1. BACK LIDING s 1. The Problem 2. Who is a backslider ? 3. Why do people backslide ? 4. The Way Home for a backslider

2. BACK LIDING s

5. Luke 15 Three Parables How people are Lost  Lost Sheep – wandered away  Lost Coin – carelessness  Lost Son - Prodigal - willingly

6. I.What Others can do to help The Backslider Return Gal. 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.” Gal. 6:1

7. And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32

8. Gal. 6:1  Go in a spirit of Humility  Make sure your life is right  Speak to them about their soul

9. Not fully converted = Teach them Offended = Who or What Lost Faith = Christian Evidences Worldly Pleasures = 1Jn. 2:15-17 Christians failed = Responsibility Weak = Influenced by good

10. I.What Others can do to help The Backslider Return 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. James 5:19-20

11. II. What Must the Backslider Do to Come Home ? Luke 15 1. He came to Himself 2. He said “I will arise” 3. He said “I will go” 4. He said “I will say” His Trip Home Prodigal

12. Cleansed 1 Jn. 1:9 Forgiven Pray – Acts 8:22 Repent of sins – Acts 8:22 Confess sins – 1 Jn.1:9

13. III. Oh, Prodigal Return Isa. 55:6-7 6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isa. 55:6-7

14. III. Oh, Prodigal Return Are You a Backslider ? Failed to Grow Gone back into old life Wrath of God is upon you

15. 2 Pet. 1:9 “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

19. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning Dec. 9, 2007