NEVER STUMBLE

NEVER STUMBLE

RF, 9/22/2019

CONNECT:  Recently, I have been concerned with the “deconversion” of some prominent Christian leaders.

One was Joshua Harris. He wrote a book several years ago entitled “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”. He is credited with starting what became known as the ‘purity culture’ in the church. He became the pastor of a megachurch and then resigned after a few years to attend seminary. This last summer he announced that he was leaving his marriage and leaving his faith. He has renounced evangelical Christianity and is exploring other lifestyles.

Not long after that Marty Sampson, one of Hillsong’s most prolific song writers and worship leaders announced he was losing his faith and was very comfortable with that. We have sung many of his powerful songs here at RF, most notably “Praise the Name of the Lord Our God”.

TENSION:  How does this happen?  How does someone who is a leader in the Church suddenly decide they don’t want to be a Christian anymore. Not only that, they reject and apologize for everything that have taught before.

This has led to many rejecting Christianity and leaving the church, especially younger people.

I don’t want to be one of those who fall away from the faith. I know you don’t either.  I don’t think those who have fallen away set out to do it, but it happened.  It has happened before and is happening and will continue to happen.  

Jesus said it would happen.

Matthew 24:12 (NKJV) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Paul saw it.

1 Timothy 1:19-20 (NKJV) having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2 Timothy 4:10 (NKJV) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

This will happen more frequently as the second coming of Jesus approaches.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV) Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith…

SOLUTION:  There is some good news!  God tells us in His Word that there is a way to never fall back or fall away.

PRAYER

INSTRUCTION :  One key is in the verses immediately following our studies this summer.

TEXT:  2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

What things? Go back to v. 5. We are commanded to be diligent about making sure we have the eight attributes we have been studying.  But here in v. 10 we are also commanded to be even more diligent to make sure we are saved!

The word ‘stumble’ means to fall or fall away. So, when we read ‘stumble’ think fall away.

Let me read this in the NLT…

2 Peter 1:10 (NLT) So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.

This is a promise that we can be assured of making it to the end!

What are some reasons why people fall away?

Envying others:  Psalms 73:2–3 (NKJV) But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Indulging desires:  Isaiah 28:7 (NKJV) But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Forgetting God:  Jeremiah 18:15 (NKJV) Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in pathways and not on a highway,

Pride:  Jeremiah 50:32 (NKJV) The most proud shall stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up; I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all around him.

Idols in our hearts:  Ezekiel 14:3 (NKJV) Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?

No depth in our lives:  Matthew 13:21 (NKJV) yet he has no root in himself but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Disobedience:  1 Peter 2:8 (NKJV) and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

APPLICATION :  What can we do to not stumble and fall away?

Love the Word of God:  Psalms 119:165 (NKJV) Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Lean into Wisdom:  Proverbs 4:10–13 (NKJV) Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. ¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. ¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. ¹³ Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Learn to Pray:  Jeremiah 31:9 (NKJV) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.

Listen to the Voice of God:  John 16:1 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.

Leap into Faith:  Jude 1:24 (NKJV) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

INSPIRATION:  Brad climbing towers without fear by believing Jude 1:24...

Hebrews 10:35-39 (NKJV) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.