David Jeremiah - A Theological Prophecy - The Falling Away

April 4, 2026 | 57:29

The sound Bible-based teaching of Turning Point carries forward the goal of delivering the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world.

#Theology #Prophecy #Backslidden #Lies #Deception #Distractions #Unbelief #Faith #Church #BodyofChrist #Tribulation #Testing #Encouragement #DavidJeremiah

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - A Theological Prophecy - The Falling Away | April 4, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.383
Male announcer: find clarity and hope
00:00:00.850 --> 00:00:02.052
In god's unwavering prophetic plan
00:00:02.185 --> 00:00:03.987
With "understanding biblical prophecy."
00:00:04.120 --> 00:00:06.589
This all-new bible study from dr. jeremiah will guide you
00:00:06.689 --> 00:00:07.657
Through 30 powerful prophetic passages.
00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:11.861
As you read each prophecy, learn its context,
00:00:11.861 --> 00:00:14.497
Answer reflection questions, and apply it to your life,
00:00:14.497 --> 00:00:17.667
You will learn to understand god's word,
00:00:17.667 --> 00:00:19.669
Trust in his promises, and face tomorrow
00:00:19.669 --> 00:00:22.372
With unshakeable confidence.
00:00:22.372 --> 00:00:24.140
Request "understanding biblical prophecy"
00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:26.176
For a gift of any amount
00:00:26.176 --> 00:00:27.510
From turning point ministries today.
00:00:27.510 --> 00:00:31.514
Dr. david jeremiah: are we living in the end-times?
00:00:35.552 --> 00:00:38.855
There may have never been another time in history
00:00:38.855 --> 00:00:41.524
When end-times prophecy has been more aligned
00:00:41.524 --> 00:00:45.161
With the culture and circumstances of the world
00:00:45.161 --> 00:00:48.498
Than it is today.
00:00:48.498 --> 00:00:52.335
I believe there are ten phenomena
00:00:52.335 --> 00:00:55.038
We are witnessing today that were recorded centuries ago
00:00:55.038 --> 00:00:58.675
In bible prophecy.
00:00:58.675 --> 00:01:01.010
Seeing our circumstances in light of these prophecies
00:01:01.010 --> 00:01:04.814
Should give us resolve, purpose, and hope.
00:01:04.814 --> 00:01:10.854
And help us answer the questions:
00:01:10.854 --> 00:01:13.723
What are we to do with the world around us?
00:01:13.723 --> 00:01:17.393
What hope do we have in times like these?
00:01:17.393 --> 00:01:21.798
And ultimately, where do we go from here?
00:01:21.798 --> 00:01:26.936
Dr. jeremiah: the bible predicts
00:01:27.003 --> 00:01:28.371
The falling away of the church.
00:01:28.371 --> 00:01:30.607
Is that what we are seeing today,
00:01:30.607 --> 00:01:33.009
Including believers who are deconstructing
00:01:33.009 --> 00:01:35.712
Their faith?
00:01:35.712 --> 00:01:37.380
There seems to be a growing number of people
00:01:37.380 --> 00:01:39.716
Rejecting god altogether and choosing no faith at all.
00:01:39.716 --> 00:01:44.420
Is apostasy a sign of the end-times?
00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:48.091
Announcer: join dr. david jeremiah
00:01:48.091 --> 00:01:50.426
For this special prophecy edition
00:01:50.426 --> 00:01:52.829
Of "turning point" as he presents
00:01:52.829 --> 00:01:54.864
A sign of the end-times,
00:01:54.864 --> 00:01:57.233
"the falling away: a theological prophecy,"
00:01:57.233 --> 00:02:00.937
Today on "turning point."
00:02:00.937 --> 00:02:02.939
♪ o precious is the flow ♪
00:02:04.474 --> 00:02:08.678
♪ that makes me white as snow ♪
00:02:08.678 --> 00:02:13.283
♪ no other fount i know ♪
00:02:13.283 --> 00:02:17.620
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪
00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:22.358
♪ this is all my hope and peace ♪
00:02:22.358 --> 00:02:26.729
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪
00:02:26.729 --> 00:02:31.334
♪ this is all my righteousness ♪
00:02:31.334 --> 00:02:35.705
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪
00:02:35.705 --> 00:02:40.143
♪ o precious is the flow ♪
00:02:40.143 --> 00:02:44.414
♪ that makes me white as snow ♪
00:02:44.414 --> 00:02:49.219
♪ no other fount i know ♪
00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:53.623
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪
00:02:53.623 --> 00:02:58.094
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪
00:02:58.161 --> 00:03:02.599
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus ♪♪
00:03:02.665 --> 00:03:09.906
[congregation applauding]
00:03:09.906 --> 00:03:14.344
♪♪♪
00:03:14.344 --> 00:03:19.048
♪ light of the world ♪
00:03:19.048 --> 00:03:21.551
♪ you stepped down into darkness ♪
00:03:21.551 --> 00:03:26.022
♪ opened my eyes, let me see ♪
00:03:26.022 --> 00:03:32.929
♪ beauty that made this heart adore you ♪
00:03:32.929 --> 00:03:39.602
♪ hope of a life spent with you ♪
00:03:39.602 --> 00:03:48.311
♪ here i am to worship ♪
00:03:48.311 --> 00:03:51.614
♪ here i am to bow down ♪
00:03:51.614 --> 00:03:55.118
♪ here i am to say that you're my god ♪
00:03:55.118 --> 00:04:02.091
♪ you're altogether lovely ♪
00:04:02.091 --> 00:04:05.495
♪ altogether worthy ♪
00:04:05.495 --> 00:04:08.798
♪ altogether wonderful to me ♪♪
00:04:08.798 --> 00:04:17.006
Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
00:04:19.709 --> 00:04:21.377
Dr. jeremiah: you say, "well, i'm kind of down now
00:04:22.645 --> 00:04:23.980
About my faith."
00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:25.315
Well, i'm sorry about that, but you know,
00:04:25.315 --> 00:04:26.816
There's not anybody gonna rush to your help,
00:04:26.816 --> 00:04:28.184
So learn how to do it yourself.
00:04:28.184 --> 00:04:30.953
Learn how to take care of yourself in the word of god.
00:04:30.953 --> 00:04:32.989
Learn how to take care of yourself in building up
00:04:32.989 --> 00:04:35.158
Your most holy faith.
00:04:35.158 --> 00:04:36.893
It's good to have people help you.
00:04:36.893 --> 00:04:38.428
It's wonderful to be in a small group
00:04:38.428 --> 00:04:39.762
Where somebody encourages you,
00:04:39.762 --> 00:04:41.097
But that's not always gonna happen.
00:04:41.097 --> 00:04:42.432
So you better learn how to take care of yourself.
00:04:42.432 --> 00:04:45.802
Announcer: the bible predicts the falling away of the church.
00:04:45.868 --> 00:04:49.272
Is that what we are seeing today?
00:04:49.272 --> 00:04:51.140
Are the illnesses, plagues, and pestilence of our day
00:04:51.140 --> 00:04:54.210
Signs we are living in the end-times?
00:04:54.210 --> 00:04:56.746
Would you be surprised to know the decay of character
00:04:56.746 --> 00:04:59.716
Is a precursor for christ's return?
00:04:59.716 --> 00:05:02.051
Dr. david jeremiah answers these questions and more in his book
00:05:02.051 --> 00:05:06.289
"where do we go from here?
00:05:06.289 --> 00:05:08.057
How tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow today's problems."
00:05:08.057 --> 00:05:11.894
Written especially for this time,
00:05:11.894 --> 00:05:13.830
Dr. jeremiah explores how bible prophecy
00:05:13.830 --> 00:05:16.332
Intersects with culture and events
00:05:16.332 --> 00:05:18.668
We are witnessing right outside our door.
00:05:18.668 --> 00:05:21.237
In every chapter, dr. jeremiah examines
00:05:21.237 --> 00:05:23.806
What bible prophecy reveals
00:05:23.806 --> 00:05:25.441
About the world today, what it means for believers,
00:05:25.441 --> 00:05:28.478
And ultimately, where we go from here.
00:05:28.478 --> 00:05:31.347
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah
00:05:31.347 --> 00:05:33.483
Is yours when you give a gift of any amount
00:05:33.483 --> 00:05:35.818
In support of this program.
00:05:35.818 --> 00:05:37.453
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive
00:05:37.453 --> 00:05:40.490
The "where do we go from here?" set, which also includes
00:05:40.490 --> 00:05:43.292
Dr. jeremiah's entire teaching series
00:05:43.292 --> 00:05:45.595
On cd or dvd, a correlating study guide,
00:05:45.595 --> 00:05:48.664
And his interview special on dvd.
00:05:48.664 --> 00:05:51.334
Plus, included with any order of the book or set,
00:05:51.334 --> 00:05:54.337
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:05:54.337 --> 00:05:56.572
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:05:56.572 --> 00:05:59.375
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:05:59.375 --> 00:06:01.944
Order "where do we go from here?" book or set today.
00:06:01.944 --> 00:06:05.114
♪♪♪
00:06:07.717 --> 00:06:31.107
♪ lord, i will lift ♪
00:06:11.087 --> 00:06:39.549
♪ mine eyes ♪
00:06:39.549 --> 00:06:43.519
♪ to the hills ♪
00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:51.794
♪ knowing my help ♪
00:06:51.794 --> 00:07:00.536
♪ is coming ♪
00:07:00.536 --> 00:07:05.908
♪ from you ♪
00:07:05.908 --> 00:07:12.782
♪ your peace you give me ♪
00:07:12.782 --> 00:07:22.091
♪ in time ♪
00:07:22.091 --> 00:07:25.928
♪ of the storm ♪
00:07:25.928 --> 00:07:35.304
♪ you are the source of my strength ♪
00:07:35.304 --> 00:07:45.014
♪ you are the strength of my life ♪
00:07:45.014 --> 00:07:54.991
♪ i lift my hands in ♪
00:07:54.991 --> 00:08:00.930
♪ total praise ♪
00:08:00.930 --> 00:08:05.801
♪ to you ♪
00:08:05.801 --> 00:08:13.676
♪ lord, i will lift ♪
00:08:13.676 --> 00:08:21.717
♪ mine eyes to the ♪
00:08:21.717 --> 00:08:28.090
♪ hills ♪
00:08:28.090 --> 00:08:33.195
♪ knowing my help ♪
00:08:33.195 --> 00:08:41.804
♪ is coming ♪
00:08:41.804 --> 00:08:46.475
♪ from you ♪
00:08:46.475 --> 00:08:52.815
♪ your peace you give me ♪
00:08:52.815 --> 00:09:01.190
♪ in time ♪
00:09:01.190 --> 00:09:04.627
♪ of the storm ♪
00:09:04.627 --> 00:09:13.202
♪ you are the source of my strength ♪
00:09:13.202 --> 00:09:22.878
♪ you are the strength of my life ♪
00:09:22.878 --> 00:09:32.321
♪ i lift my hands in ♪
00:09:32.321 --> 00:09:38.394
♪ total praise ♪
00:09:38.394 --> 00:09:43.099
♪ to you ♪
00:09:43.099 --> 00:09:48.137
♪ you are the source of my strength ♪
00:09:51.607 --> 00:10:01.150
♪ you are the strength of my life ♪
00:10:01.150 --> 00:10:10.593
♪ i lift my hands in ♪
00:10:10.593 --> 00:10:16.699
♪ total praise ♪
00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:21.604
♪ to you ♪
00:10:21.604 --> 00:10:25.107
♪ amen, amen, amen ♪
00:10:25.107 --> 00:10:34.450
♪ amen, amen, amen ♪
00:10:34.517 --> 00:10:43.959
♪ amen, amen, amen ♪
00:10:44.026 --> 00:10:53.269
♪ amen, amen, ♪
00:10:53.269 --> 00:10:58.007
♪ amen ♪♪
00:10:58.007 --> 00:11:07.883
[congregation applauding]
00:11:07.883 --> 00:11:15.691
Announcer: dr. david jeremiah is delivering
00:11:15.691 --> 00:11:17.393
The unchanging word of god every month
00:11:17.393 --> 00:11:19.295
To more than half a million homes
00:11:19.295 --> 00:11:21.063
Through "turning points" magazine and devotional.
