s BACK LIDING 1. The Problem 2. Who is a backslider? Why do people backslide? 3. The Way Home for a backslider

BACK LIDING s ossibility robability P revalence

s BACK LIDING 1. The Problem 2. Who is a backslider? Why do people backslide? 3. The Way Home for a backslider 1. Today's lesson is about “Who is a Backslider?” “Why do people backslide?” Backsliding includes more than... i. Those who do not attend ii. People who have fallen into a deep sin iii. It begins in such a subtle way that many are not aware that they are beginning to backslide.

Who is a Backslider ? “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” 2 Pet. 2:20-22

2 Pet. 2:20-22 Who is a Backslider ? Escaped world Again entangled Worse than the beginning Better not to have known Proverb ~ Dog / Pig

When we become a Christian... Born again - Jn. 3:3-5 Backslider Has returned to Sin When we become a Christian... Born again - Jn. 3:3-5 Put on Christ – Gal. 3:26-27 Give up evil - Rom. 12:1-2 Quit sin of any form – 1 Cor.6:10 Stops all worldliness –1Thes.5:22 Starts doing spiritual things I. A BACKSLIDER IS ONE WHO HAS RETURNED TO SIN A. No one can be described as a backslider unless he has first become a Christian 1. Jn. 3:3-5 born again 2. Gal. 3:26-27 - put on Christ in baptism 3. A Christian is one who gives up evil and starts doing good 4. Rom. 12:1-2 -- a living sacrifice B. When one becomes a Christian they quit intentionally sinning against God 1. He quits cursing, drinking, any other sin they intentionally practiced before 2. He stops all forms of worldliness - 3. I Ths. 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” C. He starts doing those things which are spiritual and uplifting 1. He reads the Bible 2. He prays 3. He attends all worship services 4. He tries to win others for Christ

Returns to cursing, drinking Stops attending services Backslider Has returned to Sin Starts back into Sin Returns to cursing, drinking Stops attending services Stops reading the Bible, praying You cannot be a worldly Christian BACKSLIDER STARTS BACK INTO SIN!! A. Now if one who has been born again returns to cursing, drinking, and worldliness and he stops reading the Bible, praying, attending and showing concern for the lost, then he has become a backslider. You and I cannot be a “worldly Christian”. This when somebody tries to live as a Christian and a sinner at the same time. 1.Those two words are incompatible 2. Are you guilty of these things? 3. Are you as interested in heaven as you once were? 4. Are you as zealous as you once were. Trying to live as a Christian And living as a sinner at the same time

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” 1. You can't be a worldly Christian!! When we become worldly, we have become a backslider a. Some may try to live as a Christian and a sinner at the same time b. We Cannot deceive God !! c. Gal. 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Gal 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Gal. 6:7-8

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” 1. Gal. 5:16-25 describes how the flesh & spirit are in conflict v. 17 “or the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Gal. 5:17

“Left” = abandoned, to leave Backslider Has left his first love "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev. 2:4 “Left” = abandoned, to leave “first love” = excitement when they first obeyed II. A BACKSLIDER IS ONE WHO HAS LEFT HIS FIRST LOVE A. Rev. 2:4 to church at Ephesus "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” 1. They had not “lost” but “LEFT” their first love 2. Left = abandoned, to leave, go away from one - implies that they could regain their first love a. Left = they had a heart problem b. This condition robs one of the joy of believing and serving God c. They had departed from the right motive for serving 3. First love a. When they first obeyed there was excitement and a thrill to serving God b. But now it was quite different, and they were scolded for their backsliding

He is lukewarm and indifferent No excitement in his heart Backslider Has left his first love He is lukewarm and indifferent No excitement in his heart Attendance is not important A. A backslider is one who has left his first love and therefore no longer cares as much about spiritual matters. 1. He is lukewarm and indifferent 2. There is no excitement in his heart about serving Christ. 3. Attendance at worship is not important to the backslider 4. Reading the Bible is neglected by a backslider.

Backslider Has left his first love May come to worship, but does not worship because they are not engaged. 1. The person who is lukewarm and beginning to backslide may come to the worship services but he does not worship because their hearts are not engaged in the worship to God a. They do not sing. During the prayers their mind is on other matters. b. During the Lord’s Supper they are not thinking of Christ and His death. c. They do not give of their means, or they may give, but only out of necessity, and not with a cheerful heart d. He has become a clock watcher during the sermon and can’t wait to get out of the building. 2. Living for Christ is not important for a backslider. Ten symptoms of Backsliding. 3. A backslider is a person who has left his first love for Christ and now Christ is second or third or way down the line and going farther down.

