Understanding Salvation: Faith, Apostasy, and God's Faithfulness

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we embarked on a profound exploration of the nature of salvation and apostasy, focusing on Hebrews 6:4-6. This passage challenges us with the stark reality that it is impossible to renew to repentance those who have once been enlightened and then fall away. This is not a message of despair but a call to examine the authenticity of our faith. We began by celebrating a baptism, a beautiful symbol of new life in Christ, and then delved into the heart of the sermon series titled "Can I Lose My Salvation?"

The central theme is that not all spiritual illumination leads to salvation. We examined five responses to spiritual light, urging each of us to reflect on where we stand. The first response is darkness, representing those who are spiritually blind and unaided by God's grace. The second is the fading light, where false converts drift away, revealing a lack of genuine transformation. The third is the rejected light, where individuals knowingly reject Christ, leading to apostasy. The fourth is the resisted light, where true believers may backslide but are ultimately drawn back by God's discipline. Finally, the fifth response is walking in the light, where believers find assurance and comfort in their enduring faith.

This journey through Hebrews 6 is not about losing salvation but understanding the depth of true faith and the perseverance it requires. We are reminded that our confidence in eternal security rests not in our efforts but in God's strength and faithfulness. As we navigate the complexities of faith, we are encouraged to trust in the God who called us, knowing that He will keep us and bring us home.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Illumination vs. Salvation: Not all who experience spiritual enlightenment are saved. True salvation is marked by a persevering faith that endures trials and tribulations. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of apostasy and the assurance of salvation. [31:13]

2. The Reality of Apostasy: Apostasy is a deliberate rejection of Christ after having been enlightened. It is not a mere struggle with doubt or sin but a conscious decision to turn away from the truth. This sobering reality calls us to examine the authenticity of our faith and our commitment to Christ. [49:07]

3. The Role of God's Discipline: For true believers who backslide, God's discipline is a sign of His love and commitment to bring them back. This discipline, though uncomfortable, is a means of grace to restore and strengthen our faith. [01:02:02]

4. Assurance in Perseverance: Assurance of salvation is found in a life of active faith and obedience. It is not a one-time decision but a continuous journey of walking in the light and growing in holiness. This perseverance is evidence of genuine faith. [01:06:00]

5. God's Faithfulness in Salvation: Our confidence in eternal security is rooted in God's faithfulness. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to ensure that those who are truly His will persevere to the end. This divine assurance is our comfort and hope. [01:16:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:12] - Baptism Celebration
- [31:13] - Introduction to Hebrews 6
- [32:51] - The Weight of Apostasy
- [35:18] - Spiritual Darkness
- [37:40] - Light of Creation and Conscience
- [40:07] - Common Grace
- [43:26] - Deception and Rejection of Light
- [44:49] - Fading Light and False Converts
- [47:32] - The Truth of Time
- [49:07] - Rejected Light and Apostasy
- [50:23] - Enlightenment Without Salvation
- [53:12] - Judas Iscariot: A Case Study
- [57:43] - Eternal Security in Christ
- [01:02:02] - God's Discipline and Restoration
- [01:06:00] - Assurance Through Perseverance
- [01:16:49] - God's Grip on Believers

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 6:4-6

Observation Questions:
1. What are the five responses to spiritual light mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from each other? [31:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of apostasy, and what makes it distinct from other forms of spiritual struggle? [49:07]
3. What role does God's discipline play in the life of a believer who backslides, according to the sermon? [01:02:02]
4. How does the sermon explain the assurance of salvation and the role of perseverance in a believer's life? [01:06:00]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret Hebrews 6:4-6 in the context of the possibility of losing one's salvation? [32:51]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between spiritual enlightenment and true salvation? [50:23]
3. How does the sermon differentiate between a backslidden believer and an apostate? What implications does this have for understanding one's spiritual state? [59:41]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's faithfulness is central to the assurance of salvation? [01:16:49]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Which of the five responses to spiritual light do you most identify with, and why? [31:13]
2. Have you ever experienced a period of backsliding in your faith? How did you perceive God's discipline during that time, and what steps did you take to return to Him? [01:02:02]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of perseverance in faith. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a persevering faith in your daily life? [01:06:00]
4. How can you support someone in your life who may be struggling with doubts or drifting away from their faith? What role can prayer and gentle guidance play in their journey? [01:15:35]
5. Consider the assurance of salvation as described in the sermon. How does understanding God's faithfulness impact your confidence in your own salvation? [01:16:49]
6. The sermon discusses the danger of apostasy as a deliberate rejection of Christ. How can you guard your heart against such a path, and what spiritual practices can help you stay rooted in your faith? [49:07]
7. Reflect on the role of community in your spiritual life. How can being part of a supportive church community help you persevere in your faith and avoid spiritual pitfalls? [01:04:36]

Devotional

Day 1: The Distinction Between Illumination and Salvation
True salvation is not merely about experiencing spiritual enlightenment; it is about a faith that perseveres through trials and tribulations. Many may encounter spiritual light, but not all are transformed by it. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of apostasy and the assurance of salvation. Spiritual illumination can be a momentary experience, but salvation is a lifelong journey marked by enduring faith. It is essential to recognize that genuine faith is evidenced by a life that continues to grow in holiness and obedience, even amidst challenges. [31:13]

"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt." (Hebrews 6:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively nurture your faith today to ensure it is not just a fleeting experience but a persevering journey?


Day 2: The Sobering Reality of Apostasy
Apostasy is a deliberate and conscious rejection of Christ after having been enlightened. It is not simply a struggle with doubt or sin but a willful turning away from the truth. This reality serves as a sobering reminder to examine the authenticity of our faith and our commitment to Christ. It challenges us to reflect on whether our faith is genuine or merely superficial. Understanding apostasy calls us to a deeper commitment to Christ, ensuring that our faith is rooted in truth and not just an emotional response. [49:07]

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first." (2 Peter 2:20, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are knowingly resisting Christ's call? How can you address this today to prevent a drift towards apostasy?


