2 Peter 2. Sagacity against false teachers.

Sagacity against False Teachers 2 Peter 2 November 20, 2022 Characteristics of False Teachers 2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. -- 2 Peter 2:1-3 THERE WON’T BE A FINAL RECKONING Nephilim For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment; 4 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 5 Noah’s Flood Sodom & Gomorrah if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 6 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 19 2 Peter 2:1-22 01 02 03 04 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS CALL TO ACTIONS 2 Peter 2:1-22 01 02 03 04 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS CALL TO ACTIONS Among you In the Church Heap abuse on celestial beings Slander godly spiritual leaders Like unreasonable animals, creatures of instinct Carouse in broad daylight Mouth empty, boastful words Hypocrit es Fal se Teach Heresy Tempora ry Exploit you with fabricated stories Blespheme in matters they do not understand Springs without water and mists driven by a storm How to detect false teachers?  Is it consistent with the Biblical teaching?  Does the teaching challenge you to be more Godly, or move you to be more self-centered?  Do they represent enduring principles & enduring institution? 2 Peter 2:1-22 01 02 03 04 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS CALL TO ACTIONS Jesus warned us against False Teachers “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 21 -- Mathew 7 …They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. 2 False Teachers love money like Balaam, but God protects His people They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer,[f] who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. 15 -- 2 Peter 2:15-16 “Did I not tell you … I must say only what the LORD says”? Balaam answered King Balak -- Numbers 24:12 2 Peter 2:1-22 01 02 03 04 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS CALL TO ACTIONS God did not spare angels or people who lived before the flood, or citizens in Sodom False teachers will bring destruction on themselves; be rejected by Christ They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish. 12 13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 17 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”[g] and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” 22 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 24 2 Peter 2:1-22 01 02 03 04 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS CALL TO ACTIONS Know your God and Bible  How often do you talk to God? E.g. prayer, devotions, etc.  How well do you know His voice?  How well do you know your Bible? Where are you in building Godly character? Love Mutual affaction Mutual affaction Godliness Godliness Godliness Perserver Perserver Perserver Perserver ance ance ance ance SelfSelfSelfSelfSelfcontrol control control control control Knowledg Knowledg Knowledg Knowledg Knowledg Knowledg e e e e e e Goodness Goodness Goodness Goodness Goodness Goodness Goodness Faith Faith Faith Faith Faith Faith Faith Faith Avoid them? Reprove & reprove them? Or love them and exhort them?  How do you deal with false teachers? Do’s Moralize “technical” differences Judgmental Feel superior Don’ts Know your Bible Know your God Hate the sin, love the sinners