How Does Apostasy Happen?
Hebrews 10:26-39
1 John 2:19 (NLT)
These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.
Mark 4:16-20 (NLT)
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"
Apostasy: The act of abandoning or renouncing one’s previously held beliefs or faith, often in favor of a different set of beliefs or non-beliefs.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NASB)
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV)
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
1. False Teachers
1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2. Persecution
Mark 4:17 (NLT)
But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word.
3. Worldliness
2 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)
Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.
Mark 4:18-19 (NLT)
The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.
4. Neglect
Hebrews 2:3 (ESV)
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great a salvation,
5. Unbelief
Hebrews 3:12 (NIV)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
6. Lack of Church Attendance
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:26 (NLT)
Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
3 Things About That Statement:
1st: Knowledge of the truth
2nd: Deliberate decision
Hebrews 10:26 (NLT)
Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning...
3rd Habitual sin
Hebrews 10:26 (NLT)
Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
Hebrews 10:27 (NLT)
There is only the terrible expectation of God's judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.
Hebrews 10:28 (NLT)
For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Numbers 15:30-36 (NIV)
"'But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the LORD's word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.'" While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. Then the LORD said to Moses, "The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp." So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Hebrews 10:29 (NLT)
Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us.
Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV)
For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
Hebrews 10:31 (NLT)
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
