Sermon:  Pack Your Bags!...a sermon about fleeing apostasy, heresy, false doctrine and false teachers
by Chris Cumming
 

In the 2^nd Century BC the city had been laid waste by the invading Roman Army.  However, it was now 46 BC and Caesar had rebuilt the place and subjected it to Roman occupation as their manner was.  During the century that had elapsed it had prospered and grown enormously. 

Its population at this time was estimated at between 600,000 and 700,000, most of who which were slaves.  There were two magnificent harbors in this city allowing it to become a hub of commerce of both the East and the West.  The harbors were often crowded with ships and its streets filled with travelers and merchants from almost every country under heaven.  Lots of strangers.  Even in that old pagan world the reputation of this city was bad.

One author had his readers considering cities we have today like New Orleans, Casablanca, Detroit and Tangiers and then stated that this ancient city contained the worst features of each.

At night it was made hideous by the brawls and lewd songs of drunken revelry. In the daytime its markets and squares swarmed with Jewish peddlers, foreign traders, sailors, soldiers, athletes in training, boxers, wrestlers, charioteers, racing-men, betting-men, courtesans, slaves, idlers and parasites of every description.

Can you imagine God setting up a church in this place?  The name of the city was Corinth.  The apostle, Paul established a church there on his second missionary journey.  Some years later, while he was on his third missionary journey and spending about three years at Ephesus, he began getting a number of unsatisfactory reports about what was going on at that church.  He heard of divisions of every kind.  Most of the divisions were caused by false doctrines.

He wrote them a letter.  Let us read a couple of scriptures from it.  Turn to 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Notice what Paul said there?  “For there MUST be heresies among you.”  If it was true then, it must be true now for we have had it all in the greater Body of Christ, haven’t we?  We have had heresies, apostasy and both false doctrines and ministers.

If there MUST be heresies among us, we had better take a close look at the Word of God to see what it has to say about all these things.  How to they happen?  How can we recognize them?  What are we supposed to do when we do recognize them?  How do we keep these elements from hurting or destroying us?

My purpose today is to show you that:

     1) Heresy was prophesied for this end time.

     2) False teachers were prophesied for this end time church.

     3) Apostasy was prophesied for this end time.

     4) That long-time exposure to heresy, false teachers and apostasy will destroy the Christian.

     5) Foremost, that the true Christian has specific Bible authority to flee heresy, false teachers and apostasy.

I will present all the key scriptures proving this was prophesied for this end time.

Must there be heresies among the brethren in God’s Church?  If so, why?  Take a look at our introductory verse again.

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Notice the last parts of the verse:

that they which are approved: who sincerely believe in Christ, are sound in the faith, and have a well-grounded experience of it; who have themselves tried things that differ, and approve of them that are excellent, and have been tried by others, and found to be sincere, upright, and faithful, and are approved of God and good men:

may be made manifest among you; by their steadfastness in the faith, their zealous attachment to it, earnest contention for it, and warm and honest vindication of it; and by the departure of those from them who oppose it and go on the side of error and heresy; by which means it is known who are the sincere followers of the Lamb, in doctrine, discipline, and conversation, and who not.

Will false teachers bring the flock heresies and deny the Lord that brought them?

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Will one of the heresies be that Christ did not come in the flesh, that is, tempted as we are, subject to the pulls of the flesh?

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Will there be those that come and preach another Jesus that we do not know?  Will they teach another gospel?

2 Corinthians 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Will some pervert the gospel of Christ?

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Will there be false brethren who will conspire to put us in bondage to lies and heresy?

Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Will there be apostles [saying they are] that lie to the brethren?

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Will there be some that would teach that it is okay to break the commandments?

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Did Paul say that false teachers would enter the flock?

Acts 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Will there be many that corrupt the word of God?

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Will there be men who with cunning craftiness try to deceive us?

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Are we to beware of evil workers?

Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (mutilation).

Will the brethren be subjected to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils?

1 Timothy 4:1 [see Lesson] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Will they speak lies? [look at the next verse]

1 Timothy 4:2 [see Lesson] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Are false ministers capable of transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness just as Satan transforms himself into an angel of light?

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Will men try to spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit?

