Apostasy is Possible Ezekiel 18 24 26 A

Apostasy is Possible Ezekiel 18: 24 -26

• A common teaching is that, once a person is saved and becomes a Christian, they are forever saved. Nothing they do can cause them to be lost. • This doctrine has several names: – Once Saved, Always Saved – Eternal Security – Perseverance of the Saints

• This sermon has a simple purpose • I want you to see that such a doctrine is contrary to the teaching of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. • The sermon is divided into 2 parts: – Old Testament Passages – New Testament Passages

• Old Testament Passages • 1 Chronicles 28: 9 - “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

• Old Testament Passages • 2 Chronicles 15: 2 - And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

• Old Testament Passages • Ezekiel 3: 20 - Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.

• Old Testament Passages • Ezekiel 18: 24 -25 - 24“But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. 25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair. ’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?

• Old Testament Passages • Ezekiel 18: 21 -23 - 21“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? ” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?

• New Testament Passages • Matthew 25: 14 -30 – 1 talent man • Mark 4: 14 -20 – Parable of Soils – V. 18 – Hear the Word – V. 19 – choked – becomes of unfruitful • Luke 8: 13 - But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

• New Testament Passages • John 8: 31 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. • Acts 1: 25 - to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. ”

• New Testament Passages • Acts 8: 20 -22 – 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

• New Testament Passages • Romans 8: 12 -13 – 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

• New Testament Passages • Galatians 5: 2 -4 – 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

• New Testament Passages • Galatians 6: 9 – And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

• New Testament Passages • Ephesians 5: 3 -5 – 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

• Do I need to continue? • There is a real and present danger – We can leave serving God – We can fall away • There is a way back – repent and pray • Acts 8: 22 - Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

• God is always ready to welcome you back. • Like the father of the prodigal son, God is waiting for you to come home. • Have you fallen away? • Will you come back today?