Category: Backsliding
Subject: Backsliding
Lessons Learned from Backsliding Israel
In Jeremiah 3, Jehovah God spoke to the prophet, in the days of Josiah the king, describing the northern kingdom of Israel as “backsliding Israel” because of her idolatry (vs. 6). God called Israel back, but “she did not return” (vs. 7). It is because of this rebelliousness that the ten northern tribes were taken into captivity, and lost their identity.
Now, Judah was in danger of the same end. Consider first that Judah had learned from the idolatry of Israel, “And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.” Ungodly activity of any type can have a corrupting influence upon those who witness it. As Paul told the Corinthians, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). This is an important principle to remember as we do our deeds before men, “Whoever causes on of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
Sermon: Hosea’s Seven
Sermon 3 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster
The sermon uses the text of Hosea to look at the state of Israel during the time of the prophet, and makes seven applications. Today we can be guilty of the same sins of Hosea’s time: 1) Lack of Knowledge; 2) Pride; 3) Instability; 4) Mixing with the World; 5) Corruption; 6) Backsliding; and 7) Idolatry.
Sermon: I Speak This to Your Shame
In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle admonished the Corinthians who did not believe in the resurrection, indicating they should be ashamed. It is the purpose of preaching and admonition to shame individuals who are in sin. We all should be ashamed when we:
- Participate in Ungodliness
- Lack Knowledge
- Uphold Those Who Teach Error
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AOTS: Are You Really Listening?
AOTS Number 33
How is it that two can both hear the same sermons week after week, and one is faithful and strong while the other is weak and worldly? Could it be that only one of the two is really listening?
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Sermon: Does The World See What It Should See?
Bill Crews’ lesson establishes the responsibility of Christians to be an influence for good in the midst of an ungodly world.
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Sermon: Backsliding
The former sorcerer named Simon (Acts 8) is an example of a Christian guilty of backsliding (returning to his worldly ways). The Bible clearly shows that it is possible to backslide, as well as informing why Christians do so, how to avoid it, then end result of it, and how to cure it.
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The Rejected Savior
Two thousand years ago the Son of God was delivered up to be crucified on a cross. Not long after, some in Jerusalem expressed amazement at Peter and John as they healed a lame man at the gate of the temple. Peter took the opportunity to address the gathering, and said:
“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses” (Acts 3:12-15).
Peter later acknowledged the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice, saying, “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled” (vs. 18). He then called on those present to “repent therefore, and be converted” (vs. 19).
Podcast: Saving a Soul from Death
Podcast Number 26
One way to express love for our brethren, as revealed by James in James 5:19-20, is to turn back one who has fallen in sin to a life of righteousness.
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Sermon: Four Reasons for Spiritual Weakness
We have a responsibility to be mature, productive Christians, in benefitting and edifying our brethren But, spiritual immaturity, worldly distractions, being overcome by sin, and neglecting the Word of God all serve to weaken our spiritual resolve.
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No Time For Religion
Karen Spurney acknowledges that she hasn’t made much time for her spiritual life while attending the University of California, Los Angeles.
She is busy with schoolwork, piano practice, sorority activities and other aspects of college life. That’s quite a shift for the 19-year-old sophomore, who said that before college she rarely missed Sunday masses with her family and was an altar server at her Temple City, Calif., church.
“I’m a Catholic on pause,” said Spurney, who is majoring in piano performance. “I didn’t come [to college] for the spiritual aspect. My goal is to experience as much as I can.”
According to a recent UCLA study, Spurney’s experience reflects that of many college students who have a high interest in spirituality and religion but are not necessarily looking for ways to explore or practice their beliefs.
The national study, based on a survey of more than 112,000 entering freshmen at 236 universities and colleges, found that 80 percent of the students expressed interest in spirituality. But fewer than half said they considered it necessary to find ways to nurture their spiritual growth.
More than three-quarters of students — 79 percent — said they believe in God. But only 40 percent consider it “essential” or “very important” to follow religious teachings in everyday life.
Natasha Lee
Los Angeles Times
May 15, 2005
Analysis:
We have several young people who will be leaving home next fall, to begin college life. It will be their first extended time on their own, and there will be temptations and distractions which will tend to derail them from a righteous path.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It is invalid to say that the “day to day” activities of life must take precedence over your spiritual walk. This is true at any time of your life. When at college, your responsibility will be the same that this always has been, and it always will be:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Backsliding
The prophet Jeremiah preached to a rebellious Judah and a small remnant in northern Israel as the southern nation neared the end of its sovereignty. The judgment of God through Babylon was upon the people because of their rebellion against Him. Jeremiah described the rebellious actions of both Israel and Judah as backsliding, and his description serves to teach us a lesson about this dangerous tendency.
