The Dangers Of Being Backslid

THE DANGERS OF BEING BACKSLID

II Peter 2:21

Intro: In the scripture we just read Peter is dealing with the problem of apostasy. Apostasy and backsliding are closely related in that apostasy is defined as: An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one’s faith or religion in God.

To backslide is to apostatize from everything you have ever professed, proclaimed or perceived to be as a Christian. When a person does this they become a loner if you would. They have had a taste of the goodness of God and they realize they don’t belong back out in the world but they have got to much pride and shame to come back to a place of repentance and ask the Lord to forgive them. When they reach this point they are in a dangerous place in their life. I want to preach this morning on the subject. “THE DANGERS OF BEING BACKSLID”

I. SHUTS DOWN THEIR LINE OF COMMUNICATION

A. Prayer is the life line between us and God

B. When people backslide they have snapped that life line in half

C. The only prayer God will hear from them if he will here it is a prayer of repentance

D. Thee is a chance he will not hear it

E. (Proverbs 1:24) Because I have called and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded

F. (Proverbs 1:25) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

G. (Proverbs 1:26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh

H. I have seen backslid people try to pray over their food but it is all vain. James 5:16 says the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

II. GIVES THEM A FALSE SINCE OF SECURITY

A. More that once have I heard people say “I had IT better when I was not in church.”

B. If you have made that statement and now you are out of church, or you just go every now and then mark yourself up with the countless thousands that have been fooled by the devil with that same trick

C. You are not better off. Just think how much worse your situation would be if you didn’t have God. God didn’t cause your trouble. The first thing backsliders want to think is because they are living right they are having trouble and they want to blame God

D. God is not to blame

E. Then here is the old devil trick that he has been pulling on people for years and he is still doing it today.

F. The person will be having all kinds of trouble and it always seems to be financial and finally they quit church.

G. The suddenly they will land this real good job somewhere. The devil will come and say see you didn’t need the church

H. Then the backslider who was having financial problems to begin with really has problems now because they don’t know how to manage money and they start buying and buying and buying and living way above their means and boom all of the sudden the job is gone and now they are in 10 times worse shape than they were when they left the church.

I. Now the family is falling apart, they are losing the house and the car and the divorce papers have been filed and the devil is in the corner laughing.

J. He gave you a false since of security.

III. GIVES THEM A SINCE OF INDEPENDENCE

A. Everybody wants to be saved but nobody wants a Master

B. The reason being for that can be found in Paul’s instruction to Timothy is II Timothy 2:20-21

C. (v 20) But in a great house there are no only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

D. (v 21) If a man therefore purge himself therefore from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good word

E. I have never understood this. Whether saved, unsaved or backslid we are all yoked with the one in whom we are trusting.

F. The yokes purpose is two-fold: It connects the servant with the Master but more important it connects the Master with the servant.

G. The yoke of the sinner is heavy and nasty. The yoke of the backslider is even heavier. So why do people put it back on?

H. Jesus said concerning his yoke is Matthew 11:29-30

I. When a person backslides they get a feeling of “I don’t have to answer to anyone now”. But they fail to remember there will be Judgment Day and they are absolutely correct they don’t have to answer to anyone, they have to answer to “THE ONE”