The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.” Proverbs 14:14

Last week, we learnt about “Four Vital Elements to Spiritual Growth”. Today, we shall focus on a Backslider. May the Holy Spirit minister to you in Jesus Name.

Are you a backslider or Frontslider? Can you compare your spiritual state now with that when you were first saved? Have the services of the church lost their delights in you? Examine your life if backslidden condition probably exists.

What is Backsliding?

Backsliding is when a person who follows Christ turns away from Him. To the backslider, God is no longer the main focus of his life. Without God’s leading, the person suffers a lapse morally and reverts back to sin. He “backslides” into his old way of life. The backslider is one who has forgotten the grace of repentance.  To say it simply, a backslidden Christian is one whose communion with Christ is waning and whose faith is weakening. The Christian life is not always an easy road. Sometimes we get off track. The Bible says to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ daily so that no one turns away from the living God. If you have found yourself backsliding, or drifting away from the Lord, these practical steps mentioned below will help get you back on course today.

A backslider is a saved person who falls into sin. A lost sinner cannot be a backslider. You have to go somewhere before you can slide back. But someone who is truly born again, a child of God who falls into sin, is a backslider. It may be outrageous and gross sin known to everyone or it may be merely coldness of heart, a lukewarmness of heart instead of the burning fire of love for God. But when a Christian loses any of his joy, or loses part of his sweet fellowship with God, or falls into sin, then he is a backslider. Remember that only Christians can backslide.

We have many examples of this in the Bible. What an honest Book the Bible is to tell us of the failures and sins of God’s people through the ages! God wanted us to know that the men of the greatest faith, saints who had truly been born again, were frail people such as we are and subject to the same temptations and surrendering sometimes to the same sins.

God tells how Noah got drunk and lay naked in his tent. He tells how Lot sought the fellowship of the wicked Sodomites, lost all his influence, got drunk and ruined his own daughters. The Bible tells how Abraham deceived, calling Sarah his sister. Even saintly Moses lost his temper. When God commanded him to speak to the rock that Israel might be watered from it a second time, in a temper he beat upon it with his rod and so dishonored God that he lost his chance to enter the Promised Land.

David, a man after God’s own heart, a man used to write the Psalms, that blessed book of devotions for the saints through all these centuries, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband Uriah slain to hide his sin. The Bible tells how Samson, a judge of Israel who had been filled with the Holy Ghost and was a Nazarite from his birth, kept company with harlots until God left him powerless, a slave of the Philistines with his eyes burned out.

The Bible tells how Peter denied Christ and cursed and swore, how all the disciples forsook Jesus and fled; how later Peter, fearing the Jewish Christians, played the coward again, and led even good Barnabas away with his dissimulations. The Bible tells how Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, was a coward, a secret disciple. Even Paul the apostle went up to Jerusalem against the plain leading of the Holy Spirit.

So the saints of the Bible fell into sin. They were backsliders.

These examples should humble us and teach us that even the mightiest of God’s saints sometimes backslide, fall into sin, and so lose the sweet joy that every Christian ought to have.

A Christian who backslides is like a child who disobeys his parents. It does not affect his sonship but it affects his fellowship, his joy, and the approval of the Father.

To be continued next week

God bless you real good.

Deacon Mike Ben

Please, note that our mid-week services resume this week on Tuesday, 17th December 2013, with Digging Deep. Digging Deep is a weekly deep Bible Study series of RCCG Miracle Centre. The topic of this week digging deep is: By their fruits – three basic assurances.

The Zonal Pastor of RCCG Miracle Centre, Pastor Dele Ikotun, expresses his thanks and appreciation to all parish and non-parish members for their support and participation during his son’s wedding on 14th December 2013

Bible Text: Matt. 18:23-35

INTRODUCTION

In our previous study on the same subject, we examined the biblical meaning of forgiveness and the two kinds of forgiveness. This study will be on how to know that we have really forgiven somebody and the consequences of un-forgiveness.

1. ACID-TEST OF FORGIVENESS

• No bitterness or hard feelings – (Eph 4:31-32)
• No malice or revenge or hatred (I Pet. 3:9, (I Pet. 2:1; I Cor. 4:12-13)
• Acceptance and restoration to his or her former position (Lk. 15:11-24, 31-32; Rom. 12:18)
• Renewed and vibrant relationship or dealings after the conflict has been resolved – Prov. 25:21; Gen. 3:1-9

2. THE PRICE OF UN-FORGIVENESS – Matt. 18:28-35

• It will cost you your relationship, first with God, and then with your fellow men.
• It can affect your health and your wealth – Matt. 18:34
• Can you mention any other consequences?

CONCLUSION

Un-forgiveness will always open an unlimited door to Satan to afflict a believer. The most serious among all the consequences is that it can lead to sudden death and eventually block one’s way to heaven. Is there anybody you are holding in your heart? Do you need to pay a debt of forgiveness to anyone? Pray now, run to him (if you need to), repent towards God and then towards your brother and have your peace in Jesus name.

 MEMORY VERSE: Eph. 4:31-32

Bible Text: Matt. 18:23-35

INTRODUCTION

The expectation of God concerning us after we have been saved and set free from sin is to bear fruit. Forgiveness is an aspect of our fruitfulness as Christians. One thing that will keep many people, including spirit-filled believers out of heaven is the sin of un-forgiveness. The sin of un-forgiveness is one of those terrible sins that many Christians still indulge in, even after they might have received forgiveness for their own sins.

1.      WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

• To Pardon, or show mercy to somebody; no longer having hard feelings towards an offender, to no longer have the wish to punish somebody for an offence committed or to no longer demand repayment of a debt. (Advance leaner’s dictionary)
• In the original Greek text, forgiveness means: To ‘release’, to ‘send away’, or to ‘let go’. It is a word often used in relation to ‘debt’. – Matt. 6:11-15

2. THE PRICE OF UN-FORGIVENESS

There are two kinds of forgiveness in the Bible.

2.1  FORGIVENESS OF AN UNBELIEVER

• Forgiveness of an Unbeliever – Lk. 7:40-47 when an unbeliever offends us, whether he acknowledges it or not, we are commanded in the Bible to forgive him or her. Why? (Lk. 23:34)
• How many times are we to forgive them? (Matt. 28:21-22).

 2.2  FORGIVENESS OF A CHRISTIAN BROTHER/SISTER

Steps necessary

• Loving confrontation (Lk. 17:1-4; Matt. 18:15-17). Why does God ask believers to confront one another? Loving confrontation demands wisdom as to the appropriate time and appropriate method so that the matter does not escalate.
• Loving repentance (James 5:16). What is repentance? How can we genuinely repent?

• Loving release (Lk. 17:14; Rom. 13:8; I Cor. 13:5)

CONCLUSION

Whichever way, the Bible says, offences must always come. When offences come, God expects us to be quick to forgive whether the person(s) concerned acknowledge(s) it or not. This will save a lot of the agonizing consequences of un-forgiveness. ‘Let’s bow down our heads now and pray’.

 MEMORY VERSE: Luke 17:4

Bible Text: I John 5:11-12

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we shall be examining the scripture on the three basic assurances viz: Assurance of Salvation, Victory and Forgiveness of sins. This is necessary in order to enable us grasp the full implication of our decision to live our lives for Christ. As we go through these studies, it is God’s expectation that our lives be transformed unto becoming like Christ.

1. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

1.1  Who is sure that if he/she dies today that he/she will go to heaven?

1.2  Who out of us will like to share what he/she experienced in his/her life since receiving Jesus Christ?

• Read I John 5:11-12 and answer the following questions:

(a)   Who gives eternal life? ………………………………………………………….

(b)   Where is eternal life found? ………………………………………………

(c)    Who has eternal life? …………………………………………………………….

• In I Pet. 3:18, how did book of Peter explain what God has done to bring men to himself? Christ suffered for our sins.
• How did you receive the gift of salvation? I John 1:8-9, John 1:12
• (i) What will happen to whosoever rejects the gift of Salvation? Rev. 21:8; Rev 20:15; Lk. 9:26, and (ii) Who has saved you from eternal death? John 10:28-30
• Who can undo what God has done? Isa. 43:13; John 10:27-29

2. THE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

• Read I John 1:9; Dan. 9:9; Ps. 51:7

(a) What does God want you to do about your sins?

(b) What does it mean to confess?

(c)  In His act of forgiveness, how is God described?

• Can you think of any sin you have not confessed to God?
• If so, take a few moments to confess and thank God for his gracious and complete forgiveness. Read Prov. 28:13; Ps. 139:23-24. When you have accepted, confessed, repented and forsaken your sins, the Bible says the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all unrighteousness – I John 1:7. After then, as far as God is concerned, it is as if you have never sinned before. Read 2 Cor. 5:17; Isa. 43:25. By your decision, you now have victory over sin through Jesus Christ. Gal. 2:20 & Rom. 6:13-14

Chorus:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found

Was blind but now I see

3. THE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

3.1  Read Rom. 8:2-3, Eph. 6:12, I Cor. 10:13

• What is true about every temptation?
• Who can give you victory when you are tempted?
• Does God remove temptation?
• What will God provide?

Experiencing victory over sin is a special thing to those who have determined to live a holy life by faith (1 Pet. 1:16). Are you determined to live a holy life by faith?

