Avoiding Apostasy

 

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Two passages of Scripture that have always gripped my heart because of what I know they mean in my head. 

Mark 4 – Parable of the Sower/Seeds

Matthew 7:21-23

Hebrews 10:26-29

1. The Warning (vv. 26-31)

It’s not perfection but direction.

• Willfully Sinning (26-27)

This is intentional disobedience

“High handed” defiance - I’m going to do what I want Numbers 15:28-31

This is the path toward God’s judgment

You’ve heard the gospel. You understand who Christ is and what He’s done. You’ve been exposed to what the Bible says

This is speaking to those who have spent time in the church - in the company of God’s people.

There’s no sacrifice for this person.

The subject is Apostasy. Knowing the truth and rejecting it.

Almost all apostasy is bred and developed within the walls of the church.

These are people we know

1 John 2:19

• Disregarding Moses (v. 28)

Setting Scripture aside

God is a God of wrath toward those who willfully disregard His commands

• It gets worse (v 29)

In the Old Testament - the punishment for disobedience was external

In the New Testament - it’s even worse.

3 Consequences of Apostasy:

This is what you’re doing

1. Trampled underfoot…

Reject Jesus as the son of God, there’s no mercy.

2. Regarded as defiled… 

This is taking lightly, flippantly, casually the gospel. 

3. Insult the Spirit of Grace

This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin. When you reject the Spirit, you’re also rejecting Jesus and what He did on the cross.

• The Consequences (30-31)

God’s judgment awaits those who reject Him. Deliberate sin will incur greater judgment. 

The Lord will judge His people

And we all know someone in this category.

Why would someone walk away?

1. Persecution/Difficulty

Difficulties will drive a believer TO God

And they’ll push an unbeliever AWAY

2. False Teachers

Someone teaching a heretical view of the Bible will bring confusion, corruption, and despair.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

3. Temptation

Things of the world are very attractive to the flesh. 

4. Neglect Just floating along. Not radically committed.

5. Tradition

Depending on what you were saved “out of” - if you never really let go of that - but keep it open as an option should the “Christianity thing not really go well…”

6. Forsaking Assembly

Walking away from the fellowship of believers.

You cannot thrive outside of that setting. 

We need the encouragement of gathering together as God’s people to worship Him.

This passage is a call to salvation

A warning to those who claim to be Christians, but aren’t seriously pursuing comprehensive obedience. 

If you’re not actively pursuing willful obedience in all things or you’re in danger of wandering away at some point.

2. The Reminder (vv. 32-39)

Almost all apostasy is bred and developed within the walls of the church.

You’re right there in the thick of things

You’ve suffered, you’ve been mocked

You know the basics of the gospel

Who Jesus is & that He died on the cross

You’re part of the community of faith.

Remember God’s Faithfulness

to you in your past suffering

Carefully consider what you’ve learned

Dwell on what you know of God

Of the faithfulness you’ve seen in Him

You know that Jesus is better

But you haven’t actually repented of your sins and trusted in Christ alone for salvation.

You’re so close

You need endurance

The gospel transforms your heart and gives you Spirit-enabled steadfastness

verses 37-39

Jesus is coming back!

The true believer lives by faith.

Faith in the Son of God

Faith in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross

Faith in the unwavering faithfulness of God

A true believer lives life simply trusting God.

3. The Application:

Self-Evaluation

Where are you at?

John 14:15 – (Jesus) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Do you possess the fruits of the Spirit…

Are you obedient to Colossians 3?

Don’t ignore this profound warning

to people IN. THE. CHURCH!

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! (2 Cor 13:5)

Are you more likely to talk about all the stuff you have done, or would you rather be all about what HE has done?

This passage warns us…

It’s possible to go from head to hands. 

And bypass the heart.

Don’t let that be you. 

The writer’s confidence in the Lord’s work comes through beautifully at the end.

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

When you truly trust in Christ

He will preserve your soul.

Repent and believe in the gospel TODAY.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob