PONDERING... Conviction 60 Years in the Making (A Message from Great-Grandpa Cook)

I was looking through some of the sermon notes that have been past down to me from my great-grandpa Cook. I never met him in person, but am blessed by his legacy. Today, this sermon in particular stuck out. As best I can tell, he preached this messaged early in 1955. Nearly 60 years later, I have been convicted and admonished, and hope you are too.

BACKSLIDING

Jeremiah 8:5 KJV - "5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return."

Revelation 2:4-5 KJV - "4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

I. Some Of Its Causes

1. Fearing man--being ashamed to confess.

2. Being influenced by worldly associations in business or companionship.

3. Unequal yoking with unbelievers in marriage.

4. Yielding to the desire for what is new rather than profitable.

5. Maintaining an unforgiving spirit toward another (Mark 11:25-26 KJV - "25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.")

6. Harboring unclean thoughts and feelings.

7. Refusing to make confession to God when conscious of having sinned.

II. Some Of Its Evidences

1. Neglecting the Word of God as bread of life.

2. Desiring little for secret communion with God.

3. Growing fondness for worldly pleasures.

4. Being satisfied with present attainments in spiritual things.

5. Trifling excuses for neglecting Christian fellowship.

6. Tending to discount others or toward fault-finding.

III. The Remedy

Return. Repent. Renounce. Perform.

Jeremiah 8:5 KJV - "5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return."

Revelation 2:3-5 KJV - "3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."