Apostasy Part 2
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).
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)
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.
„« The root of all apostasy is the primal sin of unbelief!
„« None will have such a sad parting from Christ as those who went half way with him and left him.
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.
„« A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword
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.
„« In the gospels, Jesus often rebukes weak faith, but never rejects.
B. The loss of assurance.
„« There once was a ship in a time of storm. The Passengers were all in great distress. After a while one of them, against orders, went up on deck and made his way to the pilot.
„« The seaman was at his post of duty and at the wheel and when he saw the man greatly frightened he gave him a reassuring smile. Then the passenger turned and went back to the other passengers and said, ¡§I have seen the pilot and he smiled, ¡§all is well.¡¨
„« When your small boat of life is storm-tossed and our hearts are fearful, we may push through the storm to our Pilot who is standing at the wheel, and when we see His face we shall know all is well.
C. The loss of fellowship with God’s people.
„« A habit of devout fellowship with God and His people is the spring of all our life, and the strength of it. Such prayer, meditation and conversation with God and our Brothers restores and renews the temper of our minds; so that by this contact with the world unseen we receive continual accesses of strength.
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.
„« If I had 300 hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. We could set first Veneta and then the United States and then the world on fire for Jesus Christ.
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)
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)
Another Cure;
B. Reading the 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)
Another cure;
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)
„« Pray hardest when it is the hardest to pray!
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)
„« Prayer is the highest use to which speech can be applied!
Another cure;
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)
„« The same church members, who yell like Comanche Indians at a ball game on Saturday night, will sit like wooden Indians on Sunday morning.
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)
Another cure;
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)
„« We¡¦ve had to many comfortable Christians expanding their waistlines.
„« Instead of extending their spiritual coastline.
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)
Lastly;
F. Obedience (Matt. 12:50;John 7:17, Rom.14:12-13; l John2:6).
„« Doing the will of God leaves no time for disputing about his plans.
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)
Conclusion:
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.
„« 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, to give up your faith, to renounce your allegiance to Christ and his church.
Anybody can quit.
Are you an apostate?
Have you given up living for Christ?