The Three Areas: Gal. 5:9, 21; Matt. 15:19-20; Eph. 6:11-12                              

Jesus Remedy for Victory: Isa. 53:5; Ps. 32:1-2; I Tim. 2:5-6     

Strategy of overcoming sin: Eph. 6:11; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 2:14

3.2 What is the Holy Spirit’s control?

3.3 Why is the Holy Spirit given? Rom. 8:26; John 14:26

3.4 How does the Holy Spirit help us and how do I experience this control? Gal. 5:22-23; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:30

3.5  What do you need to do in order for the Holy Spirit’s ministry to be effective in your battle with sin? Eph. 6:17; Eph. 5:18

CONCLUSION

There is definite assurance of salvation, forgiveness and victory over sin for every child of God. Are you fully assured of all these? Pray now.

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Cor. 10:12-13

Are you a brand new follower of Christ, wondering where to get started on your journey? Here are 4 vital elements to move you forward toward spiritual growth. Though simple, they are vital to building your relationship with the Lord.

Step 1 – Read your Bible daily. Find a Bible reading plan that’s right for you. A plan will keep you from missing anything God has written in His Word. Also, if you follow the plan, you’ll be on your way to reading through the Bible once every year! The easiest way to truly “grow up” in the faith is to make Bible reading a priority.

Step 2 – Meet together with other believers regularly. The reason we attend church or gather with other believers regularly (Hebrews 10:25) is for teaching, fellowship, worship, communion, prayer and to build one another up in the faith (Acts 2:42-47). Participating in the body of Christ is fundamental to spiritual growth.

Step 3 – Get involved in a ministry group. Most churches offer small groups and many ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God where you should “plug in.” It’s the people who really “get plugged in” that find their purpose and soar in their walk with Christ. Sometimes this takes a little time, but most churches offer classes or counseling to help you find the place that’s right for you. Don’t get discouraged if the first thing you try doesn’t seem to fit.

Step 4 – Pray daily. Prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t have to use big fancy words. There are no right and wrong words. Just be yourself. Give thanks to the Lord daily for your salvation. Pray for others in need. Pray for direction. Pray for the Lord to fill you daily with His Holy Spirit. There is no limit to prayer. You can pray with your eyes closed or open, while sitting or standing, kneeling or lying on your bed, anywhere, anytime. So begin to make prayer a part of your daily routine.

Deacon Mike Ben

Please, note that there will be no midweek services in church this week (9th – 13th December 2013) because of RCCG HOLY GHOST CONGRESS – THE OVERFLOW – which holds from 9th to 14th Dec 2013.

The church bus leaves the church to RCCG camp at 5pm (Mon – Wed), and at 3pm (Thur – Frid). Entry into the church bus is on first come, first serve basis. Endeavour to get the congress program.

Please, note that the free medical checkup that took place in church on Sunday, 8th December 2013, will be held on continually.

It is very necessary for us to do regular checkups to enable us to know our health status and take appropriate proactive actions if required.

Those persons that have not done their checkups should endeavour to do so in the next checkup.

Text: Dan.  5:11-12, Dan. 6:3

Excellence is not a destination. It is a state of mind, a life style. To be excellent is to be the best among the best. It means condition of being extra-ordinary, more than best, something that can’t be faulted.

• Daniel was preferred above presidents because of excellent spirit. – Dan. 6:3.
•  The spirits Daniel possessed includes: – Holy Spirit like Paul – full of knowledge; great understanding of time like men of Issachar – I Chr. 12:32; Spirit of purpose like Esther that refused to be defiled – Esther. 2:7, 17; defending the purpose of God for his life like Joseph who refused to do evil against God when tempted- Gen.39:7-9.

What made Daniel excellent?

• He purposed. Dan. 1:8-11. You need to determine what you will do.
• He had excellent spirit. Dan. 5:11-12.

What is excellent spirit?

• It is a spirit different from others – not common, not found among crowd.
• It is a spirit that thinks of possibility even at the face of stormy or worsened situation. – I Chr. 4:9-10.
• The spirit that maintains courage, indifferent to fate, heroic fortitude and sublime endurance. – Josh 10:12-14.
• The spirit that concentrate on victory when others are perambulating and complaining about a situation.
• It is a spirit that allows smile to give a poetic languor of deep thought to every line of countenance.
• It is a spirit that encourages when others are discouraged.
• It is a spirit that gives accuser no cause for affront.
• The spirit that is aggressive after success where others are grieved and oppressed.
• The spirit that will not allow situation or what is heard to constitute a hindrance.
• The spirit that will compose and look straight ahead to behold success afar.
• The spirit that will make time his slave and destiny his footstool and tackle all crosses with perfect composure.

This spirit is required for success in all life endeavours.

We shall by HIS grace continue in this study

 Deacon Wole Bodunde