“Defection”
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Consider this mission statement of a well-known university: "To be plainly instructed and consider well that the main end of your life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ." Founded in 1636, this university employed exclusively Christian professors, emphasized character formation in its students above all else, and placed a strong emphasis on equipping ministers to share the good news. Every diploma read, Christo et Ecclesiae around Veritas, meaning "Truth for Christ and the Church." You've probably heard of this school. It's called Harvard University.
Only 80 years after its founding, a group of New England pastors sensed Harvard had drifted too far for their liking. Concerned by the secularization at Harvard, they approached a wealthy philanthropist who shared their concerns. This man, Elihu Yale, financed their efforts in 1718, and they called the college Yale University. Yale's motto was not just Veritas (truth) like Harvard, but Lux et Veritas (light and truth).
Today, Harvard's and Yale's legacy of academic excellence are still intact. But neither school resembles what their founders envisioned. At the 350th anniversary celebration of Harvard, Steven Muller, former president of Johns Hopkins University, bluntly stated, "The bad news is the university has become godless." Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard, confessed, "Things divine have been central neither to my professional nor to my personal life."
Harvard's and Yale's founders were unmistakably clear in their goals: academic excellence and Christian formation. Today, they do something very different from their founding purpose. What happened to Harvard and Yale is called "Mission Drift.”
If this happens with a professing Christian it is called apostasy. We have all probably seen it. People who say that they are Christians and after a time they fall away. Some of them even teachers. Bart Ehrman was on his way to becoming a baptist pastor went to moody bible and Wheaton college, but then turned his back on Christianity and currently works to undermine the most important doctrines of Christianity. What do we do when these things happen? How are we to understand it? What are we gonna do about it? The apostle John has something to say about this. This is what we are gonna look at today.
Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
The Last Hour
The Apostasy
The Blessing
The first thing we will look at today is how the reality of false teaching comes in the last days and John shows us how we are in the last hour. The second thing we will uncover is how false teachers and those who falsely profess will show their true nature in apostasy. Finally, we will see the true blessing of perseverance and how true believers will not leave, but through the grace of God, truly stand firm on the Gospel.
Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world may cause us to be deceived by the counterfeit of the enemy and worldly ideologies, seducing us to abandon Christ and the truth of His Gospel, it is the power of the Spirit and the truth of Scripture that will cause us to extinguish the lies and build on the rock and stand, knowing that all other ground is sinking sand.
I. The Last Hour
- The presence of false teachers is a sign of the end times.
The presence of false teachers is a sign of the end times
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 109). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
A. Ever since the new age had dawned with the coming of Christ, Christians knew themselves to be living ‘in the last days. The age to come had already come; the world and the darkness were already passing away (v.17). John was convinced that the last days had struck. Why is this?
B. The Antichrists have come. Now John know that the readers believe that the Antichrist is coming in the end times and he is using this knowledge to demonstrate that these are the last days the last hour. Probably not the best place to build a doctrine of the Antichrist for what John is doing. The idea that the last days brings the Antichrist was well known. From the prince in , the man of lawlessness in , or even the Olivet discourse and the beast in Revelation. But the point is that the antichrist was coming in the last days.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 107). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
C. And now ladies and gentlemen… many such antichrists are here. This is why John says that we are in the last times. You looking for the anti christ, well lots of them are running around right now. The end is here.
Hendrickson - The presence of people who deny the Christ is definite proof that we are living in the last hour.
The presence of people who deny the Christ is definite proof that we are living in the last hour.
D. John’s focus is not on the future figure called the Antichrist. Rather he says there are people like that figure who are already infiltrating the churches, and that is why John uses the word “antichrists” (plural). Many antichrists have appeared. Again, which is why we know this is the last hour.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 275). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 110). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
E. Notice the prefix anti on the word “antichrists.” This prefix can mean “against” or “instead of.” There is a sense in which both are true in this context. False teachers in the church are like the final antichrist in the book of Revelation. He is literally “against Christ,” and hence they are “false christs.” However, these false teachers come talking about Jesus claiming to be his true teachers. Thus these false teachers are also substitute christs.
F.Jewish Theologian Abba Hillel Silver - “The first century, however, especially before the destruction of the temple, witnessed a remarkable outburst of Messianic emotionalism
E. Jewish Theologian Abba Hillel Silver - “The first century, however, especially before the destruction of the temple, witnessed a remarkable outburst of Messianic emotionalism
J. Josephus ... Jewish Historian... refers to The Samaritan Messiah, Theudus, The impostor, The Egyptian, and the infamous Simon Magus who is said by Justin Martyr and Hypolitius that he called himself the Christ. He was mentioned in offering money for the Holy Spirit. These men were successful in leading thousands away...Theudas had 400 and 30,000 who followed the Egyptian.
1. He refers to ... The Samaritan Messiah, Theudus, The impostor, The egyptian, and the infamous Simon Magus who is said by Justin Martyr and Hypolitius that he called himself the Christ.
K. John is warning of antichrists all around. Dr. David Allen from Southwestern writes, If you were Satan, how would you go about diluting and destroying the church of the Lord Jesus Christ? You might say, “I would bring foreign pagan armies in and try to kill all the Christians.” But that has never worked. If I were Satan, I would sow the seeds of false teachers within the church. I would not enter the church and say that Jesus is a liar and Jesus is not divine. I would come in like an angel of light, and with crafty cunning I would lead the sheep astray little by little through false teaching. That is what Satan does. He has his counterfeits in the churches and outside the churches.
L. What does a counterfeit imply? A counterfeit implies the existence of the real thing. Why do people not counterfeit $7 bills? There is no such thing as a $7 bill. People don’t counterfeit that which is not real. Satan counterfeits what is true. Unfortunately, he has his counterfeit preachers in churches. There are ministries today with a false prophet, a counterfeiter, standing behind the pulpit teaching people. Jesus told us we should not be surprised about that. He said there will always be false prophets. Jesus said that when he went away (after his resurrection), many false prophets would arise to lead many astray (). They would claim to be the Messiah, and they would deceive many.
2. He was mentioned in offering money for the Holy Spirit
A counterfeit implies the existence of the real thing. Why do people not counterfeit $3 bills? There is no such thing as a $3 bill. People don’t counterfeit that which is not real. Satan counterfeits what is true. So he has his counterfeit preachers in churches. There are churches today with a false prophet, a counterfeiter, standing behind the pulpit teaching people. Jesus told us we should not be surprised about that. He said there will always be false prophets. Jesus said that when he went away (after his resurrection), many false prophets would arise to lead many astray (). They would claim to be the Messiah, and they would deceive many.
If you were Satan, how would you go about diluting and destroying the church of the Lord Jesus Christ? You might say, “I would bring foreign pagan armies in and try to kill all the Christians.” But that has never worked. If I were Satan, I would sow the seeds of false teachers within the church. I would not enter the church and say that Jesus is a liar and Jesus is not divine. I would come in like an angel of light, and with crafty cunning I would lead the sheep astray little by little through false teaching. That is what Satan does. He has his counterfeits in the churches and outside the churches. What does a counterfeit imply? A counterfeit implies the existence of the real thing. Why do people not counterfeit $3 bills? There is no such thing as a $3 bill. People don’t counterfeit that which is not real. Satan counterfeits what is true. So he has his counterfeit preachers in churches. There are churches today with a false prophet, a counterfeiter, standing behind the pulpit teaching people. Jesus told us we should not be surprised about that. He said there will always be false prophets. Jesus said that when he went away (after his resurrection), many false prophets would arise to lead many astray (). They would claim to be the Messiah, and they would deceive many.
M. John is warning… this is the last hour. Antichrists have been rising and family, they are still here. If you are a student of church history you will see that false Christs and false teachers has not ever stopped plaguing the church. You think the Antichrist is a problem, look at what these antichrists are doing. The way in which John writes “antichrists many” appears to mean that other leaders of his type besides Cerinthus had already come to be. In the following ages new kinds of antichristian leaders arose. Church history describes them and the extent and the duration of the various movements. We are acquainted with those of recent times: Alexander Dowie, Charles Taze Russell, Jospeh Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, William Miller, modernism, post-modernism, etc. As they have multiplied, many of the old antichristian falsehoods have been taken up anew, have been dressed up in new verbiage and have paraded as new discoveries. Thus Cerinthus made Jesus the son of Joseph, which is only the modernists’ rejection of the Virgin birth. He denied that the blood of Jesus is the blood of the Son of God with power to cleanse from sin (1:7; 2:2), which the modernists likewise deny.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (pp. 110–111). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
N. Before we move on… it is important to know that the premium is seen in the corruption of the doctrine more than the corruption of the person. Seeing our leaders fall is an unfortunate thing, but seeing our doctrine crumble is a shattering thing. To believe that such and such person who fell is a hypocrite will not bring upon you the wrath of God. Now if you believe that Jesus was just a man and not the Son of the living God then the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth in eternal darkness is in your future.
K. These men were successful in leading thousands away
The way in which John writes “antichrists many” appears to mean that other leaders of his type besides Cerinthus had already come to be. In the following ages new kinds of antichristian leaders arose. Church history describes them and the extent and the duration of the various movements. We are acquainted with those of recent times: Dowie, Russell, Mrs. Eddy, modernism, etc. As they have multiplied, many of the old antichristian falsehoods have been taken up anew, have been dressed up in new verbiage and have paraded as new discoveries. Thus Cerinthus made Jesus the son of Joseph, which is only the modernists’ rejection of the Virgin birth. He denied that the blood of Jesus is the blood of the Son of God with power to cleanse from sin (1:7; 2:2), which the modernists likewise deny.
II. The Apostasy
1. Theudas had 400 and 30,000 who followed the Egyptian
- Those who oppose Christ will leave the church.
A. How can we tell the difference between a false Christian and a true Christian? John says there are three marks. First, a false one departs from the fellowship of the church.
