Restoring the Erring, Seeking the Ones that has Gone Astray!

Lesson One: Realizing that one can go astray! Gal. 6:1-2 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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of

Christ.

Today we will begin a series of lessons addressing a rising

problem in the church!⋆The truth is that this is not a new problem

but one that has always existed!

⋆A good start does not equal a good finish!

⋆We must finish strong! (Cf. Ezek. 18:19-30; 33:17-20)

We often emphasize the “need” to seek & to save the lost, and we should! But, not to the neglecting

of helping the saved remain saved!

⋆Beginning today we will be doing a four part study on this great need in the church!

I would strongly encourage anyone interested in really digging into this subject to get two books

written by the late B.C. Carr⋆Seeking the One who has Gone

Astray (1971)

⋆Following up New Converts & Restoring the Erring (1980)

Research has shown that more than 50% of those baptized into Christ later fall away and

this doesn’t include the many that have become lukewarm in their faith! (Rev.3:14-19)

⋆The truth is that far too many Christians are not where they need to be spiritually!

⋆Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

I. This Was Foreseen!⋆Let’s begin this point by going back to the

beginning, did God know Adam & Eve would go astray? (Gen. 3:1-6)

⋆Even knowing did Him still create them?

⋆God knew that man would have a problem “sin” but He also had a plan for them! (1 Pet. 1:20)

⋆Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

⋆Gal. 3:16 "And to your Seed," who is Christ.”

Would any of us be willing to create something, knowing that it would coast

us the life of our son?⋆God did! (Jn. 3:16) because He so loved!

⋆Even after we are saved, God foreseen that some would again turn away and He warns us of this!

⋆1Cor 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

⋆Gal. 5:1-4 “you have fallen from grace!”

Many have come to the false conclusion that once you are saved, you cannot fall away, but God warns of this!⋆2 Pet. 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the

pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

⋆Jas 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;...shall save a soul from death!

II. This Was Foreshadowed!⋆Not only has God given us many warnings

about falling away, He has given us many examples!

The words of Jesus to the first of the seven churches, the church at Ephesus “Rev. 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent”

⋆Those that reject this warning live with a false sense of security & are in jeopardy!

One more example of warning!⋆1Tim 1:18-20 This charge I commit to you,

son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

III. We Must Not Forget!⋆How many of us here have ever forgotten

something before? I was going to tell you a story about this but it slipped my mind!

⋆When we forget we are unprepared to face what is before us! I forgot to study for the test, I forgot to bring the keys, I forgot to bring my wallet to pay for lunch!

⋆One might be surprise how many times we are told in the Bible to remember! 147

We must not & cannot forget about one another!

⋆I need you & you need me and we all need Jesus!

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

⋆Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let’s not just love people enough to get them in the door, let’s love them

enough to get them to Heaven!⋆Being a Christian involves me & God

& others!

⋆Let’s learn to live out really J-O-Y⋆Jesus

⋆Others

⋆Yourself

Conclusion:⋆It is past time that we wake up to the fact

that we & others can fall away & need to be converted again!

⋆Don't let Satan win when God has already won the battle!

⋆If you are here and not yet a Christian, or if you have fallen away, then today is the day of salvation my friend, tomorrow maybe too late!