Why People Fall Away

1
Why People Fall Away

• Before we can restore,
• We must understand why they left.

2
Backsliding

• In the OT backsliding
• There are many NT texts on this subject
• The issue is NOT
• Can one fall way It is possible
• The issue IS
• Why are converts leaving the faith?

3
Assumptions

• We must begin with some assumptions
• No convert PLANS to fall away
• Every convert is sincere and genuine
• They did not want to fall way
• SO Why did they leave?

4
1 - Persecution

• Hebrews 64-6 - 4For it is impossible for those
  who were once enlightened, and have tasted the
  heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the
  Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of
  God and the powers of the age to come, 6if they
  fall away, to renew them again to repentance,
  since they crucify again for themselves the Son
  of God, and put Him to an open shame.

5
2 - Overtaken

• Galatians 61 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken
  in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore
  such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
  yourself lest you also be tempted.
• Overtaken Evil comes up from behind and
  sneaks up on us

6
3 - Distracted

• 1 John 215 17 - 15Do not love the world or the
  things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
  the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all
  that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the
  lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of
  the Father but is of the world. 17And the world
  is passing away, and the lust of it but he who
  does the will of God abides forever.

7
3 - Distracted

• 2 Timothy 410 - for Demas has forsaken me,
  having loved this present world, and has departed
  for ThessalonicaCrescens for Galatia, Titus for
  Dalmatia.

8
4 False Teaching

• 2 Timothy 42 - Preach the word! Be ready in
  season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
  exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
• Galatians 53-4 - 3And I testify again to every
  man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor
  to keep the whole law. 4You have become estranged
  from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by
  law you have fallen from grace.

9
5 Not Converted

• Matthew 135 - Some fell on stony places, where
  they did not have much earth and they
  immediately sprang up because they had no depth
  of earth.
• Matthew 1320-21 - But he who received the seed
  on stony places, this is he who hears the word
  and immediately receives it with joy 21yet he
  has no root in himself, but endures only for a
  while. For when tribulation or persecution arises
  because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

10
6 - Neglect

• Hebrews 21 - Therefore we must give the more
  earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we
  drift away.
• 2 Corinthians 113 - But I fear, lest somehow, as
  the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so
  your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity
  that is in Christ.

11
Can they return?

• Galatians 61 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken
  in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore
  such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
  yourself lest you also be tempted.
• James 519-20 - 19Brethren, if anyone among you
  wanders from the truth, and someone turns him
  back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner
  from the error of his way will save a soul from
  death and cover a multitude of sins.

12
Can they return?

• Have you become discouraged?
• Have you left the church of your Lord?
• Are you ready to come back?
• You can come back today.