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When He Came to Himself - Backsliding

When He Came to Himself - Backsliding

(Luke 15) Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. -2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. -3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, -4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? -5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. -6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. -7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. -8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? -9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. -10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. -11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: -12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. -13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. -14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. -15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. -16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. -17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! -18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, -19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. -20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. -21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. -22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: -23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: -24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. -25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. -26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. -27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. -28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. -29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: -30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. -31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. -32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

From this passage of scripture we want to consider the thought in verse 17 "And when he came to himself .." I wonder this morning if those of you that once were a part of the family of God are aware of your true condition. Like the prodigal son, you have left your father's house and have gone your own way wasting your life trying to enjoy the pleasures of sin. Our prayer this morning is that you will come to yourself and realize that the lowest in the kingdom of God is higher than the highest in the Kindgom of Satan. O sure riotous living seems like fun at the moment, but how about the next day when you are alone? How are you feeling then? No matter how hard you may try to convince yourself that sin is fun; when you come to yourself and look at it honestly, you will recognize that God's way is the best way. The writer of Ecclesiates describes it is madness.

(Eccl 9:3) This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

In other words it makes no sense to think that getting wasted and sick is fun. In fact it is madness to think such. And so it is with all sin. While it looks good and has some momentary pleasure, it carries a deadly sting. Consider the situation Nebuchadnezzar found himself in; we read from Daniel chapter 4.

(Dan 4:28-37) All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. -29. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. -30. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? -31. While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. -32. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. -33. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. -34. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: -35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? -36. At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. -37. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Yes, when Nebuchadnezzar, thru the mercy of God, had his understanding return to him, he changed his mind about God. I remember years ago as a sinner, I was in a place where a large crown of people were gathered, drinking, dancing, joking and partying. During that time God seemed to move upon me in such a way that instead of being one of the crowd, I was set apart and observing the actions and words of the others. This was God's mercy to me. And as I observed, I realized that this was not real. The words and actions were so superficial and phony. My inner being was crying out for something that is real. Something that has lasting enduring qualities. Not long after that night, I found what I was looking for in God. His Kingdom of peace, righteousness and joy is the only real place to find true peace and rest for the soul of man. You that don't know God or you that had known God and left Him, we pray this morning that God in His abundant mercy will help you to take a good honest look at your life and come to yourself. When you see your condition and remember the conditions at your father's house, we pray that you will have the same courage that the prodigal son had to make a decision and return to the father. The father is looking for you the same as he looked for the prodigal son. Every day He stands and looks down that long road hoping that he will catch a glimpse of you an your way home. I can see him now, looking, straining as he looks in the distance. Wondering is that him? Is that my son? Is that my daughter? Yes, even though you have left home and gone your own way, your father still loves you and hopes for you to return.

In our lesson this morning we see Jesus giving us insight into the love and mercy of God toward man. The first part of Luke 15, Jesus explained how all heaven rejoices with every sinner that repents. He tried to get us to realize that God's interest in us is more intense that that of a shepherd that losses one of one hundred sheep. Any of you that have or understand having animals know what this means. My family used to raise steers .When we went to feed them every day, we would check them and see that they were all there and that they were OK. If one of them was missing for any reason we would search for that one until we found it. Not for an hour or two or even for a day or two, but until we found it. In the event one would not be found; we would continue to look for it even years later. It would not be forgotten ever. Well that is what God is trying to get you to understand. He is looking for you and you will never be forgotten. Now Jesus knew that everybody did not shepherd sheep, so He gave us another parable concerning the lost coin. Now this is something that just about everybody understands. When you lose money, you will look for it with an intensity that far exceeds a casual look. In fact if you have ever been into a place like a bank and someone drops a coin on the floor, you will notice that everybody looks for the coin as it rolls across the floor. That is just the way we are. We help others to find the things that they lose. That is the way Christians are, they are helping Jesus to find every soul that is lost. Every soul that has left the Father's house.

God through His mercy often tries to get us to honestly see ourselves as we really are. There are times when this may upset you and even make you very angry as in the case of Stephen's preaching in Acts.

(Acts 7:54) When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

I do pray today that you understand that our efforts are the mercy of God trying to get you to come to yourself and return to the Father's house. If you will return, we will rejoice with the Father and with you. Sin may have you confused as it often does to those deceived by it.

(1 Cor 2:7-8) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: -8. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

It is our prayer that God in His great mercy will help you to come to yourself so that you do not crucify the Lord of glory as others have done. No matter where you have gone or what you have done, remember that your heavenly father is looking for you!

(2 Pet 2:15-16) Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Baalam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; -16. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Many today have forsaken the right way and gone astray. God does not deal with all in the same manner or same specific way. But, we do know that God does offer forgiveness to all those that will come to themselves and return to Him. Those that refuse to return to God will only suffer more and more as a result of the curses of Disobedience.

(Deu 28:1-48) And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: -2. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. -3. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. -4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. -5. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. -6. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. -7. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. -8. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. -9. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. -10. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. -11. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. -12. The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. -13. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: -14. And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. -15. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: -16. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. -17. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. -18. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. -19. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. -20. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. -21. The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. -22. The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. -23. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. -24. The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. -25. The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. -26. And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. -27. The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. -28. The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: -29. And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. -30. Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. -31. Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. -32. Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. -33. The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: -34. So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. -35. The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. -36. The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. -37. And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee. -38. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. -39. Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. -40. Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. -41. Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. -42. All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. -43. The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. -44. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. -45. Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: -46. And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. -47. Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; -48. Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

As the children of Israel were given the choice of blessing or cursing so you also have that choice today. If you choose to follow sin and waste your life in its pursuits, you are choosing the cursing. Yet, if you will come to yourself and return to your father's house, a life of blessing awaits you. Your father is looking for you, straining as he looks down that road, hoping to see you coming home. We that are laboring in the field are laboring in the hope that you will come to yourself, take a good honest look at your life, and return to our father's house.