An 'Unpopular' Prophetic Promise of Apostasy
Bob Hoekstra's sermon addresses the prophetic promise of apostasy, warning believers about the dangers of false teachings and the importance of adhering to the truth of scripture.
Bob Hoekstra preaches about the prophetic promise of apostasy, warning about the dangers of drifting away from the faith in the latter times. He emphasizes the importance of holding onto the message of the word of God, especially the good news of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, amidst the rise of false prophets and teachers who bring in destructive heresies. Hoekstra highlights the path of apostasy, where individuals give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speak lies in hypocrisy, and have their consciences seared with a hot iron, leading them away from the truth of scripture.
Text
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
As we continue to alternate between "precious promises" and "unpopular" promises, we come to a prophetic promise of apostasy. Among those who are actually drifting into apostasy, this promise is certainly "unpopular." Additionally, in a church world that wrongly accepts what sounds positive and rejects what sounds negative (instead of rejecting error and accepting truth), this promise is often met with disinterest or, worse, disdain.
"The faith" is the message of the word of God. It is the divine truth in which we are to place our faith, our trust. It especially includes the good news of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our present promise forewarns that there will be those who fall away from "the faith" as the days press closer and closer to the end of the church era. "In latter times some will depart from the faith." Since this is a departure, they seemed to adhere to the word of God for a season. Then, they turned away from it. If they remain active in the church world, their message will no longer reflect the true content of the scriptures. Peter gave a similar warning. "There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1). As sure as Israel had false prophets, the church would have false teachers.
Paul provided some insights into their path of apostasy. They would be " giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Their errors would result from paying attention to concepts that were perpetrated by demonic deception. The devil and his army of evil spirits are intent on confusing and distorting the teaching of the word of God. Typically, such errors feed man's fleshly desires to glorify self.
These apostates would also be "speaking lies in hypocrisy." Not only would their teaching be erroneous, their lives would be marked by falsehoods related to pretense. They would add untrue testimony to their inaccurate message. Perhaps, the reports of their ministerial prowess would be grossly exaggerated.
They would also be "having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." They would teach errors and live lies until their consciences were no longer convicted of sin. Be forewarned. Such apostates undoubtedly abound in these last days.
Lord God of truth, thank You for lovingly warning me of the danger of apostasy. Enlarge my appreciation of such "unpopular" promises. Please help me to cherish the truth of Your word. Give me a heart to know Your word. Sharpen my discernment concerning error. Keep my heart and my message anchored in the truth of scripture, Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the prophetic promise of apostasy - Definition of 'the faith' as the message of God's word - The significance of the promise in the context of the church
- II points: - Warning of those who will depart from the faith - Characteristics of apostates - Comparison with false prophets in Israel
- III points: - The role of deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons - The impact of demonic deception on teaching - Feeding fleshly desires versus glorifying God
- IV points: - The nature of hypocrisy in apostate teachings - Falsehoods in both message and life - Exaggeration of ministerial prowess
- V points: - The searing of conscience in apostates - The danger of unconvicted sin - Call to discernment and truth
Key Quotes
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith.” — Bob Hoekstra
“They would be 'giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.'” — Bob Hoekstra
“Such apostates undoubtedly abound in these last days.” — Bob Hoekstra
Application Points
- Stay grounded in the truth of God's word to avoid the pitfalls of apostasy.
- Cultivate discernment through prayer and study of scripture.
- Be aware of teachings that may appeal to fleshly desires rather than glorifying God.