1. Steps toward Apostasy 2 Timothy 4:1-5

2. 2 Satan Never Leaves Christians Alone! At war with the church, Rev. 12:17 At war with the church, Rev. 12:17 Spiritual warfare, 2 Cor. 10:3-5 Spiritual warfare, 2 Cor. 10:3-5 Do not surrender, Eph. 6:10-13 Do not surrender, Eph. 6:10-13 More than conquerors, Rom. 8:37-39 More than conquerors, Rom. 8:37-39

3. 3 APOSTASY aphistemi: lit., a standing away from ( apo, from + histemi, to stand) aphistemi: lit., a standing away from ( apo, from + histemi, to stand) – apostasia, “a falling away, defection” (Thayer, 67), 2 Ths. 2:3 – aphistemi, “To depart, go away from… apostatise” (Moulton, 62), 1 Tim. 4:1

4. 4 Apostasy is Defection from… The word of God, Luke 8:13 The word of God, Luke 8:13 The faith, 1 Timothy 4:1 The faith, 1 Timothy 4:1 God, Hebrews 3:12-13 God, Hebrews 3:12-13

5. 5 History of Man…History of Apostasy Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:17; 3:9-10) Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:17; 3:9-10) Sons of God (Gen. 6:1-5; 4:26) Sons of God (Gen. 6:1-5; 4:26) Israel (Exo. 32:8; Jer. 3:8) Israel (Exo. 32:8; Jer. 3:8) Jesus warned His disciples, Matt. 10:22; 1 Cor. 10:12; Rev. 2:4-5 Jesus warned His disciples, Matt. 10:22; 1 Cor. 10:12; Rev. 2:4-5

6. 6 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 1: Wrong attitude toward truth, 4:3 (Prov. 4:23; 23:7) Step 1: Wrong attitude toward truth, 4:3 (Prov. 4:23; 23:7) – “Will not endure sound doctrine” (Psa. 119:140) – Other messages (4:1-2) – Complacency, compromise, convenience & shame Prevention Seek, welcome & walk in truth, 1 Ths. 2:13 Col. 2:6-7

7. 7 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 2: Comfortable with error, 4:3 Step 2: Comfortable with error, 4:3 – “According to their own desires” (1 Jno. 2:15-17) – Choke God’s word, Mk. 4:18-19; Jas. 4:1-4 – Judah, Jer. 5:30-31 – Itching ears: Hear only what pleases

8. 8 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 2: Comfortable with error, 4:3 Step 2: Comfortable with error, 4:3 – Bears with false teachers, 2 Cor. 11:4 – Will cause us to be lost, Eph. 5:8-13 (2 Jno. 9-11) Prevention Humbly contend for the faith (Jude 3; Jas. 4:7-10)

9. 9 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 – “Turn their ears away from the truth” – How do we react to God’s word: Ignore? Psa. 32:3 Ignore? Psa. 32:3 Argue? Acts 5:39; 26:14 Argue? Acts 5:39; 26:14 Falsely accuse? Gal. 4:16 Falsely accuse? Gal. 4:16 Too hard? 1 Cor. 10:12-13 Too hard? 1 Cor. 10:12-13

10. 10 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 – “Be turned aside to fables” Dislocated from proper place, Col. 2:18-19 Dislocated from proper place, Col. 2:18-19 Fables: Narratives, fiction Fables: Narratives, fiction Profane, idle babblings – Contradict truth, 1 Tim. 6:20-21 Profane, idle babblings – Contradict truth, 1 Tim. 6:20-21

11. 11 How Apostasy Develops (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 Step 3: Abandon truth & replace it with error, 4:4 – Gospel is not sophistry of fables, 2 Pet. 1:16 – Repeatedly warned, 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Titus 1:14 Prevention Be watchful, endure & work 2 Tim. 4:5; Jno. 8:31-32

12. 12 Any Step Toward Apostasy is Going too Far! (1 Jno. 2:1) Remedy: Repent & do the first works, Rev. 2:4-5; Matt. 6:33 Remedy: Repent & do the first works, Rev. 2:4-5; Matt. 6:33 – Lest hardening occur & repentance is impossible, 1 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 3:13; 6:4-6 – Do not procrastinate or be complacent… spiritual death! (Acts 8:20-24)