Protection From Falling Away
The sermon warns of a great apostasy to come and encourages believers to draw close to the Master and receive a renewal of their first love to avoid falling away.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the danger of apostasy, defined as a rejection of previously held truths about God. He warns that a great falling away from faith will precede the return of Christ, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Wilkerson reflects on the early church's commitment to the gospel and the importance of returning to one's first love for Christ amidst a world filled with lukewarm beliefs. He encourages those who have walked with God to seek renewal and closeness with Him to avoid falling into apostasy. Ultimately, he reassures that God is waiting to embrace those who seek Him.
Text
The apostle Paul speaks of a great apostasy to come upon the earth in the last days. What is apostasy? It is "a rejection of truth once believed and proclaimed." Simply put, it is a falling away from God's truth. Paul writes of the apostasy to come: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word ... as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).
Our spiritual fathers in the New Testament church were servants who gave their lives to defend the gospel. From the beginning, the disciples and apostles preached the whole counsel of God, proclaiming Christ as Messiah to their dying days. The Lord showered his gifts and blessings on them and the church grew and prospered in spirit and in truth.
Out of the roots of that early church sprang a tree with many branches which we call movements, denominations, organizations, fellowships -- such as Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Episcopalians and others. Most of these branches were sparked into flame by saintly servants of Christ, some of whom were martyred for their devotion to the pure Word of God.
God hates the lukewarm gospel of half-truths that is now spreading over the globe. Jesus came to a world that was in total apostasy and his coming was a pure act of mercy, undeserved by anyone. A great harvest of souls is still to come in this modern age and hungry believers from every nation will recognize the voice of the Lord. Their awakened hearts will respond, "Lord, bring me back to my first love for you."
If you have walked with the Master for a long time, you may need a reminder to draw close to him and receive a renewal of your first love, lest you "fall away" and become part of this great apostasy. Beloved, he is waiting to embrace you and bring you into a new place with him.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Coming Apostasy
- A. Definition of Apostasy: Rejection of truth once believed and proclaimed
- B. Paul's Warning: The falling away must come first before the Day of Christ
- II. The Early Church: Servants of the Gospel
- A. Disciples and Apostles Preached the Whole Counsel of God
- B. The Lord Showered His Gifts and Blessings on the Church
- III. The Spread of Movements and Denominations
- A. Branches Sprouted from the Roots of the Early Church
- B. Saintly Servants Sparked Movements with Their Devotion to the Pure Word
- IV. God's Hatred for the Lukewarm Gospel
- A. Jesus Came to a World in Total Apostasy
- B. A Great Harvest of Souls is Still to Come
- V. Drawing Close to the Master
- A. Remembering the First Love and Receiving Renewal
- B. Avoiding the Great Apostasy and Falling Away
Key Quotes
“God hates the lukewarm gospel of half-truths that is now spreading over the globe.” — David Wilkerson
“A great harvest of souls is still to come in this modern age and hungry believers from every nation will recognize the voice of the Lord.” — David Wilkerson
“If you have walked with the Master for a long time, you may need a reminder to draw close to him and receive a renewal of your first love, lest you 'fall away' and become part of this great apostasy.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Believers need to remember their first love and receive renewal to avoid falling away and becoming part of the great apostasy.
- Drawing close to the Master is essential to avoid the lukewarm gospel and to receive a great harvest of souls.
- Believers must be vigilant and not be soon shaken in mind or troubled by false reports, but instead be rooted in the pure Word of God.