Restoration of the Erring

Don't fall

• It's possible to fall
• Not our desire to see someone fall
• 2 Peter 3:9 - God wants us to repent
• We must remain in Christ

Wages of sin

• Romans 6:1-23
• 1 John 2:1-2; 3:1-10
• Bible condemns sin in our life
• Even the best come short at times
• We still live in this body, prone to sin

True Believers

• Endeavor to live free from sin
• Can't live in sin and be saved
• Walk in newness of life 2 Cor 5:17
• We have to be cleansed 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
• If we're born again, this is accomplished

Believers can Err

• Be overtaken in a fault
• Come short of His glory
• How do we deal with this in our lives?
• Are we doomed? Can we be forgiven?
• Can we be restored in favor with God and man?

Believers are Commanded not to sin

• The Bible teaches deliverance FROM sin
• Once delivered we must walk in the Light
• Don't submit to sinful desires we once followed
• God makes it clear, He doesn't want us to sin

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

1 John 3:1-10
Instructions concerning sin

When Believers Sin

• God knows our tendencies
• Psalm103:14 - dust
• He made a way to handle sin
• Not only in the sinner, also the saint
• Salvation doesn't erase temptation

When Believers Sin

• Satan still bombards our minds
• Jesus knew this when he provided salvation
• In his redemptive plan, at Calvary
• He made a way to restore the erring

When Believers Sin

• Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:7-19
• Ezekiel was a watchman
• Issued warnings to righteous and wicked alike
• Ministers today fill the same role
• When warned erring believers turn from their sin

When Believers Sin

• "If any man sin" - 1 John 2:1
• Bible warns us not to sin
• If we do, God has a provision to correct it
• It's the same provision for the world and church
• 1 John 2:1-2

When Believers Sin

• 1 John goes on
• Addresses brothers, fellow servants
• Two standpoints of sin
• 1 John 5:16-17
• Sin not unto death and sin unto death

1 John 2:1-2

• Advocate - Parakletos(Greek)
• Parakletos - intercessor, consoler, comforter
• Propitiation - Hilasmos(Greek)
• Hilasmos - atonement, expiator
• Regain good will or favor(Jesus Christ)

1 John 2:1-2

• We are to pray for an erring brother or sister
• If they haven't sinned a sin unto death
• There is a sin unto death
• Prayer doesn't help someone who has done this

When Believers Sin

• Just like the body unites to care for itself      
• We should restore the erring
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
• Strengthen the weak, encourage the downcast
• Just like we care for our physical body

When Believers Sin

• James addressed the brethren as members of the body
• James 5:19-20 - our individual responsibility
• Err - planao(Greek) - to roam from safety, truth;
• go astray, wander, or be out of the way

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Untitled Slide

When Believers Sin

• Restore - repair, adjust, mend, make perfect
• Mark 1:19 in reference to nets
• Overtaken - surprise, take unawares
• Fault - a fall, false step, blunder, failure
• We are responsible for our brothers

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• God tells us how to deal with sin
• In our life and in others
• Use every available means to not fail
• God doesn't cast us away as fast as men will
• We can eliminate/solve faults with God's plan

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• Seek reconciliation - Matt. 5:21-24
• Correcting trespasses and faults - Matt 18:15-35
• Pray for brethren when they fail - 1 John 5:16-17
• Jesus prayed for Peter - Job prayed for his friends
• There's power in prayer. We should pray first.

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• When someone trespasses against you - Luke 17:3-4
• Forgive one another - Colossians 3:13
• Forgive so God will forgive - Mark 11:25-26
• Only use biblical practices in handling offense
• Apply them in time of stress, offenses, trials

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• Corinthian church going to the law
• Believers taken before unbelievers
• 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
• Should have been settled in the church

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• Division is one of Satan's weapons
• Very effective
• Holding grudges, offend others
• Not forgiving others
• These accomplish his mission

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• Don't be ignorant of his devices
• Strong unity in the brotherhood
• Unfeigned love
• Helps believers to rise above problems

Solutions for the Sin Problem

• Proverbs 18:19 - brother offended
• Beware not to offend and cause to stumble
• Someone said
• "The church is the only army that kills its wounded"
• Don't let that be said of us. Restore the erring.

Safeguards for Believers

• God gave us signs, directions and guardrails
• He does not want us to fail/fall
• We'll look at 4 of these safeguards
• If these were all, it would be enough
• Heed them

The Ministry

• Your Pastor, other ministers
• These are your best friends in failure
• Godly counsel and advice
• Eph 4:8-14; 2 Tim 2:24-26

The Holy Ghost

• A powerful deterrant to error/sin
• Let it guide you
• John 14:26; 1 Cor 2:13
• Titus 2:11-12

The Word of God

• Direction for every situation found here
• Corrective measures for every problem
• Use it, and practice its precepts
• 2 Timothy 3:14-17
• John 15:3

The Brethren

• We're our brothers keeper
• We need to bear the burden of the erring
• Provide a spiritual safety net for those enticed to fall
• Gal 6:1-2; James 5:19-20
• 1 John 5:16-17

Safeguards for Believers

• God has given us so much to prevent our fall
• Use these resources for help
• We have to bear the fruit of the Spirit
• Stay our of error
• Whatever it takes

Summary

• All sin is a breach of God's Word
• It will bring His displeasure
• God wants us to overcome
• God wants us to be spiritually minded
• If we will be we won't err

Summary

• Despite this we often fall short
• If someone persists in sin he'll be lost
• Sin usually begets sin
• When a person fails they can repent
• They will be restored

Summary

• We aren't cut off unless we continue in sin
• Living in a sinful manner and never repenting
• Repenting is the only thing that works for sin
• First we go to God, then to others
• We need to have a repentant and forgiving spirit

Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.