2 Peter 2:17-22 Dry Wells and Slavery
Notes
Transcript
Prayer
Introduction
Introduction
Today we will finish up Peter’s lesson to us about false prophets and teachers.
The first theme of this letter is a warning to beware of false teachers.
Peter not only warns, but explains why it is that false teachers are such a danger to Christians.
Today, we will talk about the traps they set for Christians
The second theme, next lesson, is about the coming of the Day of the Lord. One of the themes of the false teachers is that 1) Jesus would not return, or 2) that Jesus had already returned and those left behind were without hope.
Review
Review
AD 64, Nero is emperor
Peter is at the end of his life, Paul is likely executed, James has already been executed
1 Peter is about external threats, 2 Peter is about internal threats to the church
Ch 1 - Peter assures his readers that he bears the truth and speaks for Jesus
Ch 2- Peter is providing us a detailed description of who false teachers are, who they serve, how they behave, what motivates them.
Today we will talk about how they operate, their future, and those who follow them
2 Peter 2:17–19 (NASB95)
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
1. Dry Wells and slavery
1. Dry Wells and slavery
Explanation
vv 10-16 Peter provides a detailed lesson on false teachers.
They are driven almost exclusively by lust and are seeking to drag people along with them on their path of sin and self-destruction
In v 17, Peter refers to them as dry wells, or mists driven by a storm
For the dry and thirsty traveller in the desert - promise of water ahead
Mists promise rain. This refers to great, swelling words, that end up empty of meaning.
Upon drawing close, they prove an extreme disappointment - no water or refreshment
A complete waste of time and energy - diverted by the vision only to find no help
They are all talk and no show, all hat and no cattle
They entice/bait the net, promising pleasure - physical primarily
A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (Portrait of a False Prophet (2:10b–22))
18 The errorists carry out their program by a persuasive appeal to man’s lower nature. They mouth empty, boastful words. “Arrogant nonsense” is Goodspeed’s translation. Knox has, “fine phrases that have no meaning.” Language—that God-given capacity to communicate and understand—has become for them an instrument to divide and spoil. Sin defiles everything it touches. It takes the very gifts of God and turns them into tools of iniquity.
A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (Portrait of a False Prophet (2:10b–22))
It is by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature that the heretics entice people. They bait their prey with an appeal to sensual desire and the prospect of no restraint (the NIV fails to translate aselgeiais, “excesses”). Much of modern advertising is nothing but a contemporary expression of the same principle. Everything from shaving cream to automobiles is sold through clever ads with sexual innuendoes. Twentieth-century man is duped in exactly the same way as his first-century brother.
They take advantage of those who are weak in the faith. Those who may be discouraged. New Christians are especially vulnerable
They are professional skeptics - have wrong answers
False teachers are not only a complete waste of time, their teachings are damnable. They are enslaved to their sin, and it is their sin that drives everything they do. They are sad creatures, in that they know and understand the Gospel, and have rejected it, leaving them open not only to Satanic attack, but living a life in this world that is increasingly miserable.
Make a great deal of promising freedom - In fact they themselves are enslaved by their own sin and lust, and seek to do the same for others.
If it is sin that overcomes a man, sin is his master. Conversely, if overcome by the HS and righteousness, then that becomes the master
John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
Illustration
Ever get an email or letter promising a fabulous prize? What about TV.
email - spear fishing
letter - selling something to enter a contest
Most advertising operates on this principle
Argumentation
Don’t badmouth another teacher -
Many different ways to God?
Inconsistencies in the Bible
Errors in the Bible
Easy believism
Application/Exhortation
Beware of something for nothing schemes
False teachers need to be exposed. Their false teachings need to be denied.
2 Peter 2:20–22 (NASB95)
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
2. The tragedy and disgusting nature of false teachers.
2. The tragedy and disgusting nature of false teachers.
Explanation
Most false teachers turned to Christ at some point
may have followed a different Gospel
Enjoyed the fellowship, but wanted power and recognition
Became disappointed because their worldly desires werent satified
Where God’s word went against their sin and desires, they corrupted it.
Heresy will result in damnation
Matthew 12:45 ““Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.””
Return to sin will result in suffering and affliction
God’s wrath on false teachers will be more severe than on unbelievers. False teachers knew the truth and rejected it.
Illustration
Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.
A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire
Dogs are disreputable, sows are unclean
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Chapter 2)
But—You need not wonder at the event; for dogs and swine they were before, and dogs and swine they will continue.
Argumentation
No change no Christ, no Christ, no change
It’s ok to question someone’s salvation when evaluating them and their teaching. How did they get saved?
One must know the doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the Bible, not by someone else. HS must be the counsellor.
Application/Exhortation
1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Philippians 2:12 “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”
Conclusions
Conclusions
False teachers think the Word of God is wrong and they want you to, as well
Many false teachers are misguided, but arrogant - they are not teachable
The best way to avoid false teaching is to submit to the Word of God, and fellowship with godly men and women.
Dont let false teachings, or false beliefs steal your salvation
Don’t let them undermine your faith, and future in heaven.
Gospel
Gospel
as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;