. 8

            2.  But these became occasions for God's power through Christ to be shown.  "Always carrying about in the body

                  the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body.  For we who live are always

                  delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  vv. 10-11

            3.  This was the very lesson Christ taught Paul when he struggled with the thorn in his flesh.  cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

                 a.  When we are weak, that is an opportunity to depend on the Lord for strength.

                 b.  Infirmities and tribulations can be occasions for rejoicing as opposed to despair!  "My brethren, count it all

                      joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let

                      patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  Jas. 1:2-4

                     (Brethren, when we learn this lesson, we will not lose heart)!

 

       C.  Look at the unseen.  ¹⁶ "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the

            inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a

            far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the

            things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are

            eternal."  2 Cor. 4:16-18

 

             1.  When we dwell on afflictions we inevitably lose heart.

             2.  Comparisons:

                  .  Afflictions are momentary; glory is eternal.

                  .  Afflictions are light when compared with the weight of heaven.

 

Concl:

A.  What has your examination revealed?  Do you have any symptoms of a heart problem?

      1.  How is your prayer life?

      2.  How  would you describe your recent activities and service in the church?

      3.  How have trials affected your faith?

      4.  What sins have prompted lethargy in your service to God?

B.  Illust: From a spiritual standpoint, Scott's family and friends knew that he'd gotten the sweetest relocation

      package offered.  From a human standpoint, we felt like we'd been demolished by a freight train.  Scott's death

      not only saddened people, it scared them.

      And with good reason.  Pre-illness, Scott was a specimen for a strong, athletic young man.  I didn't know anyone who

      could run, bike and pump iron like Scott could.  How could he have fallen so sick?  How could he be dead?

      Unknown to Scott, he had heart-disease—and like a cold and cowardly predator, it didn't show its face.  It crept

      slowly and silently upon him, then delivered a sucker punch: a heart attack.

      Doctors at Atlanta's Saint Joseph's Hospital, renowned for cardiac care, said they weren't surprised—that they were

      seeing heart disease in younger and younger men all the time.

      Five months before his heart attack, Scott had a routine physical and everything was normal.  While he was in the

      emergency room, HAVING a heart attack, his EKG was NORMAL.  His lab work was NORMAL.  Doctors didn't

      initially suspect a cardiac event, but because they could ease Scott's pain, they ordered in-depth testing that looked

      deeply into his heart—and that's when the truth was discovered.

      1.  Scott's experience proved at least one thing. 

      2.  The real condition of the heart isn't always obvious.

C.  The good news is, you can reverse the effects of heart disease.