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II Peter 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”

(21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

(22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

A Child Of God Who Has Fallen Away Is In A Terrible Condition! Worse than bankruptcy! Worse than cancer! Worse than Alzheimer's! Worse than AIDS! II Peter 2:20-22; Luke 16:19-31

What Should We Do? Should we take the “mind your own business” approach? Should we simply look the other way? Should we pretend nothing is wrong? Should we just smile and joke, wink and nod?

To Bring The Straying Back Pray For Them James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” “availeth” – to be strong in body, robust, to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds; to be a force.

To Bring The Straying Back We Should Aim To Restore Them! Ezekiel 18:24 “But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.”

To Bring The Straying Back We Should Aim To Restore Them! Ezekiel 34:16 “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.”

To Bring The Straying Back We Should Aim To Restore Them! 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.”

To Bring The Straying Back How Can We Bring About Restoration? Encourage & Exhort Romans 9:9 “word of promise” Romans 10:8 “word of faith” I Corinthians 12:8 “word of wisdom” II Corinthians 5:19 “word of reconciliation” Ephesians 1:13 “word of truth” Philippians 2:16 “word of life” Hebrews 13:22 “word of exhortation”

To Bring The Straying Back Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine How Can We Bring About Restoration? Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine Jude 22,23 “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.”

To Bring The Straying Back Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine How Can We Bring About Restoration? Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine Jesus pulled no punches with Peter (Mark 8:33) but was gentle with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Paul withstood Peter to the face (Gal.2:11) but gently begged Euodias and Syntyche to be “of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2).

To Bring The Straying Back Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine How Can We Bring About Restoration? Others Need A Stronger Dose Of Medicine Paul came down hard on Hymenaeus and Philetus (II Timothy 2:17) but beseeched the Corinthians (II Cor.10:1) “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” We need to pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and use good judgment on what approach to take with each individual.

To Bring The Straying Back Remind Them Of the Joy Of Salvation! Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else…” Psalm 85:6 “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee.”

We must urge genuine repentance, not just “coming back to church.” To Bring The Straying Back We Must Urge The Erring To Repent And Recommit Themselves To The Lord. Acts 2:40 “And with many other words did he testify and exhort saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation.” We must urge genuine repentance, not just “coming back to church.”

To Bring The Straying Back We Must Urge The Erring To Repent And Recommit Themselves To The Lord. We say, “Come and enjoy our privileges, meet good friends, see what God can do for you.” Jesus said, Mark 8:34 “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

To Bring The Straying Back We Must Urge The Erring To Repent And Recommit Themselves To The Lord. Peter told Simon to “repent” in no uncertain terms, Acts 8:22,23, but how do we? Humbly,Gal.6:1, Matt.7:12 Gently, II Tim.2:24-26 Mercifully, Jude 22,23

To Bring The Straying Back We Must Explain The Need For Public Confession And Then Immediate Involvement In the Work Of the Church James 5:16 “Confess your faults… I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Rom. 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom. 10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

Remain Faithful-Revelation 2:10 Walk In the Light-I John 1:7 Abound In The Lord's Work- I Cor.15:58 Fight, Finish, Keep-II Timothy 4:7 Grow-I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18