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The church today faces deep challenges that we cannot ignore. One of the most serious problems is spiritual apathy. We find ourselves caught up in routines and weariness that slowly disconnect us from God. Additionally, our local churches struggle with the lack of effective discipleship, leaving believers without a solid foundation to grow in their faith. Ultimately, all of this points to one truth: we desperately need Christ. Only in Him do we find rest and renewal.

1. Spiritual Apathy: Fatigue, Monotony, and Routine that Disconnects Us from God

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28

Physical and spiritual exhaustion can distance us from God’s purpose. Daily activities, routine, and a lack of spiritual renewal plunge us into apathy, cooling our love for God. We find ourselves going to church without enthusiasm, reading the Bible without hearing God’s voice.

But Jesus invites us to something deeper. He says, “Come to me.” It is in His presence that we find true rest. Not just physical rest, but rest for our souls—a rest that renews our spirit and reconnects us with our Creator.

When fatigue and routine try to disconnect you from God, draw closer to Him. Do not pull away. His promise is rest for your soul, a rest that the world cannot offer.

2. The Local Church Has a Discipleship Problem: Fix Your Eyes on God

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
—Hebrews 12:2

Another critical issue facing our local churches is the lack of discipleship. In many congregations, discipleship has become superficial, lacking depth and real transformation. As a result, believers are not equipped to face life’s challenges and easily fall away.

The key to solving this problem is fixing our eyes on Jesus. He is the perfect model of discipleship and the only one who can guide our steps with wisdom and love. We cannot disciple others if we have not first been disciples of Christ. We must not focus on human problems but on the One who suffered for us and gave us victory.

Discipleship is vital for the growth of the church. We must focus on Jesus, the author of our faith, so we can guide others in their Christian walk.

3. We Need Christ and Only Christ: Our True Rest and Guide

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
—Luke 9:23

Finally, the greatest truth we must remember is that we need Christ. Only in Him do we find rest, peace, and direction. Many times, we try to carry our burdens on our own, but Jesus calls us to lay them at His feet. He invites us to follow Him, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross.

This call is not easy, but in Christ, we find everything we need to persevere. When we follow Jesus, denying ourselves, He gives us rest and equips us to face every challenge with His strength.

Jesus does not only want to ease our burdens; He wants us to follow Him with all our hearts. We need more of Christ in our daily lives because only in Him do we find the peace we long for and the guidance for our decisions.

Sincerely,
Pastor Guillermo Ayala