Main Text
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
(1 Timothy 4:1)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.”
(2 Timothy 4:3)
✦ INTRODUCTION
We are living in days where many have turned away from the true faith, fulfilling exactly what the Word prophesied about apostasy in the last days. Instead of following the example of the early church—marked by simplicity, holiness, devotion, and perseverance—many have created a faith molded to please the crowds.
There is an unbalanced search for messages of prosperity, victories, and blessings. Yet Scripture shows us that both the Hebrew believers of the Old Testament and the Christians of the New Testament went through intense trials, persecutions, deserts, and hardships.
The biblical faith never promised a life without suffering, but it promised God’s presence through every trial.
✦ 1. Biblical Examples That Refute the Modern Prosperity Gospel
The Bible is full of faithful servants who endured pain and persecution—something rarely mentioned in many pulpits today.
Old Testament Examples
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Job – a righteous man deeply tested (Job 1:8).
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Daniel – faithful in Babylon, thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6).
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David – anointed king, yet persecuted for years (1 Samuel 23–24).
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Elijah – powerful prophet, but faced fear and loneliness (1 Kings 19).
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Elisha – mocked and opposed (2 Kings 2).
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Joseph – betrayed, enslaved, falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39–41).
New Testament Examples
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Peter – imprisoned and persecuted.
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Paul – beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned repeatedly (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
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The disciples – lived under constant danger and persecution.
👉 Question:
If these faithful servants suffered, how can anyone preach a gospel with no cross?
✦ 2. The Early Church: A Model of Holiness and Devotion
The church in Acts lived a simple, powerful, and authentic faith marked by:
✓ Sound doctrine
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (Acts 2:42)
✓ Genuine fellowship
“…to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
✓ Fear of the Lord
“Everyone was filled with awe…” (Acts 2:43)
✓ A life of prayer
The church prayed without ceasing (Acts 12:5).
✓ Purity and holiness
God judged sin severely in the church (Acts 5).
✓ Focus on repentance and salvation
Peter did not preach “victory”—he preached repentance (Acts 2:38).
✓ Persecution as part of the faith
Persecution did not destroy the church—it multiplied it (Acts 8:1-4).
✦ 3. The Modern Church: Glory Without a Cross, Success Without Holiness
Sadly, many churches today have drifted far from the original pattern.
Seeking messages that please people
Popularity replaces truth.
Sin is minimized or ignored
What Scripture condemns is now tolerated or celebrated.
Prosperity-centered preaching
Money has become the central theme.
Offerings turned into transactions.
"Victory" has become a product.
Shows instead of worship
Lights, smoke, concerts — but little brokenness.
Pagan and mystical practices entering churches
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Sea salt used for spiritual cleansing.
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Anointed items treated as magical objects.
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Campaigns based on numbers, colors, symbols, similar to mysticism.
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Rituals replacing true devotion and obedience.
None of this existed in the early church — and much resembles pagan practices more than Christianity.
✦ 4. The Biblical Warning About Apostasy
Scripture clearly warned:
✓ Many false prophets will rise
(Matthew 24:11)
✓ Some will depart from the faith
(1 Timothy 4:1)
✓ People will love pleasure more than God
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
✓ They will have a form of godliness but deny its power
(2 Timothy 3:5)
✓ They will seek teachers who speak what pleases them
(2 Timothy 4:3)
We are witnessing exactly these things.
✦ 5. Comparison: Early Church × Modern Church
| Aspect | Early Church | Modern Church (many parts of it) |
|---|---|---|
| Message | Repentance, holiness, the cross | Prosperity, success, self-help |
| Focus | Christ | The individual |
| Priority | Salvation of souls | Attendance and numbers |
| Style | Reverent and simple | Entertaining and emotional |
| View of sin | Confronted directly | Softened or normalized |
| Supernatural | From God | Often manipulated or staged |
| Persecution | Expected | Avoided at all costs |
| Offerings | Voluntary | Pressured or transactional |
| Doctrine | Central | Secondary or neglected |
✦ 6. The Path Back: Returning to the Biblical Pattern
Apostasy can only be overcome by returning to:
✓ Scripture
✓ Prayer
✓ Fear of the Lord
✓ Repentance and holiness
✓ Exalting Christ, not man
✓ Simplicity of the gospel
True revival begins with broken hearts, not big events.
Let's pray!
Lord God and Father,
we come before You acknowledging our complete dependence on You.
Deliver us from the apostasy of these last days and guard our hearts in Your truth.
Help us return to our first love, to holiness, repentance, and the simplicity of the gospel.
May we not be deceived by human doctrines, empty promises, or practices that do not come from You.
Give us strength to remain faithful, even in the midst of trials and persecution.
May Your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us steadfast until the end.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
.jfif)
