Sermon Central
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Apostasy Part 2
Contributed by Ronald Crandall on Jan 16, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: This is another in this series on Apostasy or the falling away of believers.
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.
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
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)
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.