Backsliding is a spiritual condition that some believers face at different points in their journey, and in a sermon on backsliding like this, the goal is to provide illustrations and address the causes, signs, and dangers of backsliding while offering hope through God’s grace and restoration.
Main text: Luke 15. and Memory verse: Jeremiah 3:22
So, backslide means to turn back, or turn away from:
- God – 1st kings 11:9
- Our first – love Rev. 2:4
- From the gospel – Gal. 1:6. Turning from the gospel means turning away from grace.
- It also means to turn to the world – II Tim. 4:10
Sermon on backsliding – Lesson objectives
- Examine ourselves
- To know where we are and acknowledge the position we bear
- To return to God.
Sermon illustration on backsliding – Luke15
Does backsliding happen suddenly?
Capital NO. It comes as a gradual process.
It may start with a general feeling of spiritual indifference, Amos 6:1 as we focus upon
spiritual things, the flesh seeks fulfillment.
1. Initially our prayer life may be crowded out with other interest e.g. sports, hobbies, and television.
As we fill our hearts and lives with junk food, our hunger for the word of God diminishes
2. Church attendance slackens off and relationship with God undergoes extreme stress [some still act in a state of hypocrisy].
3. The zeal and concern for souls subsides due to a sense of guilt and hypocrisy
4. The fear of God departs and a complete reordering of priorities in our lives occurs
5. It becomes easy to justify actions we never otherwise would have considered acceptable.
6. Our sensitivity to spiritual things is not what it used to be, we may sense very little guilt. 1st Tim 4:2
7. An over-confidence in one’s former standing with God (as opposed to confidence in God)can falsely convince an individual that God can overlook his present conduct (Hos. 7:2)
As mentioned earlier in this sermon on backsliding, backsliding means a sliding back – not a jump-off but a coasting dunghill. The condition, however, while not sudden in onset, may escalate rapidly.
All it takes is a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest. Proverbs 8:10, 24:33
A little leaven ferments the whole lump, Gal 5:9.
Satan tempted Jesus when he was physically weak, and he attacked us at our weakest times, in our weakest areas. A Christian might never be tempted to murder but faces countless opportunities to hate or speak evil of his brother. The backsliding condition is manifested externally in (cursing, drinking, lying, fornication, adultery) but it occurs in the heart. The backslider’s condition may remain hidden, yet filled with lust, jealousy, and bitterness.
The backsliding begins in the heart, 1st Kings 11:4. The bible makes us understand that when Solomon became old his wives turned his heart to worship other Gods
Food for thought according to Charles Spurgeon
When a child runs away from its home because of a brutal parent, it is excused, but when a child leaves a tender mother and an affectionate father what shall we say?
If the sheep quit a barren field to seek after needed pasturage, who shall blame it? But if it leaves the green pastures and forsakes the still waters to roam over the sand or go to bleating in the forest among the wolves, in the midst of danger, how foolish a creature it proves itself.
Charles Spurgeon – Brethren, if we turn away from God, from our first love, from the gospel and turn to the world, world lust! Of what gain is it to us?
Things we see in the life of a backsliding child of God and the Causes Of Backsliding
LESSON 2
1. Bad Relationship HOS 4:17
a. Marriage to ungodly men, Neh. 13:26, it was what led king Solomon into sin………., 2nd Corinthians 6:14-16, be not an unequal yoke with:
b. Bad friends, 1st Peter 4:2-4
1st Corinthians 15:33
c. Lack of fellowship, Hebrew 10:25.
d. Adultery 4:4 friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God. I say it again, if your aim is to enjoy this world, you cannot be a friend of God
2. Spiritual Lack
a. Col 2:8 don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy
2nd timothy 4:3-5 for a time is coming when people no longer listen to right teaching
b. Inadequate teaching: poor teaching. Heb. 5:11-14, poor foundation.
c. Poor leadership exodus 32:1-6
d. Neglect of prayer life Zeph.1:6, luke18:1
e. Spiritual apathy, proverbs 6:10.
3. Compromise With The World 2nd kings 17:33,41
4. Attitude And Intensions
a. pride, proverbs 16:18 pride goes before destruction
Luke 18:11-12,14 the story by Jesus to someone who had great self-
Confidence and scorned everyone else
b. Rebellion 1st Sam. 15:11,23 [I am sorry that I ever made Saul king for
he has not been loyal to me……
Vs 23 Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is
as bad as worshiping idols
c. Stubbornness 2nd kings 17:14,40 , Jeremiah 4:7
CONSEQUENCES OF BACKSLIDING
LESSON 3
A. Spiritual decay
· Faulty testimony. 2nd sam.12:14 you have given enemies of the lord great opportunity to despise…….
· Insensitivity to the word. Hos.8:12, Even though I gave all laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.
· Bad examples to others. Prov. 28:10, Those who lead upright into sin will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things
· No fear of God. Jere 2:19
B. A breach in one’s personal relationship with the lord.
· Loss of sensing his presence. Num.14:14, Isaiah 59:2, but there is a problem, your sins have cut you off from God because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
· Secured conscience 1st Tim.4:2 The teachers are hypocrites and liars. they pretend to be religious, but their conscience are dead.
· Grieving the Holy spirit: Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live, remember he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
C. Unanswered prayers.
Isaiah 59:2 Your sins cut you off from God, because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
· Defeat: 2nd Chr. 24:24 Although means attacked with only a small army the lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah.
· Death and shortened life. Deut. 30:17-19, 1st Corinth. 11:30 for this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
· Forfeiture of God’s blessings. Mal. 2:2, honour my name, says the lord Almighty of I will bring a terrible curse against you….
D. Loss of position
Loss of fellowship. 1st john 1:7
Removal from position of usefulness. 1st sam. 15:11, 26
LESSON 4
What Can We Do To Receive The Backsliders From Their Condition?
1. Reach out to them in love. Gal.6:1
2. We must let them know the importance of prayer, fasting, and studying the word of God. 2nd chr.7:14.
3. The chastening of the lord (difficulties) in causing us to be willing to return Jer. 2:19-27 own wickedness shall correct thee and thy backsliding shall reprove thee.
4. The importance of humility. Prov. 3:34, the lord mocks at mocker, but shows favour to the humble.
5. Acknowledgement of guilt and weakness Jere.14:7
6. Repentance and confession.
Safeguards against Backsliding
a) Prayer. Luke 22:16
b) The word of God. Luke 4:4,8
c) The prayers of others. Luke 22:31-32
d) Diligence to spiritual things. 2nd peter1:5-7
e) Walk in the spirit. Gal 5:16
f) Abstinence 1st peter 2:11
g) Godly living. Romans 6:19-22
h) Self examination. 2nd Chr. 23:5
i) Exhortation of other believes Heb10:25.
The Call To Return
Jeremiah 3:22. God loves the backslider and promises to receive those who return with repentant hearts.
Backsliding Quiz
- What To Do While Waiting For Breakthrough - September 26, 2010
- Breakthrough By The Holy Spirit Sermon - September 19, 2010
- Work – Made Productivity - September 12, 2010