A GREAT FALLING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH


2 Thessalonians 2:1-5


Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.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;4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Today the evil of the world is being held back by the prayers of a righteous remnant, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. But the day is fast approaching when He (the Restrainer), will be taken out of the way. And in a world, where almost every semblance of righteousness has been removed… the man of sin will be revealed – that man of lawlessness, who is the son of destruction.

As saved people we are not appointed to this wrath that God will pour out upon the earth. We however are to occupy ourselves, in the things of God, until the Lord Jesus comes to take us to be with Himself. Let us be vigilant to guard our hearts against the increasing apostasy within the Church… through an ever deepening knowledge and understanding of the Word of truth and let us earnestly share a knowledge of that truth, with those that are lost in their sins.. so that others may be snatched from the teeth of enemy, before that great and terrible day of the Lord – the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the godless generation of the day.

A falling away


A. To fall from truth, you must first know the truth
B. The unsaved world is blinded to the truth
C. The falling away will take place within the church
D. What does it mean to fall way

  1. Do you still pray like you used too?
  2. Do you still read your Bible like you use too?
  3. Do you still share Christ with others like you used too?
  4. Is your worship for sports figures or celebrities greater than your worship to God
  5. Has church become a social club instead of a place of service?
  6. If so, is it possible you may be part of the falling away?

The man of Lawlessness – destruction

A. There will be a falling away before He is revealed, but
His spirit will be present in the world before He is
Revealed


B. The spirit of Anti-Christ is already here –

I Timothy 4:1-2

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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

I John 4:1-6

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

I John 2:18-20

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  1. Many false believers are in the church today
  2. They will turn from truth because they have Not the Spirit of God within them
  3. The church today is full of false teachers – Anti-Christs
II Timothy 4:1-7

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

The restrainer removed

A. The Holy Spirit will remove the church
B. The church is indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit
C. The true Church is a restraining force to evil through
the power of the Holy Spirit

Jonah part 8 The self-righteous believer

Jonah 4:1-11

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.2  And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.3  Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.4  Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? 5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.6  And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.7  But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.8  And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.9  And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.10  Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:11  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Jonah worried more about what people thought about him then people coming to salvation

Luke 6:26-36

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27 ¶  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29  And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30  Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.33  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

We are not to seek to be popular

We are to love those who oppose us, but not seek to please them

We are to show mercy by lovingly sharing God’s truth

Jonah put his comfort ahead of his responsibility

I Corinthians 9:19-24

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23  And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24   Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

We are to be servants, not masters

Obedience and sacrifice are to be a normal part of our lives

Everything we do should be for the sake of sharing the gospel

Jonah justified his sin  

II Corinthians 5:8-15

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12   For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.13  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

We should do what we do with Heaven in mind

We will stand before Christ one day and give an account of this life

The love of Christ should be our only motivation

God taught Jonah the importance of eternal values

Matthew 6:19-20

Lay not up for yourselves corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Remember, this world is not our home

John 17:14-17

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17   Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Matthew 5:14-16

  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Worldly retirement will not satisfy and will run out

Only what is done   for Jesus really   matters

Poem by CT Studd





Only one life
Will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Jonah Part 7

Jonah 3:6-10

6  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.7  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:8  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.9  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?10  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Message delivered

Romans 10:14-17

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  • The message of Grace must be delivered
  • The message of Grace is the responsibility of all believers

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The message of Grace has been silent

Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38  labourers into his harvest.

Message heard – The king called for national repentance and prayer

  • They can only hear what is delivered – until Jonah delivered the message, the city had not way of knowing
  • Only the message of grace and forgiveness can be heard
II Corinthians 2:12-16

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

  • Without the preaching of Grace, no one can be saved
Acts 26:15-18

  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Mercy granted

Romans 10:13 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

  • Hearing leads to repentance – faith cometh by hearing
  • Repentance leads to mercy and forgiveness
  • Acceptance leads to an abundant, joy filled life –
John 10:10 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mercy in action

Luke 15:7 

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance

The Church that we should long to be like

Revelation 3:7-13

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I
have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Two Churches we do not want to be like

Sardis

A. They had life
B. But thy were dying
C. Warned to repent or they would spiritually be of no effect
D. Plenty of activity, but no spiritual effectiveness

Laodicea

A. Luke-warm – compromised with the world for acceptance
B. Wealthy but poor
C. Had no spiritual influence God

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

They had a wide-open door –

A. No man could shut the door
B. Hell, itself could not overcome it

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

They had a little strength – little is much when God is in it

John 15:1-4   I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

II Corinthians 12:9-10   And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

They stayed true to the word of God

They stayed true to Christ – they did not deny Him

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Matthew 10:33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven

They were an example in every way of the truth New Testament church

Revelation 3:11-12

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

A. They would be eternally rewarded
B. God will write His name upon them – His identification mark
C. They will have a special place in God’s new Jerusalem

Jonah, part six The God of the Second chance

Jonah 3:1-5

1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2  Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.3  So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.4  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

As soon as Jonah repented, He heard the voice of God again –

  • If we confess
  • He is faithful
  • Total forgiveness and restoration

Many of the heroes in Hebrews 11 became great for God after extreme failures

A. Abraham

  1. Lied to protect his life after God told Him how he
    was going to be blessed
  2. Laughed at God
  3. Offered Isaac

B. Sara

  1. Lied for Abraham
  2. Laughed at God
  3. Caused Abraham to sin
  4. Gave birth to Isaac

C. Moses

  1. Murderer
  2. Made excuses
  3. Used of God to deliver a whole nation

D. Isaac

  1. Deceiver
  2. Lied about His wife and caused her to sin
  3. Re-dug the alters Abraham built

E. Jacob

  1. Stole his brothers birth right
  2. Deceived his father
  3. Joseph’s father

F. Samson

  1. Married outside the will of God
  2. Lost his strength and His eyes
  3. Used of God to kill more of the enemy in his death then in his life

G. David

  1. An adulterer
  2. A murderer
  3. Became Israel’s greatest King – still the most beloved leader of Israel even today

H. You and me

  1. Struggled with sin
  2. Struggled in trusting God
  3. Struggled in worship
  4. Struggled in obedience
  5. Wants to still use us for great things and will if we will obey His word

God’s power is unlimited to the yielded heart

II Corinthians 5:20-6:11

20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3  Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: 4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.11   O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

Yielding involves a willingness to suffer personal   loss and loss of all your rights

Philippians 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Yielding involves being patient with those who need Jesus –

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Yielding means protecting the reputation of God, not my own –

Philippians 2:5-10 – 5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.   Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Yielding means you do not quit when others betray you or do not understand God’s will

When God’s people yield, others are affected for eternity’s sake

Luke 15:7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.