The Dangers Of False Teachers Series

The Dangers of False Teachers

2 Peter Sermon Series, Part 3

2 Peter 2:1-22

Introduction

- Purpose: Peter gives guidance and reassurance to the growing church

-- As a disciple maker his desire is to see others grow in knowledge of Christ

-- Promise he stands on: the Gospel we/they are preaching is Jesus!

-- Re: The Gospel is our measuring stick; and it is what saves (not us)

- In our message last week, we talked about the sufficiency of scripture

-- It is our measuring stick, and how we are to face a trouble world

- This morning we will examine a very common topic in this world

-- Level Set: False teachers are not new, they have always existed

-- We can all cite folks that we believe are teaching false gospels

-- But honestly, we need to check ourselves on setting up as their judges

-- The judge in all of this is God, and we’ll see that today

-- APP: this is why I’m not going to spend time listing them, ok?

- As we discussed last week – our source of truth is the Word of God

-- The legitimacy of God’s word is where we find our foundation/wisdom

-- Bible is given so when we can hear something we can know if it’s truth

- So, with that said (RE: context is critical), let’s dive into Chapter 2

- Read 2 Peter 2:1-22 / Pray for guidance & transparency … start with obvious

Point 1 – What are false teachers?

- When Peter writes that they “cleverly teach”; it’s a warning of departing truth

-- They bring to bear their thoughts/preferences rather than God’s commands

-- They bring heresies to the church that are destructive to souls of others

- EX: “All roads lead to God, so just be a good person and you’ll get there”

-- Sounds really good, but it is a bold-faced lie that pollutes the truth (Jn 14:6)

- EX: “God is love, and so “I” should be able to love whoever “I” want”

-- The big (deceptive) clue is that it centers around “I” … and not on God

- False teachers present ideas that lead people into a false sense of security (v1)

-- This is where we must be alert and able to defend the faith boldly

-- KEY: You cannot defend it if you do not know it (must read God’s word)

- What these false teachers do is deny the sovereign Lord who leads them

-- They deny the truth that He is Lord, and that He reigns supreme

-- It does not suggest that they used to be believers and are now unbelievers

-- IMP: They are persons who NEVER knew God personally; denied as Lord

- So, since they deny Him, they bring destruction upon themselves (v1)

-- Get this: The destruction that God brings is complete, permanent … hell

-- APP: We must make sure we teach sound doctrine; to know His word

- TR: So, how can we be on the lookout? They are actually easy to spot …

Point 2 – False teachers are selfish and ignore God’s judgment

- Sadly, many will be drawn to them because they seem attractive (v2)

-- When Peter writes about shameful immorality – he is very blunt

- Setup: What they did is take Greek culture and bring it into the church

-- IMP: The church should NOT look like the world; we’re called to be different

-- 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”

- What Peter says (word use) they perform “blasphemeo”

-- Literally means they injure the reputation of someone else (blaspheme)

-- KEY: Christ’s reputation is injured when teachings about Him are not biblical

- Now, take a look at the description Peter gives us (v3)

-- These false teachers were only interested in themselves; what brings them recog.

-- Peter says they were greedy, and they fabricated stories to fool others

-- Get this: Self-exaltation is the primary motivator of a false teacher

- What Peter says at the end of verse 3 is critical for you and me to grasp:

-- “God condemned theme long ago, their destruction will not be delayed.”

- At one time, angels rebelled against God, and they were judged (v4)

-- Peter gives us the judgment of God through the flood in Genesis

-- The people of Noah’s time rejected God, and they were judged

-- Then we have Sodom and Gomorrah – two cities destroyed by God (v6)

- APP: There is a pattern here: unconfessed sin leads to turning from God

-- This turning from God leads to destruction for our ultimate denial of Him