Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

Example: Peter (Mark 14:27-72)

FOUR COMMON CAUSES

Over Confidence (vs. 29)
"Everyone else may stumble in their faith, but I will not!"

Laziness (vs. 37)
"Couldn't you say awake with Me for one hour?"

Fear of Ridicule (vs. 54a)
"Peter followed him at a distance..."

The Need for Immediate Gratification (vs. 54b)
"Then he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire."

The Lord longs to be gracious to you.

Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.

1 Peter 5:9 (Msg)

THE DANGERS OF DRIFTING

A. I have less intimacy.

Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 (GW)

B. I believe God less.

Although they had seen Jesus perform so many miracles, they wouldn't believe in him.

John 12:37 (GW)

C. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.

Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.

1 John 2:16 (Msg)

Now is the time. Never forget the warning, 'Today if you hear God's voice speaking to you, do not harden your heart...

Hebrews 3:15 (LB)

No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you clean as freshly fallen snow.

Isaiah 1:19 (LB)

If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me.

Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)

WHEN YOU'VE DRIFTED FROM GOD...

Come back to God

Come back to the Lord and say these words to him: "Take away all our sin and kindly receive us, and we will keep the promises we made to you."

Hosea 14:2 (NCV)

Confess to God what caused you to drift

The Lord says, "I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them anymore."

Hosea 14:4 (NCV)

They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.

Hebrews 8:12 (Msg)

Communicate often with God.

Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.

Psalm 25:14 (Living)

Questions:

Ask Yourself, Was there ever a time in my life when I was closer to Christ than I am right now? If so, what happened? Why did you drift, what got in the way? Was it a career? A relationship? Bills? Finances? A Hobby? Television? Anything can get in the way! What got in the way?

Ask Yourself, Have I gotten close to a commitment to God once or many times only to draw back in fear?

Ask Yourself, What am I afraid of? Am I heartlessly going through the motions? Has my relationship to Christ gone stale? Has duty replaced delight in my life?

Maybe you've stopped caring for the salvation of those around you. Have you slacked off in your giving, doubting that God will provide for you when you put Him first?

What's the one thing you've been putting off that God wants you to do?
[Salvation, Baptize, telling some a friend you're a believer, joining a small group]

Father, I know from personal experience that there are people her today who are fighting a war right now in their hearts and minds. They know the right thing to do but their fighting it. They want to do the convenient thing, the popular thing, the easy thing. God give them the strength to come home to your grace.

You pray, God, I'm coming home today. I'm putting my faith and trust in you. Forgive me for drifting away. I want a better relationship with you. I commit today to work on this relationship and pay closer attention to what causes me to drift. I realize you want me back and I want to come back to. In Jesus name, Amen