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

“For Israel slides back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.” KJV

“For Israel has behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.” ASV

Hos. 4:16

“Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return”

Jer. 8:5

Isa. 1:2-4...they have rebelled against Me

...Israel does not know Me

...sinful nation

...they have forsaken the Lord

...they are gone backward

“A person who was once obedient to the Lord, but has now forsaken Him and gone backward into the ways of the world.”

BACK LIDerBACK LIDerss

Some argue that we could never backslide...

“Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”

1 Jn. 3:6

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Some argue that we could never backslide...

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

1 Jn. 3:9

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Some argue that we could never backslide...

“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

1 Jn. 5:18

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“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

1 Cor. 10:12

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“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

Jas. 5:19-20

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“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”

Heb. 3:12

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Simon is an example - Acts 8

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified”

1 Cor. 9:27

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The Devil Works FastThe Devil Works Fast “Be sober, be vigilant; because your

adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8 Tries to keep the sinner lost

Tries to get the Christian to backslide

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Backsliding is a TendencyBacksliding is a Tendency

Old TestamentOld Testament

Israel – Golden calf Wilderness - murmuring

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Backsliding is a TendencyBacksliding is a Tendency

Hos. 11:7 “My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him.”

apostasyapostasy

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Backsliding is a TendencyBacksliding is a Tendency

New TestamentNew Testament

Gal. 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault....”

Examples New Converts Mature Christians

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Widespread – dominant - practiced

Membership Roll

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People moving into community

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Why leave the ark of safety?

Why leave the army of Christ and join the army of the Devil?

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BACK LIDINGBACK LIDINGssGod has always been concerned about backsliding !

Isa. 1:16-20 - sent prophets

Acts 8:20-23 – Peter dealt with him

Lk. 15 – Prodigal son

BACK LIDINGBACK LIDINGss

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

SalvationSalvation

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)

Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10)

REMISSION OF SINS