If You'Re Not Broken
E.A. Johnston emphasizes that true Christian repentance is marked by a broken and contrite heart, evidenced by tears in prayer and genuine sorrow for sin.
In this powerful teaching, E.A. Johnston challenges believers to examine their hearts and recognize the true mark of backsliding: a lack of brokenness in prayer. Drawing from his extensive study on repentance, Johnston calls Christians to a deeper, tearful sorrow over sin that aligns with God's own heart. This sermon encourages listeners to embrace genuine repentance and renew their spiritual vitality through heartfelt prayer.
Full Transcript
I shared with the group, I said, you know, I can tell a backslider by this one mark. I wrote a book on repentance. And in that book, I have 75 marks of a backslider in there.
I read them last night. I went through them all. There's one distinguishing mark of a backslidden Christian.
When you pray, you have dry eyes. If you're not weeping when you pray, if you're not broken over the things that break the heart of God, you're backslidden. You can throw rocks at me.
I don't care. That's the truth.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Definition of backsliding
- The 75 marks of a backslider from the book
- Identifying the key distinguishing mark
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II
- The importance of brokenness in prayer
- Dry eyes as a sign of spiritual backsliding
- The heart of God and what breaks it
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III
- The necessity of genuine repentance
- How tears reflect a contrite spirit
- Encouragement to embrace brokenness
Key Quotes
“When you pray, you have dry eyes. If you're not weeping when you pray, if you're not broken over the things that break the heart of God, you're backslidden.” — E.A. Johnston
“I wrote a book on repentance. And in that book, I have 75 marks of a backslider in there.” — E.A. Johnston
“You can throw rocks at me. I don't care. That's the truth.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your prayer life for genuine brokenness and sorrow over sin.
- Do not ignore the signs of spiritual dryness; seek repentance earnestly.
- Allow yourself to be vulnerable before God, embracing tears as a sign of true contrition.