The Six Enemies of God's Truth - Part 5

Part 5 Sunday, April 11, 2021 Easter service – God smiled upon GP in every way! Six Enemies of God’s Truth Hebrews 2 1-4 King James Version 2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2: 1-4 NKJV 2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Page | 1 Hebrews 2 1-4 New Living Translation 2 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Matthew 24:48-51 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 45 Page | 2 GM GP . . . Today we will cross the finish line on a marathon series in which our focus has been on God’s Truth – The Answer to Every Test and Trial in 2021. The final brick to our sub-series entitled The Six Enemies of God’s Truth will go in place. Over the past several weeks, we have learned about the importance of God’s Truth in the fallen life of the human race, and the significance of it in the daily life of the Believer. In this morning’s message, our focus is on the Truth Enemy #6. But, before I reveal Enemy #6, let me catch everybody up – especially those joining us for the first time. [SLIDE] By definition, an Enemy of God’s Truth is defined as anyone or anything that opposes, resists, hates, rejects, copies, counterfeits or disbelieves God’s Revealed Truth. [SLIDE] God’s Revealed Truth is Defined as the Word of God, The Bible, which is God-breathed; it is Spirit and Life; infallible, living, breathing, divinely supernatural, and life-giving to all who believe it unto eternal life. Page | 3 So far, we have identified five of the six Enemies: [SLIDE] They are: The First Enemy of God’s Truth is: Satan the Devil The Second Enemy of God’s Truth is . . . Small “t” truth vs. Capital “T” Truth The Third Enemy of God’s Truth is: Church Traditions, Church Doctrine and Church Culture The Fourth Enemy of God’s Truth is the Trio of: Pride, Flesh and Delusion The Fifth Enemy of God’s Truth is: The Power of “Almost” Now, let’s turn our attention to the SIXTH and final enemy of God’s Truth. It is . . . the enemy of APATHY [SLIDE] The Sixth Enemy of God’s Truth is: Apathy – Page | 4 Don’t let the mild-manneredness of this enemy fool you. Of all the enemies we have discussed, this is the enemy that can do and is doing the most damage among believers. It differs from all the other enemies because it comes as a choice that is self-imposed, self-invoked and selfinflicted. It begins with one feeling sorry for themselves which then leads to selfdeception. The tendency is to blame others and to never take responsibility. What is apathy? [SLIDE] APATHY is defined as a lack of feeling or emotion toward something or someone; it is an expression of a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Apathy is the loss of an enthusiasm that once burned brightly. As an example, it looks like this: A person is Born Again and standing steadfast in the Lord. Then all of sudden, all enthusiasm, all thirst, all hunger and eagerness disappears. Galatians 5:7 asks the question of apathetic Saints: “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” [SLIDE] Of the SIX Truth Enemies, I believe the Bible supports calling the Enemy of “APATHY” one of the deadliest enemies confronting BELIEVERS when it comes to holding to the Truth. Page | 5 It is a deadly, silent cancer. One of the most tragic things that could happen to a Believer who the Lord has set free from the bondage of sin is for that person to lose heart and to feel unmotivated in their Christian walk. That is the sting of apathy. We’re all are prone to the sting if we don’t protect the Truth in the way Jude urged us to a few lessons back: He said: [I] exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Don’t FAINT, but FIGHT!!! Our focus Scripture for this message sheds a bright light on how we can avoid the bite of APATHY in our walk with the Lord. Turn to Hebrews 2: 1-4. It says from two different versions . . . the KJV and the NKJV: First KJV: [SLIDE] Hebrews 2 1-4 KJV 2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Page | 6 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Verse 1, in the KJV emphasizes lest at any time we should let them slip. 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. [(NLT) 2:1 (So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. NLT} The most important instruction in this passage is that Believers “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard” -- not the things we’re going to hear. What we have heard is the TRUTH, or as Jude put it . . . earnestly contend for the faith . . . battle for the Truth. In the NKJV, Hebrews 2: 1-4 NKJV -- verse 1 reads 2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. NKJV emphasizes lest we drift away. Page | 7 This refers to a ship tied to a mooring (pilon post) or dock. But the drifting away has to do with that ship not being tied to the mooring or dock. Because it is not tied down or anchored down, the waves will slowly push it out to sea without any since of direction or security or way back. Only God and the Truth can rescue you. In full, Hebrews 2: 1-4 says . . . Hebrews 2: 1-4 NKJV 2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Here are two practical things that makes the Enemy of APATHY so effective in its threat to the life of the Believer: For starters, apathy is unsuspecting and almost undetectable