00:11:21.063 --> 00:11:23.566
Request your first issue now to read inspirational
00:11:23.566 --> 00:11:26.235
In-depth articles and quick, clear, and creative devotionals
00:11:26.235 --> 00:11:29.338
From dr. jeremiah each month
00:11:29.338 --> 00:11:31.073
That will encourage, challenge, and strengthen your walk
00:11:31.073 --> 00:11:33.342
With the lord.
00:11:33.342 --> 00:11:34.677
Request your first three issues of "turning points"
00:11:34.677 --> 00:11:36.479
Completely free, or give a gift of any amount
00:11:36.479 --> 00:11:39.115
To receive an annual subscription.
00:11:39.115 --> 00:11:41.117
Contact "turning point" today.
00:11:41.117 --> 00:11:43.152
♪ if you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed ♪
00:11:46.021 --> 00:11:51.927
♪ sing the song forever to the lamb ♪
00:11:51.927 --> 00:11:58.768
♪ if you walk in freedom and if you bear his name ♪
00:11:58.768 --> 00:12:05.241
♪ sing the song forever to the lamb ♪
00:12:05.241 --> 00:12:11.914
♪ sing the song forever and amen ♪
00:12:11.914 --> 00:12:16.652
♪ and the angels cry holy ♪
00:12:16.652 --> 00:12:23.392
♪ all creation cries holy ♪
00:12:23.392 --> 00:12:30.266
♪ you are lifted high, holy ♪
00:12:30.266 --> 00:12:37.072
♪ holy forever ♪
00:12:37.072 --> 00:12:43.312
♪ hear your people sing holy ♪
00:12:43.312 --> 00:12:49.919
♪ to the king of kings holy ♪
00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:56.792
♪ you will always be holy ♪
00:12:56.792 --> 00:13:03.966
♪ holy forever ♪
00:13:03.966 --> 00:13:11.674
♪ your name is the highest ♪
00:13:11.674 --> 00:13:14.944
♪ your name is the greatest ♪
00:13:14.944 --> 00:13:18.280
♪ your name stands above them all ♪
00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:25.054
♪ all thrones and dominions ♪
00:13:25.054 --> 00:13:28.457
♪ all powers and positions ♪
00:13:28.457 --> 00:13:31.727
♪ your name stands above them all ♪
00:13:31.727 --> 00:13:38.400
♪ your name is the highest ♪
00:13:38.400 --> 00:13:41.503
♪ your name is the greatest ♪
00:13:41.503 --> 00:13:45.140
♪ your name stands above them all ♪
00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:51.814
♪ all thrones and dominions ♪
00:13:51.814 --> 00:13:55.150
♪ all powers and positions ♪
00:13:55.150 --> 00:13:58.420
♪ your name stands above them all ♪
00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:03.626
♪ and the angels cry holy ♪
00:14:03.626 --> 00:14:10.099
♪ all creation cries holy ♪
00:14:10.099 --> 00:14:16.739
♪ you are lifted high, holy ♪
00:14:16.739 --> 00:14:23.879
♪ holy forever ♪
00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:30.152
♪ hear your people sing holy ♪
00:14:30.152 --> 00:14:36.792
♪ to the king of kings holy ♪
00:14:36.792 --> 00:14:43.499
♪ you will always be holy ♪
00:14:43.499 --> 00:14:50.639
♪ holy forever ♪
00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:56.645
♪ you will always be holy ♪
00:14:56.645 --> 00:15:03.752
♪ holy forever ♪
00:15:03.752 --> 00:15:10.592
♪ holy, holy ♪
00:15:14.029 --> 00:15:22.371
♪ are you lord god almighty ♪
00:15:22.371 --> 00:15:29.545
♪ worthy is the lamb ♪
00:15:29.545 --> 00:15:32.982
♪ worthy is the lamb ♪
00:15:33.048 --> 00:15:36.051
♪ you are holy ♪
00:15:36.051 --> 00:15:40.322
♪ holy are you lord god ♪
00:15:40.322 --> 00:15:47.196
♪ almighty ♪
00:15:47.196 --> 00:15:50.899
♪ worthy is the lamb ♪
00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:54.670
♪ worthy is the lamb ♪
00:15:54.737 --> 00:15:57.506
♪ amen ♪♪
00:15:57.506 --> 00:16:04.279
[congregation applauding]
00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:09.451
Announcer: in dr. david jeremiah's book
00:16:10.686 --> 00:16:12.588
"where do we go from here?"
00:16:12.588 --> 00:16:14.423
Discover ten phenomena happening in our world today
00:16:14.423 --> 00:16:17.359
That prove tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow
00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:20.562
The problems we're experiencing in our culture,
00:16:20.562 --> 00:16:22.698
And find biblical direction for the end-times.
00:16:22.698 --> 00:16:26.502
In this book, dr. jeremiah examines what bible prophecy
00:16:26.502 --> 00:16:29.405
Reveals about ten issues of our time,
00:16:29.405 --> 00:16:32.141
What they mean for believers,
00:16:32.141 --> 00:16:33.776
And ultimately, where we go from here.
00:16:33.776 --> 00:16:36.812
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah
00:16:36.812 --> 00:16:38.914
Is yours when you give a gift of any amount
00:16:38.914 --> 00:16:41.250
In support of this program.
00:16:41.250 --> 00:16:42.918
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive
00:16:42.918 --> 00:16:46.021
The "where do we go from here?" set,
00:16:46.021 --> 00:16:48.023
Which also includes dr. jeremiah's
00:16:48.023 --> 00:16:49.691
Entire teaching series on cd or dvd,
00:16:49.691 --> 00:16:52.728
A correlating study guide,
00:16:52.728 --> 00:16:54.163
And his interview special on dvd.
00:16:54.163 --> 00:16:56.698
Plus, included with any order of the book or set,
00:16:56.698 --> 00:16:59.735
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:16:59.735 --> 00:17:02.071
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:17:02.071 --> 00:17:04.807
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:17:04.807 --> 00:17:07.276
Order "where do we go from here?" book or set today.
00:17:07.276 --> 00:17:10.279
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:17:12.514 --> 00:17:14.716
In appreciation of your viewership,
00:17:14.716 --> 00:17:16.485
Dr. jeremiah would like to send you
00:17:16.485 --> 00:17:18.654
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:17:18.654 --> 00:17:20.489
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:17:20.489 --> 00:17:22.991
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:17:22.991 --> 00:17:25.461
It's yours absolutely free just by contacting
00:17:25.461 --> 00:17:28.263
"turning point" today.
00:17:28.263 --> 00:17:29.798
And now, here is dr. jeremiah with his message
00:17:29.798 --> 00:17:32.801
"the falling away: a theological prophecy."
00:17:32.801 --> 00:17:35.704
Dr. jeremiah: imagine writing your first book
00:17:37.306 --> 00:17:40.676
At the age of 22 and watching it land
00:17:40.676 --> 00:17:43.912
On a best-sellers list everywhere.
00:17:43.912 --> 00:17:47.783
A few years ago, that happened
00:17:47.783 --> 00:17:49.284
To an american pastor.
00:17:49.284 --> 00:17:51.120
His book conveyed biblical advice
00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.721
About love and relationship,
00:17:52.721 --> 00:17:54.723
And it encouraged thousands of young people
00:17:54.723 --> 00:17:56.458
To make better choices.
00:17:56.458 --> 00:17:59.294
This pastor became known for his speaking and writing
00:17:59.294 --> 00:18:02.131
And counseling,
00:18:02.131 --> 00:18:03.465
As well as for nearly two decades of pastoral ministry
00:18:03.465 --> 00:18:06.535
In a local church.
00:18:06.535 --> 00:18:08.871
Yet somehow and somewhere during those years,
00:18:08.871 --> 00:18:11.306
His own relationship with god evaporated.
00:18:11.306 --> 00:18:14.543
In 2019, he announced his marriage had come to an end.
00:18:14.543 --> 00:18:18.714
Then in a follow-up post on instagram,
00:18:18.714 --> 00:18:21.049
He disclosed an even deeper divorce.
00:18:21.049 --> 00:18:24.720
He wrote, quote, "i have undergone
00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.022
A massive shift in regard to my faith in jesus.
00:18:27.022 --> 00:18:31.360
The popular phrase for this is 'deconstruction.'
00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:35.264
The biblical phrase is 'falling away.'
00:18:35.264 --> 00:18:38.233
By all the measurements that i have for defining a christian,"
00:18:38.233 --> 00:18:41.436
He wrote, "i am not a christian.
00:18:41.436 --> 00:18:45.040
Many people tell me that there's a different way
00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:47.176
To practice faith,
00:18:47.176 --> 00:18:48.810
And i want to remain open to this,
00:18:48.810 --> 00:18:51.013
But i am not there now."
00:18:51.013 --> 00:18:54.116
Now, that probably touches you in some way,
00:18:54.116 --> 00:18:56.852
But it cuts me to the heart because i am a pastor,
00:18:56.852 --> 00:19:01.623
And this is happening to more pastors
00:19:01.623 --> 00:19:03.725
Than i've ever seen before.
00:19:03.725 --> 00:19:06.662
Many others seem to be falling away
00:19:06.662 --> 00:19:08.664
From christ and his gospel.
00:19:08.664 --> 00:19:10.566
I saw a recent op-ed with this title:
00:19:10.566 --> 00:19:13.001
"everyone is leaving christianity
00:19:13.001 --> 00:19:14.836
And nobody knows where they're going."
00:19:14.836 --> 00:19:18.507
This departure from biblical faith
00:19:18.507 --> 00:19:20.509
Is happening so often
00:19:20.509 --> 00:19:22.311
That there's a new word that's been coined.
00:19:22.311 --> 00:19:25.280
These defectors are no longer evangelicals;
00:19:25.280 --> 00:19:28.250
They're "ex-vangelicals."
00:19:28.250 --> 00:19:31.787
Why is that and what is that all about?
00:19:31.787 --> 00:19:35.190
Well, the falling away is not a new phenomenon.
00:19:35.190 --> 00:19:38.760
Throughout history, there have been many
00:19:38.760 --> 00:19:40.329
Who have taken up the banner of christ
00:19:40.329 --> 00:19:42.531
Only to lay it down again.
00:19:42.531 --> 00:19:44.700
Even the first generation of christians faced
00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:47.135
Challenges like this.
00:19:47.135 --> 00:19:49.004
Have you ever heard about a guy named demas?
00:19:49.004 --> 00:19:52.074
Yeah, when paul wrote to the colossians
00:19:52.074 --> 00:19:53.976
And to philemon,
00:19:53.976 --> 00:19:55.377
He sent them greetings from his coworker, demas,
00:19:55.377 --> 00:19:58.280
Who was at his side.
00:19:58.280 --> 00:20:00.616
In 2 timothy 4:10, he described him like this:
00:20:00.616 --> 00:20:04.119
"demas has forsaken me,
00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:07.356
Having loved this present world."