Day 3: The Loving Discipline of God
For true believers who backslide, God's discipline is a sign of His love and commitment to bring them back. This discipline, though uncomfortable, is a means of grace to restore and strengthen our faith. It is a reminder that God does not abandon His children but actively works to correct and guide them back to the path of righteousness. Understanding God's discipline helps us to see it not as punishment but as a loving act of a Father who desires our growth and maturity in faith. [01:02:02]

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced God's discipline in your life, and how can you embrace it as an opportunity for growth and restoration today?


Day 4: Assurance Through Perseverance
Assurance of salvation is found in a life of active faith and obedience. It is not a one-time decision but a continuous journey of walking in the light and growing in holiness. This perseverance is evidence of genuine faith. True assurance comes from a life that consistently seeks to align with God's will, demonstrating a faith that is alive and active. It is through this ongoing relationship with God that believers find comfort and confidence in their salvation. [01:06:00]

"Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." (2 Peter 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively persevere in your faith and confirm your calling and election?


Day 5: God's Faithfulness in Salvation
Our confidence in eternal security is rooted in God's faithfulness. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to ensure that those who are truly His will persevere to the end. This divine assurance is our comfort and hope, reminding us that our salvation is not dependent on our strength but on God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Trusting in God's faithfulness allows us to rest in the assurance that He will keep us and bring us home, no matter the challenges we face. [01:16:49]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness today, especially in moments of doubt or fear, to strengthen your confidence in His promise of salvation?

Quotes



This is our take-home truth. It's not all spiritual illumination leads to salvation. Not all spiritual illumination, and I'm going to talk about the doctrine of spiritual illumination, leads to salvation. [00:34:30]

Listen to what the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 59, 9 through 10. Therefore, justice, doing what is right, is far from us. And righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness. For brightness, but we live in darkness. We live in the night. We grope along a wall like the blind. We grope like those without eyes. We stumble at noon as though it were twilight. We are like the dead among those who are healthy. Saints, that's not just bad news. That's hopeless news. [00:36:39]

Yet here's the hard truth. All of this revelation only makes people accountable to God. It does not save them. Okay? It eliminates, God has given everyone enough light, listen, to eliminate their excuses. No one will stand before God on judgment day and go, God, God, but, but, but. There'll be no buts at the bar. Okay? None. [00:42:02]

Salvation isn't measured by a moment of excitement. It's measured by a lifetime of persevering faith. And if you think I'm pressuring to you hard, don't shoot the messenger. This is God's. Word. Listen to what it says in Hebrews 6.12, which we're going to get to more importantly in the next one. But it says, So that you won't become lazy, but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises. That is saying, who receive salvation, who get to enter into the heavenly kingdom. And notice how we go through it. Through faith and perseverance. [00:48:25]

This isn't about doubt. This isn't about struggling with sin. This isn't about a season of wandering. This is apostasy. If you want to put this down in your notes, apostasy is a deliberate, knowing rejection of Christ. A deliberate, knowing rejection of Christ. And it raises some sobering questions. Can someone fall so far that they can actually never return? And if so, could that happen to you? [00:49:39]

You mean to tell me you can follow after Jesus, be called to ministry, preach a pure gospel, perform signs and wonders, and still not believe? Yes. You better believe. That's what this scripture's teaching. Okay? For Jesus knew when? From the beginning. Those who did not believe and the one who would betray Him. He's talking about Judas. [00:54:56]

So what happens when a true believer backslides? I'll tell you what happens to a real believer. Sin will feel good for a moment. Listen for a moment. And then God's Word starts to burn. The Spirit begins to prod. And your peace will vanish. It will. David tried to ignore the heavy hand of God. King David did. And he wrote about how the silence was torment. All he wanted to do was, God, leave me alone in my sin. Let me go. Just let me do it. [01:01:51]

If you're sitting here this morning and you feel the weight and the distance between yourself and God, I need you to see this, God isn't punishing you, he's not condemning you he's trying to get your attention to call you back to himself his discipline the fact that you feel that God's heavy hand is on you is proof of his love that you're one of his kids means you're still his you've not walked away from the faith you've wandered, but you've not wandered out from under the gaze of your father and he's going to draw you back to himself so my position as your friend and pastor is repent and return to him [01:06:00]

True faith endures and when doubt whispers don't look back look at right now can I encourage you with some things? why do God's people persevere? it's because God is strong I want you to see this I am not asking you to save yourself you cannot but if Christ has saved you it will result in change but take comfort take comfort in what the Trinity is doing for each one of you who is really saved notice one what the Father does notice what the Father does Ephesians 1 -4 says for he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love before him I love that it means he chose me in him before he saw me play out all my stupid stuff right? he says Josh is mine I know the rest of the story I got him you see that? [01:10:00]

If you're worried about falling away, what I'm saying is I think you're showing repentance and concern. False converts, listen saints, they don't wrestle with sin. Apostates don't sleep over apostasy, lose sleep over apostasy. They walk away and they never look back. But God's children, you feel the tension, you feel the struggle, the ache, to be sure, might just be the Spirit's whisper going, you're mine. [01:12:21]

God still opens blind eyes. So never stop pointing them to Christ. If your faith endures, it'll be because Christ, you trusted Christ, not, not perfectly, but truly. And here's the best part. You are not holding onto him. He is holding onto you. [01:16:26]

No, because the God who called you will keep you. The Christ who bought you will guard you. And the Spirit who sealed you will bring you home. So trust Him, rest in Him, and walk in the light. [01:17:15]

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Transcript
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