TEXT: James 5:19-20
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
ETS: James emphasizes the importance of reclaiming wayward believers.
ESS: Christians should attempt to lead wayward believers to repent and return to the truth.
OSS: Christians will commit to reclaiming wayward believers.
PQ: What are we to do with fellow believers who go astray?
UW: truths
TITLE:#”Reclaiming the Backsliders” or “Getting the Backslider to Slide Forward”
Introduction:
Have you ever known someone who once served the Lord faithfully that chose a pathway of rebellion against the Lord? They now are almost as far away from Him as they can possibly be? What does the Word of God say about this issue?
I. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A BELIEVER TO FALL INTO ERROR (V.19A).
A.It is possible for a believer to fall into theological error.
(2 Peter 3:17 )” You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ”
(Proverbs 19:27 )Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
(2 Timothy 2:17-19)”And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
B. It is possible for a believer to fall into practical error.
(1 Timothy 1:19-20)” having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
The old hymn "Come, Thou Fount" was written by Robert Robinson when he was just twenty-three years old. The third verse contains a phrase, "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love." Unfortunately, this phrase was prophetic for Robinson: in his later life, he lapsed into sin. While riding a stagecoach, Robinson heard a woman humming his hymn. She later engaged him in conversation and asked what he thought of the hymn. Overcome with emotion, he said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then." Since we are all "prone to wander" we need to hold each other up from the clutches of sin and the unhappiness of backsliding.
C. There is a process that is common in falling into error
1. Choosing to keep the wrong company
(1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be eceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
2. A wayward thought that is entertained too long.
(James 1:15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death
3. A willful choice to stray from what you know is right.
(Psalm 119:118) You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood
4. A warping of beliefs to relieve a guilty conscience.
(1 Tim. 4:1-2) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”
(Titus 1:15) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
5. A worldview change in which faith is rejected.
(Hebrews 3:12-13) Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin
II. IT IS POSSIBLE TO RECLAIM A WAYWARD BELIEVER (VSS.19B-20A).
There are several things that must be done to reclaim the wayward believer:
A. Pray earnestly for the reclaiming of the wayward believer.
(Philippians 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
(Ephesians 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
B. Personally prepare for possible use by God.
1. Make sure you understand the scriptural teaching on the matter.
(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
C. Lovingly confront the erring believer, attempting to bring them back to the truth.
When the Apostle John, it is stated, was once on a tour, visiting the Christian Churches of that day, observing a youth of a remarkably interesting countenance, he warmly recommended him to the care of a particular pastor. The young man was baptized, and, for a time, lived as a Christian; but, being gradually corrupted by bad company, he was rendered idle and intemperate, and at length so dishonest as to become the captain of a band of robbers. Some time afterwards, the Apostle had occasion to inquire of the pastor concerning the young man, who told him that he was now dead to God, and that he inhabited a mountain over against his church. John, in the vehemence of his charity, went to the place, and exposed himself to be taken by the robbers. "Bring me to your captain," said the Apostle. The young robber beheld him coming; and, as soon as he knew the aged and venerable Apostle, he was struck with shame, and fled. John followed him, and cried, "My son, why fliest thou from thy Father, unarmed and old? Fear not; as yet there remaineth hope of salvation. Believe me, Christ has sent me." Hearing this, the young man stood still, trembled, and wept bitterly. John prayed, exhorted, and brought him back to the society of Christians; nor did he leave him, till he felt assured that he was fully restored by Divine grace.
D. Persistently hold to the truth, calling for repentance until it becomes evident that repentance is not going to occur..
(1 Timothy 4:16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
E. Leave the results to the Lord.
(1 Cor 3:6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
III. THERE ARE GREAT BENEFITS TO RECLAIMING A WAYWARD BELIEVER (V.20B).
A. The reclaimed believer is brought back to the truth.
epistrefo: to cause to return, to bring back to the love and obedience of God.
1- Refers to returning back to sound doctrine.
2- Refers to returning to walking in obedience to His word.
3- Refers to returning to walk with Jesus.
B. The reclaimed believer is saved from God’s advanced discipline.
1- God sends the Word to wake us, tragedy to shake us, and ultimately death to take us.
a. God sends His Word to get our attention.
(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
b. He sends adversity to shake us into looking up.
*Jonah (Jonah 1:17-2:10)
c. He warns that He will send death to take us if we don’t repent.
(1 John 5:16) “There is a sin unto death.”
*Annanias and Saphira (Acts 5)
C. The reclaimed believer is spared the guilt of continued sin.
1- Because he will not be guilty of committing advanced rebellion.
(1 Sam. 15:23) “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
Conclusion:
Summary
Invitation to commitment
