Overcoming the Drift Pastor Juan Jones

Jas 4:1–17 (NLT) 1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you Jas 4:1–17 (NLT) 1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Realize the Drift You're drifting! Forgetting is drifting. 2 Pe 1:12–13 (NLT) -- 12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.

Realize the Drift Don’t forget! Dt 4:9 (NLT) -- 9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Dt 6:12 (NLT) -- 12 be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Dt 8:11 (NLT) -- 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

STOP THE DRIFT Time to repent: Repent from Spiritual adultery: Internal turmoil: Covetous spirit: Want what you don’t have and Jealous Spirit Resistance to God Selfishness Friendship with the world:

STOP THE DRIFT Time to reset Because everyone drifts, it time for everyone to turn their face to Jesus. 1 Jn 2:1 (NLT) -- 1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 1 Jn 1:8–10 (NLT) -- 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

CORRECT THE DRIFT GOD DESIGNED A CYCLE OF CORRECTION Sabbath rhythm – a day to not do servile work. Three feasts (Shelosh Regalim) kept Israel focused on God. Passover/Festival of unleavened bread Festival of First Fruits/Pentecost Festival of Booths:

CORRECT THE DRIFT HUMBLE YOURSELF! Time to reset Priorities Time to reset Perspective Time to commit to a period of consecration

SUMMARY We all have a tendency to drift. It’s time to: Recognize the drift Stop the drift Correct the drift.