00:20:07.356 --> 00:20:10.692
There's another book in the bible
00:20:10.692 --> 00:20:12.027
That's devoted to this topic.
00:20:12.027 --> 00:20:13.895
It's the little book, jude.
00:20:13.895 --> 00:20:16.231
I always love to tell people about jude
00:20:16.231 --> 00:20:18.300
And tempt them to ask me what chapter,
00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:20.669
Because if you ask me what chapter,
00:20:20.669 --> 00:20:22.237
I know you haven't read the bible.
00:20:22.237 --> 00:20:24.072
There's only one chapter in the book of jude,
00:20:24.072 --> 00:20:26.508
So when you say jude, you just give verse numbers.
00:20:26.508 --> 00:20:29.044
You don't give chapter numbers.
00:20:29.044 --> 00:20:31.513
This book was written by our lord's half-brother,
00:20:31.513 --> 00:20:35.550
The son of joseph and mary.
00:20:35.550 --> 00:20:37.986
And in only 25 verses, jude reminds us
00:20:37.986 --> 00:20:41.423
That some of the angels themselves fell away
00:20:41.423 --> 00:20:45.160
From their allegiance to god.
00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:47.829
Did you hear that?
00:20:47.829 --> 00:20:49.197
I'm almost hesitant to say it, but it's true.
00:20:49.197 --> 00:20:52.401
A third of the angels left their first estate
00:20:52.401 --> 00:20:55.070
And walked away from god,
00:20:55.070 --> 00:20:57.439
Who had created them as angels of light.
00:20:57.439 --> 00:21:00.742
I'm almost hesitant to read christian news sites these days
00:21:00.742 --> 00:21:04.746
Because it seems like every time i do,
00:21:04.746 --> 00:21:07.249
I read or hear of somebody else who's walked away
00:21:07.249 --> 00:21:09.618
From their faith.
00:21:09.618 --> 00:21:10.952
Recent headlines are not encouraging,
00:21:10.952 --> 00:21:14.156
And neither are the statistics.
00:21:14.156 --> 00:21:16.892
There are more than 72 million millennials
00:21:16.892 --> 00:21:20.228
In america, almost one-quarter of our population.
00:21:20.228 --> 00:21:26.101
An increasingly large percentage of that generation
00:21:26.101 --> 00:21:29.137
Has walked away from faith of any kind,
00:21:29.137 --> 00:21:32.774
Choosing to identify themselves as religious nones, n-o-n-e-s.
00:21:32.774 --> 00:21:38.947
When you check on the questionnaire,
00:21:38.947 --> 00:21:41.917
"are you a baptist, are you a presbyterian,
00:21:41.917 --> 00:21:44.119
Are you a charismatic, are you a catholic?"
00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:46.588
And the bottom part says, "none of the above,"
00:21:46.588 --> 00:21:48.990
That's where they all check-- "none of the above."
00:21:48.990 --> 00:21:52.494
In 2008, researchers noted that close to a third
00:21:52.494 --> 00:21:55.931
Of all millennials described themselves
00:21:55.931 --> 00:21:58.734
As religiously unaffiliated.
00:21:58.734 --> 00:22:01.336
And just ten years later, that number had grown to 42%.
00:22:01.336 --> 00:22:07.442
And there are more troubling numbers.
00:22:07.442 --> 00:22:09.277
Church membership in america has suffered
00:22:09.277 --> 00:22:11.279
A decades-long decline.
00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.582
No matter what you hear from church growth experts
00:22:13.582 --> 00:22:15.784
About the explosion of the church,
00:22:15.784 --> 00:22:17.986
Let me give you the truth.
00:22:17.986 --> 00:22:19.755
When gallup first measured u.s. church membership in 1937,
00:22:19.755 --> 00:22:24.459
The number came in at 73%.
00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:28.663
In early 1980s, more than 70% of american adults
00:22:28.663 --> 00:22:32.401
Were church members.
00:22:32.401 --> 00:22:34.102
In the year 2000, it was 65%. by 2010, it was 59%.
00:22:34.102 --> 00:22:41.376
And now less than half of americans, 47%,
00:22:41.376 --> 00:22:46.915
Belong to the local church.
00:22:46.915 --> 00:22:48.950
And there are corresponding declines
00:22:48.950 --> 00:22:51.186
In regular church attendance.
00:22:51.186 --> 00:22:53.288
That's not a good sign. that's not a good study.
00:22:53.288 --> 00:22:56.591
That's not a good trend.
00:22:56.591 --> 00:22:59.428
But the core issue here
00:22:59.428 --> 00:23:00.762
Isn't even people falling away from the church
00:23:00.762 --> 00:23:03.832
Or falling away from faith.
00:23:03.832 --> 00:23:05.600
We're talking, in this lesson, about falling away
00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:08.503
From jesus himself.
00:23:08.503 --> 00:23:11.173
These are people who have-- and these words are stark--
00:23:11.173 --> 00:23:14.443
"trampled the son of god underfoot,
00:23:14.443 --> 00:23:16.945
Treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant
00:23:16.945 --> 00:23:19.981
That sanctified them,
00:23:19.981 --> 00:23:21.616
And insulted the spirit of grace."
00:23:21.616 --> 00:23:24.786
Judas iscariot is the poster child
00:23:24.786 --> 00:23:26.922
For all of this.
00:23:26.922 --> 00:23:28.323
He's the best example in the bible
00:23:28.323 --> 00:23:29.925
Of someone falling away from christ.
00:23:29.925 --> 00:23:32.894
Listen to this.
00:23:32.894 --> 00:23:34.463
He was 1 of the 12 of jesus's inner circle of disciples.
00:23:34.463 --> 00:23:39.367
He had the perfect light. he had the perfect example.
00:23:39.367 --> 00:23:43.505
He had the perfect evidence.
00:23:43.505 --> 00:23:45.307
And for some three years, he lived with truth incarnate
00:23:45.307 --> 00:23:48.477
And life incarnate and he turned his back on
00:23:48.477 --> 00:23:50.946
The one who is truth and life.
00:23:50.946 --> 00:23:54.416
One of our lord's 12 disciples did that.
00:23:54.416 --> 00:23:59.287
So did a pastor here in california.
00:23:59.287 --> 00:24:01.490
After several instances of publicly criticizing
00:24:01.490 --> 00:24:04.526
The bible's view on sexuality,
00:24:04.526 --> 00:24:07.496
This man was asked to resign from his church.
00:24:07.496 --> 00:24:10.999
He also lost his teaching position
00:24:10.999 --> 00:24:12.934
At two christian universities.
00:24:12.934 --> 00:24:15.470
As a result, he decided to live
00:24:15.470 --> 00:24:16.972
For a year without god.
00:24:16.972 --> 00:24:19.174
In his words, he planned to try on atheism
00:24:19.174 --> 00:24:22.444
As a new year's resolution.
00:24:22.444 --> 00:24:25.614
"for the next 12 months, i will live
00:24:25.614 --> 00:24:27.349
As if there is no god," he wrote.
00:24:27.349 --> 00:24:29.618
"i will not pray, read the bible for inspiration,
00:24:29.618 --> 00:24:32.120
Refer to god as the cause of things,
00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:34.890
Or hope that god might intervene and change my own
00:24:34.890 --> 00:24:37.826
Or someone else's circumstances."
00:24:37.826 --> 00:24:40.862
At the end of his experiment,
00:24:40.862 --> 00:24:42.197
He officially rejected his lifelong belief,
00:24:42.197 --> 00:24:44.799
Declaring on national public radio,
00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:48.103
"i do not think that god exists."
00:24:48.103 --> 00:24:52.207
Again, this man didn't just simply fall away
00:24:52.207 --> 00:24:54.609
From the church.
00:24:54.609 --> 00:24:56.311
He didn't fall away from his faith.
00:24:56.311 --> 00:24:58.113
He chose to abandon his savior,
00:24:58.113 --> 00:25:01.650
And he was left with nothing except atheism,
00:25:01.650 --> 00:25:05.086
Which literally is faith in nothing.
00:25:05.086 --> 00:25:08.323
If jude were alive today, he would take notice,
00:25:08.323 --> 00:25:11.626
And so should we.
00:25:11.626 --> 00:25:14.729
What does this mean? what does this mean to us?
00:25:14.729 --> 00:25:18.500
When i was getting started in ministry,
00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:20.468
Apostasy was a hot topic.
00:25:20.468 --> 00:25:23.538
I remember thinking one day,
00:25:23.538 --> 00:25:24.873
If you went to one of our conventions,
00:25:24.873 --> 00:25:26.808
If somebody said, "jesus is lord,"
00:25:26.808 --> 00:25:28.410
They would yawn,
00:25:28.410 --> 00:25:29.744
But if they said, "apostasy is on the site,"
00:25:29.744 --> 00:25:31.413
Everybody would stand and cheer and pump their fists.
00:25:31.413 --> 00:25:34.482
Apostasy was a big deal.
00:25:34.482 --> 00:25:36.084
And you know what the apostasy was,
00:25:36.084 --> 00:25:37.519
What they thought it was?
00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:39.154
Well, there was the apostasy of long hair on men
00:25:39.154 --> 00:25:41.523
And short skirts on women.
00:25:41.523 --> 00:25:44.859
And there was the apostasy of dancing and going to movies.
00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:50.999
And there was the apostasy of having fellowship
00:25:50.999 --> 00:25:52.734
With other christians who did not perfectly line up
00:25:52.734 --> 00:25:55.604
With all of your personal convictions.
00:25:55.604 --> 00:25:58.373
Sometime after going to seminary,
00:25:58.373 --> 00:26:00.141
I found out what apostasy really was,
00:26:00.141 --> 00:26:03.211
And i found it to be something way more deadly
00:26:03.211 --> 00:26:05.280
Than anything i had mentioned above.
00:26:05.280 --> 00:26:06.915
In fact, true apostasy is far more deadly
00:26:06.915 --> 00:26:09.517
Than all of them put together.
00:26:09.517 --> 00:26:11.987
To be clear, apostasy is not the same thing as atheism.
00:26:11.987 --> 00:26:17.025
By "apostasy," which is the new testament word
00:26:17.025 --> 00:26:19.527
For falling away,
00:26:19.527 --> 00:26:21.196
I'm not referring to people in general
00:26:21.196 --> 00:26:23.131
Who reject christianity or deny the truth of the gospel.
00:26:23.131 --> 00:26:26.568
That's not what this is all about.
00:26:26.568 --> 00:26:28.536
Apostasy doesn't reflect the rise of atheism
00:26:28.536 --> 00:26:31.473
In and of itself,
00:26:31.473 --> 00:26:32.841
Nor does it apply to everyone who chooses religious systems
00:26:32.841 --> 00:26:36.344
Other than christianity.
00:26:36.344 --> 00:26:38.913
Instead, the concept of falling away
00:26:38.913 --> 00:26:42.550
Has a narrower focus.
00:26:42.550 --> 00:26:44.786
It applies specifically to apparent christians,
00:26:44.786 --> 00:26:49.024
To those who claim to follow jesus,
00:26:49.024 --> 00:26:51.126
But then turn their backs on him.
00:26:51.126 --> 00:26:53.495
Here is the best definition i have found for this term.
00:26:53.495 --> 00:26:57.065
This comes from the writing of john walvoord,
00:26:57.065 --> 00:26:59.334
The former president of dallas seminary.
00:26:59.334 --> 00:27:02.537
He said, "the greek word for apostasy
00:27:02.537 --> 00:27:04.606
Is found only twice in the new testament:
00:27:04.606 --> 00:27:07.742
Acts 21:21
00:27:07.742 --> 00:27:09.244
And 2 thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 3.
