WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THOSE

WHO HAVE FALLEN AWAY?

Hebrews 3:7-18

Introduction: I do not know what has become of society today. Why is it that we have become so unconscious in regard to dangers and warnings? Some restaurants put on the foam cups of coffee a warning label, “Contents are hot!” Why do people need to be treated like children? I have heard that a manufacturer put warning labels on its barrettes’ bags, “For external use only!” Have the minds of the public become so numb that they have to be told that such products are not to be eaten? Producers have to protect themselves from ignorance. This ignorance comes from a failure to heed the warnings of the past and from not properly and intelligently accessing the dangers.

A. Evidently this ignorance is becoming all too pervasive among the people of God today.

1. Not only are some Christians ignoring the warnings (Heb. 2:1-3)

2. They are ignoring what became of those who failed to do what was right in God’s sight (read 1 Cor. 10:1-12)

B. In this lesson we will focus on what we can learn from those who have fallen away. We will learn that despite the fact that a person has obeyed the gospel he still must stay on guard

1. Notice Peter’s warning in 1 Peter 5:8-9

2. Yet, we find that some among God’s people betrayed, denied and forsook the Lord

C. So what can we learn from those who have fallen away?

I. The Devil is relentless in his pursuits

A. He did not give up on Jesus (Luke 4:13)

1. He is always looking for an opportunity, a chink in our armor; he wants to catch us with our guard down (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:13)

2. We cannot misjudge our adversary’s power (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph 6:12)

B. If he was relentless in his attacks on Jesus, how much more will he be concerning us? (Matt. 10:25; Rev. 12:13-17)

C. We see and know those who caved under the onslaught of Satan. For some it did not take much (Gal. 1:6-9).

1. Satan does not give up on us simply because we are Christians (Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20)

2. We need to remember that we too can be vulnerable (1 Cor. 10:12)

II. Not all Christians are going to heaven!

A. Certainly this is opposed to the doctrine “Once saved, always saved.” That Christians can lose their salvation is evident

1. Consider what became of those who “ escaped the pollutions of the world” (2 Pet. 2:20-22)

2. Consider what became of those in habitual sin (1 John 5:16)

3. Consider the state of those who fall away (Heb. 6:4-6)

B. Those who continue in their sin, failing to repent will perish (Luke 13:3)

1. Context of Matthew 7:21-23 can apply to Christians

2. Context of Matthew 25:31-46 can apply to Christians

3. John 15:6 does apply to Christians

III. Family and friends can’t take you to heaven

A. Being close to the Lord is not a total guarantee that you are free from the possibility of falling

1. Judas was close to the Lord and he betrayed Jesus

2. Peter was close to the Lord and He denied Him

B. Being close to even the strongest of Christians is no guarantee that you will be kept from falling

1. Demas was around the best of influences (Col. 4:14; Philemon 24)

2. Yet Demas forsook the Lord (2 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 2:15)

3. Each Christian will have to account for himself (Eze. 18:20)

Conclusion: One sobering fact must be kept in mind: those who fall away and remain in that lost condition will not live happily ever after (Eze. 18:26; James 5:20). Despite the warnings of the possibility and danger of falling away, Christians still fall away. As we see and come to grips with those whom we once fellowshipped departing the faith, let us notice what has become of them with the intent that we will not allow such to happen to us. We know Satan is relentless; we know that not all Christians are going to heaven; we understand that family and friends are not enough to keep us from falling. We must be determined to make are calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10) by constantly examining ourselves and improving ourselves in the cause of Christ (2 Cor. 13:5).