(Danger Lines in the Deeper Life) 2. SINNING AND REPENTING
A.B. Simpson warns that even in a life of spiritual victory, believers must guard against sinning and the cycle of repentance to maintain deeper fellowship with God.
In this sermon, A.B. Simpson explores the spiritual dangers faced by believers who, after experiencing victory and blessing, fall into sin and backsliding. Using the Book of Judges as a vivid illustration, Simpson highlights the recurring cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes both Israel's history and the Christian life. He calls Christians to recognize these danger lines in the deeper life and to remain faithful and obedient to God to avoid spiritual declension.
Text
"And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of the spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges which delivered them out of the hand of those that had spoiled them, and yet they would not harken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them. They turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. And when the Lord raised them up judges then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it come to pass when the judge was dead that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers in following other gods to serve them. and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way." Judges 2:14-19.
This, in a few sentences, is the story of the whole Book of Judges. It is a story of sinning and repenting. It is a picture of the Church and the Christian in a state of deep declension, and it is a declension all the more deep and dark because it followed a condition of the highest spiritual blessing. It came, not as the wandering in the wilderness did, after their deliverance from Egypt, but it came after their victorious entrance into Canaan, and their enjoyment of the life of victory and the fulness of God\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Cycle of Sin and Repentance
- Israel's repeated turning from God
- The Lord's anger and judgment
- God raising judges to deliver
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II. The Danger of Spiritual Declension
- Declension after spiritual blessing
- The church's parallel to Israel's failure
- The deeper darkness following victory
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III. The Call to Vigilance in the Deeper Life
- Recognizing the danger lines
- Maintaining obedience and faithfulness
- Avoiding the cycle of backsliding
Key Quotes
“This, in a few sentences, is the story of the whole Book of Judges. It is a story of sinning and repenting.” — A.B. Simpson
“It is a picture of the Church and the Christian in a state of deep declension, and it is a declension all the more deep and dark because it followed a condition of the highest spiritual blessing.” — A.B. Simpson
“They turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Regularly examine your spiritual walk to identify any patterns of sin and repentance.
- Stay vigilant and obedient even after experiencing spiritual victories to prevent backsliding.
- Seek God's help continually to maintain a deeper and consistent fellowship with Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main warning in this sermon?
The main warning is that believers can fall into sin and backsliding even after experiencing spiritual victories, and must remain vigilant.
How does the Book of Judges illustrate sinning and repenting?
It shows a repeated cycle where Israel sins, faces judgment, repents, and is delivered, only to fall again into sin.
What does spiritual declension mean in this context?
It refers to a decline or falling away from spiritual blessings and obedience after a period of victory.
Why is this message relevant to Christians today?
Because believers today face similar dangers of complacency and sin even after experiencing God's blessings.
What practical steps does the sermon suggest?
It encourages vigilance, obedience, and continual repentance to maintain a deeper spiritual life.