00:27:09.244 --> 00:27:12.747
And the word means a falling away from,
00:27:12.747 --> 00:27:16.418
A deserting or a turning from a position formerly held.
00:27:16.418 --> 00:27:21.122
Spiritual apostasy occurs when a person
00:27:21.122 --> 00:27:24.092
Who once claimed to be a believer departs
00:27:24.092 --> 00:27:26.695
From what he formerly professed to believe.
00:27:26.695 --> 00:27:29.431
An apostate is not one who was saved
00:27:29.431 --> 00:27:31.566
And lost his salvation.
00:27:31.566 --> 00:27:33.334
An apostate, though having claimed to be a believer,
00:27:33.334 --> 00:27:36.538
Never was saved in the first place."
00:27:36.538 --> 00:27:40.241
Every apostate is an unbeliever,
00:27:40.241 --> 00:27:42.911
But not every unbeliever is an apostate.
00:27:42.911 --> 00:27:45.280
Here's what i mean.
00:27:45.280 --> 00:27:46.614
There are many people who have never heard the gospel.
00:27:46.614 --> 00:27:48.183
They wouldn't know the gospel from anything.
00:27:48.183 --> 00:27:50.952
So they can't be apostate.
00:27:50.952 --> 00:27:52.387
They can't walk away from something
00:27:52.387 --> 00:27:53.722
They've never heard of before.
00:27:53.722 --> 00:27:55.690
They are unbelievers because they have not heard,
00:27:55.690 --> 00:27:58.727
But an apostate is well acquainted with the gospel.
00:27:58.727 --> 00:28:01.930
He knows more than enough to be saved,
00:28:01.930 --> 00:28:04.532
But he walks away from it anyway.
00:28:04.532 --> 00:28:08.136
In "the sun also rises," ernest hemingway said,
00:28:08.136 --> 00:28:11.673
"there are two ways to go bankrupt:
00:28:11.673 --> 00:28:14.676
Gradually and then suddenly."
00:28:14.676 --> 00:28:18.646
And it's the same with spiritual bankruptcy.
00:28:18.646 --> 00:28:21.783
We drift away gradually,
00:28:21.783 --> 00:28:24.586
And then suddenly we're out in the cold.
00:28:24.586 --> 00:28:28.156
Why am i talking about this theme of falling away?
00:28:28.156 --> 00:28:30.425
Why should i even bring it up?
00:28:30.425 --> 00:28:31.760
It seems sort of extraneous to some of you, wondering,
00:28:31.760 --> 00:28:34.262
Where is he going with this?
00:28:34.262 --> 00:28:36.765
Because the proliferation of apostasy is an important
00:28:36.765 --> 00:28:40.135
But overlooked, often, piece to the end-times puzzle.
00:28:40.135 --> 00:28:45.073
As we know from scripture, one of the signs
00:28:45.073 --> 00:28:48.543
Of the end-times is a rising number
00:28:48.543 --> 00:28:51.479
Of self-proclaimed christians
00:28:51.479 --> 00:28:54.048
Who ultimately reject christ.
00:28:54.048 --> 00:28:56.551
Let me show you where that is in the bible:
00:28:56.551 --> 00:28:59.053
2 thessalonians chapter 2, verses 1 through 3.
00:28:59.053 --> 00:29:03.224
Here's what the word of god says: "now, brethren,
00:29:03.224 --> 00:29:06.895
Concerning the coming of our lord jesus christ
00:29:06.895 --> 00:29:09.464
And our gathering together to him, we ask you,
00:29:09.464 --> 00:29:12.967
Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled,
00:29:12.967 --> 00:29:16.004
Either by spirit or by word or by letter,
00:29:16.004 --> 00:29:18.640
As from us, as though the day of christ had come."
00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:21.676
Now listen carefully: "let no one deceive you
00:29:21.676 --> 00:29:24.445
By any means; for that day will not come
00:29:24.445 --> 00:29:27.482
Unless the falling away comes first,
00:29:27.482 --> 00:29:32.887
And the man of sin is revealed,
00:29:32.887 --> 00:29:34.556
The son of perdition."
00:29:34.556 --> 00:29:36.457
This is indeed a prophecy about tomorrow
00:29:36.457 --> 00:29:40.361
That has implications for us today.
00:29:40.361 --> 00:29:44.165
This falling away that paul is writing about
00:29:44.165 --> 00:29:46.201
Is not just some gradual defection
00:29:46.201 --> 00:29:48.703
From the church.
00:29:48.703 --> 00:29:50.071
Paul calls this "the falling away,"
00:29:50.071 --> 00:29:53.675
Like it's a specific thing at a specific time,
00:29:53.675 --> 00:29:57.912
At a specific moment.
00:29:57.912 --> 00:30:00.014
Paul calls this "departure from the faith,"
00:30:00.014 --> 00:30:03.918
And it will happen, according to the scripture,
00:30:03.918 --> 00:30:06.621
During what we call the tribulation period.
00:30:06.621 --> 00:30:10.225
Now, most of you know enough about prophecy
00:30:10.225 --> 00:30:12.493
To know there's some general things
00:30:12.493 --> 00:30:13.928
You should be aware of.
00:30:13.928 --> 00:30:15.263
First of all, the next thing that's gonna happen
00:30:15.263 --> 00:30:16.664
In the future is the rapture of the church.
00:30:16.664 --> 00:30:19.467
The bible says that the lord is going to descend
00:30:19.467 --> 00:30:22.303
And take to heaven those who have put their trust in him.
00:30:22.303 --> 00:30:25.039
And that can happen at any time. there's no signs for that.
00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:27.842
It could happen before we say "amen"
00:30:27.842 --> 00:30:29.811
At the end of this service.
00:30:29.811 --> 00:30:31.246
We could go to heaven before we go home,
00:30:31.246 --> 00:30:32.847
And that would be all right,
00:30:32.847 --> 00:30:34.182
Because we'd really be home then, amen?
00:30:34.182 --> 00:30:37.852
So you don't have to worry about that.
00:30:37.852 --> 00:30:39.187
You know, you say, "well, what has got to happen
00:30:39.187 --> 00:30:40.688
Before jesus comes to get us?"
00:30:40.688 --> 00:30:42.023
Not one thing. he can come anytime.
00:30:42.023 --> 00:30:45.560
After the rapture, when the saints are all gone,
00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:48.329
On this earth, the bible teaches there's going to be
00:30:48.329 --> 00:30:50.965
A period of seven years of tribulation.
00:30:50.965 --> 00:30:54.202
This will be literally hell on earth.
00:30:54.202 --> 00:30:58.006
And it's divided into two sections--
00:30:58.006 --> 00:30:59.707
Three and a half years,
00:30:59.707 --> 00:31:01.209
The first part of the tribulation;
00:31:01.209 --> 00:31:03.011
And the last part, the last three and a half years,
00:31:03.011 --> 00:31:05.280
Is called the great tribulation.
00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:08.049
Now, when paul wrote to the thessalonians,
00:31:08.049 --> 00:31:09.784
He said, "in the tribulation period,
00:31:09.784 --> 00:31:13.354
There's going to be a great falling away,
00:31:13.354 --> 00:31:16.658
A great defection from the faith."
00:31:16.658 --> 00:31:19.827
Now, let's just suppose that this is not something
00:31:19.827 --> 00:31:23.164
That happens until the middle of the tribulation.
00:31:23.164 --> 00:31:27.402
I don't believe that's true,
00:31:27.402 --> 00:31:28.736
But let's just give ourselves a little wiggle room here.
00:31:28.736 --> 00:31:31.639
Let's say that this falling away
00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:33.741
Doesn't happen until halfway through the tribulation period.
00:31:33.741 --> 00:31:36.844
That would be three and a half years.
00:31:36.844 --> 00:31:39.213
And let's remember that the tribulation
00:31:39.213 --> 00:31:40.915
Commences immediately after the rapture of the church.
00:31:40.915 --> 00:31:43.551
Watch this.
00:31:43.551 --> 00:31:44.886
And let's not forget that the rapture
00:31:44.886 --> 00:31:46.621
Could happen at any moment,
00:31:46.621 --> 00:31:47.956
And that the tribulation is a period of seven years,
00:31:47.956 --> 00:31:49.891
So that the middle of the tribulation
00:31:49.891 --> 00:31:51.392
Is just three and a half years.
00:31:51.392 --> 00:31:53.094
If all those things are true-- and they are--
00:31:53.094 --> 00:31:55.363
The falling away could happen within our lifetime.
00:31:55.363 --> 00:31:58.700
If jesus came back today,
00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:00.101
It would happen within three and a half years.
00:32:00.101 --> 00:32:02.737
So this isn't just something way out in the future
00:32:02.737 --> 00:32:05.273
That we don't have to be concerned about.
00:32:05.273 --> 00:32:07.275
It could happen, and it could start happening
00:32:07.275 --> 00:32:09.377
Before we go to heaven.
00:32:09.377 --> 00:32:11.179
It won't fully, completely happen
00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:13.648
Until we're in heaven, but it could start happening
00:32:13.648 --> 00:32:15.550
Before then.
00:32:15.550 --> 00:32:17.885
The christians in thessalonica
00:32:17.885 --> 00:32:19.787
Were facing this kind of persecution,
00:32:19.787 --> 00:32:22.190
So they believed the last days were upon them,
00:32:22.190 --> 00:32:24.459
And they were troubled, and we should be troubled
00:32:24.459 --> 00:32:27.195
When we go through trouble, right?
00:32:27.195 --> 00:32:28.529
That's part of it.
00:32:28.529 --> 00:32:30.031
But paul wrote this letter to them to say, "look,
00:32:30.031 --> 00:32:32.133
Don't be soon troubled, because the falling away
00:32:32.133 --> 00:32:34.635
Hasn't happened yet,
00:32:34.635 --> 00:32:35.970
So you're not in the tribulation.
00:32:35.970 --> 00:32:37.472
If you're in the tribulation,
00:32:37.472 --> 00:32:38.806
The falling away would have happened,
00:32:38.806 --> 00:32:40.608
But it hasn't happened."
00:32:40.608 --> 00:32:42.610
And it hasn't happened for us yet either.
00:32:42.610 --> 00:32:45.747
You know, i sometimes hear people talk about
00:32:45.747 --> 00:32:47.382
How before jesus comes back,
00:32:47.382 --> 00:32:49.517
We're gonna have this great worldwide revival.
00:32:49.517 --> 00:32:51.819
Have you ever heard anybody say that?
00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.888
Well, i hope we do, but there's not anything
00:32:53.888 --> 00:32:57.291
In the bible about that.
00:32:57.291 --> 00:32:59.293
Somebody got their wires mixed when they started teaching that,
00:32:59.293 --> 00:33:03.598
Because that's not true.
00:33:03.598 --> 00:33:04.932
You know what is in the bible?
00:33:04.932 --> 00:33:06.267
In the bible it says there's gonna be
00:33:06.267 --> 00:33:07.602
A great defection from the faith
00:33:07.602 --> 00:33:08.936
Before jesus comes back.
00:33:08.936 --> 00:33:11.205
And there is gonna be a revival
00:33:11.205 --> 00:33:12.840
In the tribulation period.
00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:14.175
You know why?
00:33:14.175 --> 00:33:15.510
A hundred and forty-four thousand jewish witnesses
00:33:15.510 --> 00:33:17.045
Are gonna be let loose on the earth.
00:33:17.045 --> 00:33:18.813
If you can't get a revival with that, there's no hope.
