Dangers of Apostasy or Rebellion
Pastor Benard A. Makau | 1 October 2023
During his sermon, Pastor Ben drew from Judges 1:1-16, which tells the story of the Israelites conquering the land of Canaan. The Israelites were initially successful in their conquest, but they failed to fully drive out the inhabitants of the land and instead allowed them to live among them. This led to the Israelites adopting the practices and beliefs of the Canaanites, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Pastor Ben used this story to illustrate the dangers of apostasy or rebellion, which is the act of drifting away from one's faith or affiliation. He explained that just as the Israelites allowed the Canaanites to live among them, we too can allow worldly influences to infiltrate our lives and lead us away from God.
To further emphasize this point, Pastor Ben referenced Matthew 24:10, which speaks on the many who have turned away from God. He explained that apostasy is a gradual process that can happen to anyone, and it is important to be vigilant and guard against it.
Additionally, Pastor Ben referenced Revelation 2:1-5, which speaks on the church of Ephesus. Despite having many gifts, they had drifted away from their first love and were encouraged to examine themselves and seek a way back. Pastor Ben used this as an example of how even those who are initially strong in their faith can fall away if they are not careful.
Overall, Pastor Ben encouraged the congregation to embrace feedback on areas where they may have lapsed in their spiritual life and to strive for improvement. He emphasized the importance of staying connected to God and guarding against the influences of the world. By doing so, we can avoid the dangers of apostasy and rebellion and remain faithful to our beliefs.