Sunday, May 28, 2017 pm
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING
Hebrew 2:1
a.
Hebrews 3:12, Beware,
lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from
the living God.
b.
Hebrews 4:11, Let us be
diligent to enter that rest, lest we fall
c.
Hebrews 6:4-6 – there
can reach a point where it is impossible to renew one to repentance.
d.
Hebrews 10:26-31 – if we
sin willfully there is an expectation of judgment.
e.
These verses are some of
what Hebrews says. Many
other warnings could be added to these show it is possible not only to
drift away, but fall away and face God’s eternal condemnation.
a.
We become complacent
– we
settle in and are satisfied where we are at.
Like the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-17), we are
lukewarm. Hebrews 6:11-12
warns us to not become sluggish.
Matthew 22:5, in the context of a king arranging a marriage feast for
his son who sends his servants to invite some to come, but they
made light of it.
Friends, THIS is where drifting typically begins.
b.
Neglecting God’s word
– how do you approach the word of God today compared to times past?
Do you love it more or less than
before?
As Jesus said, “Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”
Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2-3 calls for us to desire the pure milk of the
word that we may grow thereby.
The very solution given by our text is to “give
the more earnest heed to the things we have heard” (Heb. 2:1-3).
Hebrews 5:11 – the brethren have become “dull of hearing”.
NOTE: “dull” is same word as “sluggish” in Heb. 6:12.
c.
Neglecting prayer - Jesus in Matthew 6:5-8
emphasized the importance of prayer.
Our private prayers in particular.
How often do you pray when others are not around?
Have you given up on prayer?
Romans 12:12 calls for us to continue steadfastly in prayers.
James 5:16 calls for us to confess our trespasses to one another and
pray for one another
d.
Increased desire and
care for worldly pleasures
– 2 Timothy 3:4 described those who are lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God; Philippians 3:18 speaks of many who walk that are enemies
of the cross, whose god is their belly and whose glory is their shame.
Ephesians 2:1-3 described our former conduct.
We don’t walk that way anymore.
If you find yourself slipping back into your old ways, it could be a
sign of drifting.
e.
Increased excuses for
neglectful behavior
– Luke 14:16-24 – on more than one occasion, Jesus addressed excuses.
He we find those who made excuses as they declined an invitation
to the great supper. It did
not fare well for them, nor does it fare well before God.
Often times when one first stumbles, they will acknowledge their
failure. But as time wears
on, they seek to justify their slipping back into worldly ways.
There are genuine reasons why things happen, but when we are constantly
making excuses for not doing what we should – e.g. attending services,
not preparing, not preferring your brethren, growing weaker spiritually,
not giving, etc. chances are we are drifting.
f.
When we have a lack of spiritual joy –
As Christians, we need to be content and joyful – Romans 12:12 speaks of
our rejoicing in hope.
Jesus, even facing persecutions calls for us to rejoice and be
exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12).
2 Thessalonians 5:16 simply says, “Rejoice always.”
Joyful is a mindset.
Sometimes we have to just determine we are going to make the best of
whatever we are dealing with.
Along this line, do we find real joy in being with our brethren?
When we have lost our joy in serving the Lord, we are drifting.
And as long as remain that way it will be difficult to get turned
around.
g.
When we are constantly
finding fault with others
- sometimes we compare ourselves by ourselves, seeking to justify
ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:12).
I’m not as bad as…; I would attend but…too cold, hot, long,
short, shallow, deep, too high, too low, etc.
I’m not getting anything out of being here.
Etc.
Then there is using the behavior of others as justification for our
neglect.
While there is a time for proper judging (John 7:24), often our
judgments are prejudiced and that is wrong – Matthew 7:1-5.
Note how in this text you are looking for the speck in your
brother’s eyes. It is
judgment that assumes improper motives.
Galatians 5:14-15 warns against biting and devouring one another lest
you be consumed.
If we find we are blaming our shortcomings on others, it is very likely
we are drifting.
h.
A lack of concern for
the souls of others
– Continually scripture
calls for us to care about others.
Philippians 2:3-4 calls for us to look out for the interests of
others.
This includes concerns for their souls.
We have emphasized our need to try and reach others –
2 Corinthians 5:10-11, cf. Acts 8:4, etc.
When we are thinking about
ourselves and we don’t care how it affects others, OR we do not view our
interaction with others as a matter of eternity (ours and theirs) – we
are probably drifting.
This could include being more afraid of offending (hurting the feelings
of) another rather than God (e.g. grieving the Holy Spirit).
a.
We can reach a point
where we can no longer see “the shore” – recall Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of reaching a point where it is impossible
to be renewed to repentance.
b.
We can shipwreck our
faith – 1
Timothy 1:18-20 speaks of some who had wrecked their faith
c.
We are in danger of losing our souls
– 1 Corinthians 10:12 – take heed lest we fall.
Consider again Hebrews
10:26-31 – it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God.
2 Peter 2:20-22 – warns
of the latter end being worse than the beginning.
a.
Make God your priority
– Matthew 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 6:19 – this hope we have as an anchor (at the throne of God).
Keep your hope there – rest your hope fully upon the grace of God
(cf. 1 Peter 1:13)
b.
Let serving God become
an every day occurrence.
Someone once described everyday religion – every day we need to
– say something to God (pray) – 1
Thessalonians 5:17;
- let God say something to you
(listen through His word) – 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:16,
2 John 2
- do something for God (do good
to others) – Galatians 6:10, Titus 2:14
- say something about God (seek
the lost, praise Him to others – 1 Peter 3:15, etc.)
- Give something to God (cf.
Romans 12:1-2);
- Think of a blessing you have
received from Him (James 1:17, Romans 2:4 – do not despise the riches of
His goodness...),
- AND be thankful to God (1
Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:20).
c.
Continued examination – 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 10:12 – let him who
thinks he stands take heed.
The danger of drifting is very real!
d.
Discipline your body
– 1 Corinthians 9:27. Be in control of yourself rather than surrendering
it to something or someone evil.
e.
Make the church
important to you
– you will find strength in a congregation seeking to stand for what is
right. Be actively involved
in her. Do your part –
Ephesians 4:16 – the body will grow and so will you!
f.
Give diligence to increase your faith
– we have to work at it, as is so often emphasized in scripture.
2 timothy 2:15 – be diligent to present yourself approved to God,
2 Peter 1:5-8 – add to your faith…
2 Peter 3:14 – be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and
blameless
g.
Worship God
– worship draws us closer to God – John 4:24 – in spirit and in truth
1 Corinthians 11:28 – examine yourself as you worship God.
Be here! Hebrews 10:25. You cannot build up one another in worship if
you are not here!
h.
Abstain from every form
of evil –
Ephesians 4:22 – we are to put off our former conduct (and be renewed in
the Spirit of your mind).
Ephesians 5:11 – have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness; 1
Thessalonians 5:22 – abstain from every form of evil.
Watch where you go, who you associate with and what you do.
The world is the sea that is trying to pull you back into it.
i.
If you have drifted, repent and return to Him
– Revelation 2:5 – to the church at Ephesus, “Repent and do the first
works…”
Acts 8:22 – repent and pray that the thought of your heart be forgiven
you…
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 describes this repentance.
Being a Christian is not an easy thing.
It requires commitment and work.
But the effort comes with great reward.
Note Peter’s admonition with adding to our faith – 2 Peter
1:10-11. What are you
doing to prevent yourself from drifting?