TOPIC:	HANDS ON THE PLOUGH (PT 2)
TEXT:	Luke 9:62
MINISTERING:	PASTOR OLADELE BALOGUN

 

INTRODUCTION

 

In the previous study, we discovered that God takes a very serious view of backsliding. The terms He uses for backsliding in His word include “Shaming my Son”, “Trampling Jesus under foot”, “Despising the Holy Spirit” etc. it is therefore evident that backsliding is a dangerous thing indeed. Today, we continue in this series by beginning on in-depth study of the story of the prodigal son, in Luke 15:11-32. May the Lord uphold us till the end in Jesus’ name.

 

SOME BACKSLIDE IN ORDER TO GAIN SUDDEN WEALTH, BUT JESUS IS ENOUGH FOR ME:

• Those whose inheritance is the Lord are blessed people, just as sorrows belong to backsliders. Like the prodigal son, many leave God, their Father, because they want sudden wealth, but Jesus is enough for me. He should be enough for you too. Some people, due to a lot of prosperity believe they no longer need God. They forget that whatever we have comes from God anyway. Psalm 16:2, Psalm 17:15, Mark 12:44, 2Chronicles 33:1-10, Job 21:7, Job 22:15-18, Psalm 10:4-6.

 

• BACKSLIDERS HAVE A LOT OF QUERIES TO ANSWER FROM THE LORD:

 

A chick that stays away from the mother hen is playing with death. Similarly, anyone who stays away from the shadow of the Almighty is playing with fire. The excuse that “The truth is Hand” is unacceptable because God is the Truth anyway. Those who forsake the Lord have a lot of queries to answer, therefore. Some of the queries are (i.) Is God evil? (ii.) Has He ever failed? (iii.) Was it not to fellowship with Him? (iv.) What evil has the Lord done? Psalm 73:27-28, Proverbs 27:6-9, Isaiah 1:4-5, Isaiah 30:8-15, Jeremiah 2:5, 13, 17-19, 31, Micah 6:2-3, Ephesians 2:11-18, Luke 16:1-19.

SEX AND LAZINESS ARE POTENT FORCES THAT PUSH MANY DOWNHILL:

• Many had been lured away from the narrow way by sex, illicit sex may appear attractive to you but beware, its end is as “bitter as wormwood”. God terms adultery as taking “fire in the bosom” even though Satan may inform you that is “enjoyment”. Some Christians are also backslidden today because they are too lazy to pray, study, and attend services, etc. for some, the downhill journey is caused by a love of pleasure. Proverbs 5:3-14, Proverbs 6:26-33, Proverbs 18:9, Proverbs 21:16-17.

 

• DON’T ENVY THE FUN-SEEKERS: THEY ARE HEADING FOR DIVINE JUDGEMENT:

Worldly pleasures may appear to be “fun”, but its end is sorrow. Once you know the truth don’t let Him go. When the urge to backslide comes, please listen to the counsel of elders, or else there will be sudden destruction, for each “fun” had by the fun-seekers they will be judged by God. That is why those who are reveling today have a secret fear; that death will come one day, Proverbs 23:19-23, Proverbs 28:7, Proverbs 29:1, Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, Isaiah 22:13, Isaiah 56:12.

WE HAVE WASTED ENOUGH OF OUR LIVES: LET US SPEND THE REST FOR HIM:

Those revelling as if the day of reckoning is still far away are in a surprise: the end is nearer than they think. Surely, this is not the time to backslide; rather, it is the time to tighten our belts. In any case we have wasted enough of our lives. To go back to our former “allies-in-sin” is to tarnish our garment and miss the rapture. The end is near; let us do all we can before the Lord returns for His spotless Bride. Amos 6:3-7, Romans 13:11-14; 1Peter 4:3-4, 2Peter 2:12-18, Ephesians 5:27.

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