When the Fire Goes Out

by Steve Hale

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" ( Revelation 3:15-16, NKJV).

Why do so many Christians struggle with their faith? Why are so many leaving the faith? Church growth experts estimate dropout rates among churches of Christ to range from 45-65%. No one really knows the exact percentage except it is far too high.

Our Lord's divine ideal is far from this. It envisions dynamic Christians, excited about their faith, and desiring to share, study, and grow. So, why does the fire go out? In my tract of the same title, When The Fire Goes Out, some 25 reasons are offered. In this brief article, we'll only take a look at two of those. For further information, let me suggest you take a look at this tract.

No Fellowship
Church growth experts agree that it is vital for newcomers to develop friendships in the congregation. Flavil Yeakley suggests that when newcomers develop three or fewer friendships, they will fall away within six months 100% of the time. Further, he suggests that when they develop seven or more new friendship within the same period, they will remain faithful 100% of the time.

Fellowship is important! Friendliness is only worthy when it develops into friendship: "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" ( Proverbs 18:24, NKJV). We need to become friends who stick "closer than a brother."

Brethren that are disorderly and impenitent are to have our fellowship withdrawn from them ( 2 Thessalonians 3:6). But, how can you withdraw something that was never there in the first place? This disciplinary action only has power when their is something genuine to lose!

Factions
Nothing is more unholy than splitting the Lord's church! Paul said: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" ( I Corinthians 1:10, NKJV).

In the aftermath of such tragedy, many souls become disgusted and fall away. Solomon said: "These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him" ( Proverbs 6:16). The last of these seven is: "And one who sows discord among brethren" ( Proverbs 6:19).

Christ died to make us one ( Ephesians 2:12-17), and we are charged to: "...keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ( Ephesians 4:3, NKJV). The late N.B. Hardeman once said: "I'd rather be the soldier that pierced the side of Jesus than to be the man that split His church." Amen!

August 9, 1998

Related Articles:

2005 Reviewing the Numbers -Dec 18, 2005
The Lost -Dec 07, 1997
Am I My Brother's Keeper? -Apr 07, 1996
Ollie-ollie-oxenfree! -Nov 28, 1993
Being a Militant Church -Jun 21, 1992

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When the Fire Goes Out by Steve Hale "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" ( Revelation 3:15-16, NKJV). Why do so many Christians struggle with their faith? Why are so many leaving the faith? Church growth experts estimate dropout rates among churches of Christ to range from 45-65%. No one really knows the exact percentage except it is far too high. Our Lord's divine ideal is far from this. It envisions dynamic Christians, excited about their faith, and desiring to share, study, and grow. So, why does the fire go out? In my tract of the same title, When The Fire Goes Out, some 25 reasons are offered. In this brief article, we'll only take a look at two of those. For further information, let me suggest you take a look at this tract. No Fellowship Church growth experts agree that it is vital for newcomers to develop friendships in the congregation. Flavil Yeakley suggests that when newcomers develop three or fewer friendships, they will fall away within six months 100% of the time. Further, he suggests that when they develop seven or more new friendship within the same period, they will remain faithful 100% of the time. Fellowship is important! Friendliness is only worthy when it develops into friendship: "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" ( Proverbs 18:24, NKJV). We need to become friends who stick "closer than a brother." Brethren that are disorderly and impenitent are to have our fellowship withdrawn from them ( 2 Thessalonians 3:6). But, how can you withdraw something that was never there in the first place? This disciplinary action only has power when their is something genuine to lose! Factions Nothing is more unholy than splitting the Lord's church! Paul said: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" ( I Corinthians 1:10, NKJV). In the aftermath of such tragedy, many souls become disgusted and fall away. Solomon said: "These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him" ( Proverbs 6:16). The last of these seven is: "And one who sows discord among brethren" ( Proverbs 6:19). Christ died to make us one ( Ephesians 2:12-17), and we are charged to: "...keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ( Ephesians 4:3, NKJV). The late N.B. Hardeman once said: "I'd rather be the soldier that pierced the side of Jesus than to be the man that split His church." Amen! August 9, 1998 Related Articles: 2005 Reviewing the Numbers -Dec 18, 2005 The Lost -Dec 07, 1997 Am I My Brother's Keeper? -Apr 07, 1996 Ollie-ollie-oxenfree! -Nov 28, 1993 Being a Militant Church -Jun 21, 1992 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM