• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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; 1:30-33.

• THEY LOSE THEIR LOVE FOR GOD
• Read: John 14:15; Revelation 2:4; Matthew 24:12.

• 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?

By Carey Scott

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