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Is heresy a work of the flesh?

Galatians 5:19-20  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

If ministers teach other than the words of Christ, what can we conclude about them?

1 Timothy 6:3-4 [see Lesson]  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Are there men who have crept into the church who will deny the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is it possible that a man could beguile you with enticing words?

Colossians 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Is it possible for our minds to be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ?

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Will many people follow false ministers?

2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

The Apostasy

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

"A falling away" here is the Greek word apostasia, a defection, revolt, apostasy, is used in the New Testament of religious apostasy; in Acts 21:21, it is translated, "to forsake", literally, "thou teachest apostasy from Moses".  In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 "the falling away" signifies apostasy from the faith.

Notice that it is used in the New Testament of religious apostasy as in church and not personal.  Do you also notice the structure of this verse?  It is in three parts:

     First, an admonition to let no man deceive you.

     Second, the prophecy that there would be a great apostasy.

     Third, the man of sin, the son of perdition is revealed.

There is a chronology of events here:

     1) There would be men present that would try to deceive us.  Clearly speaking of false teachers and ministers in the church.

     2) That the church would go into apostasy; a religious apostasy of the church.

     3) Then the anti-Christ would come and cause worldwide rebellion against God.

The apostasy is set in motion by a leader of the church.  It is him and the brethren that follow him that fall away and are part of the great apostasy.  The true believers flee the apostasy.

Read the rest of the chapter [2 Thessalonians].  There is no reference to brethren individually leaving truth.  It is about teachers of truth going apostate.

It is clear that this chapter is about the end time and the fact that there will be not only an apostasy in the faith but a worldwide rebellion against God.

The reason this letter was written was because the brethren in Thessalonica thought that Christ's return was imminent and Paul was telling them that certain events must take place first.  The primary subject is the apostasy.

In the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary it states:

2 Thessalonians 2:3 "a falling away" –rather as the Greek, "the falling away," or "apostasy," viz. the one of which "I told you" before (verse 5), "When I was yet with you," and of which the Lord gave some intimation (Matthew 24:10-12; John 5:43...see below).

Matthew 24:10-12 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Christians Can Be Destroyed

This sermon has thus far fulfilled the first 3 of the 5 stated purposes listed at the beginning.  We can see that heresy, false teachers and apostasy were all prophesied for God's Church in the end time.

I now want to look at the remaining 2 purposes of this sermon.  First, to show how these things destroy the Christian and second, that we must flee these things and follow after Christ and seek His truth.

Did the disciples of Christ forsake "all" to follow him?

Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Are we willing to forsake all (even false teachers and an apostate church) and follow proven truth which is Christ?

Are we the light of the world?

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

How can we remain in a church which you know in your heart preaches heresy or has gone into apostasy?  How can we be a light to anyone?

Aren't we to worship God in truth?

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

How can we worship in truth in a church that lies?

Does the lack of truth corrupt good manners?

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Notice the commentary for "Evil communication”.

"The sentiment of the passage is, that the contact of evil-minded men, or that the close friendship and conversation of those who hold erroneous opinions, or who are impure in their lives, tends to corrupt the morals, the heart, the sentiments of others."

Another commentary says, "Evil communications - Discourse contrary to faith, hope, or love, naturally tends to destroy all holiness."

"good manners" here means morals, character.  If we connect ourselves with heresy, false doctrines and false teachers, our character will be destroyed.

If we are surrounded by heresy and apostasy, what are we to do?  See the next verse:

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame [Paul speaking to the whole church here].

The only way to awake to righteousness is to flee heresy, apostasy, false teachers and lies.

Is it possible to remain clean inside a church that is unclean?

Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

The unclean church will corrupt you; you will not save it.

Are we to keep our hearts pure?

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Notice the word "diligence".  Diligence from what?  We are to remain diligent from heresy and false teachers for they will destroy us.  We are to remain diligent to the Word of God and the Salvation Process.

Can we be lead or preached to by blind [without truth] ministers and remain in that church?

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

If there is false teaching and heresy in the church, won't you be affected?

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

If we know to flee lies and heresy and do not flee, is it sin?

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

If we remain in a church that is without truth and therefore sins, what will happen to us?

