The Believer And Falling Away

Conversation at Pastors Meeting – The reality that many are leaving church.

Add to that the % of kids who walk away when going to College.

There is a reality that we may have to come to grips with and that’s the fact that Scripture itself including Jesus warn of a growing cold of believers and a great falling away, along with false teaching invading the church.

MATTHEW 24

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Paul Warns Timothy in I Tim. 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

From the middle ages on the argument has been fought between those who refuse to believe that a person can fall away once saved and those of us who believe that while Satan can’t take us out of Gods safe hands we can choose to walk away.

Paul with Demas – 3 mentions. Twice as his co-worker but the last mention in II Tim 4:9-10

9Make every effort to come to me quickly, 10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

A verse often wrongly used by the Calvanist thinkers is – Romans 8:29-30 (NKJV)

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Foreknowledge – Omniscience - Because He knew what we would choose He could use that.

So tonight we will look at what the scriptures actually say on the subject.

CAN WE FALL AWAY FROM GOD

Not only did Jesus warn that near the end of the age would men fall away, He also clearly indicated that many who supposed to be followers would be weighted on the proof of their life.

1. Matthew 7:19-23 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

This first point is that you can live your life thinking you are fine because you have supposed the deeds you have done bought your way in, but Jesus says simple I don’t know you.

The Second is that its more than a confession it’s a life lived for Christ after accepting Him.

• And along the way satan is going to try to coax you away, or persecute you away. If he cant get you with the things of this world, he will use persecution.

2. Matthew 10:22 “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

3. Matthew 24:9-13 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”