Can a Christian Be Lost Eternally?

Introduction:
  I. Most churches, today, believe in some form if not all 
     of Calvinism.
 II. The five points of Calvinism:
     A. Total Depravity
     B. Unconditional Election
     C. Limited Atonement
     D. Irresistible Grace
     E. Perseverance of Saints (Read p. 56 of The Five 
        Points of Calvinism)
III. While the Bible teaches the security of the believer, 
     it does not teach the impossibility of apostasy.
 IV. Today, I would like to notice five arguments that 
     shows that a child of God can so sin as to separate 
     himself from the grace of God and be lost.

Body:
  I. Argument #1 deals with the branches being cut off.
     A. John 15:1-10
        1. The branches represent individuals.
           a. verse 4
           b. verse 5
           c. verse 6
           d. verse 7
        2. There can be no branch apart from the vine; so 
           there can be no child of God apart from Christ.
     B. Romans 11:16-23
        1. The natural branches (Jews) were cut off. Verse 
           17, 21
        2. The branches of the wild olive tree (Gentiles) 
           were grafted on the vine, v. 17.
        3. The Gentile Christians were to take heed least 
           God cut them off, v. 21-22

 II. Argument #2 deals with the Book of Life.
     A. Children of God have their names written in the 
        book of life.
        1. Philippians 4:3
        2. Hebrews 12:23
     B. An individual can have his name blotted out.
        1. Exodus 32:33
        2. Revelation 3:5
        3. Revelation 20:15

III. Argument #3 deals with willful sin, Hebrews 10:26-31.
     A. The Hebrew writer speaks of those who go on sinning 
        willfully as having no hope, only a fearful 
        expectation of judgment.
     B. But notice if you will, the ones of whom he writes 
        are those who have been sanctified by the blood of 
        Christ.
     C. Who are the sanctified?

 IV. Argument #4 deals with departing from the faith.
     A. 1 Timothy 4:1
     B. 1 Timothy 1:18-20
     C. 1 Timothy 6:10
     D. 1 Timothy 5:8
     E. 2 Timothy 2:18
     F. This looks like apostasy, doesn’t it?

  V. Argument #5 deals with the law of forgiveness.
     A. 1 John 2:1-2
     B. James 5:15-16
     C. 1 John 1:7, 9
     D. Acts 8:18-23
     E. If the saved man can’t sin, why did God provide a 
        law for forgiveness of his sins?

Conclusion:
 I. All of these arguments prove that the Christian can so 
    sin as to separate himself from the grace of God.
II. No small wonder then, Paul after citing Israel as an 
    example of departure from God, declares in 1 
    Corinthians 10:12.