Apostasy – Its Causes And Cure

1. Before Paul had completed his earthly mission, he saw the seeds of apostasy being planted in the church of the first century.
2. In his farewell message to the elders of the Ephesian church he provides the warnings and solutions to the problem

1. The word apostasy
1. The word sounds bad.
2. It means to go back.
3. When the word is mentioned, we usually think of Judas.
4. Jesus called him, "The son of perdition."

(John 17:12 NKJV) "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

(2 Th 2:3 NKJV) Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

5. The apostasy that Paul saw coming has already taken place.
6. It did not happen in a day – it was a gradual departure from the N.T. principles and patters.
7. Few would be willing to jump into complete apostasy in one big leap. We drift gradually
8. It has been the history of man to drift away from God by drifting away from fundamental truth.
9. The Old Testament record if full of examples.
10. There may be many causes of apostasy, but all may be summed up under two headings. These are described by Paul in Acts 20:17,35
2. The Elders Acts 20:17
1. Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus. The place to begin to stop apostasy is with the eldership.
2. Paul sees the apostasy coming and warns against it.
3. His discussion with the elders reveals the cause of apostasy.

(Acts 20:29 NKJV) "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

1. These may have been Judaizers who were really not converted from their old ways and beliefs.
2. Carnal people who trusted their opinions and feelings more that God’s word.
3. People whose names were on the church roll spell weakness and apostasy.

(Acts 20:30 NKJV) "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

4. If the church apostatizes, it will be from internal weakness.
5. If this weakness affects the eldership apostasy will be the ultimate end.

(Acts 20:28 NKJV) "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

6. Through the eldership, Satan can do the most damage.
7. Thus the church needs men of faith in God and his world.
1. Elder at baseline road.
8. Through the eldership the church can be protected.

(Titus 1:9-11 NKJV) "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. {10} For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, {11} whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain."

3. The Preacher
1. The preacher is not mentioned directly, but is implied in the phrase, "after my departing."
2. The Pulpit is the most powerful place in the world to hold apostasy in check.
3. It was Paul’s preaching that was holding apostasy in check.
4. If these verses show the kind of elders are needed to hold apostasy in check, they also show the kind of preching that is needed.
5. First there must be a preacher.
1. Often the first thing false teachers will try to do is to get rid of the preacher or the elders.

(Eph 4:11-16 NKJV) "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

(2 Tim 4:1-5 NKJV) "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: {2} Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. {3} 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; {4} and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. {5} But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

(1 Cor 9:14-16 NKJV) "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. {15} But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. {16} For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"

(1 Cor 1:17-18 NKJV) "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. {18} For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

6. Second, The preacher must serve with humility rather than from personal ambition.

(Acts 20:19 NKJV) ""serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;"

1. The pulpit is no place for a man interested in personal ambition or self glorification.
7. Third Preaching that is profitable.

(Acts 20:20 NKJV) ""how I kept back nothing that was helpful (profitable [NASB]), but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,"

1. Paul preached for spiritual profit, not just the please people.
2. The preacher that would not do.
3. The history of Israel is filled with prophets that told the people what they wanted to hear – not what they needed to hear.

(Jer 6:13-16 NKJV) ""Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. {14} They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace. {15} Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. {16} Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

4. "the sleeping church and the preacher rocking the cradle are both headed for apostasy."
8. Forth The preaching of the fundamentals

(Acts 20:21 NKJV) ""testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

1. The church cannot be sound in life if it is not sound in doctrine.
2. The church that is weak doctrinally will be weak spiritually.
9. Fifth Faithful preaching includes – Dedication that endures hardship

(Acts 20:22-25 NKJV) ""And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, {23} "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. {24} "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. {25} "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more."

1. The battle for truth and the souls of men would never have been won in the early days if Paul and other preachers had not been willing to endure hardships.
2. The man who is afraid of hardship has no place in the pulpit.
3. Preaching is not a profession.

(Acts 20:33 NKJV) ""I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel."

10. Sixth Preaching is a serious matter.

(Acts 20:19 NKJV) ""serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;"

11. Seventh Preaching has eternal significance.

(Acts 20:38 NKJV) "sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship."

1. They thought this would be the last time they would see Paul.
2. When a preacher stands in the pulpit he needs to preach as though it would be the last time he would ever see some in the audience again.
3. He never knows just when that will take place.
4. It is a fearful thing to stand in judgment and stand side by side with people who are lost because he did not realize the seriousness of preaching the gospel.

The church has never been far from apostasy at any time in history.

It will take elders and preachers standing together for the truth along with consecrated Godly members to keep it from happening

A church was in need of a preacher. One of the elders was interested in finding out just what kind of a preacher the church wanted. In order to do this he composed a letter as though it had been received from a preacher and read it to the committee selecting a new preacher.

"Gentlemen:

Understanding that you need a preacher, ! would like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and have some success as a writer. Some say that I am a good organizer. I have been a leader in most places I have gone.

Some folks, however, have some things against me. I am over fifty years of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit that I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any wrong-doing. My health is not too good, though I still get a good deal done. I have had to work at my trade to help pay my way.

The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I have not gotten along too well with the religious leaders in different towns where I have preached, and I am sure that they will not recommend me. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known even to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work to help with my support."

The elder read this letter to the committee, and asked if they were interested in the applicant. They replied that he would never do for their church. They were not interested in an unhealthy, trouble-making, contentious, ex-jailbird; and were insulted that his application had ever been presented! But one of them did ask the preacher's name and the elder replied, "The Apostle Paul."