Apostasy is Ineveitable

[00:00:00] This audio sermon is provided by AnabaptistSermons.com and may be freely copied and distributed. You may not sell or edit this sermon. Our prayer is that you would be blessed by this ministry. Greetings to all of you. In the name of Jesus. I'd like to also this morning say that apostasy is not inevitable. It doesn't have to be that way. There is a power that is greater than the power that draws things downhill. [00:00:36] The power that takes things into deterioration. There is a power that renews and makes all things new. A few weeks, a few months ago, we talked here quite a bit about the truth, the importance of the truth, the impact of truth, the need for truth. As I was thinking about that, I thought of the words of Pilate. We are all agreed, I think most people are together on this thought that the need of the hour is truth. [00:01:14] Pilate's words were few. But he was there with Jesus before him. The accusations brought against him, Pilate asked Jesus a question. He said, are you the king of the Jews? Jesus said, that's what you're saying. You're saying the right thing. Then Pilate said these words, What is truth? We can talk about truth. We can agree together that truth is imperative. [00:01:45] But the question still remains, What is truth? What do we mean when we say truth is imperative? And so that's what we'd like to talk about this morning. The Apostle Paul said several times in his letters, What saith the scripture? When he was addressing issues, he said, Now what does the Bible say? Our Sunday school lesson fit so well this morning [00:02:17] to some of these very issues. The interesting thing to me is he did not have to invent a new way of saying something but he reverted to something that had come from God that stood the test. It was the anchor that was hung on the rock like we sang. He says, what saith the scripture? Then he quoted what the scripture said. [00:02:48] My conclusion was 106. What is important is that we know what the scriptures say. Oftentimes when we address issues, we talk about our preferences. We may talk about what we think. We may talk about our opinions. We may talk about how it used to be. But none of them really carry a whole lot of weight. What does carry weight is the truth. What sayeth the scripture? [00:03:19] Many times we may go through life and do a lot of things without taking the time and the effort to search the scriptures to see what they say. I remember Aidan Troyer as a young man working out at the Grace Children's Home in Nebraska with the boys at the boys home there. He was recently converted at that time. And it was said that when he was working with those boys, as they were working, there were times when the boys asked the question. Aidan whipped out his little testament, or his big Bible, I don't know which, but I assume the little testament, since he carried it with him. [00:03:58] And he said, let's see what the Bible says. Now that's a good way to face life. What does the Bible say? Apostasy is not inevitable. We do not have to accept that everything is going to go downhill. It is simply not true that the church has to apostatize. Because God has better things in mind for his church than that. [00:04:30] And he has better provisions arranged than that. The scripture says, he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. There is a lot of pressure coming from the outside, but there is a greater strength on the inside. There is a cross. There is death. But what follows death? Is it not resurrection? The power to live is greater than the power that calls us to death. [00:05:01] The grave is empty this morning. You could go, if you can find the right hole over there in Jerusalem somewhere where they say Jesus was buried, no matter which one it is, they're all empty because there was resurrection that is greater than death. So the real question this morning for me is, what saith the scripture? As I said, what I opinion, what I believe, what I think, carries very little weight as far as giving direction to life. [00:05:43] But what the scripture says, that's a matter of life and death. That's a matter where the answers are and what brings blessing. Jesus said, the truth shall make you free. And he said further, and you shall be free indeed. What makes people free? The truth makes us free. There is a doctrine that teaches us how to walk in this life. There is truth in the scripture that shows us the way. And our discovery is to find that scripture, that truth. [00:06:21] Jesus said also, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. There's a blessing pronounced on that. Who doesn't like a blessing? We often pray that God would bless us. So now, we'd like to look at what the Bible says. Every decision, every deed of humanity leads to a destination. We've talked about that in the past. Maybe that was even touched on. [00:06:56] So I'd like to look at a few scriptures this morning with you. Primarily, read the Bible. The first one is in 1 Corinthians 10, verse 31, that we talked about at length two weeks ago. So we're just going to remind us again of what it says and let it stand. There it says, whether you eat therefore, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Now there you have a principle, a doctrine, a teaching by which to give direction to life. [00:07:29] That principle is that everything we do should be from the motivation to please God. I think we can all