THE APOSTATES DISTASTE FOR THE WORD

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=452576" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I   </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>THE APOSTATES DISTASTE FOR THE WORD</b></div> <div> 2 Timothy 4:3-5</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. APOSTATES ABANDON THE FAITH. (3-4)</b></div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Matthew 13</FONT> we have Jesus giving a parable about a sower sowing seed in 4 different types of soil.  When Jesus explains the parable he says that it's a picture of 4 different types of people hearing and reacting to the message of the Gospel.  Among the 4 only one is "a true blue" born again believer: the one who bears and continues to bear fruit.  Among the 3 other ones 2 are described as apostates (people who say they accepted Christ but never really did.)  They end up turning totally away from the faith they once claimed to have. </div> <bR> <div> "The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful."  Matthew 13:20-22</div> <bR> <div> Paul begins by writing that <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:3</FONT> So there seems to be an underlying assumption here that they once did put up with it.  And that one day they stopped putting up with it.  And our question is, why? What caused these men to come to the point of turning themselves away from sound doctrine?</div> <bR> <div> Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >1 Timothy 1:9-10</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Here's the answer! Why do false believers come to a point where they can no longer put up with the sound Doctrine of the Word of God? Because the teaching of the Bible has become a very disturbing rebuke to those who want to adapt a lifestyle of sin.</div> <bR> <div> The man, woman or child who is determined to live a life that indulges in all his personal and selfish desires won't keep getting up Sunday mornings in order to go listen to a preacher whose going to totally condemn his present lifestyle.  Why? Because this type of believer likes the idea of wearing a crown but not carrying a cross.  She finds appealing the idea of heavenly reward but wants nothing to do with earthly godliness or suffering for Christ.  What does the text say?<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >  "Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Tim. 4:3b</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Ezekiel lived in similar times as ours today.  And when God called him He warned him ahead of time saying: </FONT>"Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them… But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate." Ez.3:4,7</div> <bR> <div> In other words, the more faithful he would be in preaching the pure and simple word of God the more deaf his hearers would become.  That's why being a prophet of God was a calling and not a job, you see.  Because if it was a job nobody would be interested except those who would only preach what the people wanted to hear.</div> <bR> <div> Paul wrote these words some 2000 years ago and his prophecy has been under way for quite some time hasn't it. More and more churches and denominations today who once were evangelical are becoming liberal.  Why? Because if you preach the whole Word of God people don't like it.  People don't like to be told about sin, male leadership, female submission, and stay at home moms. Christians don't want to hear to be preached that materialism, homosexuality, feminism, divorce and daycare centers are not part of God's plan. </div> <bR> <div> And so what do these people do? They go "church-hopping" until they find a preacher who'll tell them what they want to hear.</div> <bR> <div> Someone asks, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"And what's so bad about that?"</FONT> Here's what's so wrong about that:  The Word  of God is not the first and finale authority in the church, people are! Christians say they want the Word of God but they play a Church game called "Selective obedience." The rules are quite simple: You only obey to the parts you like and trash the rest for somebody else more committed than you.</div> <bR> <div> Well, this is nothing new, is it? This is what Paul prophesied some 2000 years ago.</div> <bR> <div> Now he goes on to explain the reason people do this.  He writes that they do this<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > "to suit their own desires." (3)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Now, is it wrong to have certain <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"desires"</FONT>? The answer to that depends on what those desires are, right? If the desire comes from the Holy Spirit it's good.  But if it comes from the flesh it always leads to the same place, doesn't it.</div> <bR> <div> Adam and Eve desired the forbidden fruit but by fulfilling that desire, they reaped quite a harvest, didn't they? Separation from God, banishment from paradise, guilt, suffering and death.  David desired another man's wife.  And he fulfilled that desire.  But what did it cost him? He became a murderer, a hypocrite, lost 4 sons and a river of tears.  Judas desired a small amount of cash more than the Lord Jesus Christ and it cost him his life.  </div> <bR> <div> You see, sin always seems desirable when you're tempted.  It's always sweet when you taste it.  But after it's down your throat and into your soul it's as bitter as anything you can imagine.</div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 4</FONT> we have an excellent definition of apostasy: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"they…turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." </FONT></div> <bR> <div> An apostate is a person who's been feeding on the truth of God's word and turns from it in order to feed on the worlds lies.  And don't forget this: the person who consciously turns away from the truth automatically turns toward the devil's lies.  There's no middle ground in this.  This is why Jesus poignantly said, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"He who is not with me is against me."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I've shared with you how some in my own family came to a knowledge of the truth, decided to turn away from it and since then are deeper in sin than they've ever been.</div> <bR> <div> So how is the true believer to react in the midst of so-called believers who are abandoning the faith like this? Should we see this as an insurmountable mountain? Should we gives ourselves over to discouragement?  