Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
This week we are starting a new series titled Great Words from the Bible.
Today we are talking about Apostasy
Text
Matthew 24:10-11 (AMP)
10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.
11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many.
Scripture Reading
2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 (AMP)
2 not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come.
3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
The Greek word for apostasy means falling away, a withdrawal.
The word is used twice in the New Testament, and it means the abandonment of the faith.
Forsaking the Lord was the recurring sin of the chosen people, especially on their contracts with idolatrous nations.
The tendency to apostasy appeared in their easiest history and remained with them to the end of their national existence.
When men or women repudiate their wedding vows, when political leaders give up their party, when soldiers desert the army, when preachers forsake their calling, we make a big thing of it and stand by ready to criticise and condemn.
But what about the religious apostates?
Apostasy, falling away, withdrawal, is wide spread in the church today.
Jesus said about the last days, Matthew 24:12 (AMP)
12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.
Paul said, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (AMP)
3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the [a]apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],
- What are some of the causes of apostasy?
- Lack of 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 have joined the church because others were joining or for social of business reasons.
B. Lack of biblical instruction causes apostasy.
Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)
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.
C. Persecution causes apostasy.
Matthew 24:9-10 (AMP)
9 “Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.
D. False teachers cause apostasy.
Matthew 24:11 (AMP)
11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many.
E. Worldliness causes apostasy.
2 Timothy 4:10 (AMP)
10 for Demas, having loved [the pleasures of] this present [a]world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
F. Forsaking spiritual living causes apostasy.
Hebrews 10:25-31 (AMP)
25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
Christ or Judgment
26 For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],
27 but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and the fury of a fire and burning wrath which will consume the adversaries [those who put themselves in opposition to God].
28 Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve who has rejected and trampled under foot the Son of God, and has considered unclean and common the blood of the covenant that [a]sanctified him, and has insulted the Spirit of grace [who imparts the unmerited favor and blessing of God]?
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me], I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
31 It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath].
G. Personality conflicts cause apostasy.
Often people are so full of themselves that they cannot work and get along with others, they are overly sensitive, have their feelings hurt too easily, and soon withdraw from participation.
They decide to quit.
2. 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 Saviour.
3. What are some cures for apostasy?
- Complete dedication to Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-2.
B. Bible reading.
Psalm 119:30, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
C. Prayer.
1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 55:17, Daniel 6:10, Luke 18:1.
D. Fellowship with God’s people.
Proverbs 13:20, Matthew 18:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14.
E. Witnessing for Christ.
Psalm 107:2, Matthew 4:19, Acts 1:8, 5:20, 18:9-10.
F. Obedience.
Matthew 12:50, John 7:17, Romans 14:12-13, 1 John 2:6.
Conclusion.
The Bible speaks of many who became apostates.
Ahah, 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, 1 John 2:19 (AMP)
19 They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out [teaching false doctrine], so that it would be clearly shown that none of them are of us.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
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