understand that. It's clear enough that it does not need exposition, that whenever our heart is set on pleasing God, we're on a way that's got a good destination. We are here to please God. So the question is, do I do what I do to please God? The second one we want to look at is in Hebrews, the 12th chapter, in verse 14. [00:08:03] The principle there is the principle of holiness. There the scripture says, follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. There is no promise whatsoever, there is not a shadow of a question about whether unholiness will enter heaven. The principle is, follow holiness. If our hearts are set on holiness, holiness is the absence of sin. [00:08:35] Holiness is the surrender to God Something that is holy is set apart It is sanctified It is given over for God to use Just as He will If our hearts are set On being all that God wants us to be So take that standard, that doctrine What the scripture says And apply it to every area of life and you will find good direction for life. [00:09:07] Holiness is a principle. Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Do I do the things that I do? Do I look at the things that I look at? Do I use the words that I say out of a desire to be pure and free before God? If that's my motivation, I have a good destination to look forward to we can apply that by making application [00:09:39] take the issue of technology take the issue of the internet the books that we read the things that we look at even the clothes that we wear they all influence, they all filter in either in promoting holiness or unholiness What is there in between? Tell me if there is a third way, if you know of one. I couldn't find a description of a third way. Just either the way of holiness, which Isaiah said through the inspiration of God Almighty, [00:10:16] that God is making a highway of holiness. And that's where we're to walk. And when we walk that highway of holiness, If you look out into the future and follow that road, you will see it going right into the gates of heaven. Because it goes into the holy place prepared by our holy God. Honesty and integrity is a principle. Honesty and integrity. Integrity means being upright. [00:10:47] It means being genuine. Being for real. Not a professing Christian, but a possessing Christian. It is not just a matter of saying the right word or of doing some right things that we know God's people ought to do but it is a matter of a heart that is right with God. Honesty and integrity is a principle. The Bible says whatsoever is not of faith is what? [00:11:21] It is sin. Is it sometimes possible that we may do things with a little twinge of a question? I'm not quite sure if I should do this or not, but I'll just go ahead and do it. What happens in a situation like that? I believe if we're honest with our conscience, if I understand correctly what he is saying, when he talks about honesty and integrity, it means that when I do what the scripture says, [00:11:52] according to the way the scripture says it for the motive of being just clear and open. I'm finding more and more people are saying they are looking for somebody if they want to trust their life with you they want first to know are you for real. I do not want to share the intimate things in my heart with a person that's not for real. But if I find that person that is for real So I find my soul in a safe place, my life, even my inner life. I hear that time and again. Honesty is a virtue that comes from our God. You can count on God. He has integrity. He is honest. He doesn't crowd the fringes. [00:12:45] If there's a question, this is a good little saying for all of us, for all people, that is, when in doubt, what? When in doubt, don't. Whenever we start pushing the question line, the doubt line, something happens to us. We'll notice that perhaps a little bit more. The Apostle Paul said, Herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. [00:13:21] That's a good principle that you can count on to lead you to the right destination. A fourth principle that we want to look at. 1 Corinthians 10. I'm going to need to turn to that one. Read a few passages in different places. 1 Corinthians 10, verse 28 and 29. If any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake. [00:13:55] For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other. For why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? I'm not sure what all Paul was saying there. The way that's all stated there, one thing is clear. He's saying that in the context of the brotherhood, we need to respect the conscience of the brotherhood. Not just my own, but beyond that, the conscience of the brotherhood. [00:14:30] The illustration has often been given. How that we are all so limited. How many times have I sat in meetings with people and I've had conclusions. I was all ready with an answer. Somebody asked a simple little question and shattered my tower of blocks. Because I just hadn't thought about another little aspect of this thing. Is that not true in the body especially? You know, a hand can do certain things, but not without the cooperation of the rest of the physical body. [00:15:08] And we are all likewise as a body. A principle to go by in making decisions and choices for life is brotherhood consciousness. And that involves the brotherhood conscious. Now, the interesting thing is, we don't mind using that scripture, especially if I'm saying you ought to respect my conscience. But really the message is, I need to respect your conscience. That comes home a little bit stronger, doesn't it? [00:15:38] But it's nevertheless a picture or part of the whole. Again, 1 Corinthians 10, verses 23 and 24, a little prior to where we read, I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you Pardon me, I'm in the wrong chapter. 23 and 24 of 10 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [00:16:11] Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. What does that mean? What saith the scripture? It says there all things are lawful but not everything builds up. So which has priority? That which is legal, that which is edifying. As I understand what Paul is saying here, [00:16:42] he is saying edification has priority over legality. There are things that I could do. wouldn't bother my conscience. But if it doesn't build up, there you have a principle. That should take priority over the other. There's another principle that I found in scripture. And by the way, the list I'm going to give you this morning is not conclusive. I can't begin in the next couple of minutes to say all the Bible says. [00:17:15] and it's the whole counsel of God that we really want to go by. What saith the scripture? The direction in which something is going is significant. 1 Thessalonians, the 5th chapter, he doesn't say abstain from all evil, but he says abstain from all appearance of evil. Now whatever that we do affects what might follow. I think that little, that song we sing sometimes is a very theologically correct song when it says, each victory will help you some other to win. Isn't that true? When we make choices in life that are right, we overcome something, it's going to make it just a little easier to do it again and again. [00:18:11] What direction does the thing that I do, that I choose, that I look at, and so on, what direction does that go? Do I sense in this that I'm going to take a step toward God or a step away from God? Each victory will help you, some other to win. In children's classes, sometimes we are taught that if a child says the untruth, he feels very uncomfortable. [00:18:42] If he says it again, he'll still feel uncomfortable. And if he does it again, he'll feel less uncomfortable. And I don't know how often you do it, but the choices we make impact us. And if we are going in a direction that makes us more like God, draws us closer to God, we may be ever more sensitive. I've noticed in reading the biographies of men of God over the years that often time as men of God got older and older and older, [00:19:16] they became more sensitive and more sensitive and more sensitive. Their conscience was directed toward pleasing God. The closer they got to him, the more sensitive they were. Isn't that a picture of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6? Where the scripture says, when he looked up into heaven, he saw God in his temple, high and lifted up. And when Isaiah got that picture of God, he didn't say, you know, God and I are pretty much alike. But he said, woe is me. Because to go in the direction that makes him ever more like God, and when that is our aim and our goal and our commitment, we're on a way that's got a good destination. [00:20:09] But when we go the other direction and we become less sensitive Oh, I've experienced those things we probably all have When you work in an environment that is full of godless speech In the beginning, it just shocked you But we're now living in a time when you hear rampant ungodly speech Sometimes you hardly notice The same thing could be said of many things over and over. [00:20:40] The divorce issue. Not so many years ago in my lifetime I can remember when it was shocking. But today there is compromising. It doesn't seem the same. Why? It's because of the impact that is being made. So he's saying abstain from all appearance of evil. So let's stop. You know, prevention is much better than the cure, isn't it? It's a lot easier to treat. So when we see things going ever more toward the world, toward godlessness, it is time to put on the brakes long before we get to that destination. [00:21:27] Abstain from the appearance of evil is a biblical principle. The Bible says that. But the contrary is just as true. The closer we get to God, the more it will help us to be like God. We can help each other, build each other up, help each other on. It's the subtlety of gradualism. That's the way most things deteriorate, is gradually. This body that you can see is gradually deteriorating. [00:22:02] You probably can't see any difference between yesterday and today. In fact, I can't even feel any difference between yesterday and today. But the simple truth is there is atrophy going on in my body and yours. But there is new life for those in Christ. The next principle we want to look at is in Romans, the twelfth chapter. The first several verses. I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [00:22:40] and be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. How are we going to prove the perfect will of God? How are we going to demonstrate godliness if we conform to the world? No, there are two paths as was said earlier and today already. Either path that we walk, as we conform to either path, leaves a message. [00:23:18] It leaves an impact. It leaves an influence. It brings identification. James wrote and he said, Don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Don't you know that when you conform to the world, you deconform with God? Can you represent two kingdoms? I'm still confounded by the fact that nowadays you can be a citizen of two countries at the same time. It didn't used to be that way, but it is today. [00:23:50] You can hold citizenship in El Salvador and in the U.S. at the same time. I don't know what they're ever going to do when El Salvador and the United States are at war. You know, just as a... Certainly, we're not expecting that. We're not looking for that. But what would you do in a case like that? If there are two kingdoms, how can you have equal loyalty to both? You can't. No man can serve two masters, Jesus said. [00:24:23] So, the principle is being not conformed to the world because we are transformed to the kingdom of heaven. Our loyalty is with one or with the other. It is a biblical principle. That's what the Bible says. And we identify with one or the other. Now, we can be wolves in sheep's clothing. We all know that. Sometimes we use that as a hedge. We say, well, some people pretend and they even make themselves look like they belong to this kingdom. [00:24:59] But in the heart, they're still in the other kingdom. That's true. That happens. It's all too true and it's sad. But God is not confused about the matter. He can look into the heart and see that. That is no reason, however, that I should conform to the kingdom of this world because somebody wrongly represents the right kingdom. No, it means it is even more important that I am for real [00:25:31] and that I stand up for the truth. in my language, in my speech, in all that I do. There are only two kingdoms. We need to conform to God's people, God's way of doing things, so that we know who we are. Just take that home and think about it for a while. Sometimes we may forget who we are. The distinct line between the two kingdoms is sometimes all covered up. [00:26:02] It's so mixed together. There is a mixture, a stirring together of doctrine, falsely so called, Paul would say. There is a mixture together that one hardly knows anymore what is right and what is wrong. And it is applied to every area of life. We need to walk in a way so that we remember who we are. Humility and simplicity is a doctrine, a teaching of the scripture that we need to go by. [00:26:40] Luke chapter 16 in verse 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your heart. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. You know, there's something within me, living in the business world as we do, there is something that kind of likes to identify with important people. But as I look at this scripture, I see that's not a very safe motivation. [00:27:17] The important people, the big people, the rich people, the people that, you know, are looked up to. That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination before God, he says. Now, what in this world has high value, in the eyes of God has little value. No worse than that, it interferes with true value. It is something for me to remember as I go through life. Humility and simplicity characterizes the people of God's kingdom. [00:27:51] Not greatness, not honor, not fame, not esteem, not acclaim We get these little things in the mail every now and then That says your name has been selected to put into a book called something Who's who in America or something like that I've often wondered how do they know who belongs in that book to begin with I think they got my name out of the telephone book probably Not out of achievement or greatness, but anybody that's willing to buy their book could probably fit in there. [00:28:28] That's a good reason not even to open the letter, to discard it. God's people are known as a humble people, as a simple people. Not simplistic, not ignorant, but simple. Just the plain people. Do you cringe at being known as the plain people? I hope not. The plain people are God's people if they have a transformed heart. [00:28:59] No, let me say it differently. God's people, God's real people are plain people. They're simple. They're humble. They give all the recognition to God. Stewardship is another one. That we take care of these things and trust it to us from the standpoint, like we're studying Wednesday evenings, of the owner's good pleasure. We think of everything we have, our homes, our cars. Young men, did you think about it when you bought a car? I wonder what kind of a car God wants me to have. [00:29:33] Or is it your car? Is it God's car? Or a house? Or your hairdo? Or your clothes? or your jobs or whatever else, stewardship, according to the good pleasure of the owner. And that involves the way we spend money, what we do for ourselves. That involves how we use time. How much time? How much time do you think God would allot for using for communication on your cell phones, at the computer, those things? [00:30:10] How much time do you think God has set aside for that? Did you ever think about it that he might have some allotment of time? Are those ridiculous questions? What saith the scripture? I didn't read you a verse for that one. The one we commonly think about is attire. No, clothing. Clothes aren't important. Clothes aren't spiritual. [00:30:43] Let me ask you then, why, if clothes aren't important, does the world spend multiplied billions of dollars on the big question, what shall I wear? Clothes aren't important? Clothes are important, first of all, to the world. They are very important. Clothes are important because they make a statement. They tell people what's in here. [00:31:17] They make a statement. I don't know how many of you remember the message Wayne Schrock preached here on clothing at one time some years ago. But he had just a plain, simple, good message. