Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
January 20, 2008 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Be on your guard against false teachers.
Focus Passage: 2 John
Introduction:
I. Guard against deceivers v7
a. Anyone can be a deceiver; don’t tell people they can be “good enough” for God to accept them.
b. Matthew 7:15-23
II. Watch yourself: don’t lose what you have gained v8
a. Reputation, testimony, heavenly rewards
III. Don’t go too far; stay in the doctrine of Christ. V9
a. Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
b. What is “the teaching of Christ”? Is it the teaching about Christ or what Christ taught?
IV. Don’t receive a deceiver; don’t compromise; guard your testimony v 10,11
a. • by allowing them to be around our children or young people.
• by allowing them to be around believers where they can share their ideas.
• by allowing them to teach in our churches.
• by attending their meetings.
• by supporting them financially.
• by showing any encouragement whatsoever to them.
b. Galatians 1:6-9
Invitation:
Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (16) "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (17) "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (19) "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) "So then, you will know them by their fruits. (21) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (22) "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' (23) "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Galatians 1:6-9 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; (7) which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
