Throw Rocks an E a Johnston Classic
E.A. Johnston emphasizes that true repentance and heartfelt prayer are marked by brokenness and tears, warning that dry-eyed prayer signals spiritual backsliding.
In this powerful devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their prayer life and repentance. He highlights the critical sign of backsliding as praying without tears or brokenness, urging listeners to cultivate a heart that mourns over sin. Johnston’s candid and passionate message calls Christians to a deeper, more genuine relationship with God marked by heartfelt repentance.
Full Transcript
Last night 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. Identifying Backsliding
- Backsliding marked by spiritual dryness
- 75 marks of backsliding from the book on repentance
- Dry eyes during prayer as a key indicator
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II. The Heart of True Repentance
- Brokenness over sin is essential
- Weeping in prayer reflects a contrite heart
- God’s heart is broken by sin
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III. The Danger of Spiritual Dryness
- Warning against complacency in prayer
- Consequences of backsliding
- Call to self-examination
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IV. Encouragement to Genuine Prayer
- Pray with tears and brokenness
- Seek God’s heart in prayer
- Renew commitment to repentance
Key Quotes
“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 can tell a backslider by this one mark.” — 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 repentance.
- Cultivate a heart that mourns over sin to align with God's heart.
- Avoid spiritual complacency by regularly self-assessing your walk with God.