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A Common Problem Many who have it – don’t know it Those that do – don’t care! Affects Every Congregation

A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

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Page 1: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

A Common Problem

Many who have it – don’t know it

Those that do – don’t care!

Affects Every Congregation

Page 2: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

Apathy, unconcerned, and disinterest.Apathy, unconcerned, and disinterest.

“ “1. Characterized by a lack of partiality or bias. 2. 1. Characterized by a lack of partiality or bias. 2. Not Not mattering one way or the other; of no greatmattering one way or the other; of no greatimportance. 3. Having no marked feeling one way or importance. 3. Having no marked feeling one way or

the other... 4. Having no particular interest or the other... 4. Having no particular interest or concern... 8. Not active or involved” (AHD, p. 655).concern... 8. Not active or involved” (AHD, p. 655).

Lack of diligence, dedication and devotion.Lack of diligence, dedication and devotion.

Attitude and actions that say, “I don’t care!”Attitude and actions that say, “I don’t care!”

Page 3: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

Not A New ProblemGod’s People Have Always Been Plagued

Lam. 1:1-12 – Judah is doomed – act as if Lam. 1:1-12 – Judah is doomed – act as if nothingnothing

1 Cor. 5 – Fornication in midst – done nothing 1 Cor. 5 – Fornication in midst – done nothing – – not even upsetnot even upset

Rev. 3:15-16 – Church at Laodicea was Rev. 3:15-16 – Church at Laodicea was lukewarmlukewarm Eats away at the life of a Christian & a Eats away at the life of a Christian & a

local church – Cancer…local church – Cancer…

Page 4: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

People of God Should Be Diligent, Devoted & Zealous

• Matt. 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God• 1 Pet. 3:15 - Sanctify the Lord in your heart• Rom. 12:11 - Fervent in spirit serving the Lord• Col. 3:23 - Put everything you have into the

service of the Lord• Eccl. 9:10 - Whatever do - do it will all your

might• Tit. 2:14 - Zealous of good works

Page 5: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

I. Its

Subtl

ety

A. Develops Gradually & Slowly

1. It doesn’t happen overnight.1. It doesn’t happen overnight.

a. Not diligent / enthused one day a. Not diligent / enthused one day – – indifferent the nextindifferent the next

b. This makes it hard to recognizeb. This makes it hard to recognize

2. It strikes first at the heart – then 2. It strikes first at the heart – then manifest itself in actionmanifest itself in action

MindManifest Actions

Page 6: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (NKJV)

Hebrews 2:1Hebrews 2:1

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (KJV)

Footnote KJV “run out as leaking vessels”

Page 7: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

B. Hard To See What We’re Not Doing

1. Heb. 5:11-121. Heb. 5:11-12

2. Overt acts are easily seen by self & Others 2. Overt acts are easily seen by self & Others (Lie, curse, steal, drink)(Lie, curse, steal, drink)

3. Even sin in attitude involves 3. Even sin in attitude involves doing.doing. (hate, (hate, lust, lust, bitter, envy, jealous, anger)bitter, envy, jealous, anger)

3. Harder to see what I fail to do!3. Harder to see what I fail to do!

4. Even harder to see:4. Even harder to see:•That I don’t care as much as I ought toThat I don’t care as much as I ought to• That I’m not involved as I ought to beThat I’m not involved as I ought to be• That I’m not as dedicated as I should beThat I’m not as dedicated as I should be• That I should have grown more by nowThat I should have grown more by now

Page 8: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

C. We Focus on Signs / Fruit – Rather Than the Real Problem

1. 1. When we see the symptoms, we deal with When we see the symptoms, we deal with themthem

a. If one doesn’t attend as he should – we a. If one doesn’t attend as he should – we preach on attendance. (It may not help)preach on attendance. (It may not help)

b. If one doesn’t study and grow, we talk to b. If one doesn’t study and grow, we talk to them about study & growth (It may not them about study & growth (It may not

help)help)

2. 2. The real problem is the heartThe real problem is the heart (Prov. 4:23; (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:19)Matt. 15:19)

a. Problem is they don’t care!a. Problem is they don’t care!

b. Cure the indifference – symptoms will be b. Cure the indifference – symptoms will be gonegone

