BACKSLIDING SERMON

What is Backsliding? Backsliding refers to a decline or regression in one's commitment, devotion, or adherence to a faith or religious principles. It implies moving away from a previously held spiritual position or moral standard. Backsliding is often discussed in the context of individuals who, after professing faith, experience a weakening of their religious convictions or engage in behaviors inconsistent with their religious beliefs. The concept is found in various religious traditions, including Christianity.

The Bible provides several examples of individuals or groups backsliding. One notable example is the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. Despite witnessing miracles and God's provision, they often turned away from Him, engaging in idolatry and disobedience.

This is evident in episodes such as 

  1. The Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32:3-5) “So all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron; He took the earrings, melted them, poured the gold into a mould, and made a gold bull calf.The people said, “Israel, this is our god, who led us out of Egypt!”; Then Aaron built an altar in front of the gold bull calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to honour the Lord.”
  1. Their Grumbling in the wilderness (Numbers 14:1-4) All night long the people cried out in distress; They complained against Moses and Aaron, and said, “It would have been better to die in Egypt or even here in the wilderness!; Why is the Lord taking us into that land? We will be killed in battle, and our wives and children will be captured. Wouldn't it be better to go back to Egypt?”; So they said to one another, “Let's choose a leader and go back to Egypt!”)
  1. Another example is King Solomon, known for his wisdom. In his later years, Solomon turned away from God by marrying foreign wives who led him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-6); Solomon disregarded the Lord's command by marrying many foreign women, including the daughter of the king of Egypt, Hittite, Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, and Sidonian women. Despite being warned, he took 700 princesses and 300 concubines, leading him to worship foreign gods like Astarte and Molech. In his old age, Solomon strayed from faithfulness to the Lord, unlike his father David, and his actions were considered sinful. 

The Lord said to Moses, “How much longer will these people reject me? How much longer will they refuse to trust in me, even though I have performed so many miracles among them? Numbers 14:11 

CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING 

1.  Doubt and Impatience: Individuals may experience doubt or impatience, questioning their faith or becoming impatient with the process of spiritual growth.


2. Disobedience: Engaging in behaviors inconsistent with religious beliefs, as seen in the examples of idolatry and disobedience among the Israelites.


3. Worldly Influences: Exposure to external influences, like foreign wives leading King Solomon into idolatry, can contribute to backsliding.


4. Complacency and Grumbling: The Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness reflects a discontent that can lead to a decline in commitment.


5. Failure to Trust: When individuals fail to trust in God despite witnessing miracles, as highlighted in Numbers 14:11.


6. Unhealthy Associations: King Solomon's marriage to foreign wives who led him astray shows how relationships can impact one's faith.


The Good news Message today is from  Jeremiah 3:22  The Lord is saying Return, all of you who have turned away from the Lord; he will heal you and make you faithful.You say, “Yes, we are coming to the Lord, because he is our God.

HOW WE RETURN TO GOD AND REGAINING FAITH; 

Return to the lord Joel 2:12-13 “But even now,” says the Lord,repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning.Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough.” Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy;he is patient and keeps his promise;he is always ready to forgive and not punish.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. and if you read this whole chapter 11 hebrews you will see how and that It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.

How can i obtain faith? Romans 10:17 “So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.”And In the Gospel of John 14:6 (NIV), Jesus declares:"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

So brethren Accept Jesus today as your personal Lord and Savior, HOW? :- Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

LETS PRAYER 

Heavenly Father,

I come before you, recognizing the reality of backsliding and the challenges i face in my faith journey. Forgive me Lord, if I’ve allowed doubt, impatience or disobedience to distance me from You. I acknowledge the importance of staying true to Your word and resisting the temptations that lead me astray. Please help me, Lord, to overcome the causes of backsliding in my life. I thank You for the assurance that as i return to You, You will heal me and make me faithful. Today, I choose to return to You with sincerity, fasting, weeping and mourning. I seek to understand and embody true faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, being sure of the things hoped for and certain of the things unseen. Strengthen my faith, Lord, as I immerse myself in Your Word and the message of Christ. May the words of Romans 10:17 resonate within me, reminding me that faith comes from hearing the message. I open my heart to receive Your message and allow it to transform my life.

Lastly, I declare with my mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, in accordance with Romans 10:9-10. I accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, seeking salvation through Him alone. Thank you Lord, for Your mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of healing. In Jesus' name, I pray. AMEN

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