A backslider loves worldly things Occupied with things Backslider A backslider loves worldly things Job Sports Entertainment Hobbies III. A BACKSLIDER IS ONE WHO BECOMES OCCUPIED WITH THINGS A. Many Christians have become backsliders because they have taken up with so many worldly “Things”. 1. They are not committing some of the sins which others are committing. 2. But they are occupied with material things. 3. BACKSLIDER LOVES WORLDLY “THINGS” B. Here are some of the things which have caused them to backslide 1. A job 2. Sports 3. Entertainment 4. Hobbies 5. Not that these things are inheritantly bad, but for the backslider, these things have been elevated far above their love for Christ

"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Lk. 12:15

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

Who is a Backslider ? Returned to Sin Left his first love Occupied with things

Why do People Backslide?

Attacks in our weakest spot Causes Satan's Attack Attacks in our weakest spot “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” Heb. 12:1 I. CAUSES FOR BACKSLIDING A. SATAN’S ATTACKS 1. The devil attacks a Christian in their weakest spot 2. Heb. 12:1 “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” 3. Satan is well aware of the sins that are extremely enticing to you and me 4. A person who has been a heavy drinker will be tempted to drink 5. Those who have a hot temper will be tempted with impatience 6. Someone who had difficulties with lust before they became a Christian, Satan will magnify that temptation for you after you become a Christian 6. The Devil strikes where people are the weakest. And in doing this, he is able to regain many. Strong Drink Temper ???

An Impure heart leads to sin Causes Impure Heart “Blessed are the pure in heart” Matt. 5:8 “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23 Gal.5:15 “bite and devour one another” An Impure heart leads to sin Sin leads us to backsliding B. AN IMPURE HEART can cause us to backslide 1. Mt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” 2. Pro. 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” 3. An impure heart will make us think evil of others a. We will be suspicious of others and their actions b. We will attribute evil motives to other church members c. This will cause confusion, hatred, hurt feelings and unforgiveness d. Gal. 5:15 “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” 4. An impure heart can cause us to backslide

Immature Confuse Unstable Backslide Causes False Teachers Gal. 1:6-7 “removed” “pervert the gospel” Gal. 3:1 “not obey the truth” Gal. 5:7 “who did hinder you” C. FALSE TEACHERS can cause us to backslide 1. Paul warned the Galatians about this danger a. Gal. 1:6-7 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” b. Gal. 3:1 “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” c. Gal. 5:7 “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Hinder = interfered 2. False teachers can confuse and cause us to backslide b. Those Christians who are immature and unstable are easy victims for any false teacher c. They either cause us to follow their doctrines or we get so confused we just quit because we are not able to answer their false teaching. Immature Unstable Confuse Backslide

“Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor.15:33 Causes Evil Companions “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor.15:33 Sin is not as bad Not as cautious Begin to do same Friends with Evil people D. EVIL COMPANIONS cause many to backslide 1. I Cor. 15:33 “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 2. Sometimes when young people go away to college, or just away from home, they get in with the wrong crowd. 3. But that can happen to us. Close companionship --or friendship-- with those who are evil causes us to look at sin with less horror. 4. We then become less watchful and cautious 5. It could be a close friend, or a spouse, or someone with whom we work. 6. Before too long we will practice those things which are evil -- or we backslide

Causes Evil Companions “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” Solomon is an example of how this can happen – I Kings 11:1-4 He loved many foreign women, who served and worshipped false gods. 700 wives and 300 concubines. V 4 “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.” 1 Kings 11:1-4 Solomon is an example

Causes Pleasures of Sin “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” Heb. 11:25 E. PLEASURES OF SIN cause many to backslide 1. Heb. 11:24-25 -- we cannot deny there is some pleasure in sin!! “By faith Moses, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” 2. Often Christians will think about the “good old times” they had before they became Christians a. They become weak and yield to the temptation to return to the world. b. They lose their love for God and their longing for heaven! c. Bible study and worship services become dull and very disinteresting to them. d. They want fun and pleasure “now”!!! 3. But you cannot love both -- so they just change their love – and soon they backslide! Go back to sin

Causes Becoming Discouraged “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9 No one Cares Others fall G. BECOMING DISCOURAGED is one of the major causes of backsliding 1. Gal. 6:9 -- some just get tired and discouraged in the Christian life “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 2. Sometimes people feel that no one cares about them and they just quit 3. Others get discouraged over some other Christian who has set a bad example 4. Sometimes troubles in the church and quarrels will cause a person to become so disgusted that they quit or backslide 5. It is sometimes the case in a small congregation it is difficult to convert others, and all the work is on a few people and some of them get discouraged and backslide. H. These are just a few of the many reasons or causes of people backsliding. The devil has many weapons to use on Christians to try to get them back. He always strikes where people are weakest, and he is able to regain many! church troubles

BACK LIDING s Heart problem “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above” Prov. 14:14 3. The trouble with backsliders is their hearts! a. Their hearts are not right with God b. Pro. 14:14 “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.”

Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith (Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) REMISSION OF SINS Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10)