Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

DRIFTING

1. The idea of drifting runs through the Bible; it is spoken of under different names:
   1. "Falling away" - 2 Thess. 2:3
   2. "Settling the lees" - Zeph. 1:12
   3. "Backsliding" - Hosea 14:1-6
2. But nowhere is it more definitely expressed than here in our text:
   1. The Hebrew Christians seem to have been discouraged, losing interest in Christianity
   2. They felt that they were losing out on their Abramatic heritage; disconnecting themselves from the faith of their fathers
   3. They, of course, had no idea of giving up Christianity, yet, they slowly were drifting toward Judaism again

1. Meaning of the word "drifting":
   1. It is aimless imperceptible movement; we think of the movement of a boat that is being carried downstream because the rowers are not exerting themselves sufficiently to head it upwards. It is the movement of a vessel that has slipped away from its mooring, tossing helplessly at the mercy of the waves
   2. Drifting is a movement from higher to lower; a river never runs upward; it always runs downward; if we yield to the influences and impulses of the animal nature - we are drifting; Examples: Solomon did not fall all at once into idolatry, he drifted into idolatry - Neh. 13:26; Samson, too, did not become the victim of immorality - Judges. 14:15-16; Judas never thought of selling Christ for thirty pieces of silver, but he drifted to that criminal attitude - John 12:6; Matt. 26:14-16; 27:1-5
2. Drifting is often simply doing nothing:
   1. Oarsmen do not need to row downstream, the stream will take care of that
   2. It is an awesome thought that to be lost is so easy; just do nothing about being saved; Examples: The sons-in-laws of Lot perished in the fire that destroyed Sodom, because they just did nothing about salvation - Gen. 19:14; the people of Meroz perished simply because they did nothing - Judges 5:23

1. There is a strong current at the present time:
   1. To not take the strong conviction of the pioneers about the closing events of the last days too seriously, "My Lord delayeth His coming" seems to express the sentiment of some believers - Matt. 24:48-51
   2. To let the bars down of the standards set up by the Advent Movement; to become a little careless in things social - allowing little things which seem very minor
   3. Imperceptible compromise with worldly practices; how our heart aches to notice the drifting of God's people
2. The spiritual condition spoken of in Revelation 3:14-19 is the direct result of drifting of the Laodiceans from the higher to the lower:
   1. A misconception as to the spiritual decay
   2. The illusion that they are in a state of readiness
   3. The miserable condition that resulted; all this did not come at once; it came slowly, imperceptible drifting
3. Let us note, prayerfully, a number of contributing factors to the current tendency of drifting by God's people:
   1. Our churches are growing larger in numbers and that is really what the Lord and we want; but this experience has its dangers when there are many members in the church some of the people become inactive leaving the carrying of the ball to the other fellow - that means we simply do nothing and that in turn means we begin to drift from the higher to the lower
   2. Modern conveniences in living are another contributing factor to drifting; the radio, the T.V. are a part of our life; and it is so easy to use them when and in such a way that will lead us to carelessness
   3. Keeping up with the Jones keeps us busy day and night and causes us to neglect the family altar, the study of the Word of God; this means slow but sure drifting
   4. Pre-occupation to a point when we no longer take time to share our faith with others; we simply let the other fellow do it - we are drifting