OVERCOMING THE STRONGHOLD OF CYCLE LIVING SPIRITUAL REGRESSION AND BACKSLIDING

BISHOP/DR. KENNETH W. JONES PRACTICAL LIVING MINISTRY CYCLIC LIVING

Strongholds

LifeIssues Worldly TiesWorldly Addictions THE PROCESS OF BIBLICAL CHANGE - REVIEW • How a person receives Christ will more than likely determine whether they will Remain or Regress

• To perfect change in one’ life, God has to do a work within the individual before that individual can truly do a work for God

• Repentance Involves More Than Just a Change of Heart and Mind, but a Change of Direction – This entails steps progressing towards sanctification, spiritual maturity, and steadfastness in faith, conviction, and commitment THE ALTAR CALL • We should make an appeal to people to come to the Lord • The success of genuine conversions is no more than 15% • Why is that? Often, it's the appeal is that "I'll give Jesus a try" attitude, rather than a broken heart desperately seeking a Savior and realizing the need for complete repentance • Genuine faith and godly sorrow produces genuine change and spiritual fruit; yet, many times, we assure people of salvation minus the fruit. If you raised your hand and said a simple prayer, then you are good with God- No questions asked. • Acts 3:19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; – Repent – a complete change of mind, spirit, and direction concerning your sinful condition – The condition of our heart (not a prayer, a raised hand, or a step forward) secures our redemption, not the emotionally charged music, the appeal for a prosperous lifestyle IF NOT VALUED, THEN IT IS USUALLY LOST

• We have watered down the gospel, the significance of Christ in our lives, and removed accountability to the point that it is not valued and so easily forfeited

• In Western Culture, we value things as to the benefits it provides. Hence, the prosperity gospel is widespread

• Sometimes, we forget the cost that was paid by someone or by others to

• True Change is possible for us to grow in Christ and sustain oneself spiritually, emotionally, and physically SPIRITUAL WALK 2 Peter 3:18 - but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. God expects you to grow in Jesus did this: Luke 2:40 - The Child continued to grace and to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and endure to the the grace of God was upon Him. end Matthew 24:13 - But he who endures to the end will be saved (to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction).

Our biggest To endure to the end is to stand firm in the hindrance is our midst of a sinful culture, spiritual and lack of faith in worldly deception, and oppression God keeping us and preserving us by His Spirit in the midst of trials, True followers of Jesus Christ will withstand challenges, the onslaught of wickedness, recognize and spiritual growth, reject false teaching, and cling fast to the and security truth of God’s Word. SPIRITUAL WALK/SPIRITUAL WARFARE

• This is more than just a walk, but a warfare – Ephesians 6:12 - For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. (Amplified Bible)

• We have an enemy, an adversary that seeks to hinder us in our relationship with God; to withstand us from receiving God’s blessings and promises & prevent us from walking in perfect relationship with the Father – `1st Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: WHAT LEADS TO REGRESSION • The Causes of Man’s Failure To Grow In God’s Grace: – Spiritual Apathy – Pride & Rebellion: I can do it all myself- Leads to mysticism, drugs, “Self-Help” Christianity, and subjective reasoning – Failure to Submit to the Teachings of God’s Word (the Holy Scriptures): Man is rebellious in nature. – Spiritual Dryness and Burnout: Due to our disconnection from the presence of God – Reacting to the Crises of the Flesh rather than Responding in the Spirit – Compromise our faith by our words, behavior, and actions SPIRITUAL REGRESSION

A return to a former or less developed state. A reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level. Usually experienced due to carnality, disobedience, apathy, deception, and lack of knowledge

Galatians 3:3: How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Causes:

Lack of Lack of Lack of Lack of Interest (Zeal) Lack of Knowledge Prayer Power Purpose & & Fellowship Vision LACK OF KNOWLEDGE/PRAYER

• Lack of Knowledge – Associated with a lack of Teaching and Instruction – Joshua 1:6-8 - Meditate the Word – Believers perish due to a lack of knowledge of who God is and His Word – Lack of knowledge through lack of sound doctrine makes you susceptible to false teachings

• Lack of Prayer (Repentance, for power, Forgiveness) – Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Pray fervently - James 5:16 - You pray fervently to be effective in your walk – Pray to Prevail - Pray and not faint LACK OF INTEREST/LACK OF POWER

• Lack of Zeal/Commitment – Most people commit to their interests – Lack of commitment to Sanctification steers us back to our commitment to Sin – A life of unconfessed sin is a hindrance to spiritual growth. When a person does not feel conviction when he sins or when he/she is not repentant of a sinful habit that sin can stagnate that person’s growth in the Lord. – Our true testimony is not what God gives to us (Consumer mindset) but what we are willing to give to God. • Lack of Power – “Be endued with power from on High” (Luke 24:49) – Power to sustain our walk with Christ – It is the power of the gospel (Romans 1;12) and God’s Spirit that empowers the believer to live blessed, abundantly, and consistently – The Holy Spirit has never abdicated His authority nor relegated His power. Unfortunately, many believes have abdicated their power and authority to this world’s system – When we recognize our powerlessness, then God’s power is available to us. POWERLESS CHRISTIAN?

