A PATTERN OF APOSTASY (PART TWO) It will happen if we allow it. We must know what the pattern is and expose it when we see it.

INTRODUCTION We discussed the first three steps of apostasy last time. They were seemingly insignificant but yet they are effective in beginning the falling away from the truth. They were: Flirtation Consideration Toleration Today we will consider the most extensive part of this apostasy.

ACCOMMODATION Accommodation This is where some start to teach that we cannot know with certainty the will of God. This is where some will offer "gray areas" as a justification of not really being sure. And if they are not really sure on the matter, maybe they should not make any big disturbance over the topic under consideration. Some examples of how this is used.

ACCOMMODATION Marriage Divorce Remarriage Theistic Evolution Continual Cleansing Unity In Diversity The Boundaries Of Fellowship

ACCOMMODATION James 5:19-20 "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." How really sad it is when a faithful Christian will be reprimanded and called all sorts of names because they tried to bring someone back into the truth. Those who promote the truth are pictured as the vilest of all creatures.

ACCOMMODATION We are pictured as being cruel, unloving, unmerciful, and many other things which is non-God like. Why? Because we expose error and those that teach it. We teach that their current lust is evil, and opposed to sound doctrine. We tell them that they can't do what they want to do if they want to go to Heaven.

ACCOMMODATION Notice that the proponents will turn to Romans 14 for the promotion of their ways. Romans 14:1-23 But notice what was spoken just prior to this chapter. Romans 13:12-14 "The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." And notice what is spoken right after Romans 14. Romans 16:17-18 "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

ACCOMMODATION We are not allowed to call someone a false teacher? Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit.18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

ACCOMMODATION 1 Timothy 6:3-5 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." 2 John 9-11 "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."

ACCOMMODATION 1 John 4:1-6 " Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

ACCOMMODATION One argument is that fellowship is only to be considered in the local church. As a result, they can use a known false teacher, and fellowship that person, since they are not a part of the local fellowship. Also, they are not allowed to condemn or expose the error of someone not in the local fellowship. When we point out that we have scriptural examples, they point out that the apostles were inspired, but we are not, thus have no right to do these things. But what does scripture say?

ACCOMMODATION Look at the pattern from scripture. Acts 2:42 " And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 8:4 "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.“ 2 Timothy 2:2 " And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

ACCOMMODATION 2 Timothy 1:13 " Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14 " You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;" 1 Timothy 4:6 " In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following." 2 Thessalonians 2:15 " So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."

ACCOMMODATION The point is, we can obey the truth and we can follow the apostles examples today. Romans 16:17 " Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them." 1 Timothy 6:3-5 " If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain."

ACCOMMODATION 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 " For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." 2 Thessalonians 3:4-6 " And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.5 And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us." 2 Thessalonians 3:14 " And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame." The next step is:

CONCLUSION PART TWO When you start to accommodate error, you have already bought into it. You no longer see clear lines of distinction, but everything is blurred. People cannot tell you are any different than the denominations. Invitation