Indifference in Religion

TEXT:  Acts 18:8-17

INTRODUCTION:

A.      GALLIO WAS INDIFFERENT TO THE JEWS AND THEIR RELIGION.

B.      INDIFFERENT, "having or showing no interest, concern, feeling." ( Webster ).

I.      GALLIO NO DIFFERENT FROM MANY TODAY.

A.      AS A JUDGE, HE WAS RIGHT.

          1.       No conflict between our faith and Caesar( John 18:36-38 ).

          2.       Jesus teaching?( Mark 12:17;  Acts 25:8;  1 Pet. 2:13-17 ).

B.      AS A SOUL, HIS INDIFFERENCE WAS DEADLY.

          1.       The Gentiles( Rom. 1:18-32 ).

          2.       The Greek intellectuals( 1 Cor. 1:18-23 ).

C.      WHAT IS THE PRICE OF INDIFFERENCE( Matt. 16:25-26 ).

II.     INDIFFERENCE IS DEADLY TO THE CHRISTIAN.

A.      TYPES OF INDIFFERENCE.

          1.       Like the Ephesians, right but no enthusiasm( Rev. 2:2-4 ).

          2.       Like the Jews, show important, no substance( Matt. 23:23-28 ).

          3.       Like the Hebrews, it is "old hat"( Heb. 5:11 ).

          4.       They were lazy, didn't want to be disturbed( 6:11-12 ).

          5.       Are we just "keeping house" or are we truly committed?

B.      CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE.

          1.       Peer pressure( 1 Cor. 15:33;  Rom. 12:2;  James 4:4 ).

          2.       A different master( Matt. 6:24;  1 John 2:15 ).

          3.       A different viewpoint( 1 Cor. 2:14-15 ).  Is it important?

          4.       Divided attention( Matt. 13:22;  2 Tim. 2:3-4 ).

          5.       False security( Rev. 3:15-16 ).

          6.       Ignorance of God's word( Hos. 4:6;  Eph. 4:14).

          7.       Unbelief - commitment comes from strong faith( 2 Tim. 1:12 ).

C.      What is the price of our indifference?( Luke 9:23-25 ).

III.    WE DARE NOT BE INDIFFERENT.

A.      WHAT JESUS SAID( Rev. 3:16 ).

B.      IF WE HAVE LOST OUR SOULS, WHAT DO WE HAVE?( 2 Tim. 6:6-7 ).

C.      ONLY ONE THING MATTERS IN THE END( Ecc. 12:13-14 ).

D.      THE CURE?

          1.       Study( Rom. 10:17;  2 Tim. 1:12 ).

          2.       Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm.  Associate with committed people

                   ( Rom. 12.9-11;  Gal. 5:9 ).

          3.       Begin the work( John 9:4 ).  What work?( James 5:19-20 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LIKE GALLIO.

B.      WE'RE GOING TO LIVE FOREVER WITH GOD!