00:33:18.813 --> 00:33:21.983
And two witnesses, two special witnesses,
00:33:21.983 --> 00:33:24.018
Are gonna do miraculous things.
00:33:24.018 --> 00:33:26.187
And the bible says that thousands
00:33:26.187 --> 00:33:28.122
Will come to christ during the tribulation period,
00:33:28.122 --> 00:33:31.125
But not before we go to heaven.
00:33:31.125 --> 00:33:33.461
Could there be a great awakening?
00:33:33.461 --> 00:33:35.229
I believe there could be,
00:33:35.229 --> 00:33:36.564
And i pray that there would be every day,
00:33:36.564 --> 00:33:38.433
Because that would just give us a few more years
00:33:38.433 --> 00:33:40.301
To preach the gospel.
00:33:40.301 --> 00:33:41.936
Sometimes i think we might be on the edge of it,
00:33:41.936 --> 00:33:43.871
And then sometimes i think it's so far away
00:33:43.871 --> 00:33:45.740
You'll never see it.
00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:48.009
But what i want you to know is this:
00:33:48.009 --> 00:33:49.777
While the scripture does not prophesy
00:33:49.777 --> 00:33:52.647
A great revival,
00:33:52.647 --> 00:33:54.048
That doesn't mean there couldn't be one,
00:33:54.048 --> 00:33:56.217
But what you need to know what the scripture does prophesy
00:33:56.217 --> 00:33:58.953
Is there will be a defection at the end of the age.
00:33:58.953 --> 00:34:04.292
So here is this prophecy in thessalonians,
00:34:04.292 --> 00:34:09.197
And john put it this way.
00:34:09.197 --> 00:34:11.599
This is really a very specific verse--1 john 2:18-19.
00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:17.171
He said, "it is the last hour;
00:34:17.171 --> 00:34:19.640
And as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
00:34:19.640 --> 00:34:22.777
Even now many antichrists have come,
00:34:22.777 --> 00:34:24.679
By which we know that it is the last hour.
00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:28.416
They went out from us, they were not of us;
00:34:28.416 --> 00:34:33.020
For if they had been of us, they would have continued
00:34:33.020 --> 00:34:36.390
With us."
00:34:36.390 --> 00:34:37.725
John said there are many people who were in the church
00:34:37.725 --> 00:34:40.194
And they went out and they became part of the false gospel.
00:34:40.194 --> 00:34:44.198
He said they went out because they were never
00:34:44.198 --> 00:34:46.901
A part of us.
00:34:46.901 --> 00:34:48.236
They went out from us, but they were never of us.
00:34:48.236 --> 00:34:51.105
How many of you know that in our churches today
00:34:51.105 --> 00:34:52.907
There are many people who are with us
00:34:52.907 --> 00:34:55.910
But they're not from us, they're not of us?
00:34:55.910 --> 00:34:57.879
They come to church, they hang around the edges,
00:34:57.879 --> 00:34:59.914
They love the excitement of the church,
00:34:59.914 --> 00:35:02.884
They love the joy of the church,
00:35:02.884 --> 00:35:04.852
They love the comfort of the church,
00:35:04.852 --> 00:35:06.587
But if they've never accepted jesus christ,
00:35:06.587 --> 00:35:08.623
They're not of the church.
00:35:08.623 --> 00:35:10.758
And it's possible just to be around the edges.
00:35:10.758 --> 00:35:13.494
And then the problem is when trouble really comes
00:35:13.494 --> 00:35:16.197
And stress comes,
00:35:16.197 --> 00:35:18.499
A lot of things are revealed that you would never imagine.
00:35:18.499 --> 00:35:22.670
How can this happen?
00:35:22.670 --> 00:35:24.005
How could anyone who has tasted the goodness of christ
00:35:24.005 --> 00:35:26.407
In the church and the love of god,
00:35:26.407 --> 00:35:29.076
How could they ever fall away?
00:35:29.076 --> 00:35:31.379
Well, i'm gonna give you three things that could happen,
00:35:31.379 --> 00:35:33.814
And i think they all are in play.
00:35:33.814 --> 00:35:35.850
Why do some people get discouraged
00:35:35.850 --> 00:35:37.318
And walk away from their faith?
00:35:37.318 --> 00:35:39.520
First of all, some people fall away
00:35:39.520 --> 00:35:41.255
Because they're deceived.
00:35:41.255 --> 00:35:44.192
There are many deceivers out there today.
00:35:44.192 --> 00:35:45.893
Can i get a witness?
00:35:45.893 --> 00:35:48.396
But the most dangerous ones aren't the cheats
00:35:48.396 --> 00:35:50.665
Who take our money, as bad as that is.
00:35:50.665 --> 00:35:53.067
There's a scam every day somewhere.
00:35:53.067 --> 00:35:55.203
You gotta be careful how you answer the phone,
00:35:55.203 --> 00:35:58.039
What questions you answer.
00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.373
You all know about that.
00:35:59.373 --> 00:36:00.708
There's all kinds of stuff like that going on.
00:36:00.708 --> 00:36:02.577
But that's not the worst.
00:36:02.577 --> 00:36:03.945
It's the ones who operate in the spiritual realm.
00:36:03.945 --> 00:36:06.714
According to the bible, spiritual deception
00:36:06.714 --> 00:36:09.217
Will cause many to fall away from christ
00:36:09.217 --> 00:36:12.520
In the days leading up to the end-times.
00:36:12.520 --> 00:36:15.423
1 timothy 4:1-2 says it this way:
00:36:15.423 --> 00:36:18.626
"now the spirit expressly says that in latter times
00:36:18.626 --> 00:36:22.730
Some will depart from the faith,
00:36:22.730 --> 00:36:25.633
Giving heed to deceiving spirits
00:36:25.633 --> 00:36:28.202
And doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy,
00:36:28.202 --> 00:36:31.973
Having their own conscience seared with a hot iron."
00:36:31.973 --> 00:36:35.676
According to this passage of scripture,
00:36:35.676 --> 00:36:37.645
There are unseen demonic forces that are operating in our world,
00:36:37.645 --> 00:36:41.682
Enticing and deceiving people into abandoning faith in christ.
00:36:41.682 --> 00:36:46.387
Their influence, even in the church,
00:36:46.387 --> 00:36:47.955
Will only increase as we draw near
00:36:47.955 --> 00:36:50.658
To the end of history.
00:36:50.658 --> 00:36:52.793
It's overwhelming to see the deception
00:36:52.793 --> 00:36:55.730
That's going on within the church.
00:36:55.730 --> 00:36:57.064
You can watch it. you can see it.
00:36:57.064 --> 00:36:59.467
Maybe it's touched you or your family.
00:36:59.467 --> 00:37:01.802
You've been victimized by it.
00:37:01.802 --> 00:37:04.238
The passage in 1 timothy warns of false teachers
00:37:04.238 --> 00:37:07.308
Who traffic in lies and hypocrisy.
00:37:07.308 --> 00:37:10.544
These men and women attempt to cause spiritual damage
00:37:10.544 --> 00:37:14.282
And to manipulate god's people for their own purposes.
00:37:14.282 --> 00:37:19.220
They're cold, they're callous,
00:37:19.220 --> 00:37:21.455
And they're calculating.
00:37:21.455 --> 00:37:22.857
And paul says they don't even have a conscience anymore.
00:37:22.857 --> 00:37:25.693
It's been seared.
00:37:25.693 --> 00:37:27.528
They have lost moral sensitivity,
00:37:27.528 --> 00:37:29.730
And their spiritual compasses are broken.
00:37:29.730 --> 00:37:33.467
That's the reason why some people fall away.
00:37:33.467 --> 00:37:35.670
They get caught up in a spiritual scam.
00:37:35.670 --> 00:37:39.106
Can i get a witness?
00:37:39.106 --> 00:37:40.975
Some people fall away because they're disillusioned.
00:37:40.975 --> 00:37:44.545
Here's a little parable that you all know,
00:37:44.545 --> 00:37:46.247
And i'm just gonna extract some things from this parable
00:37:46.247 --> 00:37:48.115
And make some assumptions along the way,
00:37:48.115 --> 00:37:49.450
But i believe they're accurate.
00:37:49.450 --> 00:37:51.819
In luke 8, jesus told a parable illustrating
00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:54.522
The reasons why people fall away from the gospel.
00:37:54.522 --> 00:37:58.025
You know the parable.
00:37:58.025 --> 00:37:59.427
He said there was this farmer who went out to sow seed,
00:37:59.427 --> 00:38:01.595
And he broadcast it over a wide area,
00:38:01.595 --> 00:38:03.864
And some of the seed fell on pathway or on road
00:38:03.864 --> 00:38:06.367
Where it was trampled down.
00:38:06.367 --> 00:38:08.602
Other seed fell on a rocky soil,
00:38:08.602 --> 00:38:10.638
And as soon as the plants sprang up, they withered away,
00:38:10.638 --> 00:38:12.807
Having no root.
00:38:12.807 --> 00:38:14.141
And some seed fell in a thorny patch
00:38:14.141 --> 00:38:15.943
And were choked by briars,
00:38:15.943 --> 00:38:17.978
And some of the seed fell on prepared soil,
00:38:17.978 --> 00:38:20.114
Yielding a great harvest.
00:38:20.114 --> 00:38:22.650
When the lord's disciple asked him to explain the parable,
00:38:22.650 --> 00:38:26.020
He revealed that the seed represented the gospel message.
00:38:26.020 --> 00:38:29.590
Here is jesus's explanation of what that story means.
00:38:29.590 --> 00:38:33.728
He said, "those by the wayside are the ones who hear;
00:38:33.728 --> 00:38:37.865
And the devil comes and takes away the word
00:38:37.865 --> 00:38:40.334
Out of their heart,
00:38:40.334 --> 00:38:41.869
Lest they should believe and be saved.
00:38:41.869 --> 00:38:44.205
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear,
00:38:44.205 --> 00:38:46.974
Receive the word with joy;
00:38:46.974 --> 00:38:48.709
And have no root, who believe for a while,
00:38:48.709 --> 00:38:50.878
In time of temptation fall away.
00:38:50.878 --> 00:38:53.214
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who,
00:38:53.214 --> 00:38:55.249
When they have heard, go out and are choked
00:38:55.249 --> 00:38:57.618
With cares and riches and pleasures of life,
00:38:57.618 --> 00:39:00.287
And bring no fruit to maturity."
00:39:00.287 --> 00:39:01.922
Here's what jesus was saying:
00:39:01.922 --> 00:39:03.891
The first reason people walk away from the gospel
00:39:03.891 --> 00:39:06.927
Is that the devil comes and takes the word
00:39:06.927 --> 00:39:09.196
Out of their hearts.
00:39:09.196 --> 00:39:10.531
Did you know that?
00:39:10.531 --> 00:39:11.866
I sometimes have prayed, "lord, don't let the devil steal
00:39:11.866 --> 00:39:14.568
The word of god from the people of god
00:39:14.568 --> 00:39:16.370
Before they get to the parking lot."
00:39:16.370 --> 00:39:20.174
Because i think that he's really active
00:39:20.174 --> 00:39:22.209
At the end of a service.
00:39:22.209 --> 00:39:24.178
Whatever you heard that maybe touched your heart
00:39:24.178 --> 00:39:26.447
Or caused you to think something that you should think.
00:39:26.447 --> 00:39:28.749
If you're not careful,
00:39:28.749 --> 00:39:30.084
Before you get out of this place,
00:39:30.084 --> 00:39:31.419
The devil will come and steal right out of your heart.
