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
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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
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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?