“Spiritual Sickness” Mark 2:15-17

Some are “weak in faith” Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 1Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

Babes can get sick easily… Matthew 13:20  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Matthew 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Some who were strong grow weak… Galatians 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.

Symptoms of Spiritual Illness… Hebrews 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 5:12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Symptoms of Spiritual Illness… Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting Galatians 1:8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Symptoms of Spiritual Illness… Revelation 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Spiritual Illness IS Contagious… Acts 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Galatians 2:12  for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Spiritual Illness IS Contagious… 1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 1Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

Thankfully… There is a Cure! Matthew 1:21And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

There is a cure for those in Christ… 2Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Galatians 6:1 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. James 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

The Cure for Spiritual Illness 1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."