00:39:31.419 --> 00:39:34.622
The second reason is more complicated.
00:39:34.622 --> 00:39:36.724
Jesus describes those who hear the gospel
00:39:36.724 --> 00:39:39.260
And they receive the word with joy.
00:39:39.260 --> 00:39:41.462
Listen to that. that means they're emotional.
00:39:41.462 --> 00:39:45.299
And these people are genuinely excited
00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:47.134
About christianity.
00:39:47.134 --> 00:39:48.502
They've seen the brokenness of the world,
00:39:48.502 --> 00:39:50.037
And they felt the brokenness in their own spirit,
00:39:50.037 --> 00:39:52.006
And they know there must be something better.
00:39:52.006 --> 00:39:55.943
And these people encounter the truth,
00:39:55.943 --> 00:39:57.445
And they receive the message with joy,
00:39:57.445 --> 00:39:59.146
And they're all excited, and they see a pathway
00:39:59.146 --> 00:40:01.549
To peace and purpose and meaning.
00:40:01.549 --> 00:40:03.250
It's what they've always been looking for,
00:40:03.250 --> 00:40:06.554
But stony-ground believers have no root.
00:40:06.554 --> 00:40:09.623
So when times of testing come, the bible says they fall away.
00:40:09.623 --> 00:40:14.728
Many of these people are not looking for a savior;
00:40:14.728 --> 00:40:16.897
They're looking for a solution.
00:40:16.897 --> 00:40:19.934
They want their problems to go away,
00:40:19.934 --> 00:40:21.936
And they don't want to surrender anything to get that.
00:40:21.936 --> 00:40:23.871
They want the blessings of belief
00:40:23.871 --> 00:40:25.639
Without the burden of swimming against the cultural stream.
00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:29.910
And they like the idea of the gospel,
00:40:29.910 --> 00:40:31.412
But they lack a personal commitment to christ.
00:40:31.412 --> 00:40:34.515
Sooner or later, when they begin to be disillusioned,
00:40:34.515 --> 00:40:37.051
Disenchanted, and disappointed, they just fall away.
00:40:37.051 --> 00:40:41.555
I know people like that.
00:40:41.555 --> 00:40:43.324
Sometimes the people that are most emotional about being saved
00:40:43.324 --> 00:40:46.827
Are the same people who are the most emotional
00:40:46.827 --> 00:40:48.429
About what happens to them
00:40:48.429 --> 00:40:49.763
When anything comes into their life
00:40:49.763 --> 00:40:51.098
They're not expecting.
00:40:51.098 --> 00:40:52.433
And how many of you know god gets blamed for everything?
00:40:52.433 --> 00:40:55.870
Some people fall away because they're deceived,
00:40:55.870 --> 00:40:57.805
Others because they're disillusioned,
00:40:57.805 --> 00:40:59.940
And the last one is probably where a lot of us would fit
00:40:59.940 --> 00:41:02.343
If we're in any of these categories.
00:41:02.343 --> 00:41:04.411
Some fall away because they're distracted.
00:41:04.411 --> 00:41:07.314
Jesus's third explanation for the parable of the sower
00:41:07.314 --> 00:41:10.150
Points to another reason why apostasy's been prevalent
00:41:10.150 --> 00:41:13.053
Throughout history.
00:41:13.053 --> 00:41:14.555
Verse 14 of luke 8 says,
00:41:14.555 --> 00:41:16.223
"now the ones that fell among thorns are those who,
00:41:16.223 --> 00:41:20.261
When they have heard, go out and are choked
00:41:20.261 --> 00:41:22.763
With cares and the pleasures of life,
00:41:22.763 --> 00:41:25.866
And they bring no fruit to maturity."
00:41:25.866 --> 00:41:28.802
Jesus said many fall away simply because they get distracted.
00:41:28.802 --> 00:41:33.040
When forced to choose between spiritual things,
00:41:33.040 --> 00:41:35.376
Following christ,
00:41:35.376 --> 00:41:36.710
And physical cares and riches and pleasures of life,
00:41:36.710 --> 00:41:39.680
They can't see past their own noses.
00:41:39.680 --> 00:41:42.216
They allow the pull of desire to lead them.
00:41:42.216 --> 00:41:45.219
They let go of their faith in order to grab
00:41:45.219 --> 00:41:47.321
All that the world has, and they grab with both hands,
00:41:47.321 --> 00:41:49.356
And there's nothing left to hold on to jesus with.
00:41:49.356 --> 00:41:52.960
I know that's not a pretty picture,
00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.295
But what god has chosen us to be here for as his witnesses,
00:41:54.295 --> 00:41:57.698
This is a critical thing.
00:41:57.698 --> 00:41:59.066
So as francis schaeffer once said,
00:41:59.066 --> 00:42:00.834
How should we then live with all this going on?
00:42:00.834 --> 00:42:02.703
What should we do? well, i'll tell you one thing.
00:42:02.703 --> 00:42:04.905
It's sure easy to be discouraged
00:42:04.905 --> 00:42:07.174
If you consider the prevalence of this
00:42:07.174 --> 00:42:09.243
In the church and in the world,
00:42:09.243 --> 00:42:10.811
If you're a pastor especially.
00:42:10.811 --> 00:42:13.247
Ladies and gentlemen, apostasy is not like an illness.
00:42:13.247 --> 00:42:16.183
It's not something that happens to you
00:42:16.183 --> 00:42:17.518
Out of the blue.
00:42:17.518 --> 00:42:18.852
It's a choice.
00:42:18.852 --> 00:42:20.187
It's a decision you make based on your own values
00:42:20.187 --> 00:42:22.590
And priorities.
00:42:22.590 --> 00:42:24.058
So what can we do today--
00:42:24.058 --> 00:42:26.393
Based on all that we've just heard and talked about,
00:42:26.393 --> 00:42:29.129
What can we do to protect ourselves
00:42:29.129 --> 00:42:30.631
From what might be happening to us as a culture?
00:42:30.631 --> 00:42:33.500
How can we make sure that we are never
00:42:33.500 --> 00:42:35.235
Among those who fall away?
00:42:35.235 --> 00:42:36.570
I know this: there's not a person in this room who,
00:42:36.570 --> 00:42:38.973
If you sat down and talked with them and said,
00:42:38.973 --> 00:42:40.407
"would you like to be among those who fall away?"
00:42:40.407 --> 00:42:42.076
Nobody would say yes, nobody wants to do that.
00:42:42.076 --> 00:42:45.179
It's nobody's purpose to do that.
00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:47.281
You have children who've done that.
00:42:47.281 --> 00:42:48.616
You have friends who've done that.
00:42:48.616 --> 00:42:49.950
You know the pain of that.
00:42:49.950 --> 00:42:51.285
You don't want anything to do with that.
00:42:51.285 --> 00:42:52.620
So how do we protect ourselves from that happening to us
00:42:52.620 --> 00:42:55.055
And to the people we love?
00:42:55.055 --> 00:42:56.390
First of all, examine yourselves.
00:42:56.390 --> 00:42:58.759
That's what the scripture says.
00:42:58.759 --> 00:43:00.628
2 corinthians 13:5: "examine yourselves
00:43:00.628 --> 00:43:04.765
As to whether or not you're in the faith.
00:43:04.765 --> 00:43:07.401
Test yourselves.
00:43:07.401 --> 00:43:08.736
Do you not know yourselves that jesus christ is in you?"
00:43:08.736 --> 00:43:13.540
The most important thing you can do
00:43:13.540 --> 00:43:15.175
In response to this message
00:43:15.175 --> 00:43:16.510
Is to make sure that you are truly a christian.
00:43:16.510 --> 00:43:20.180
And you are not a christian just because you grew up
00:43:20.180 --> 00:43:22.383
In the church.
00:43:22.383 --> 00:43:23.951
You are not a christian just because your parents
00:43:23.951 --> 00:43:25.285
Are christians.
00:43:25.285 --> 00:43:26.787
You are not a christian because you've lived
00:43:26.787 --> 00:43:28.122
A good life.
00:43:28.122 --> 00:43:29.456
You are not a christian because you have served
00:43:29.456 --> 00:43:30.991
In the church and done great things for god.
00:43:30.991 --> 00:43:34.795
One of the most sobering passages in the bible
00:43:34.795 --> 00:43:37.164
Is found in matthew chapter 7.
00:43:37.164 --> 00:43:39.700
Here's what it says: "not everyone who says to me,
00:43:39.700 --> 00:43:42.269
'lord, lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
00:43:42.269 --> 00:43:45.139
But he who does the will of my father in heaven.
00:43:45.139 --> 00:43:48.208
Many," said jesus, "will say to me in that day,
00:43:48.208 --> 00:43:50.711
'lord, lord, have we not prophesied in your name?
00:43:50.711 --> 00:43:54.114
Have we not cast out demons in your name?
00:43:54.114 --> 00:43:56.617
Have we not done many wonders in your name?'
00:43:56.617 --> 00:43:59.753
And i will say to them, 'i never knew you,
00:43:59.753 --> 00:44:02.856
Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
00:44:02.856 --> 00:44:07.294
Is there a more stark, frightening verse than that?
00:44:07.294 --> 00:44:12.166
Jesus is not saying that good works do not matter.
00:44:12.166 --> 00:44:15.302
What he is saying is that good works
00:44:15.302 --> 00:44:16.970
Will not get you to heaven.
00:44:16.970 --> 00:44:19.006
If you want to read more about this,
00:44:19.006 --> 00:44:20.741
I suggest you read the book of james
00:44:20.741 --> 00:44:22.342
When you get home today.
00:44:22.342 --> 00:44:24.545
But go back to the 2 corinthians passage.
00:44:24.545 --> 00:44:26.747
It says, "do you not know that christ is in you?"
00:44:26.747 --> 00:44:30.584
Let me ask you that question.
00:44:30.584 --> 00:44:31.919
Do you know that christ is in you?
00:44:31.919 --> 00:44:33.787
Have you put your trust in him?
00:44:33.787 --> 00:44:35.122
Are you certain that he's living in your heart,
00:44:35.122 --> 00:44:37.524
That it's not some cultural christianity?
00:44:37.524 --> 00:44:39.593
Sometimes people grow up in christian families
00:44:39.593 --> 00:44:41.662
And they think, "well, my parents were christians.
00:44:41.662 --> 00:44:43.697
My brothers and sisters are christians.
00:44:43.697 --> 00:44:45.132
I must be a christian too."
00:44:45.132 --> 00:44:46.467
Not.
00:44:46.467 --> 00:44:48.969
God doesn't have any grandchildren.
00:44:48.969 --> 00:44:50.637
He just has children.
00:44:50.637 --> 00:44:54.341
So that's the most important thing.
00:44:54.341 --> 00:44:56.810
Has there ever been a time in your life
00:44:56.810 --> 00:44:58.278
When you have personally invited christ
00:44:58.278 --> 00:45:00.114
To forgive you of your sin and become your savior?
00:45:00.114 --> 00:45:02.649
That is what matters.
00:45:02.649 --> 00:45:03.984
That is what determines whether you are a true christian
00:45:03.984 --> 00:45:06.553
Or a christian in name only.
00:45:06.553 --> 00:45:08.422
That's the one thing.
00:45:08.422 --> 00:45:09.757
If you get that straight, you will never fall away.
00:45:09.757 --> 00:45:13.560
Number two, encourage yourselves.
00:45:13.560 --> 00:45:16.764
I love this.
00:45:16.764 --> 00:45:18.098
In 1 samuel 36, we read this about david.
00:45:18.098 --> 00:45:20.033
David was in one big mess. he was in a fight for his life.
