THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE

1. Definition: “1. The quality, state, or fact of being indifferent; specifically, (a) lack of concern, interest, or feeling; apathy; (b) lack of importance, meaning, or worth. 2. Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias.” (Webster’s New Univ. Unabr., p. 931)1. Definition: “1. The quality, state, or fact of being indifferent; specifically, (a) lack of concern, interest, or feeling; apathy; (b) lack of importance, meaning, or worth. 2. Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias.” (Webster’s New Univ. Unabr., p. 931) 2. Synonyms: insensibilty, apathy, unconcern (Webster, ibid.)2. Synonyms: insensibilty, apathy, unconcern (Webster, ibid.) 3. Lack of diligence, dedication and devotion.3. Lack of diligence, dedication and devotion. 4. Attitude and actions that say, “I don’t care!”4. Attitude and actions that say, “I don’t care!” Indifference is:

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE A. Develops gradually and slowly, Heb. 2:1 A. Develops gradually and slowly, Heb. 2:1 B. Harder to see what we are not doing, Heb. 5:11-12 C. The signs / fruit of indifference are thought of as being C. The signs / fruit of indifference are thought of as being the real problem, Prov. 4:23; Ps. 95:10 the real problem, Prov. 4:23; Ps. 95:10

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE A. Lack of fear of God, 1 Sam. 11:7; Rom. 3:10-18 B. Focus on the present world, Matt. 22:5; 13:22; 2 Tim. B. Focus on the present world, Matt. 22:5; 13:22; 2 Tim. 4:10; Deut. 6: :10; Deut. 6:10-12 C. Ungodliness of the world around us, Matt. 24:12 C. Ungodliness of the world around us, Matt. 24:12 D. Indifference of the world around us, Ps. 123:4 E. Ignorance, Hos. 4:6; Heb. 5:11-12; Rom. 10:17-18, 3 E. Ignorance, Hos. 4:6; Heb. 5:11-12; Rom. 10:17-18, 3 F. Softness, Isa. 30:10; Gal. 6:1; 1 Cor. 5 F. Softness, Isa. 30:10; Gal. 6:1; 1 Cor. 5 G. Unbelief, Zep. 1:12 G. Unbelief, Zep. 1:12

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 “If you can once get him to the point of thinking that ‘religion is all very good up to a point’, you can feel quite happy about his soul. A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all.” (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, p. 51)

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. 14:9; Rev. 2: :9; Rev. 2:14-15 "Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul" (Psa. 142:4). Could this be -- Your spouse?Your spouse? One of your children?One of your children? Your brethren?Your brethren? One of your friends or neighbors?One of your friends or neighbors?

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. 14:9; Rev. 2: :9; Rev. 2:14-15 C. Missing services, Heb. 10:24-25 C. Missing services, Heb. 10:24-25 D. Consumed with secular interest, Heb. 13:14; Jer. 48:10

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE IV. THE CURE FOR INDIFFERENCE A. Preach and warn, Col. 1:28; Rom. 1:16 B. Repent, Rev. 2:4-5; Rev. 3:16,19 B. Repent, Rev. 2:4-5; Rev. 3:16,19 C. Study, Isa. 32:9; Rom. 10:17 C. Study, Isa. 32:9; Rom. 10:17 D. Be a doer of the word, Jas. 1:21-25 D. Be a doer of the word, Jas. 1:21-25

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE A. Develops gradually and slowly, Heb. 2:1 A. Develops gradually and slowly, Heb. 2:1 B. Harder to see what we are not doing, Heb. 5:11-12 C. The signs / fruit of indifference are thought of as being C. The signs / fruit of indifference are thought of as being the real problem, Prov. 4:23; Ps. 95:10 the real problem, Prov. 4:23; Ps. 95:10

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE A. Lack of fear of God, 1 Sam. 11:7; Rom. 3:10-18 B. Focus on the present world, Matt. 22:5; 13:22; 2 Tim. B. Focus on the present world, Matt. 22:5; 13:22; 2 Tim. 4:10; Deut. 6: :10; Deut. 6:10-12 C. Ungodliness of the world around us, Matt. 24:12 C. Ungodliness of the world around us, Matt. 24:12 D. Indifference of the world around us, Ps. 123:4 E. Ignorance, Hos. 4:6; Heb. 5:11-12; Rom. 10:17-18, 3 E. Ignorance, Hos. 4:6; Heb. 5:11-12; Rom. 10:17-18, 3 F. Softness, Isa. 30:10; Gal. 6:1; 1 Cor. 5 F. Softness, Isa. 30:10; Gal. 6:1; 1 Cor. 5 G. Unbelief, Zep. 1:12 G. Unbelief, Zep. 1:12

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 A. A loss of zeal, Rev. 3:16 B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. B. A loss of spiritual interest, 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:11; Prov. 14:9; Rev. 2: :9; Rev. 2:14-15 C. Missing services, Heb. 10:24-25 C. Missing services, Heb. 10:24-25 D. Consumed with secular interest, Heb. 13:14; Jer. 48:10

THE PROBLEM OF INDIFFERENCE I. THE SUBTLETY OF INDIFFERENCE II. THE CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE III. THE SIGNS OF INDIFFERENCE IV. THE CURE FOR INDIFFERENCE A. Preach and warn, Col. 1:28; Rom. 1:16 B. Repent, Rev. 2:4-5; Rev. 3:16,19 B. Repent, Rev. 2:4-5; Rev. 3:16,19 C. Study, Isa. 32:9; Rom. 10:17 C. Study, Isa. 32:9; Rom. 10:17 D. Be a doer of the word, Jas. 1:21-25 D. Be a doer of the word, Jas. 1:21-25