• What is a powerless Christian? – Western Christianity – Consumer minded, materialistic, looks at Christianity as a means to “improve one’s life,” not change it – Cross-less Christianity – lacking passion, self-sacrifice, and purpose – We are more concerned about the products and not the power

• We need God’s Power in our lives to thrive and overcome the daily challenges in our spiritual walk – Power to overcome our sinful nature, strongholds, etc – Power to witness and fulfill our kingdom commission – Power to sustain our spiritual walk and endure persecution – Power to live healthy, peaceful, wealthy, and blessed LACK OF FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

• Emphasis on People with like-minded faith and commitment (Hebrews 10:25,26) • Without fellowship with the right people, it can be difficult to grow spiritually. When you have the right people around you, such people edify, build and encourage you in the Lord. • Fellowship with unbelievers can lead to backsliding and spiritual corruption. It’s therefore important to guard yourself against the wrong kind of influences as you grow in your Christian faith. – 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits”. – 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? • Well, aren’t we supposed to love everybody? Yes, but you don’t have to accommodate or disregard their sin, especially in your presence and in your church LACK OF VISION AND PURPOSE

• Without Vision, we lose restraint (control over themselves) – Proverbs 29:19: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – NLT: When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. – The reason many regress spiritually is that they don’t have or are provided any vision as to how they are supposed to walk and what God truly desires and expect of them

• Lack of Purpose (You should purpose to live for Christ and to live on purpose for Him) – Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made," (Isaiah 43:7). – According to the Bible, our purpose, the reason we are here, is for God's glory.

• The Purpose of the Church – To glorify God by worshipping Him – To glorify God by living a living that reflects his character and mindset – To glorify God by edifying and exhorting His people – To glorify God by evangelizing others BACKSLIDING

• The word, “Backsliding” is not mention in the N.T., but it is mentioned in the O.T.

• Jeremiah 8:5 - Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. – NLT: Jeremiah 8:5 - Then why do these people keep going along their self-destructive path, refusing to turn back, even though I have warned them?

• Hebrew Lexicon suggests apostasy and backsliding refer to the same spiritual status

• Backsliding deals with Split Loyalties and a divided heart – Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 that no man can serve two masters. When you backslide you are trying to serve two masters, You want God in your life, but you also want you carnal desires QUESTIONS

• What is Backsliding?

• Can a Christian Backslide?

• How Does God Feel About it?

• Is there a realm beyond no hope? BACKSLIDING DEFINED

• Defined as apostasy, faithlessness, defection, waywardness, disloyalty, betrayal

• One who is not true to a belief and course of action, and so cannot be trusted

• Another Hebrew word is “sārar” which portrays stubbornness and rebelliousness. This word is used in the Bible to describe obstinate & stubborn persons who are unwilling to change their behavior under any circumstances, living in open defiance to God’s divine and spiritual authority

• The third Hebrew word sûg is also translated as “turning away” or “turning back” as one who is faithless, disloyal, & untrustworthy as we read about Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. WHAT CAUSES BACKSLIDING?

• Proverbs 14:14a: “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.” – Translation: “He who falls away from God in his heart, shall be filled with his own ways;

• When one’s heart is not right with the Lord to the point he/she is deviating from God’s command and refusing the work of the Spirit in one’s life, then he/she is backsliding from the Lord. – All deviations from God originate from this contaminated source: sin, rebellion, pride, lust, arrogance, fear, carnality, unbelief – Hosea 10:2 cautions: “Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.” – A backslider empties his heart of God’s ways and fills it with his own ways. Backsliding begins when one develops self-gratifying, self glorifying desires that are contrary to God’s will and purposes. BACKSLIDING: CHANGE OF HEART IN REVERSE

The backslider in heart is one who has left his first love; Lukewarm in spirit; caught up with he allurements of the world. This is one who too double-minded and faint- hearted to serve the Lord. His conscience slowly becoming seared by a hot iron making him/her difficult to reach and recover

The first stage of backsliding is a divided heart. Backsliding begins when one entertains desires, thoughts, knowledge and arguments that are contrary to God’s will. A change of direction back to one’s old nature. The heart gradually digresses and accommodates sin by forgoing divine principles, showing apathy of practice and neglecting Christian duties. GOD IS MARRIED TO THE BACKSLIDER

• Jeremiah 3:14: “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:” – God is married to the backslider and he will take you back when you return to Him . – The question becomes “If you return to Him”

• Just as in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Father was there to greet and forgive his son. He had love in his heart to allow his son to rebel and disobey him. – Question: What if the Son never returned to the father because of his rebellion, apostasy, and sin?

• The Doctrine of Eternal Security is based upon “Once Saved, Always Saved,” God’s heart never changes concerning His love for us, but what happens when we reject God and all that He has made available for us. RETURN TO THE LORD

• If you find yourself in a backslidden state, return to God immediately! • God’s message to those who continue in sin is that they must repent and follow the Lord – “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings” (Jeremiah 3:22).

• Christians may find themselves at times in a backslidden state, but God will discipline and restore them to repentance, so that they are never finally lost, but are kept by God’s power.

• However, perpetual backsliding is not good. – Hebrews 6:4-6: For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame KEYS TO STAYING WITH GOD

Rooted– Be Colossians 2:7: Let your roots grow down into him, and thoroughly let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strengthened and strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow grounded in Christ with thankfulness. (Ephesians 3:17)

Centeredness - Christ-centered life is one that is Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power focused upon a of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, commitment to Jesus Christ as being made conformable unto his death;” Lord.

Faith – Trust Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please and Confidence him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, in God in the and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek midst of trials, him. circumstances, Who you turn to in most cases will be the Source that and challenges Molds you and Controls you KEYS TO STAYING WITH GOD

Fellowship- Strengthened Hebrews 10:24,25: And let us consider one another to through godly provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the association and assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; strengthening but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see others the day approaching.

Service Galatians 5:13: For you have been called to live in freedom, Fulling our godly my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to commitment satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to which leads to serve one another in love. spiritual growth

Know When to Turn Around Acts 3:19: Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that When you see yourself off track – your sins may be wiped away Repent and Return