[By Ron Halbrook]

Introduction: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 2

3 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

4 Introduction: 2. T o understand & apply the authority of Christ: I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ V. Gradual Return to the Authority of Christ VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today

A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Acts 20:29-32 Constantly teach & warn: Dangers invade from without & arise from within 5

6 Acts 20: For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Many such warnings: 2 Thess. 2:3 Apostasies come until the final day 7 2 Thess. 2:3 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today A. Warning: When People Obey the Truth, Satan Counterattacks Many such warnings: 2 Tim. 4:1-5 Preach the truth until the final day 8 2 Tim. 4:2 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Israel desired a king: human leader, centralized power 1 Sam. 8:5 “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” From that day until now, centralization often found in pattern of apostasy: perverts the organization of the church 9

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today B. Tactic of Satan: Tempt with Centralization Christ made each local church independent, autonomous— no centralized organization Acts 14:23 “elders in every church” Phil. 4:15-16 “ye sent once and again” 2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches” Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” where the need existed Local church all-sufficient to do its work 10

11 Authorized Evangelism Edification Benevolence Work Local Church Local Church Phil. 4:16 “ye sent once & again” 2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches” Acts 11:27-30 “sent it to the elders” Local Church Local Church

12 Authorized Unauthorized Evangelism Edification Benevolence Work Local Church Local Church Human Institution: Brotherhood Eldership Missionary Society College Orphanage Local Church Local Church

13 In HistoryToday Israel Desired a King (1 Sam. 8:5) Catholic Church Pope Christian Church Missionary Society Evangelism Herald of Truth Gospel Hour Benevolence Institutional Orphanage Edification Area-wide work Colleges Entertainment

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church Work revealed by Christ 1 Tim. 3:15 Evangelism: “the church…the pillar and ground of the truth” 1 Cor. 14:26 Worship, edification: “Let all things be done unto edifying” 2 Cor. 9:1 Benevolence to saints: “ministering to the saints” 14

C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church To change the work is apostasy Acts 15:24 Divine silence forbids, prohibits: absence of authority 15 Acts 15:24 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church To change the work is apostasy 1 Tim. 5:16 Distinguish individual action and local church action 16 1 Tim. 5:16 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Donate funds to human institutions: missionary society, college, camp, orphanage, hospital, etc.  Local church all-sufficient to do its work (Acts 14:23; 20:28) 17

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Recreation, social activities  1 Cor. 11:34 “if any man hunger, let him eat at home” 18

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Secular education  Eph. 6:4 Fathers’ duty to children: “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (as 4:28)  1 Tim. 3:15 “the church… the pillar and ground of the truth” 19

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Political, educational, economic, & social reforms  1 Tim. 6:1-2 Instructs masters & servants—can learn to live Christian life in all cultures 20

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today C. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Work of Church “Let not the church be charged:” Feed & clothe the world  Gal. 6:10 “let every man prove his own work…bear his own burden…. do good unto all men” (vv. 4-5, 10)  Individual duty not local church 21

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VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church Worship revealed by Christ Acts 20:7 Lord’s Supper on Sunday 1 Cor. 16:2 Collection on Sunday Acts 2:42 Pray Acts 2:42 Teach God’s Word Eph. 5:19 Sing 23

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D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church To change the worship is apostasy Jn. 4:24 “worship in spirit and in truth” 1 Tim. 4:1 “some…depart from the faith” 25

D. Tactic of Satan: Pervert Worship of Church “Some…depart from the faith:” Instrumental music Church celebrate “holy” days (Easter, etc.) Solo, choir, praise team Drama, theatre, choreography, dance Lord’s Supper any day Lord’s Supper with social meal Women lead Offer traditional & contemporary worship 26

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the work of the church  Lk. 19:10 “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”  Work of church: same spiritual focus 27

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the worship of the church  Jn. 4:24 “God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”  Pattern of worship: same spiritual focus 28

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy The spiritual focus of Christ in the organization of the church  1 Pet. 2:25 Christ: “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls”  Heb. 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you… they watch for your souls”  Organization: same spiritual focus 29

E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy Keep a simple, sincere, single, spiritual focus on Christ  2 Cor. 11:3 Satan tries to corrupt & pervert our faith 30 2 Cor. 11:3 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

E. The Spiritual Nature of the Church Prevents Apostasy Keep a simple, sincere, single, spiritual focus on Christ  Phil. 3:20 Focus on spending eternity with Christ in heaven! 31 Phil. 3:20 20 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name 1 Sam. 15:13-14 Not a new problem 32 1 Sam. 15: And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost 33

34 Matt. 7: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt. 7:21-23 Christ said many calling him “Lord” will be lost

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name 1 Tim. 4:1 Departing from the faith professing to serve Christ 35 1 Tim. 4:1 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

VI. Avoiding Apostasy Today F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name 2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it 36

37 2 Tim. 4:2-4 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. 4:2-4 Profess the truth but reject it

F. The Authority of Christ Rejected by Many Professing His Name Slogans of apostasy:  Join the church of your choice  We need love not doctrine  Preach Christ, not baptism or the church  Legalism to preach baptism & the church  Unity in diversity  “Pharisee,” “anti” if expose error  Multi-cultural tolerance, pluralism  New hermeneutics not Book, chapter, verse 38

Invitation: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Remedy to all sin & apostasy: submit to the authority of Christ to receive salvation He protects us from all Satan’s attacks He exposes Satan’s tactic of centralization He guides us in the work of the church He guides us in true worship His spiritual focus protects us from apostasy He exposes errors of men professing his name but rejecting his authority 39

40 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.