00:45:20.033 --> 00:45:24.271
His troops were all fighting with him.
00:45:24.271 --> 00:45:26.473
They left camp one day.
00:45:26.473 --> 00:45:27.808
When they came back,
00:45:27.808 --> 00:45:29.143
All their families had been taken,
00:45:29.143 --> 00:45:30.477
Including their wives and their children.
00:45:30.477 --> 00:45:32.846
And david's their leader,
00:45:32.846 --> 00:45:34.181
And you can imagine how that went through the camp.
00:45:34.181 --> 00:45:35.616
And they hated david. they turned on him.
00:45:35.616 --> 00:45:37.317
They were gonna kill him. he had nobody.
00:45:37.317 --> 00:45:39.987
He was totally all by himself.
00:45:39.987 --> 00:45:41.488
And this is what it says: "but david strengthened himself
00:45:41.488 --> 00:45:45.692
In the lord his god."
00:45:45.692 --> 00:45:48.061
Sometimes we get so discouraged
00:45:48.061 --> 00:45:50.430
That we begin to entertain doubts.
00:45:50.430 --> 00:45:53.400
That's when we have to follow david's example
00:45:53.400 --> 00:45:55.435
And encourage ourselves in the lord.
00:45:55.435 --> 00:45:58.405
Life had reduced david's options to one.
00:45:58.405 --> 00:46:00.874
Sooner or later, life does that to every one of us.
00:46:00.874 --> 00:46:03.443
And the solution for every person is the same.
00:46:03.443 --> 00:46:06.046
When david's men turned on him in their despair,
00:46:06.046 --> 00:46:09.249
He encouraged himself in the lord.
00:46:09.249 --> 00:46:11.752
When our faith is faltering,
00:46:11.752 --> 00:46:13.220
That is when we need to turn to god.
00:46:13.220 --> 00:46:15.022
There may not be anyone else around
00:46:15.022 --> 00:46:16.356
In whom you can place your trust,
00:46:16.356 --> 00:46:17.958
But you can trust god, so place your trust in him
00:46:17.958 --> 00:46:20.694
And encourage yourself in your faith,
00:46:20.694 --> 00:46:22.729
Strengthen yourself in your faith.
00:46:22.729 --> 00:46:24.731
You will notice that all these passages
00:46:24.731 --> 00:46:26.600
Use the word "yourself."
00:46:26.600 --> 00:46:29.369
You must not wait for someone else
00:46:29.369 --> 00:46:30.871
To do this for you.
00:46:30.871 --> 00:46:32.206
This is your responsibility, yourself.
00:46:32.206 --> 00:46:36.043
There are some things we need to do.
00:46:36.043 --> 00:46:37.377
First of all, we need to examine ourselves
00:46:37.377 --> 00:46:40.080
And make sure we're in the faith.
00:46:40.080 --> 00:46:41.415
You can all do that.
00:46:41.415 --> 00:46:42.749
In fact, you don't probably have to do
00:46:42.749 --> 00:46:44.084
Much of an examination.
00:46:44.084 --> 00:46:45.419
You already know.
00:46:45.419 --> 00:46:46.753
Secondly, encourage yourself.
00:46:46.753 --> 00:46:48.755
You say, "well, i'm kind of down now about my faith."
00:46:48.755 --> 00:46:50.791
Well, i'm sorry about that, but you know,
00:46:50.791 --> 00:46:52.659
There's not anybody gonna rush to your help,
00:46:52.659 --> 00:46:54.361
So learn how to do it yourself.
00:46:54.361 --> 00:46:57.064
Learn how to take care of yourself in the word of god.
00:46:57.064 --> 00:46:59.066
Learn how to take care of yourself in building up
00:46:59.066 --> 00:47:01.235
Your most holy faith.
00:47:01.235 --> 00:47:02.903
It's good to have people help you.
00:47:02.903 --> 00:47:04.271
It's wonderful to be in a small group
00:47:04.271 --> 00:47:05.606
Where somebody encourages you,
00:47:05.606 --> 00:47:06.940
But that's not always gonna happen.
00:47:06.940 --> 00:47:08.642
So you better learn how to take care of yourself.
00:47:08.642 --> 00:47:11.879
Number three, this one you'll love:
00:47:11.879 --> 00:47:14.381
Exercise yourself.
00:47:14.381 --> 00:47:17.484
I love this verse: "exercise yourself
00:47:17.484 --> 00:47:20.153
Toward godliness," 1 timothy 4:7-8,
00:47:20.153 --> 00:47:25.225
"for bodily exercise profits little,
00:47:25.225 --> 00:47:27.561
But godliness is profitable for all things,
00:47:27.561 --> 00:47:29.963
Having promise of the life that now is
00:47:29.963 --> 00:47:32.065
And of that which is to come."
00:47:32.065 --> 00:47:33.767
If you want to stay confident and strong in your faith,
00:47:33.767 --> 00:47:37.137
It is important that you keep growing in your faith.
00:47:37.137 --> 00:47:41.241
Stagnant faith is the devil's playground,
00:47:41.241 --> 00:47:43.710
And he will fill your heart and mind with doubts.
00:47:43.710 --> 00:47:46.013
Just when you really need god,
00:47:46.013 --> 00:47:47.614
It will occur to you that he has not been very important to you
00:47:47.614 --> 00:47:50.784
Late in life.
00:47:50.784 --> 00:47:52.486
Some of you walked with the lord really closely,
00:47:52.486 --> 00:47:54.288
But you've gotten so busy with everything,
00:47:54.288 --> 00:47:55.856
And maybe your business is in trouble
00:47:55.856 --> 00:47:57.291
And you got family problems and all that.
00:47:57.291 --> 00:47:58.992
And you say, "well, i'm just gonna put god on hold
00:47:58.992 --> 00:48:01.295
Until i get through this."
00:48:01.295 --> 00:48:02.629
The worst thing you could ever do.
00:48:02.629 --> 00:48:04.431
When you're thinking that you can get by without god,
00:48:04.431 --> 00:48:07.200
That's the time when you need him the most.
00:48:07.200 --> 00:48:10.370
Andrew murray wrote this powerful paragraph.
00:48:10.370 --> 00:48:13.774
I don't want you to miss this.
00:48:13.774 --> 00:48:15.809
He said, "in commerce, in study, and in war,
00:48:15.809 --> 00:48:19.146
It is so often said
00:48:19.146 --> 00:48:20.514
There is no safety but in advance.
00:48:20.514 --> 00:48:24.017
To stand still is to go back,
00:48:24.017 --> 00:48:25.886
To cease effort is to lose ground,
00:48:25.886 --> 00:48:27.788
To slacken the pace before the goal is reached,
00:48:27.788 --> 00:48:30.023
Is to lose the race.
00:48:30.023 --> 00:48:31.959
The only sure mark of our being true christians,
00:48:31.959 --> 00:48:34.428
Of our really loving christ, is the deep longing
00:48:34.428 --> 00:48:37.698
And the steady effort to know him more.
00:48:37.698 --> 00:48:40.334
Tens of thousands have proved
00:48:40.334 --> 00:48:42.135
That to be content with beginning well
00:48:42.135 --> 00:48:44.004
Is the first step on a backward course
00:48:44.004 --> 00:48:47.007
That ends in losing everything.
00:48:47.007 --> 00:48:48.709
The whole point of the argument is let's press on."
00:48:48.709 --> 00:48:51.745
What is he saying?
00:48:51.745 --> 00:48:53.080
He's saying the best thing you can do to assure yourself
00:48:53.080 --> 00:48:55.582
Of your walk with the lord is just keep walking with him.
00:48:55.582 --> 00:48:58.151
Set new goals for the things you're gonna do with christ.
00:48:58.151 --> 00:49:00.988
Ask him every day, "lord, what can i do for you?
00:49:00.988 --> 00:49:02.889
How can i be a part of what you're doing?
00:49:02.889 --> 00:49:04.691
Show me the way to be involved in the kingdom."
00:49:04.691 --> 00:49:07.594
If you just wanna be a bystander and sit on the sideline,
00:49:07.594 --> 00:49:10.097
You are a target.
00:49:10.097 --> 00:49:11.865
If you're gonna be a target, at least be a moving one, right?
00:49:11.865 --> 00:49:15.702
Moving forward, moving forward
00:49:15.702 --> 00:49:17.871
To do something for god.
00:49:17.871 --> 00:49:19.873
Earlier in this message, i mentioned the book of jude,
00:49:19.873 --> 00:49:23.176
The small one-page letter near the end of the bible.
00:49:23.176 --> 00:49:26.046
It's a great little letter.
00:49:26.046 --> 00:49:28.248
Most people don't ever read it or preach on it.
00:49:28.248 --> 00:49:31.251
But jude was writing to christians
00:49:31.251 --> 00:49:32.886
Who were having all kinds of pressure in their life.
00:49:32.886 --> 00:49:36.356
Most of the leaders of the early church
00:49:36.356 --> 00:49:37.958
Had been killed-- peter, paul, and james--
00:49:37.958 --> 00:49:42.396
Which left both churches and individual christians
00:49:42.396 --> 00:49:45.165
Feeling very vulnerable, as you can imagine.
00:49:45.165 --> 00:49:49.536
In the darkness of that moment,
00:49:49.536 --> 00:49:50.937
Jude wrote this letter and provided a ray of hope.
00:49:50.937 --> 00:49:54.041
In just two verses near the end
00:49:54.041 --> 00:49:55.442
Of his tiny little epistle, he explained to christians
00:49:55.442 --> 00:49:58.245
How to remain committed to christ
00:49:58.245 --> 00:49:59.780
During a time of apostasy.
00:49:59.780 --> 00:50:01.548
Here's what he said: "but you, beloved,
00:50:01.548 --> 00:50:05.252
Building yourselves up on your most holy faith,
00:50:05.252 --> 00:50:08.855
Keep yourselves in the love of god."
00:50:08.855 --> 00:50:12.759
Jude was speaking to christians,
00:50:12.759 --> 00:50:14.327
And the phrase "building yourselves up"
00:50:14.327 --> 00:50:16.196
Conveys the idea of not just a one-time event
00:50:16.196 --> 00:50:19.800
But a rather lifelong process.
00:50:19.800 --> 00:50:21.635
In other words, jude tells us to keep building ourselves up,
00:50:21.635 --> 00:50:25.338
To keep our eyes wide open to what we're doing
00:50:25.338 --> 00:50:28.208
To strengthening ourselves spiritually.
00:50:28.208 --> 00:50:30.410
If we keep building ourselves up,
00:50:30.410 --> 00:50:32.679
We will not be targets for the enemy
00:50:32.679 --> 00:50:36.149
To pull us away from our faith.
00:50:36.149 --> 00:50:38.652
You know, it's possible to start out well,
00:50:38.652 --> 00:50:41.621
To love jesus with all of your heart,
00:50:41.621 --> 00:50:44.324
And then all of a sudden, one day you realize things
00:50:44.324 --> 00:50:46.560
Aren't the way they used to be.
00:50:46.560 --> 00:50:47.894
That's what happened to the people in ephesus.
00:50:47.894 --> 00:50:49.996
And god had warned them, and john wrote this
00:50:49.996 --> 00:50:52.466
In revelation 2.
00:50:52.466 --> 00:50:53.800
He said, "nevertheless i have this against you,
00:50:53.800 --> 00:50:55.769
That you have left your first love.
00:50:55.769 --> 00:50:57.804
Remember from where you have fallen;
00:50:57.804 --> 00:50:59.840
Repent and do the first works."
