BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH OF ERIE The second snake in the garden of apostasy is: SERMON OUTLINE II. THE ERROR OF MAY 1, 2016 Another serpent in 's garden who has slithered in. Not only are there apostates who pervert the , but there are the apostates who PROSTITUTE the gospel. By James M. Duncan, Pastor And, they are represented by Balaam we learn about him in Numbers 22-25. #-4 In Series from the Book of Jude Let me just give you a synopsis of the story. King Balak was intimidated by the “Snakes in the Garden” and wanted Balaam to curse them. Balaam said he couldn’t so Balak says, “Every man has his price.” So he upped the ante, and throws in some fringe Jude 1:11 benefits, and a bigger salary; and he comes back to Balaam. How many of you like snakes??? I only like two kind of snakes! In North America, Balaam said, “we can't curse them. But, I can tell you how you can get them to there are four general types of venomous snakes, which are not difficult to recognize. curse themselves. Don't you have some good-looking Moabite girls over here?” These are the copperheads, and cottonmouths, the coral snakes, and rattlesnakes. He said, “What you need to do is just turn them into Playboy bunnies.” Now my point is that you had better be able to recognize a poisonous snake for your They then got into a sensual feast, and then into fornication, and God slew 24,000 wellbeing. Now, in a sense, an apostate is a snake in the garden of God. He is one who of them as the curse of God came upon God's people. has slithered in. The Bible says they “crept in unawares”(Jude 1:4). Do you know apostates are always motivated by a sense of gain? They're into reli- The word apostasy means, "to fall away." That is, these are people who have once re- gion for what they can get out of it. Remember the corresponding passage, ceived the truth, then they rejected the truth, then begin to ridicule the truth. But, in 2 Peter 2:1-3. Turn there with me. The third snake in the garden is: they're not content, until they try to replace the truth. III. The Gainsaying of Korah Now, just as you need to learn the marks of poisonous snakes, you need to learn the Korah, represents not only those who would pervert the gospel, and those who marks of apostasy. The Apostle Paul says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them would prostitute the gospel, but those who protest and would prohibit the gospel. which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; Turn to Numbers 16. and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). The first snake in the garden is: Korah was an important man. He was a cousin of . He was a prince in Israel, I. THE WAY OF CAIN and he was a very important man. He got 200 and another 50 men with him, and Cain represents the apostate who would pervert the gospel. Turn, if you will, please, he came in a protest rally against Moses. Now look in verse 31; and, you'll find out to the Book of Genesis chapter 4, verses 1-5, and let's find the story of Cain. how God feels about Korah who has brought his blasphemous accusation, and Now, this is the story of two brothers. It is the story of two offerings. It is here's what happens. the story of two religions. It is the story of two destinies. Abel offered to They went down alive into —250 more standing around, gaping at that, and God a bloody sacrifice; the blood of a lamb was offered to God. And, the Bible says fire comes down out of Heaven and destroys them. God doesn't do that to every that God had respect unto that offering. apostate. Here, God was setting an example—like in the early Church, when Ana- Remember - "“Without shedding of blood is no remission" ‘(Hebrews 9:22). Bible nias and Sapphira told just a lie and were struck dead. says, in 1 John 1:7: “And the blood of Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Now, we need to be warned, folks. I am telling you that Cain represents those sin” We are saved—we are cleansed—by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. His who pervert the gospel—a bloodless religion. Balaam represents these hustlers blood upon the cross is what Abel's lamb pictured Cain’s offering was the work of his who prostitute the gospel; and there are plenty of them around. Korah repre- hands as a tiller of the ground. God did not receive that offering. Why? Because, it sents those who actually protest the gospel, shake their fist in the face of represented the work of Cain's hands. You see, he had grown this out of the ground, God, and say, “You can't tell us how to worship You.” but God said, “Cursed is the ground; in the sweat of your face, you're going to grow Now, let me tell you what the real problem is. Are you listening? Many of you are things out of the ground—you're going to earn your living” (Genesis 3:17-19). saying, “So what. What's he so excited about?” What does Cain represent? He represents the apostate who does not preach the cross of Two problems in America : Christ and the blood of Christ. He has gone the way of Cain. Listen beloved, There are only two religions in the world—not three, not four; but two; the true and #1. APOSTASY IN THE PULPIT! the false. Do you remember the Reverend Wright, pastor of Trinity United #2. APATHY IN THE PEWS! Church of Christ in Chicago?? Listen to his sermon and I quote: