Introduction:    Vast numbers in the Church today seem to believe that they are,”...rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Revelation 3:17). Many do not see the danger of false teachers in the Church. They seem to believe that false teaching could never be a serious problem in the Church in our generation. But apostasy like sin starts out small and grows into a major problem quickly. We are warned in Galatians 5:9—“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” we be must ever vigilant to keep apostasy in check. We are encouraged in 1 John 4:1—“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

I.          THE CHURCH’S REALITY (Heb. 5:12-13)

A.        The Appearance Of The Church Today. 

·         It appears today that solid, sound Biblical teaching has been dumbed-down--made as broad and as shallow as possible, oversimplified, The average sermon today is almost always brief, simplistic. The man of God is to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul’s message was never adjusted to suit the philosophies and tastes of his hearers.

·         Church-growth experts today seem to have no confidence in the power of Scripture. They seem to believe that the gospel must be revamped and reworked. Fifty years of that approach has left many Christians untaught and unprepared to defend the truth as well as unaware of how much is at stake.

·         Today’s modernists have been attacking the Biblical doctrine of the substitutionary atoning death of Jesus Christ. They say the gospel message needs to be adapted to appeal to the delicate and sensitive tastes of postmodern man. Yet, Scripture is clear: Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross as our substitute (Isaiah 53:4-6), He took all the punishment we deserved in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Peter 3:18). His death met the demands of almighty God's wrath against sin on the believer's behalf (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). This Biblical doctrine has been so vigorously attacked because they insist that it makes God appear harsh, barbaric, and unloving. They oppose the cross because it is too uncouth for their tastes. One author has even referred to the principle of the substatuteionary atonement as “twisted” and ”a form of cosmic child abuse.”

B.         The Absurdity In The Church Today. 

·         The blame for scraping and reimaging of many of the doctrines the Church has held dear for centuries--the inerrancy of the Scripture, the authority of the Scripture, the doctrine of original sin, and the exclusivity of Christ lies mainly with the Emerging Church movement. 

·         Many have embraced liberalism, this modernistic doctrine, and conservative fundamentalism is paying the price for it. Someone has well said: ”When we allow false teachers to preach a popular TV version of doctrine and churches are built on entrepreneurial skills instead of the Word of God, we will have churches that are a mile wide and an inch deep spiritually.” 

·         As we see apostasy rising in the Church today the question is, ”What will our response be?”   

II.         THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE Jude 5, 17-23 gives us three appropriate responses to apostasy...

A.        Remember What Was Prophesied (2 Peter 2:1-3)

The apostles told about the coming of false teachers. 2 Peter and these words of Jude which parallel Peter's words in many ways call us to remember two things:

1.      God Is Sovereign - Jude reminds us that just because false teachers have infiltrated the Church that this does not mean God's plan has gone astray. God is not surprised by any of this and in His time and way He will respond accordingly.

2.      God's People Must Not Slumber - Our duty is to respond to apostasy scripturally. We should not be surprised when false teacher appear in the Church and we must be prepared for the reality of it. It is our wake-up call! 

B.         Remain Faithful To God’s Principles (Jude 20-21)

Sadly, today the Church has lost the art of edification. Scripture tells us we are to build up one another in the faith and maintain that principle. How can this be accomplished?  Jude gives us four things to consider:

1.      We Must Remain Faithful To Scripture - v20 The phrase “your most holy faith” refers to sound doctrine--having a right understanding of truth as it is revealed to us through Scripture. 

2.      We Must Remain Spiritually Stable - We do this by “praying in the Holy Ghost...” We constantly commune with God. When we do this it shows our dependence on God and proclaim our trust in His protection, grace, wisdom, and power.

3.      We Must Remain Obedient - V21 says—“Keep yourselves in the love of God...”  This reminds us to be obedient in our walk for God.  Jesus said in John 14:21—“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  Jesus told His disciples to “abide in my love.”  We read in John 15:9-10—“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”  

4.      We Must Remain Looking For His Return - “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  We must keep an eager expectation of Christ's second coming. We must set our minds on heavenly things not on things here below (Colossians 3:2).  Beloved, this is the only way to endure in the age of apostasy. In the ultimate end only what is eternal really matters! The truth matters infinitely more than anything this word has to offer us. 

C.         Reach Out (Jude 22-23)

Because many deceivers have gone out into the world there are many who have been deceived.  In our Battle For Truth we are not only to oppose false teachers but also to reach out to those whom they have led astray. Those who are affected by apostasy fall into one of three groups:

1.      The Confused - These are they that doubt.  In being exposed to false teaching they have had their faith in the truth shaken. They are committed to error yet, but they doubt. They are being swayed back and forth between truth and error.

2.      The Convinced - These are those that we must be ”pulling them out of the fire.”  When you meet a person who is a convinced follower of some false teacher or teaching don't turn your back on that person.  God works in what we consider to be hopeless cases. 

3.      The Committed - Jude uses some very strong language here:”...hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” The word spotted means “blemished, stained, and defective.” Heresy that undermines the Gospel is a horrible sin because it places the soul in eternal peril under the darkness of the kind of lies that keep people in permanent bondage to their sins. 

Conclusion:  Truth is not determined by our opinion or imagination. Truth is what God decrees!  His Word gives us an infallible source of saving truth. In Scripture we are given all the truth we need to sustain us, supply us, and enable us to serve God. May we earnestly contend for the faith so the Church can grow and the cause for truth can prosper. The Battle For Truth is a good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).  Let us wage a good warfare for the honor and glory of God!  To endure the age of apostasy we must REMEMBER, REMAIN, and REACH OUT. Will you do that? Will you follow God's plan for your life and for the growth of our Church?