00:50:59.840 --> 00:51:02.909
John said to the people in ephesus,
00:51:02.909 --> 00:51:04.311
At one time you were really red hot for god.
00:51:04.311 --> 00:51:06.646
You were on fire.
00:51:06.646 --> 00:51:07.981
Church was open for something that needed to be done,
00:51:07.981 --> 00:51:10.117
And you were the first one to volunteer.
00:51:10.117 --> 00:51:11.852
Anything that could help move the ball forward for christ,
00:51:11.852 --> 00:51:14.788
You were on the team.
00:51:14.788 --> 00:51:16.189
But then suddenly a lot of other things came along,
00:51:16.189 --> 00:51:18.125
Like we read about in the parable.
00:51:18.125 --> 00:51:19.826
You were choked out by everything that's going on
00:51:19.826 --> 00:51:21.628
In the world.
00:51:21.628 --> 00:51:22.963
And if you're not careful, your faith can be marginalized
00:51:22.963 --> 00:51:26.399
Until it really has no impact on your life at all.
00:51:26.399 --> 00:51:29.369
That's what john told these people in ephesus--
00:51:29.369 --> 00:51:32.139
That--it was so cold.
00:51:32.139 --> 00:51:34.341
Their faith had grown cold.
00:51:34.341 --> 00:51:37.310
Maybe it's time for you to do a little self-examination
00:51:37.310 --> 00:51:39.779
And ask yourself, "am i walking like i once did,
00:51:39.779 --> 00:51:41.882
Or have i allowed all these things
00:51:41.882 --> 00:51:43.550
To push me away from the god that loved me so much
00:51:43.550 --> 00:51:46.520
That he gave me his son?"
00:51:46.520 --> 00:51:48.655
I'm gonna tell you a story about a young girl named
00:51:48.655 --> 00:51:50.757
Leeadianez rodriguez-espada,
00:51:50.757 --> 00:51:55.295
Arrived late for the wegmans family 5k
00:51:55.295 --> 00:51:57.797
On a brisk spring morning in rochester, new york.
00:51:57.797 --> 00:52:01.768
She was 12 years old at the time.
00:52:01.768 --> 00:52:04.504
Her mother dropped her off at the starting line
00:52:04.504 --> 00:52:06.606
Before leaving to find a place
00:52:06.606 --> 00:52:08.808
So she could cheer her on as she ran the 5k that morning.
00:52:08.808 --> 00:52:14.147
The mother expected to wait about an hour,
00:52:14.147 --> 00:52:16.650
Pick up her daughter.
00:52:16.650 --> 00:52:18.685
At the starting line, leeadianez realized
00:52:18.685 --> 00:52:21.087
The race had just begun, so she just jumped in
00:52:21.087 --> 00:52:23.924
With the other runners at the back of the pack,
00:52:23.924 --> 00:52:25.959
Concentrating on putting one foot in front of another.
00:52:25.959 --> 00:52:28.328
It wasn't until around mile 4
00:52:28.328 --> 00:52:30.630
That she began to realize something was wrong.
00:52:30.630 --> 00:52:32.566
The finish line was nowhere in sight.
00:52:32.566 --> 00:52:35.535
After asking a few of her neighboring runners
00:52:35.535 --> 00:52:37.504
How much longer the race would take,
00:52:37.504 --> 00:52:39.472
Leeadianez realized her mistake.
00:52:39.472 --> 00:52:41.608
She was not part of the wegmans family 5k.
00:52:41.608 --> 00:52:43.944
She had instead entered the flower city half marathon.
00:52:43.944 --> 00:52:48.715
This race was not 5 kilometers; it was 13 miles!
00:52:48.715 --> 00:52:54.654
So she didn't know what to do. she decided to just keep going.
00:52:54.654 --> 00:53:00.327
By this time, her mother was beginning to panic.
00:53:00.327 --> 00:53:03.230
She contacted the race organizers,
00:53:03.230 --> 00:53:05.098
And a police officer eventually found her daughter
00:53:05.098 --> 00:53:07.267
On the half-marathon course.
00:53:07.267 --> 00:53:09.703
Even then, 12-year-old lee refused to quit.
00:53:09.703 --> 00:53:12.806
Eventually, she crossed the finish line
00:53:12.806 --> 00:53:15.342
After running a full 10 miles more
00:53:15.342 --> 00:53:17.377
Than she originally planned.
00:53:17.377 --> 00:53:21.047
And her mother was waiting for her there,
00:53:21.047 --> 00:53:22.749
Crying tears of joy.
00:53:22.749 --> 00:53:24.651
"i see her with a medal and i thought,
00:53:24.651 --> 00:53:26.486
'oh my word, she ran the wrong race, like, for real.'"
00:53:26.486 --> 00:53:32.926
And she decided to just keep running
00:53:32.926 --> 00:53:35.462
And not give up.
00:53:35.462 --> 00:53:37.631
And that's my challenge for you today:
00:53:37.631 --> 00:53:40.233
When you feel the pressure to let go of your faith,
00:53:40.233 --> 00:53:42.335
You decide instead to keep running
00:53:42.335 --> 00:53:43.937
And never give up.
00:53:43.937 --> 00:53:45.338
Remember, this is your choice. jesus is with you.
00:53:45.338 --> 00:53:48.241
He will keep you from falling, and he will empower you.
00:53:48.241 --> 00:53:51.511
He has every intention of presenting you faultless
00:53:51.511 --> 00:53:54.147
Before the father once your race comes to an end.
00:53:54.147 --> 00:53:58.285
So until that moment, just keep going, keep running,
00:53:58.285 --> 00:54:00.787
Don't look back, don't give up.
00:54:00.787 --> 00:54:02.656
Commit to building up your faith
00:54:02.656 --> 00:54:04.090
And the faith of those around you.
00:54:04.090 --> 00:54:06.259
And let me give you a little benediction
00:54:06.259 --> 00:54:08.461
To end this message and to bless your life.
00:54:08.461 --> 00:54:10.964
This is jude's benediction at the end
00:54:10.964 --> 00:54:13.099
Of that one little chapter i told you about.
00:54:13.099 --> 00:54:15.602
Listen to what he said.
00:54:15.602 --> 00:54:17.237
This is the blessing he wrote
00:54:17.237 --> 00:54:19.272
To those who would read his letter--
00:54:19.272 --> 00:54:20.907
Therefore, to all of us.
00:54:20.907 --> 00:54:23.310
The blessing of jude: "now to him who is able to keep you
00:54:23.310 --> 00:54:27.514
From stumbling,
00:54:27.514 --> 00:54:29.215
And to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
00:54:29.215 --> 00:54:32.085
With exceeding joy,
00:54:32.085 --> 00:54:34.054
To god our savior, who alone is wise,
00:54:34.054 --> 00:54:36.289
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power,
00:54:36.289 --> 00:54:40.260
Both now and forevermore."
00:54:40.260 --> 00:54:42.729
"now unto him who is able to keep you from stumbling."
00:54:42.729 --> 00:54:47.834
Praise god.
00:54:47.834 --> 00:54:49.235
We have a god who doesn't let us go either.
00:54:49.235 --> 00:54:52.072
We can say, "we're not gonna let you go,"
00:54:52.072 --> 00:54:53.606
But god doesn't let you go either.
00:54:53.606 --> 00:54:55.575
[congregation applauding]
00:54:55.575 --> 00:54:56.910
And when you place your faith in him,
00:54:56.910 --> 00:54:58.244
When you trust him, he will keep you from stumbling.
00:54:58.244 --> 00:55:02.449
Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return
00:55:03.383 --> 00:55:04.751
With one more inspirational word
00:55:04.751 --> 00:55:06.519
To close today's program, right after this.
00:55:06.519 --> 00:55:11.624
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:55:11.624 --> 00:55:13.893
When you give a gift of any amount
00:55:13.893 --> 00:55:15.362
In support of this program,
00:55:15.362 --> 00:55:16.930
Dr. jeremiah will send you, in appreciation, his book
00:55:16.930 --> 00:55:20.734
"where do we go from here?"
00:55:20.734 --> 00:55:22.369
And for a gift of $75 or more, dr. jeremiah will send you
00:55:22.369 --> 00:55:26.973
The "where do we go from here?" set,
00:55:26.973 --> 00:55:29.109
Which includes his book,
00:55:29.109 --> 00:55:30.510
His current teaching series on your choice of cd or dvd,
00:55:30.510 --> 00:55:34.414
A correlating study guide,
00:55:34.414 --> 00:55:35.949
And his interview special on dvd.
00:55:35.949 --> 00:55:38.885
Also, with any order of the book or set,
00:55:38.885 --> 00:55:41.588
You'll receive "warning signs of the end times,"
00:55:41.588 --> 00:55:44.891
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:55:44.891 --> 00:55:47.594
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:55:47.594 --> 00:55:50.196
Thank you for your support of "turning point."
00:55:50.196 --> 00:55:52.799
Contact us today.
00:55:52.799 --> 00:55:54.467
Announcer: and now, with one last word
00:55:56.202 --> 00:55:57.804
For today's program, here is dr. jeremiah.
00:55:57.804 --> 00:56:00.340
Dr. jeremiah: in the new testament,
00:56:01.207 --> 00:56:02.542
The christian life is pictured as a race,
00:56:02.542 --> 00:56:04.978
And anyone who has ever run a race has become weary.
00:56:04.978 --> 00:56:08.782
Some even consider dropping out.
00:56:08.782 --> 00:56:11.818
When that happens, nothing helps more
00:56:11.818 --> 00:56:14.421
Than someone you can follow to the finish line,
00:56:14.421 --> 00:56:17.757
And that someone is jesus christ.
00:56:17.757 --> 00:56:20.160
Following him as your lord and savior will mean
00:56:20.160 --> 00:56:23.463
Finishing the race no matter how hard it becomes.
00:56:23.463 --> 00:56:27.500
To help you better understand what it means to follow jesus
00:56:27.500 --> 00:56:31.137
And build a relationship with him,
00:56:31.137 --> 00:56:33.573
Please allow me to send you two free gifts.
00:56:33.573 --> 00:56:36.910
One is our booklet called "your greatest turning point,"
00:56:36.910 --> 00:56:40.079
And the other is our monthly devotional magazine
00:56:40.079 --> 00:56:43.249
Called "turning points."
00:56:43.249 --> 00:56:45.018
We will gladly send both of these gifts to you
00:56:45.018 --> 00:56:47.587
Free of charge
00:56:47.587 --> 00:56:49.088
If you will just contact us here at "turning point" today.
00:56:49.088 --> 00:56:52.258
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:56:54.894 --> 00:56:57.564
Dr. jeremiah: they had known jesus
00:56:57.564 --> 00:56:58.898
Before his death.
00:56:58.898 --> 00:57:00.233
They had seen the brutality that had been wreaked
00:57:00.233 --> 00:57:02.802
On his body,
00:57:02.802 --> 00:57:04.137
And then they saw him after death, walking around,
00:57:04.137 --> 00:57:07.440
The resurrected son of god.
00:57:07.440 --> 00:57:09.108
And everywhere they went, they said, "he is risen.
00:57:09.108 --> 00:57:12.145
He is risen indeed."
00:57:12.145 --> 00:57:13.947
Announcer: thank you for being with us today.
00:57:16.082 --> 00:57:17.884
Join dr. jeremiah next time for a special easter message
00:57:17.884 --> 00:57:21.254
Titled "what if?" here on "turning point."
00:57:21.254 --> 00:57:21.254

David Jeremiah - A Theological Prophecy - The Falling Away

April 4, 2026 | 57:29

Closed captions

Share