Apostasy
By: Pastor Ron Crandall
Text: " And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray" (Matt. 24:10-11 RSV).
Scripture Reading: II Thessalonians 2:2-3
II Thess. 2:2-3
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(KJV)
Introduction
„« The Greek word for "apostasy" means a falling away, a withdrawal.
„« The word is used twice in the New Testament, and it means the abandonment of the faith.
Matt 24:10
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
(KJV)
offended
4624 skandalizo (skan-dal-id’-zo) ("scandalize");
from 4625; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): KJV-- (make to) offend.
Forsaking the Lord was the recurring sin of the chosen people, especially in their contracts with idolatrous nations. The tendency towards apostasy and being apostate appeared in their earliest history and remained with them to the end of their national existence.
„« When men or women repudiate (to refuse to have anything to do with) their marriage vows,
„« When political leaders give up their party,
„« When soldiers desert the army,
„« When preachers forsake their calling,
We make much of it and stand ready to criticize and condemn.
But, what about the religious apostates?
„« Apostasy, falling away, withdrawal, offence is widespread in the church today.
Jesus said about this about the last days,
"Because wickedness is multiplied, most men ’s love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12 RSV).
Paul said,
"Let no one deceive you in anyway; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first" (2 Thess. 2:3 RSV).
I. What are some causes of apostasy?
A. Lack of a genuine conversion causes apostasy.
Many people drop out of church or fall away from the faith because they lack a genuine Christian experience of grace. These people may have joined the church because others were joining or for social or business reasons.
B. Lack of biblical instruction causes apostasy.
It is entirely possible that those professing faith in Christ did not have any instruction concerning the privileges and responsibilities of believers. Without proper instruction these people may drift away from and become indifferent toward the church.
2 Tim 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
(NIV)
C. Persecution causes apostasy (Matt. 24:9-10).
Matt 24:9-10
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
(NKJ)
D. False teachers cause apostasy (Matt. 24: 11).
Matt 24:11
11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
(NKJ)
E. Worldliness causes apostasy (2 Tim. 4:10).
2 Tim 4:9-10
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;
10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica-- Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
(NKJ)
F. Forsaking spiritual living causes apostasy (Heb. 10:25-31).
Heb 10:24-31
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(NKJ)
G. Personality conflicts cause apostasy.
Often people are so constituted that they cannot work and get along with others; they are overly sensitive, have their feelings hurt too easily, and soon withdraw from all participation. They decide to quit.
Matt 18:15
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
(NIV)
I Jn 4:7-8
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(KJV)
II. What are some losses caused by apostasy?
A. The loss of personal faith.
B. The loss of assurance.
C. The loss of fellowship with God’s people.
D. The loss of joy.
Those who fall away from Christ become empty and useless. Life for them has no real meaning. They are robbed of a useful life of service for the Savior.
III. What are some cures for apostasy?
A. Complete dedication to Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 12: 1-2).
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(NKJ)
Paul writing in Hebrews tells us to lay aside every weight and sin that would so easily ensare us.
Heb 12:1-2
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(NKJ)
B. Reading Word and Hiding it in Your heart (Ps. 119:30; Matt. 22:29; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Ps 119:30
30 I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid before me.
(NKJ)
Matt 12:29
29 "Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
(NKJ)
Rom 15:4
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
(NKJ)
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NKJ)
C. Prayer ( 1 Chron. 16:11; Ps. 55: 17; Dan. 6: 10; Luke 18: 1).
1 Chr 16:11
11 Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore!
(NKJ)
Ps 55:17
17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.
(NKJ)
Dan 6:10
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
(KJV)
Luke 18:1
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
(NKJ)
D. Fellowship with God’s people (Prov. 13:20; Matt. 18:20; 2 Cor 6:14).
Prov 13:20
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
(NKJ)
Matt 18:20
20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
(NKJ)
2 Cor 6:14-18
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
17 Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
(NKJ)
E. Witnessing for Christ (Ps. 107:2,. Matt. 4:19; Acts 1:8; 5:20; 18:9-10).
Ps 107:2
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
(NKJ)
Matt 4:19
19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
(NKJ)
Acts 1:8
8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
(NKJ)
Acts 5:20
20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."
(NKJ)
Acts 18:9-10
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."
(NKJ)
F. Obedience (Matt. 12:50;John 7:17, Rom.14:12-13; l John2:6).
Matt 12:50
50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
(NKJ)
John 7:17
17 "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
(NKJ)
John 7:17
17 "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
Rom 14:12-13
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
(NKJ)
I Jn 2:6
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
(NKJ)
The Conclusion this morning is that:
The Bible speaks of many who became apostates.
Ahab, the king of Israel, was influenced by jezebel to desert the true religion of Jehovah and turn to idolatry.
King Saul became covetous and jealous, and this turned his heart away from the Lord. And even sought counsel from a witch.
Demas deserted the cause and left Paul because he loved the world more than the cause of Christ.
John the apostle wrote, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us" (IJohn 2:19).
Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
It requires no strength of character to quit,or to give up your faith,or even to renounce your allegiance to Christ and his church.
Anybody can quit.
Are you an apostate?
Have you given up living for Christ?
Invitation:
