Guarding Against Apostasy
Pastor Bill Young
bill@trc.life
Four keys to guarding against apostasy…
I. WE MUST RECOGNIZE REALITY OF
1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
A. Satan is
2 Corinthians 2:11 In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
B. Satan’s
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Q#1: Do you believe you have a spiritual
? Are you taking steps to guard yourself & others?
II. WE MUST RECOGNIZE FALSE
1 Timothy 4:2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences
have been seared as with a hot iron.
A. False teachers are described as demonic
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
B. False teachers have a
C. Three keys to keeping a
- We must
our consciences of right and wrong via Scripture. - We
to our conscience by obeying God. - We must
our conscience by not feeding it evil. Q#2: Can you recognize false teachers? Do you have a
conscience?
III. WE MUST RECOGNIZE FALSE
1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
A. False teaching often focuses on
B. False teaching often has
C. False teaching often leads to
Q#3: Can you recognize false teachings? Are you a
?
IV. WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE
1 Timothy 4:4-5 for everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
A. Marriage and food are
B. Truth is found in the
Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Q#4: Can you recognize the
? Are you a Berean?
V. CONCLUSION: The only true and ultimate protection from apostasy is knowing
A. Jesus is our only our only
John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Q#5: Do you know his voice? Do you know
?