Are you drifting
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The document discusses how Christians can drift away from God through negligence. It notes that drifting happens unconsciously through unseen undercurrents. Individuals and churches can slowly drift into error over time. It's dangerous because drifting increases one's speed away from God and the dangers that come with that. It ends in spiritual shipwreck unless the drifting is addressed. Common signs of drifting include diminishing desire to study the Bible, pray, fellowship with other believers, and share the gospel. Remedies include diligently keeping faith, being on guard against temptation, and having a strong anchor in Jesus Christ. The document encourages readers to check if they have been drifting and to encourage one another.
Are you drifting
- 2. Things You Should Know About Drifting…Drifting requires NO effort. Heb. 2:1It can be an unconscious process…As in a boat, undercurrents are often unseen from the surface.Individuals can slowly drift away, churches also can drift into error. Peter, Barnabas, etc. Gal. 2:11-ff; Rev. 3:1
- 3. Things You Should Know About Drifting…We never drift upstream or against the tide…Faith in the Lord is like paddling upstream:Constantly adding to your faith… 2 Pet. 1:5-8You must continue to grow… 2 Pet. 3:18The speed downstream increases… Dangers increase with the speed of the drift…Hear the waterfall, its too lateThe further we get away from the Lord the less we care about what we do.
- 4. Things You Should Know About Drifting…It is dangerous to others…A drifting ship is a hazard to other vessels at sea.Parents who are drifting lose the chance to teach their children right Eph. 6:4; Eph. 4:14It ends in shipwreck… 1 Tim. 1:19The inevitable “crash” of destruction Spiritual drifters will not escape a just punishment… Hebrews 2:1-3
- 5. Common Signs of Drifting…Diminishing desire to study God’s word & prayGod’s word…Provides direction for happy useful lives Ps. 1:1-3Prayer is a blessing… a way to communicate with GodJesus often prayed Mk. 1:35; 6:46Taught disciples not to grow weary and to pray… Lk. 18:1
- 6. Common Signs of Drifting…Diminishing desire to be with God’s people… Ps. 122:1Fellowship extends beyond the church services…To be concerned with edifying each other…Rom. 14:19Should occur even daily Heb. 3:13Right kind of friendship strengthens us, wrong kind leads us to sin Eccl. 4:9-12; 1 Cor. 15:33
- 7. Common Signs of Drifting…Diminishing desire to share the gospel… Acts 8:4; 1 Thes. 1:8Do you care about lost souls? 1 Tim. 2:3-4Increasing thrill over the things of the world…John warns aboutthe love of and the things of the world… 1 Jn. 2:15-17Increasing enjoyment in worldly pleasures 2 Tim. 3:4
- 8. Remedies Against DriftingKeep Rowing…This involves diligence 2 Pet. 1:5, 10Keep abounding in the “graces” adding them to your faith 2 Pet. 1:5-8Watch Out for Undercurrents…Always be on guard for temptation! 1 Pet. 5:8We have a fleshly nature which wars against the soul… 1 Pet. 2:11; Gal. 5:16-18Expect To Go Against the Tide… Mt. 7:13-14
- 9. Remedies Against DriftingWe Must Have Strong Anchorage…Rooted and grounded in Jesus Col. 2:6-7Minds anchored to the truth Eph. 4:14-15Having an unshakable hope Heb. 6:18-19Rooted and grounded in the love of ChristEph. 3:16-18Brethren, are we drifting?Are there signs of drifting in your life? Honestly?If we must confess that we are drifting, let’s encourage one another today. Heb. 2:1-3
- 10. Let Jesus Guide You!To be saved one must:Hear & believe the gospel of Christ… Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17Repent of sinful living… Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30Confess Jesus… Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10Be baptized into Christ… Gal. 3:27; Acts 22:16Faithfully follow Jesus… Rev. 2:10