Page 9: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

II. It

s C

ause

sA. Lack of fear of God

1. Fear involves:1. Fear involves:

Afraid of Afraid of Displeasing GodDispleasing God

1 Sam. 11:71 Sam. 11:7Psa. 119:120Psa. 119:120

Isa. 66:2Isa. 66:2Heb. 10:31; 12:29Heb. 10:31; 12:29

Respect & AweRespect & Awe

Luke 7:16Luke 7:16Deut. 28:58Deut. 28:58

Page 10: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

II. It

s C

ause

sA. Lack of fear of God

1. Fear involves:1. Fear involves:

2. Those who fear will:2. Those who fear will:

1. Do what God says (Duet. 6:2; 13:4; 17:19)

2. Be dedicated (Deut. 10:12, 20; 31:12)

Page 11: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

II. It

s C

ause

sA. Lack of fear of God

B. Focus on the present world

1. 1. Get wrapped up in this lifeGet wrapped up in this life

a. Spiritual pushed asidea. Spiritual pushed asideb. Matt. 13:22 – cares of the worldb. Matt. 13:22 – cares of the worldc. 2 Tim. 4:10 – loved present worldc. 2 Tim. 4:10 – loved present world

2. 2. Materially blessedMaterially blessed

a. Tendency to forget God (Prov. 30:8-9; a. Tendency to forget God (Prov. 30:8-9; Deut. 6:10-12)Deut. 6:10-12)

b. Beware when at ease (Amos 6:1-6)b. Beware when at ease (Amos 6:1-6)

c. Riches make us overconfident in c. Riches make us overconfident in material material things (Psa. 30:6)things (Psa. 30:6)

Page 12: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

C. Ignorance

1. 1. Ignorance destroys God’s PeopleIgnorance destroys God’s People (Hosea (Hosea

4:6; Isa. 4:6; Isa. 5:13)5:13)

2. 2. Reasons why there is ignorance:Reasons why there is ignorance:

a. Not been taught (cf. Matt. 28:20) –we leave them a. Not been taught (cf. Matt. 28:20) –we leave them

to to “sink or swim”“sink or swim”

b. Forgot what we knew (Heb. 5:11-12)b. Forgot what we knew (Heb. 5:11-12)

c. Ignore what we’re taught (Rom. 10:3, 17)c. Ignore what we’re taught (Rom. 10:3, 17)

Page 13: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

C. Ignorance

1. 1. Ignorance destroys God’s PeopleIgnorance destroys God’s People (Hosea 4:6; (Hosea 4:6; Isa. Isa. 5:13)5:13)

2. 2. Reasons why there is ignorance:Reasons why there is ignorance:

3. 3. What we don’t know makes a differenceWhat we don’t know makes a difference

a. If we don’t know commands – can’t obey (Eph a. If we don’t know commands – can’t obey (Eph 5:17)5:17)

b. If we don’t know about judgment – can’t fear b. If we don’t know about judgment – can’t fear (Heb.(Heb. 10:27)10:27)

c. If don’t know truth – led into error (2 Pet. 3:16-18)c. If don’t know truth – led into error (2 Pet. 3:16-18)

Page 14: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

D. Softness

1. 1. Soft PreachingSoft Preaching

a. Comforts those who are indiff. (Isa. 30:10)a. Comforts those who are indiff. (Isa. 30:10)

b. Does little to prick the heartb. Does little to prick the heart

c. “Positive” preaching make people who are in sin c. “Positive” preaching make people who are in sin (and indifferent about it) feel good!(and indifferent about it) feel good!

2. 2. Lack of “teeth” in messageLack of “teeth” in message

a. Not enough to preach truth – must correct, a. Not enough to preach truth – must correct, rebuke, rebuke, withdraw –if no repentancewithdraw –if no repentance

b. Often want the truth taught – nothing more done b. Often want the truth taught – nothing more done about itabout it

Page 15: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

III. Its

Sig

ns

A. A Loss of zeal

B. Loss of spiritual interest

• Easily follows a loss of zealEasily follows a loss of zeal

• Lack of desire for word (Psa. 119; 1 Pet. 2:1-Lack of desire for word (Psa. 119; 1 Pet. 2:1-2)2)

• No interest in studyingNo interest in studying

• Don’t want to know what text meansDon’t want to know what text means

• Not bothered by Not bothered by sinsin in self or others (Prov. in self or others (Prov. 8:13)8:13)

• Not bothered by Not bothered by false doctrinefalse doctrine (Psa. (Psa. 119:136)119:136)

• Not concerned about the Not concerned about the lostlost (Mk. 16:15-16) (Mk. 16:15-16)

When service to God isWhen service to God is““Ho-hum, no big deal”Ho-hum, no big deal”

Fire has gone out!Fire has gone out!

When service to God isWhen service to God is““Ho-hum, no big deal”Ho-hum, no big deal”

Fire has gone out!Fire has gone out!