Job 4:8  Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

The church is likened unto a woman and Christ the groom.  If we remain in a church that is apostate, are we committing adultery?  What would our attitude be then?

Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

Why are we supposed to try the spirits?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

...because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Who are we to avoid?

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Clearly this is in reference to ministers in the church as well as others. How do you avoid a false minister in the Body of Christ?

"Mark them" means: Observe attentively, cautiously, and faithfully Philippians 3:17; be on your guard against them. Ascertain “who are” the real causes of the divisions that spring up and avoid them.

Philippians 3:17 says: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

So you see that there are two kinds of marking or attentive observation that you are supposed to be doing.  Be on your guard against false teachers and doctrines and avoid them.  Watch for good and faithful examples and follow those examples.

What are we to do about vain and profane babblings?

2 Timothy 2:16-17 [see Lesson]  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Notice that being in the presence of lies and heresy will increase ungodliness in you just like we discussed in 1 Corinthians 15:33

Are we to be increasing in the knowledge of God?

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

How can we be fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God?  Maybe the answer is that we should walk in the true light with other true Christians and pray to God to deliver us from the darkness of heresy.  Notice a couple of verses down from Colossians 1:10.  Remember that the Colossian church was suffering from heresy.

Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Why must we be fed with sound doctrine?

Titus 1:9-10 [see Lesson]  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

How can we get sound doctrine in an unclean church?

What will fables and commandments of men do to us?

Titus 1:14 [see Lesson]  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

...that turn us from truth.

What are we to speak about?

Titus 2:1 [see Lesson]  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

How can we speak sound doctrine when that doctrine is not acceptable in the apostate church?

What are we told about strange doctrines?

1 Timothy 6:3-5 [see Lesson] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

...withdraw thyself

What men should we follow?

1 Corinthians 11:1 [Paul speaking] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

What is it about these men that we should follow?

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

You may have seen the changes in doctrine that at least one church has made.  They teach the Trinity, eat unclean meats, forsake the Sabbath and Holy Days and do away with the law.  They say that the new covenant, as they call it went into effect after Christ died and that He kept the old covenant and the law while He lived.

Questions:

Why doesn't Paul write about these changes?  There is no mention of eating unclean meat or a discussion about believing the Trinity.  I mentioned 1 Timothy 6:3-5 a moment ago. It was written after Christ died.  Why does it say there that we should consent to the words of Jesus Christ when those words were apparently void after He died?

Luke was written after Christ died.  Why no mention of the changes that we see some churches keeping today?

When confronted by deceivers, what are we to do?

2 John 1:7, 10 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

And would it not also follow that we should avoid going to his church?

If a minister be a heretic what must we do?

Titus 3:9-10 [see Lesson]  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.

...reject.

Why should we reject him?   [See the next verse]

Titus 3:11 [see Lesson]  Knowing that he that is such [a heretic] is subverted [you and I], and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

How do we know false teachers?

Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Let us take a look at a commentary here to determine what it means, "Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Those who enter upon the narrow way must beware of false prophets, who claim to guide believers but really practice deception. Sheep's clothing is not to be regarded as prophets' grab, but is an evident contrast to vicious wolves. God's people in all ages have needed to beware of deceptive leaders (Deut 13:1; Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1; Rev 13:11-14). By their fruits. The doctrines produced by these false prophets, rather than the works they perform, since outward appearances may not cause suspicion. The test of the prophet is his conformity to Scripture (1 Cor 14:37; Deut 13:1-5). Corrupt tree. One that is decayed, worthless, and unusable. The worthlessness of such a tree calls for its swift removal from the orchard lest it infect the others. ~from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

So how do we know false teachers?  They are not immersed in the Word of God.

What did Christ say that He would say to the heretics?

Matthew 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

..."depart from me"---If Christ says that then, shouldn't we say the same thing now?

What happens when we are not receiving true Knowledge? What happens when one rejects the knowledge?

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Finally, in Revelation 18, we read of Babylon the great (the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth [see Revelation 17]).

Revelation 18:2  And he [the angel] cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

What did the voice from heaven say to do about the Babylon Mystery?

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

..."and receive not her plagues." 

...Come out of her."