Unity and Denominations (4)

The Danger of Apostasy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf

We have discussed:

• What is true unity?• Why denominationalism is

wrong• Does it really matter what we

believe?• Today, the dangers of

apostasy. (Because it matters we must beware)

What is Apostasy?• “The abandonment or renunciation

of a religious or political belief.” (google)

• “turning against God, as evidenced by abandonment or repudiation of beliefs.” (Tyndale’s Bible Encyclopedia)

• From Greek, ἀποστασία, (apostasia), Acts 21:21, 2 Thess. 2:3

Warnings against apostasy•1 Tim. 4:1, some will depart

from the faith•Acts 20:29-30, savage wolves

will enter in•2 Peter 2:1-2, false teachers,

destructive heresies•2 Thess. 2:12, falling away•Matt. 24:10-13, love of many

will grow cold.

Examples of apostasy

•Exodus 32, the golden calf

•1 Kings 12:25-33, Jeroboam and his religion

• Israel and Judah in their idolatry

•1 Timothy 1:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:17, Hymanaeus…

Apostasy in our Lives

•Hebrews 3:12, beware, lest we depart

•Hebrews 10:26-31, willful sin•2 Peter 2:20-22, entangled

again and overcome•1 Cor. 10:12, take heed lest

you fall

Apostasy in the Church

•Galatians 1:6-9, turning away so soon•Acts 20:29-30, savage

wolves will come in, not sparing the flock•Rev. 2:12-16, PergamosRev. 2:18-23, Thyatira

It can happen today! Catholicism,

DenominationalismChurches waver in their

stand for truthMany quit before they finish

the race

How Does Apostasy Happen?

•2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

How Does Apostasy Happen?No longer endure sound doctrine

•Apostasy begins with a faulty attitude (“I think”)•2 Thess. 2:10•Isaiah 30:9-10, Jer. 5:30-31•1 Kings 12:26-27 – Jeroboam thought if people worshipped in Jerusalem they would turn from him

How Does Apostasy Happen?

Own desires, itching ears•They act based on their attitudes•Change things to accommodate their desires - manipulate scripture, convenience•Romans 10:1-3, 1:25•Again - Isaiah 30:9-10•1 Kings 12:28-33 – Asked advice, convenience, etc.

How Does Apostasy Happen?Heap up for themselves teachers

•They seek validation•2 Timothy 3:1-6, false teachers prey on gullible & sinful•1 Kings 22:6, Ahab’s 400 prophets•1 Kings 12:30-31, priests from every class of people•2 Cor. 11:4, Gal. 2:5

How Does Apostasy Happen?

Turn aside from truth, to fables

•Apostasy has happened! They have abandoned the faith•2 Kings 17:7-12, 22-23, Why did Israel fall? Why put away by God? Apostasy!

Apostasy is Preventable

•2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5• Preach the word! ALL of it!

(Acts 20:26-27)• Be watchful! Heb. 2:1-3•2 Peter 1:5-11, 3:18 – grow!•1 John 4:1, Test the Spirits•Ephesians 6:10-18, Put on

the armor of God

Are we grounded in the truth of God’s

word?