How can we tell the difference between a false teacher and a true Christian teacher? John says there are three marks. First, a false teacher departs from the fellowship of the church.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
B. The first thing of note. They went out from us. Why is this important? Have you noticed that virtually every cult today was founded by someone who came out of the church? They all came out from the church. Not from outside, but from inside… even the apostle Peter warned of this...
1 John 2:
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.
Have you noticed that virtually every cult today was founded by someone who came out of the church?
C. Heed the warning given by the apostle John. In 1978, Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple were in the news. Jim Jones started out in an evangelical church but somehow crossed over to the dark side. He persuaded some 800 people to move with him to Guyana to establish what he called a church. In the end 800 people plus their children died, committing suicide under his leadership. He was a false prophet. For a while he was a part of the church, but he departed from the faith, and as John says, he went out from the church.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 111). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
n 1978, Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple were in the news. Jim Jones started out in an evangelical church but somehow crossed over to the dark side. He persuaded some 800 people to move with him to Guyana to establish what he called a church. In the end 800 people plus their children died, committing suicide under his leadership. He was a false prophet. For a while he was a part of the church, but he departed from the faith, and as John says, he went out from the church.
D. Paul of Samosata was bishop of Antioch. Arius was an elder of the church in Egypt. Applonarius was a church bishop. Nestorius was and Archbishop of Constantinople. Pelagius was a church theologian. Alexander Dowie was a Scotish evangelist. Charles Taze Russell was a part of the Congregationalist church. Joseph Smith was born out of the 2nd great awakening with attendance at Methodist church. Mary Baker Eddy was part of the Congregationalist church. Some may say… well thats because they were not baptists. One of the worst ones was William Miller a baptist minister whose millerite teachings influenced Charles Taze Russell who started the Jehovahs witnesses.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (pp. 111–112). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
E. Now the next important piece. The departure of false teachers serves an important purpose: to make clear to the true church that false teachers are not part of the true church. And they never were. Christians do not fall away. Oh here we go. If a Christian falls, they were never a Christian in the first place. To illustrate this is the famous one from BH Carroll founder of the southwestern… He said, “When you see a star fall you know it’s not a star.”
The departure of false teachers serves an important purpose: to make clear to the true church that false teachers are not part of the true church.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 112). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
Lenski, R. C. H. (1966). The interpretation of the epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude (p. 432). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
F. Stars don’t fall; stars shine. We call them shooting stars, but astronomically that is incorrect. When you see a star fall, what you are seeing is not actually a star. When you see a person who is a member of a church turn his back on Jesus and orthodox doctrine and depart into false doctrine, in the vast majority of cases you can be guaranteed that person was not a true Christian in the first place. Profession does not necessarily mean possession.
“When you see a star fall you know it’s not a star.”
Stars don’t fall; stars shine. We call them shooting stars, but astronomically that is incorrect. When you see a star fall, what you are seeing is not actually a star. When you see a person who is a member of a church turn his back on Jesus and orthodox doctrine and depart into false doctrine, in the vast majority of cases you can be guaranteed that person was not a true Christian in the first place. Profession does not necessarily mean possession.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 112). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
G. James M. Boice - “The implication of John’s statement is that some Christians are so much like non-Christians and some non-Christians are so much like Christians that it is impossible to tell the difference between them in this life.” The first mark of false teachers is they depart from the fellowship of the church. The old saying is still true: “Faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the first.”
James Boice is right on target: “The implication of Christ’s parable and John’s statement is that some Christians are so much like non-Christians and some non-Christians are so much like Christians that it is impossible to tell the difference between them in this life.” The first mark of false teachers is they depart from the fellowship of the church. The old saying is still true: “Faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the first.”
III. The Blessing
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- True Christians will fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.
A. Now I spent some time reflecting on the last 25 years of ministry and thought about something. Many times I have seen people who are having trouble in life or dealing with unfortunate circumstances give up on Christianity and leave the church. And for virtually all of them, seeing the situation get worse than it was before.
B. Now I have seen tremendous miracles where the Lord, restores marriages, reconcile children with parents, people about to lose everything recover, healing, restorations, bad things turned around for good. One thing that was consistent will all of these instances, they did not give up on Christ and did not leave the church. As hard as it was for many of them, they did not leave. The marriages that were saved were those who remained.
C. The blessings that belong to His people are here. They are real. And they are in fellowship with Christ. And the blessing that we also receive is the knowledge that if you are truly in Christ you will not leave. You will persevere. You will be in Christ. Once he has you in the palm of his hand he will never let you go. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in the day of our Lord.
D. I love it. It is not about what we do. It is about what he has done and what he will continue to do for His people. We fix our eyes upon Jesus He is the author and finisher of our faith.
E. There is even more good news. Even though in many ways we have been unfaithful to the Lord, Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures...
F. Jesus became sin who knew no sin that we might become...
G. For those who may be hearing this for the first time… If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart...
H. Hold fast today to the Lord. Don’t give up on the Lord and don’t give up on his church. But lets be honest… where else are we gonna go?
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.