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't ridiculous. He just simply pointed out some things to us. Clothes become very important because, first of all, clothes are symbolic of our fallen nature before God. Man was unconscious of who he was before God until he sinned. [00:31:55] And all at once, when sin entered into his life, Adam knew he was naked. He was ashamed to be in the presence of God. Clothes are symbolic that we need a covering before a holy God to cover our nakedness, as it were, our shame. God knows all about us. Clothes are symbolic that we need a covering before God. What kind of a covering takes care of that need? [00:32:29] Well, certainly, physical clothes, material clothes cannot cover that sin by itself. But God gave us a good example already back in Genesis, the third chapter. Adam and Eve started out. They sensed their need and the first thing they did is scramble around to get something to cover themselves. And when God saw them, he said, won't do. It won't work. He had to shed some blood and take the skin of an animal to close them. [00:33:02] He had to make a provision that was satisfying to him because man was in sin. That's a good principle to go by when you sit at the sewing machine or go to the store or garage sailing or whatever. Is how does what I am doing here symbolize my need before a holy God? No, it will not cover sin. We aren't even pretending that it might. [00:33:36] It might cover a lot of sin. Not remove it. But, how does it stand true to its symbol? Its symbolic meaning. It gives us a consciousness of who we are. I'm going to read a couple of verses in the Old Testament this morning. In the book of Numbers chapter 15 This goes with what was said a little bit earlier I'm going to read it out of the Old Testament [00:34:07] As the inspired word of God And have no apologies to make It's Old Testament I want you to notice that it's Old Testament And now we're living in the New Is that right? The Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter Jesus himself quote it from the Old Testament over and over again because it was the word of God though it was kind of in shadow form [00:34:38] it had a message and here's the message the book of Numbers chapter 15 verse 37 the Lord spake unto Moses saying speak unto the children of Israel and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue maybe that's where the idea came from to put a big fringe at the bottom of a skirt and it shall be unto you for a fringe that you may look upon it [00:35:12] and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them that you seek not after your own heart and your own eyes after which ye used to go a whoring that you may remember and do all my commandments and be holy unto your God. I am the Lord your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God and I am the Lord your God. He is saying, put something on yourself to remind you. By that I'm understanding the principle is [00:35:44] that we need to dress ourselves in a way that we're reminded who we are, that we belong to God. We are to remind ourselves in all that we do that we are called to obey God. Now, I'm not suggesting that we have to do this kind of fringe. I don't even know how it looked like. But I am understanding the Bible to say that everything that we do, we need to do with the purpose of reminding ourselves not only who we are, [00:36:18] But whose we are, who we belong to That's another thing that we notice under this subject Modesty If we could go to Timothy and Peter You've heard it read over and over again Modest apparel With shamefacedness and sobriety Not loud, not flashy Not that tends to immorality It is significant that as the world more shamelessly undresses, immorality increases dramatically. [00:36:57] It has happened. There has always been immorality. But it has drastically increased, partly because there's a population increase, but also partly because of what has been so shamelessly paraded. And that can be in the shape something's made, the form it's made, it can be because of the sheerness of something, or it can simply be the more exposure of flesh. They are all an inclination away from this great revelation of God that man in his sin needs to be covered, spiritually and physically. [00:37:37] Principle. Deuteronomy the 22nd chapter He says a man should not wear that which pertaineth to a woman nor a woman with that that pertaineth to a man Clothing is meant for sex distinction for gender distinction that is another reason for clothing that's a principle to go by there is the principle of decency and cleanliness dirtiness is not a godly virtue Sloppiness is not a godly virtue [00:38:09] That's not the point at all this morning God's people ought to be clean and neat Carry themselves with respect Because they are created in the image of God Our presentation ought to be That we are the people of God And we're not ashamed because we're his people But we rejoice in it because He has loved us so much He has picked us out of the gutter and regenerated our hearts. What we really need today is the power of the new birth. [00:38:43] People become God-like, not world-like. Let's kneel and pray.