Page 16: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

C. Missing services

1. 1. May start as occasional absenceMay start as occasional absence

a. Maybe allow work to hinder. Bothers a. Maybe allow work to hinder. Bothers us at us at first, then we adjustfirst, then we adjust

b. May miss once in a while for other b. May miss once in a while for other reasonsreasons

c. Now becoming easier to missc. Now becoming easier to miss

d. May begin missing BS, or Wed. then d. May begin missing BS, or Wed. then Sunday PM and then AMSunday PM and then AM

Page 17: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

C. Missing services

1. 1. May start as occasional absenceMay start as occasional absence

2.2.Every service we miss – miss out on Every service we miss – miss out on spiritual spiritual growthgrowth

a. If being present builds us up (Heb. a. If being present builds us up (Heb. 10:25; 10:25; Eph. 5:19), then if we miss Eph. 5:19), then if we miss we are weaker!we are weaker!

b. Thomas Missed out (John 20:20-28)b. Thomas Missed out (John 20:20-28)

3. 3. Do you forsake for reasons within your Do you forsake for reasons within your control?control?

Page 18: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

A. Preach & Warn

1. 1. Col. 1:28 Col. 1:28

- Goal: present every man perfect - Goal: present every man perfect (not indifference)(not indifference)

- How? “Him we preach, warning…”- How? “Him we preach, warning…”

2. 2. Preaching is God’s remedyPreaching is God’s remedy

- Gospel has power (Rom. 1:16)- Gospel has power (Rom. 1:16)

- Don’t need gimmicks, social - Don’t need gimmicks, social programs, programs, entertainment, etc.entertainment, etc.

- Just need to preach & warn - Just need to preach & warn

IV. It

s C

ure

Page 19: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

IV. It

s C

ure

A. Preach & Warn

B. Repent

• Churches with indifference were told to Churches with indifference were told to repentrepent

Rev. 2:4-5Rev. 2:4-5 Rev. 3:16, 19Rev. 3:16, 19

• Repentance is a change of mindRepentance is a change of mind Prompted by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10)Prompted by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) Results in change of life (Rev. 2:5)Results in change of life (Rev. 2:5)

• If you recognize signs of indifference – need If you recognize signs of indifference – need to to repent!repent!

Page 20: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

IV. It

s C

ure

A. Preach & Warn

B. Repent

• Jas. 1:21-25Jas. 1:21-25

• Activate the faith you have (Jas 2)Activate the faith you have (Jas 2)

• More we exercise our faith – easier it is to More we exercise our faith – easier it is to continue in the practicecontinue in the practice

C. Be doer of word

Page 21: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation
Page 22: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

IV. It

s C

ure

A. Preach & Warn

B. Repent

C. Study

• Faith is based upon word (Rom. 10:17)Faith is based upon word (Rom. 10:17)

• More we study – stronger become (2 Thess. More we study – stronger become (2 Thess. 1:3)1:3)

Page 23: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

D. Consumed with secular interest

1. 1. This life is merely a land we are passing This life is merely a land we are passing throughthrough (Heb. 13:14) (Heb. 13:14)

- Means this is temporary- Means this is temporary- Secular things should rank below sp. things- Secular things should rank below sp. things

2. 2. When our secular concerns overshadow When our secular concerns overshadow

and and crowd out the spiritual – are crowd out the spiritual – are

indifferentindifferent

- When don’t have time for worship- When don’t have time for worship- When don’t have time to study- When don’t have time to study- When making money is more important- When making money is more important- When having fun is pushed ahead of service - When having fun is pushed ahead of service

Page 24: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

III. Its

Sig

ns

A. A Loss of zeal

B. Loss of spiritual interest

C. Missing services

D. Consumed with secular interest

E. Not bothered by things used to…

Heb. 3:7-13

Page 25: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

III. Its

Sig

ns

A. A Loss of zeal

B. Loss of spiritual interest

C. Missing services

D. Consumed with secular interest

E. Not bothered by things used to…

Gal. 1:6-9; 5:7

F. Big contrast in what I used to be

Page 26: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

I. Its Subtlety

II. Its Causes

III. Its Signs

IV. Its Cure

Page 27: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

I. Its Subtlety

II. Its Causes

III. Its Signs

Page 28: A Common Problem Many who have it – dont know it Those that do – dont care! Affects Every Congregation

A. A Loss of zeal

1. 1. Dedicated people have a burning zeal Dedicated people have a burning zeal (Rom. (Rom. 12:11; Luke 24:32)12:11; Luke 24:32)

2. Possible to lose fire of enthus. (Rev. 2. Possible to lose fire of enthus. (Rev. 2:4-5)2:4-5)

3. Judah let her service deteriorate into a 3. Judah let her service deteriorate into a weary routine (Isa. 29:9-14; Mal. 1:6–weary routine (Isa. 29:9-14; Mal. 1:6–

2:17)2:17)

4. When a church has members – lost their 4. When a church has members – lost their zeal zeal – it has a problem with – it has a problem with indifferenceindifferenceWhen service to God isWhen service to God is

““Ho-hum, no big deal”Ho-hum, no big deal”Fire has gone out!Fire has gone out!

When service to God isWhen service to God is““Ho-hum, no big deal”Ho-hum, no big deal”

Fire has gone out!Fire has gone out!