Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

CAUSE OF APOSTASY

1. Statistics made up by the General Conference show too many apostasies for one reason or another:
2. This writer has made a prayerful study of some of the apostasies and offers a few reasons:

1. It should be clear to us that we are living in a world torn by conflict -- mental, moral, and spiritual:
   1. The winds of restlessness are very much in evidence in our modern society - Matt. 8:24; Acts 27:17
   2. To be on guard, steadfastness must ever be the watchword of the Christian - "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" - 1 Cor. 10:12; Jas. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:19
   3. Said Jesus, "Watch and pray" - Matt. 26:41
2. Implication of apostasy:
   1. Departing from the living God.
   2. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." Heb. 3:12 - EXAMPLES -
      1. Cain departed from the living God - Gen. 4:16
      2. Judas was guilty of the same sin - John 13:30
      3. The seventy disciples left Christ - John 6:66
3. How people depart from the living God:
   1. By neglecting prayer, secret prayer - Jer. 10:25
   2. By neglecting the study of the word of God - Matt. 22:29; 2 Tim. 4:1-6
   3. By willfully absenting themselves from the assembly of the saints - Heb. 10:25
   4. Worldliness is still another sign of apostasy.
   5. Worldly association will lead to apostasy - 2 Tim. 4:10; Prov. 12:12
   6. Love of sinful pleasures - 1 John 2:15, 16; 2 Tim. 3:1-9
   7. Breaking away from the standards of the church is indicative of apostasy.

1. Our chief concern is why do people leave the truth? Is the church to be blamed?
2. Among some of the reasons for apostasy are, I believe, the following factors:
   1. Hurt feelings among the brethren contribute a lot to the falling away from the church and the truth - EXAMPLES -
      1. Hagar ran away from Sarah because of hurt feelings - Gen. 16:3-6
      2. The sin of Joseph's brethren was hurt feelings - Gen. 37:3-6
      3. Cain became a murderer because of hurt feelings - Gen. 4:1-8
   2. Secret sins are also responsible to apostasy - Ps. 19:12; Josh. 7:21; Ps. 32:1-6. Allowing secret sins to continue in our life will lead to carelessness.
   3. The cares of this life lead to indifference and eventually to apostasy - Luke 21:34, 35
3. God's cure for apostasy:
   1. Heed Hos. 14:1-6
   2. Also Jer. 3:12-14
4. I can think of seven specific means to stop the flood tide of apostasy:
   1. Through instruction in the fundamentals of the message is a must to keep that which has been claimed for the truth.
   2. Loving care for those who are new in the faith. Let them know that they are loved and appreciated. That works!
   3. Keep them active in the work of the church. That, too, will aid in keeping them. Persons occupied with the work of the Lord have less time for deviations.
   4. Continued study of the fundamentals of Present Truth will add greatly to their confidence in the movement.
   5. The family altar is a must for people to keep spiritually strong.
   6. Faithfulness to God in tithe and in offerings is a must not to fall prey to Satan.
   7. Fellowship with the brethren, not only in the public services but also in the home.