How To Prevent Drift?

Series: The Danger of Drifting - Heb. 2:1
Two main dangers: distraction and comfort. These are very common to mankind. That's why they are so dangerous.

So...... how to prevent drift???? Offset the tendency??? Correct the act???

#1. Pay attention. Heb. 2:1
NOTE: knowledge is essential BUT of little value if not heeded!!!

Illustration: in the Book of Deuteronomy, repeated over and over: be careful, pay attention, take heed, watch yourselves, remember, don't forget.

#2. Hold on - this is simple, basic, yet fundamental! Heb. 4:14 Heb. 10:23
Used in scripture as: hold on, hold to, hold fast, hold firmly, lay hold, take hold, keep hold

Compare: The Apostle Peter: 1 Pet. 5:8-9

With a verse on the flyer of a local saint's funeral service:

If the way is kinda gloomy, and the chances kinda slim,
And the situation puzzlin; and the prospects awful grim.
If perplexes keep on risin' 'til all hope is nearly gone.
Just bristle up and grit your teeth and keep on keepin' on!

Remember, you will be more tempted in the good times and in the little nitpicky things that happen.

#3. Move on. On one hand, "hold to what you know". However, you can't stay there!!! Heb. 6:1-3 A 40-year old should not STILL act like a 5 year old.

Illustration: With an alternate view to what this passage is saying, God is slipping away, moving on - while you are standing firmly (and perhaps stubbornly) right where you've ALWAYS been. God's work is a progressive kingdom, and a progressive work.

#4. Spur on. Heb. 10:24
It is an obvious benefit to others, but also an overlooked benefit to SELF!!
ie: when you are more involved in Ministry you are less apt to slip!!
Heb. 3:12-13 - Corporate interaction and responsibility leads to corporate benefits!!!!
NOTE: one early sign of slipping is SELF centered!!

#5. Come together. Heb. 10:25
for: fellowship, encouragement, worship, prayer, AND.... Challenge of the Word and Holy Spirit!!

Question 1: How much of this do you get at the Casino?
Question 2: How often do you seen a Christian slip from church and NOT slip from the truth? (not talking a church. We're talking about the church)
(another early sign of slipping is a withdrawal from fellowship)

#6. Draw near. Heb. 10:19-22 (a) Heb. 4:14-16
If you stay near, you won't drift far!!
If you drift far, you can still draw near!!
Rev. 2:1-5 (a)

These concepts are simple, yet hard to practice, but.......

A Christian never falls asleep in the fire, or in the water, but grows drowsy in the sunshine." Samuel Wilkes, 18th. century Christian.

You don't fall asleep in the fire, you don't fall asleep when the water is coming up over your head, but it is real easy to fall asleep in the sunshine.