God's Guarantee Against Backsliding

GOD'S GUARANTEE AGAINST BACKSLIDING

II Peter 1: 1-10

We’ve all heard the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". In these last days of the Church age, we are warned about being pulled into the course of the age. Thank God for the preventive medicine provided against backsliding. HEAD COLD. ZICAM

I. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS WARNED AGAINST FALLING

I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

l. Every Christian is warned they could fall

a. Old Christians are warned to watch for this danger Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

b. Young Christians are warned to watch for this danger

2. Every Christian is warned by past examples

a. Great men of past have fallen into sin David - Peter

b. Causes of past backslidings are given to warn us today

II. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS WEAKENED BEFORE FALL

James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1. No Christian plans to fall into deep sin

a. There are some sins the Christians can control themselves

b. They can practice some sins without being counted a backslider

2. The so-called respectable sins drain the Christian of Power

a. Their power to control the smaller sins blinds them to their danger Sampson

b. They do not reckon with the need of power to overcome the greater temptations they must face in the future

III. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS OFFERED A WAY TO ESCAPE FALLING

Jude 20-25 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

1. No Christian has an escape from temptation to fall, I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

a. Temptation is common to all men

b. The sin is not in being tempted, but yielding to temptation

2. God's way to escape falling is through a rime of preparation

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

a. If we wait until the temptation arrives to prepare for it, we will fall by it

b. Our way of escape is offered in today's preparation for tomorrow's temptation

CONCLUSION: The little sins are weakening you for tomorrow's temptation. The lack of prayer, Bible study, church faithfulness are leaving Christians unprepared to meet the temptation they must face tomorrow.

BE PREPARED TODAY FOR TOMORROW.