SPIRITUAL DROPOUTS This has always been a problem

SPIRITUAL DROPOUTS This has always been a problem in the Lord’s church. Some drop out and still go to church.

Introduction • Today there is a great concern about boys and girls dropping out of school before they finish. • There are millions being spent to correct this problem. • This is a vital problem and we must be concerned about it. • But the problem of dropouts is not limited to our schools.

Introduction • The Lord's church is having a dropout problem of its own. • Someone has said we lose 50 percent of our new members every 7 years. • I don't know whether this is true or not, but, we do lose a lot of them. • Why do people leave God, and drop out of His service?

Introduction • What causes someone to become a spiritual dropout? • Contrary to popular belief, the Bible teaches a man can drop out, or fall away from grace. Galatians 5: 4. • Peter tells us that the "latter end is worse than the first. " 2 Peter 2: 20. • The Hebrew writer says that some were, "departing from the living God. " Hebrews 3: 12.

Introduction • James speaks of people being in error and then being converted from the error of his ways. James 5: 17 -20. • In every era of history, men have dropped out: • Eve, was deceived by Satan. Genesis 3. • Israel, wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Exodus 16: 35. • Let us see some reasons why people drop out.

THEY FAIL TO COUNT THE COST • Before conversion, they fail to take the cost into account. Luke 14: 25 -35. • They fail to consider, "denying themselves. " Matthew 16: 24; Luke 9: 23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”. • They fail to realize that 99. 44% won't do.

THEY FAIL TO LISTEN TO GOD'S MESSENGERS • Read: Jeremiah 7: 25 -28; 2 Timothy 4: 1 -6.

THEY FAIL TO DEVELOP VIRTUES OF A CHRISTIAN • Read: 2 Peter 1: 5 -11.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF WRONG ASSOCIATION • This was Solomon's problem. 1 Kings 11: 1 -13. • It can also be our problem. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 “Do not be deceived; Bad company corrupts good morals”.

THEY FAIL TO BE LED BY THE WORD OF GOD • • They continue in their ignorance. Acts 17: 11; 2 Timothy 2: 15; Hosea 4: 6.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF THE DEMANDS OF THIS LIFE • Consider the parable of the sower and the soils. • Luke 8: 9 -14.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF THE DESIRE TO BE RICH AND TO HOLD ON TO THEIR RICHES • • • Matthew 19: 16 -22. Paul warns against such. 1 Timothy 6: 6 -10, 17 -19. John also warns about worldly desires. 1 John 2: 15 -17.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE SIN IS SO DECEITFUL • Read: Hebrews 3: 12, 13 “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘today’, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF FALSE DOCTRINE • Read: 1 Timothy 4: 1 -4; • Acts 20: 28 -31.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE SET IN THEIR OWN WAYS • Read: Proverbs 14: 14 “The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his”. • Proverbs 1: 30 -33.

THEY LOSE THEIR LOVE FOR GOD • Read: John 14: 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”. Revelation 2: 4 “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love”. • Matthew 24: 12 “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold”.

THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF IN-ACTIVITY AND COMPLACENCY • Read: James 2: 14 -26.

CONCLUSION: • Are you a spiritual dropout? • If you are, the Bible tells you how to come back. • Repent and return: Acts 8: 18 -24; Luke 13: 3; Jeremiah 3: 22. • There is no better time than right now to get right with God. • Won't you come now?