Backsliding, How Does One Become A Backslider?

c. But when we are proud of ourselves, we become lazy, and

that easily leads to the next step...

C. COWARDICE - Mark 14:54 (KJV) And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

1. Now that Jesus had become unpopular..."...Peter followed Him at a distance"

a. Peter stays far enough away so as not to be identified with Him.

b. Peter was unprepared for facing ridicule and persecution.

3. Without diligent preparation, we too can become guilty of

Cowardice!

a. Ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible.

b. Ashamed to be seen giving thanks.

c. Ashamed to be seen with other Christians.

d. Perhaps even ashamed to let others know that we are

Christians!

e. Ashamed to bow our hearts and ask Grace over our food.

4. Jesus has made it clear what He thinks of "cowardice,"

Mark 8:38 (KJV) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

5. When we are ashamed of Christ, it is natural for to fall into

the next step of backsliding...

D. WORLDLINESS - Mark 14:54 (KJV) And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

1. Peter now sitting with the servants of the High Priest and warming himself by the fire.

2. Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it becomes easy to mingle with those of the world and enjoy their comforts.

3. But one cannot be "comforted by the fire" of the world, and

not be "burned!"

a. Close contact with that which can harm has its effects! -

Proverbs 6:27-29 (KJV) 27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

b. So it is we cannot "talk like the world" and walk away untouched! 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

4. By the time we become "friends with the world," it is only a

short time before we take the next and final step of backsliding...

E. DENIAL - Mark 14:66-71 (KJV) 66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.