Or, should we follow them and go for apostasy ourselves? God forbid!</div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 5</FONT> God gives us 4 direct commands concerning how we should respond to this Apostasy of the last days.  Instead of abandoning the faith,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. BELIEVERS PERSEVERE IN THE FAITH. (5)</b></div> <bR> <div> And how are you and I supposed to do this? God says</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A. BY MAINTAINING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE</b></div> <bR> <div> "But you, keep your head in all situations…" (5a)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Your Bible might say, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Be sober in all things"</FONT>.  The Greek word here is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"nepho"</FONT> and literally means to be free of intoxicants.  So he's referring to some type of drunkenness, right.  But he's not talking about being drunk, or intoxicated, with alcohol here. He's talking about being drunk with false doctrine.</div> <bR> <div> People who turn away from truth become drunk with demonic lies.  Paul talked about this when he wrote, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."  1 Tim 4:1</FONT></div> <bR> <div>  In other words, Paul is telling Timothy here, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Listen, Timothy! Even though more and more churches are going to be intoxicated with myths and worldly philosophies, don't fall into the same drunkenness.  Keep your head straight by staying in the Scriptures.  Take it in, preach it and live it and you'll make it through."</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>B. BY STEADILY BEARING AND CARRYING YOUR CROSS</b></div> <bR> <div> "But you… endure hardship" (5b)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jesus clearly said to all who would call themselves Christians, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."  Matt.10:38</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Now, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"carrying your cross"</FONT> doesn't mean having to get up at 6 am to go to work.  It doesn't mean having to change a flat tire in the middle of a snow storm on the side of the Deerfoot trail. To carry your cross means to suffer unjust treatment or persecution because of your faith in Christ.  It's suffering directly related to your obedience to God.  That's why Jesus carried His cross, wasn't it? And what did Jesus say the night before?</div> <div> "Remember the words I spoke to you: No servant is greater than his master! If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." Jn. 15:20</div> <bR> <div> Persecution and suffering is the "normal Christian life" according to Scripture.</div> <bR> <div> Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Corinthians 11:23-27</FONT></div> <bR> <div> A faithful Christian who does not suffer for his faith is supposed to be a rare phenomenon.  Read, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Foxes Book of Martyrs"</FONT> if you want some true stories on this.</div> <bR> <div> So God is telling us here, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"In these days when people won't put up with Sound Doctrine, prepare yourself to endure suffering if you want to be a light for Jesus Christ in a dark, unbelieving world."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Then he says, that we persevere in the faith</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>C. BY SHARING THE GOSPEL</b></div> <bR> <div> "But you… do the work of an evangelist." (5c)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Even if a large number are not interested in hearing the Gospel God tells us to share it with them anyway.  He told the same thing to Ezekiel: Turn to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Ezekiel 2:4-8</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Paul just said the same thing in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy 4:2</FONT></div> <bR> <div> You see, the most natural tendency for a believer living in the middle of a generation that is so against the word of God is to be quiet.  We're deceived into believing that it's not worth it.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"They're not even interested!"</FONT> But what does the Lord say?</div> <bR> <div> "When I say to a wicked man, `You will surely die', and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood."  Ezekiel 3:18</div> <bR> <div> The message is clear: God is holding His own people responsible to warn them. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> And finally, you and I persevere in the faith</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>D. BY FAITHFULLY DOING THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY.</b></div> <bR> <div> "Discharge all the duties of your ministry" (5d)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The New American Standard Bible puts it this way, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Fulfill your ministry."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I hope you've understood by now that "all" born again believers are ministers. Since the first day you've accepted Christ God has gifted you to minister to the Body of believers He's placed you in. </div> <bR> <div> "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms." 1 Peter 4:10</div> <bR> <div> So to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"fulfill your ministry"</FONT> first of all means to take notice of the spiritual gift the Lord has blessed you with in the church.  Then to give yourself body and soul do developing and using your gift to the edification of the church.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>CONCLUSION</b></div> <bR> <div> We're living in dark days, people.  The world is going to hell.  And the Church is less and less interested in hearing the truth and repenting of it's sins.</div> <bR> <div> But what's a Christian to do in the midst of it all? Get discouraged? Blame the next guy? Throw in the towel. No. It starts with you as an individual worshipper of the Almighty Master Creator of the Universe.  You do your part! You pray, you give, you serve, you be holy, be faithful to the word, you share the gospel.</div> <bR> <div> Turn with me to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Ezekiel 22:30-31</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>