“ HOW A MATURE CHRISTIAN CAN AVOID BACKSLIDING ”

Allen McLauchlin, Pastor

A family friendly, never alone, purpose driven church

September 20,  2015

BACKSLIDING: A loss of fellowship (not relationship) and effectiveness which leads to missed opportunities and blessings.

MOSES : But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20:12

SAMSON : Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him. Judges 16:20

DAVID : David confessed , “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die. 2 Samuel 12:13

SAUL?: Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error. ”1 Samuel 26:21

1. By not being over confident.

On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” Mark 14:27-29

Never think you are too mature to fail, if you do, you will  . 1 Corinthians 10:12

Many say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, ” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes . Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” James 4:13-15

But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 9

2.  By taking a leadership role when you have the ability and opportunity.

Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He fell to the ground. ...

When He returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Mark 14:32-35,37

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12:48

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have been chosen for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

3. By staying in close proximity with the WORD.

Meanwhile, Peter followed Jesus at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire. Mark 14:54

Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go until I receive my blessing.” Job said, I will hold on until my change comes Genesis 32:26; Job 14:14

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

4.  By not being influenced by worldly philosophy.

There Peter sat with the guards, warming himself by the enemy’s fire. Mark 14:54b

Don’t let anyone invade your mind and capture your thoughts with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8

There are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Colossians 2:23

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. James 4:4,5