to the natural senses. It sneaks up on you, and before you know it, it has you in its grip . . . like a shark in calm waters and a crocodile that come out of nowhere . . . and before you notice it – it’s got you. Page | 8 Secondly, apathy grips your sense of rationale reasoning; it can easily cause one to lose their sense righteous reasoning. You spiral down into denial, and you peg everyone around you as wrong – and yourself to be right. [More like self-right or self-righteous]. [SLIDE] What makes “apathy” a dangerous enemy of God’s truth against Believers? • Apathy leads to isolation which leads to a disconnection from the truth which ultimately leads to sin or spiritual blindness. Proverbs 18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. Believers are driven into isolation for many reasons, but here are two of the most prominent ones: 1. Feeling unloved, uncared for, forgotten, and abandoned. 2. Being made to feel incomplete in Christ. As if something is missing in their salvation. This is a trick. Colossians 2: 8-10 says 8 Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Page | 9 [SLIDE] • Apathy conjures up inward anger which leads to violence and abuse. Matthew 24:45-51 Matthew 24:48-51 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [i]in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 45 [SLIDE] • Apathy leads to ungodly attitudes and behavior in the church among God’s people (2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, Page | 10 headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [SLIDE] • Apathy leads to blindness, coldness, cynicism, mocking, and doubting of God’s Truth. (Genesis 19; Two sons-in-law of Lot) Genesis 19: 12-14 example of cynical apathy . . . Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-inlaw, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 12 14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. [SLIDE] • Apathy leads to Spiritual Blindness - 2 Peter 1: 5-9 2 Peter 1: 5-9 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to selfcontrol perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness Page | 11 brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [SLIDE] From a spiritual perspective where does apathy begin and how does it creep in and become a stronghold? • It begins when we lean to our own understanding which is usually driven by deception. Proverbs 3:5-7 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. From the New Living Translation . . . Proverbs 3:5-7 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Page | 12 When we lean to our own understanding – we succumb to the same kind of Satanic deception experienced by Eve in the Garden. It caused her to believe in herself, to doubt God’s Truth, lean and depend on her own understanding – and ultimately believe the lie. Any time we rely on and lean to our own understanding it stands as a definite sign that we are resisting God’s Truth and cutting our own path. • Drawn away by our own lusts James 1:12-18. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. This is also likened to the multitudes who followed Jesus because he was feeding them. When Jesus said no more handouts, but gave them the command to eat His flesh and drink His blood – many of them turned from following Him. Then Jesus turned to the remaining 12 and said: “Will you go also? But they declared, “No, for we realize that You have the words of eternal life. Page | 13 • Isolation Proverbs 18:1 Feeling sorry for self and feeling abandoned. [SLIDE] What’s the answer to protecting God’s Truth from the Enemy of Apathy? • First, ensure that you belong to Christ. • • • • • 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. ….The Lord knows those that are His Ask God for wisdom James 1:5 Avoid being “Bewitched” Galatians 3:1 Forsake not the assembling of yourself – avoid isolation Hebrews 10:25,26 Build yourself up on your most holy faith HOW = Add to your faith virtue . . . Jude 20 Walk worthy of the vocation Ephesians 1 & 2 Ends the 6 Enemies . . . God’s TRUTH is the only guaranteed answer for our times. Earnestly Content for it. Don’t let go! Because in the words of our Savior: 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” %%%%%%%%%%%%%%END%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Page | 14 Wrap Up The First Enemy of God’s Truth is: Satan the Devil The Second Enemy of God’s Truth is . . . Small “t” truth vs. Capital “T” Truth The Third Enemy of God’s Truth is: Church Traditions, Church Doctrine and Church Culture The Fourth Enemy of God’s Truth is the Trio: Flesh, Pride and Delusion The Fifth Enemy of God’s Truth is: The Power of “Almost” The Sixth Enemy of God’s Truth is: Apathy – Isaiah 14:12-17; Luke 10:18; Rev 12:8-10 [SLIDE] Hebrews 2: 1-4 NKJV 2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Page | 15 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Hebrews 2 1-4 King James Version 2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2 New Living Translation A Warning against Drifting Away 2 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And Page | 16 God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Amos 8:10-12 New King James Version 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day. 11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it. Page | 17