Take Heed Lest Ye Fall – Lesson Notes
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Apostasy is the abandonment of something once believed. There is a potential
for it:
Hosea 11:7
Deut. 8:11-14
Ezek. 18:26
I Cor. 10 contains
examples of apostasy in the Old Testament
*
It is possible to fall:
Luke 8:13
John 15:1-6
*Some
did fall:
Judas - Acts 1:25; Jn. 17:12
Other disciples – Jn. 6:66
Hymenaeus and Philetus erred and
overthrew the faith of others - II Tim. 2:16-18
Some forsook Christianity and
reverted to Judaism, thus falling away - Heb. 6:4-6
*It’s
possible to prevent falling:
We can fall and must take heed - I
Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:12; Col. 2:8
Remain in the faith - II Pet.
1:5-11; Jude 20-21
*A
person can be restored from apostasy
Repent – Acts 8:22; Jas. 5:19-20
*Some
fall because of persecution
Parable of the sower/rocky soil –
Matt. 13:21
Don’t count the cost – Luke 14:28
Can’t handle persecution – II Tim.
3:12
Persecution can build character
(Jas. 1:2-4; I Pet. 1:6-7) or identify weakness for
Satan to exploit
*Some
fall when they become the victim of natural disaster
World cursed by evil effects of sin
- Gen. 3:16; Rom. 5:12
Christianity not a “magic shield” to
protect us from life’s experiences
Paul was not exempt from hardship -
Acts 27; II Cor.
*Many
apostatize out of neglect
We’ll suffer God’s wrath if we
neglect salvation – Heb. 2:3
Babes in Christ need growth and
maturity - I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18
Faithful church service attendance
necessary – Heb. 10:24-25
Sever harmful ties w/the world - I
Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11
Develop personal study habits - II
Tim. 2:15; Psa. 1:2
Be involved in converting others –
John 15:1; Romans 7:4
*Cares
and riches are the downfall of others
Productivity can be choked out by
the thorns of care of the world, deceitfulness of
riches,
& pleasures of this life – Luke 8:14
Even poverty can be a temptation –
Prov. 30:8; God will provide - Matt. 6:24-33
Greed is a problem – Luke 12:16-21
Love of money leads many from the
faith – I Tim. 6:10
Some never break away from worldly
evil – Rom. 12:2; II Peter 2:20-22
Demas – II Tim. 4:10; Col. 4:14
*Some
drawn away by false teaching
False prophets – I Jn. 4:1
People turn to fables – II Tim. 4:4
Be careful how you hear – Luke 8:18
Compare what you hear w/the Bible –
Acts
Sadducees erred due to ignorance of
the word – Matt. 22:29
Less scrupulous reasons:
Some propagate false teaching to
draw a crowd – Acts 20:30
Using Godliness for gain – I Tim.
6:5; II Peter 2:1
Declare the Lord’s church just
another denomination/deny its uniqueness – Eph
4:4; Col. 1:18
*Others
have an unrealistic view of conversion
Obeying the Gospel (I Pet.
Must grow spiritually – II Pet.
3:18, Eph. 4:13
Even great men of God made mistakes:
Peter – Matt. 26:70, Moses – Num.
20:8&11
*Some
fall due to lack of Christian association
Becoming a Christian may cost
friendships – Matt. 10:34; Eph. 5:11; I Cor. 15:33
**Make Christian friends!** Mature Christians - show love and concern for new
converts!
*
Some apostatize because of the harsh treatment at the hands of crude
brethren
Rebellious, hypocritical brethren
ought to be opposed! – Rom.
The erring Christian must be
lovingly restored – Gal. 6:1; Prov. 17:10
Correction stems from love – Prov.
3:11-12. When well received, bears peaceable
fruit –
Heb. 12:11
*Some
never learn to deal with church difficulties
There will be difficulties in the
kingdom/parable of the tares – Matt. 13
Paul had enemies in the church (II
Cor.
*Some
fall because of misplaced confidence
It’s hard when we’re disappointed by
one we respect and esteem – Prov. 25:19
Be careful whom you idolize and
idealize
Any of us can fall if we don’t “take
heed” – I Cor.