The Anemic Christian

TEXT:  1 Cor. 11:30

INTRODUCTION:

A.      MANY THINGS RIGHT & WRONG WITH THE CHURCH – ANEMIA.

B.      WHAT IS ANEMIA – Greek derivitive, “no blood.”

          1.       Def.:  “A condition in which the red corpuscles of the blood are reduced in

                   number, or deficient hemoglobin.”

          2.       Symptoms:  “Palor, shortness of breath and palpitation of the heart.”

          3.       Sometimes a synonym for weakness.

C.      SPIRITUAL ANEMIA IS VERY DANGEROUS.

I.      POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL ANEMIA.

A.      NT CHURCH HAD WEAK MEMBERS( Rom. 15:1;  1 Cor. 11:30;  1 Thess. 5:14 ).

B.      OTHER TERMS DESCRIBE THE ANEMIC CHRISTIAN:

          1.       Divided allegiances, no conviction ( Matt. 6:24 ).

          2.       Slow of pace, no purpose ( Gal. 5:7 ).

          3.       Lukewarm ( Rev. 3:10 ).

C.      WEAKNESS OF FAITH OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG PERSONALITY.

D.      SPIRITUAL IMMATURIY ( 1 Cor. 3:1;  Heb. 5:11-12 ).

II.     SYMPTOMS OF SPIRITUAL ANEMIA.

A.      WEAK IN RESISTANCE.

          1.       To temptation ( Eph. 6:10,16 ).  Offers excuse that all are weak.

          2.       To error ( Eph. 4:14 ).  Ashamed or ignorant of truth – blows back and forth.

          3.       To offenses ( Eph. 4:2 ).  Thin blood and skin go together.

B.      WEAK IN APPETITE ( Matt. 5:6;  1 Pet. 2:1-2 ).

          1.       Babies and milk – Toddlers after first exposure to sweets.

          2.       Anemic Christian has appetite for other things – ballgames, movies, TV.

          3.       No appreciation for

                   a.       Strong meat – First principles only – hates to chew ( Heb. 5:12-14 ).

                   b.       Distinctive preaching – Must be positive, not negative.

                   c.       Admonitions to study – too weak to come to the table.

C.      WEAK IN EXERCISE.

          1.       Spiritual exercise is essential ( 1 Tim. 4:8;  Heb. 5:14 ).

          2.       Anemic Christian gets plenty of exercise elsewhere – too busy to serve.

          3.       Too busy, too tired, entangled.

D.      WEAK IN ESTIMATE OF ONE’S ABILITY.

          1,       Overestimates ( Rom. 12:3 ).

          2.       Underestimates ( Phil. 2:13;  4:13 ).

E.      WEAK IN CONSCIENCE.

          1.       Ignorant of God’s will ( 1 Cor. 8:7 ).

          2.       Unconcerned for others ( 1 Cor. 8:13 ).

III.    PROPER TREATMENT.

A.      NOT TO DESPISE ( 1 Cor. 9:22;  Rom. 15:1 ).

B.      WE ARE TO BEAR WITH THEM AND ADMONISH ( 2 Thess. 3:15;  Gal. 6:1 ).

C.      THE ATTITUDE OF JESUS.

          1.       He understands that we start as babies ( 1 Pet. 2:1-2 ).

          2.       He expects to grow ( Heb. 5:12;  Eph. 4:11-14 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IF WE ARE ANEMIC WE NEED TO REALIZE THE DANGER.

B.      WE NEED TO BE CONSIOUS OF OTHERS’ NEEDS.