Sermon by Mike Smith

1. Are You Drifting?

2. Things You Should Know About Drifting… Drifting requires NO effort. Heb. 2:1 It 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. 1:5-8 You must continue to grow… 2 Pet. 3:18 The speed downstream increases… Dangers increase with the speed of the drift… Hear the waterfall, its too late The 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. 4:14 It ends in shipwreck… 1 Tim. 1:19 The 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 & pray God’s word… Provides direction for happy useful lives Ps. 1:1-3 Prayer is a blessing… a way to communicate with God Jesus often prayed Mk. 1:35; 6:46 Taught 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. 122:1 Fellowship extends beyond the church services… To be concerned with edifying each other… Rom. 14:19 Should occur even daily Heb. 3:13 Right 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. 1:8 Do you care about lost souls? 1 Tim. 2:3-4 Increasing thrill over the things of the world… John warns aboutthe love of and the things of the world… 1 Jn. 2:15-17 Increasing enjoyment in worldly pleasures 2 Tim. 3:4

8. Remedies Against Drifting Keep Rowing… This involves diligence 2 Pet. 1:5, 10 Keep abounding in the “graces” adding them to your faith 2 Pet. 1:5-8 Watch Out for Undercurrents… Always be on guard for temptation! 1 Pet. 5:8 We have a fleshly nature which wars against the soul… 1 Pet. 2:11; Gal. 5:16-18 Expect To Go Against the Tide… Mt. 7:13-14

9. Remedies Against Drifting We Must Have Strong Anchorage… Rooted and grounded in Jesus Col. 2:6-7 Minds anchored to the truth Eph. 4:14-15 Having an unshakable hope Heb. 6:18-19 Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Eph. 3:16-18 Brethren, 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; 10:17 Repent of sinful living… Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30 Confess Jesus… Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10 Be baptized into Christ… Gal. 3:27; Acts 22:16 Faithfully follow Jesus… Rev. 2:10