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Apostasy: The Result of Ignoring Authority

Apostasy: The Result of Ignoring Authority.

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Apostasy: The Result of Ignoring Authority

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  1. Apostasy: The Result of Ignoring Authority

  2. 1 Timothy 4:1-6--Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

  3. The Falling Away • The Spirit expressly stated there would be a falling away. • The falling away would occur in “latter times”. • The latter times refers to the dispensation from Pentecost till Christ’s return. • (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; Matthew 28:18-20) • This falling away will occur because some will give heed to seducing spirits and the doctrines of demons.

  4. The Falling Away • The Spirit expressly stated there would be a falling away. • The falling away would occur in “latter times”. • This falling away will occur because some will give heed to seducing spirits and the doctrines of demons. • John warned of those who claimed to be prophets and were not, calling them spirits who should be tested. (1 John 4:1) • The doctrine of demons (John 6:70)

  5. The Falling Away • The Spirit expressly stated there would be a falling away. • The falling away would occur in “latter times”. • This falling away will occur because some will give heed to seducing spirits and the doctrines of demons. • These teachers will speak lies in hypocrisy, and they have their conscience seared. • These teachers taught: • Abstaining from marriage. • Abstaining from meats.

  6. When studying a spiritual history of God’s people there has been a constant cycle of faithfulness, gradual movement away from divine authority, outright apostasy, and then an eventual renewal of faithfulness.

  7. What Can Prevent This Gradual Eroding of Spiritual Fundamentals • Persistence in the Apostle’s Doctrine • Acts 2:42 • Clinging to the apostle’s words is also the path through human error and back to the Lord during times of spiritual challenge. • Jude 17-18

  8. Failure to Respect Biblical Authority Is a Life and Death Matter. • Text: Deut. 29:17-29 • Moses was concerned about the influence that the nations around the children of Israel. (Deut. 29:16-17) • Moses was concerned that the children of Israel would be affected by the doctrine of henotheism. (Deut. 29:18-19) • Moses sternly warns Israel of the consequences of idolatry. (Deut. 19:20-28) • The solution: Cling to what is revealed. (Deut. 29:29)

  9. Deut. 30:1-20; God Predicts a Spiritual Awakening. • TRUE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING INVOLVES A RETURN TO GOD THAT IS EVIDENCED BY OBEDIENCE TO HIS VOICE THAT IS REVEALED IN HIS WRITTEN WORD. (Deut. 30:1-2) • CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART WAS AT THE CENTER OF GOD’S HOPE FOR RETURNING PEOPLE. (Deut. 30:3-10) • GOD’S WILL FOR HIS PEOPLE AS FOUND IN HIS WRITTEN WORD IS NOT HIDDEN FROM THOSE WHO WILL READ IT. (Deut. 30:11-14) • GOD SET BEFORE HIS PEOPLE A LIFE OR DEATH DECISION: OBEY HIM AND LIVE OR ELSE IGNORE HIS WARNINGS AND TASTE HIS WRATH. (Deut. 30:15-20)

  10. Paul Warned of Apostasy in the New Testament • Paul warned the Ephesian elders of wolves that would not spare the flock. (Acts 20:29) • Paul instructed Timothy to charge others to “not to teach any different doctrine”. • Paul could have allowed doctrinal variety, but he did not. (Eph. 4:4-5; 2 Tim. 2:17-18) • Paul told Timothy that things will get worse. (2 Timothy 3:1) • The solution is to stand firm, and cling to the truth (2Timothy 4:2) by preaching and practicing the truth (1 Timothy 4:15-16).

  11. Failure to Respect Authority Opens the Door for a Man of Sin • The man of sin • An individual person is named (“that man,” v.3; “himself, he,” v.4; “his time,” V.6; “lawless one,” v.8. • He is lawless (opposes God’s law); a child of perdition (doomed to destruction). (vv. 3, 8) • He will sit in the sanctuary of God (in God’s own place) as though he is God. (v.4) • He will be unveiled after the one who restrains is taken out of the way. (Vv. 6-7) • After he is revealed, then the Lord will destroy him with the brightness of His coming. (V. 8) • He is in complete control and service of Satan. (v.9) • He is successful with those who receive not the love of the truth. (vv. 10-12)

  12. Conclusion: • Virtually every apostasy known in human history has resulted from a lack of respect for God’s word. • We are no more than one generation away from apostasy. • If we are to restore New Testament Christianity then we will: • Return and respect what is written in God’s word. • Engage in more than outward conformity, truly appreciating what God has accomplished for us. • Present God’s word in a clear and understandable way. • Understand that heaven and hell hang in the balance.

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