Those Who Follow False Teachers.

Opening:

It is a beautiful thing to open the Word of God on the Lord’s Day.

Introduction of the Passage:

Reminder: Peter is addressing false teachers.

Peter has gone into great detail about what these false teachers will do and be like:

Remember, many will follow them.

Peter now speaks about those who will be deceived by the false teachers.

Reading of the Passage:

2 Peter 2:18–22 “18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.””

Behold, the Word of the Lord. Let’s pray.

Prayer:

Introduction:

One of the saddest things we have seen so far is that many will follow these false teachers.

Need:

To this day many still follow false teachers.

Because of this, we need to hear this warning.

Text Idea:

Peter says that those who follow false teachers will be brought back into the sin and corruption they had escaped.

Sermon Idea:

This should put us on guard to stand against these false teachers.

Interrogative:

How does the Apostle warn us?

Transition:

Peter speaks about two groups in this passage. The false teachers and those deceived by the false teachers.

The False Teachers.

Explanation:

Speak Great Swelling Words of Emptiness.

In ancient languages you were seen as more convincing if you could use the language in an elegant way. (Latin, Greek)

In a way this is still the case.

People will often try to use great big sweeping words to mask their true intentions.

In our day however, it is more common is to manipulate.

They use emotionally charged language to get people on their sides.

Examples: Emotional stories to drum up pitty. Stories where those mean people who care about what the Bible says are the bad guys. Stories where everything is about you and your happiness.

Allure Through Lusts of the Flesh.

Allure- seductive. Draw you in.

The idea here: “Follow me and you can do that sin you like.”

Though they likely did not actually say that out loud.

Offer Freedom but Are Slaves of Corruption.

They offer freedom from obedience to God.

“God doesn’t care about that” even though God clearly says it’s a sin.

They have no freedom to offer because they themselves are slaves.

John 8:34 “34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”

Transition:

Peter then transitions to tell us about:

Those Deceived by False Teachers.

Explanation:

Peter has told us a lot about the false teachers themselves.

What they will do.

How they will deceive.

How God will judge them.

Peter even spent time calling them names.

But what about the people who follow them into error?

Peter describes them.

Have Escaped from the Sin of the World.

Those who live in error (the lost)

pollution of the world (sin)

They were in sin but did escape it.

They tasted freedom.

Knew Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

These are not outsiders.

They knew Christ.

They were part of the church.

Transition:

Peter is giving a hypothetical. (If...then)

If They Know Christ but Abandon Him...

Peter uses the language of being entangled and overcome.

This was the case for many.

remember, many will follow these false teachers.

They were pulled away from the truth of Christ and back into sin by these false teachers.

They abandoned the faith. (Apostasy)

IF they know christ but abandon Him...

Then, it is Worse for them and Would be Better if They Never Knew Christ.

This is a common theme in Scripture.

There are those who come to Christ and then reject Him.

Jesus warns this will happen in the parable of the Sower.

Matthew 13:18–23 “18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.””

Satan snatches the seed from some before it can even grow.

Others grow but are rocky and have no root.

Others grow but are choked out by the weeds.

Jesus says it is worse for them.

Matthew 12:43–45 “43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.””

Jesus says in the parable of the vine that those who do not bear fruit are cast out.

John 15:6 “6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Paul says they are cursed and damned.

Hebrews 6:4–6 “4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Argumentation:

There are those who are part of the church. They believe the right things in their minds. On the outside they are just like everyone else here.

They are baptized, they take the Lord’s supper. They worship with us, fellowship with us, all of it.

But when push comes to shove they abandon the faith.

Specifically Peter is talking about those who love their sin more than Christ.

When false teachers come along and promise them their sin, they run after them.

They still profess Christ, but they want their sin. So they find a teacher who tells them their sin is okay.

This is why Peter calls them:

Dogs and Pigs Returning to Their Filth.

Proverbs 26:11 “11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.”

Disgusting image. Dog’s eating vomit. Pigs rolling in feces after being washed.

It is FAR worse when someone tastes the goodness of Christ and then returns to their sin.

Transition:

This is a visceral section. It is dark and frightening. But Peter makes one more point we need to look at. He uses a phrase in verse 19.

The One Who Subdues You Binds You.

“for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” v 19

Explanation:

Peter is giving a picture of slavery. Think of the phrase “Being taken in.” Many are taken in (subdued) by false teachers.

The one you follow owns you.

We are all slaves. But slaves to who? Slaves to what?

Romans 6:16 “16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”

Who do you follow?

For many it will be themselves.

What binds you?

Are you a slave to sin or slave to Christ?

Transition:

All Christians should be on guard.

You profess Christ, but do you obey Him? Who binds you?

Are you in danger of being taken in by false teachers?

How to Avoid Being Deceived.

Explanation:

Pressing question for all of us.

False teachers are sneaky.

Recognize Many Are Deceived Today.

This is not just a past reality.

Many claim to follow Christ but hate Him

False teachers now have access to the internet to spread their teaching.

Beware Any Who Promise You Christ and Your Sin.

Many will manipulate the doctrine of grace to say that works do not matter.

“That’s legalism!”

Christians obey Christ.

False teachers promise liberty without obedience.

Liberty Without Obedience is An Enslaving Lie.

You cannot have Christ and your sin.

If Scripture calls it a sin, you cannot love it and Christ too.

Be Cautious About Who You Follow.

Always be asking “is this true” not “do I like this.”

It does not matter what you like. It matters what is true.

In our digital age, it is easier than ever to be surrounded by false teaching.

Who are you listening to? Why are you listening to them?

Be cautious about the media you consume.

Beware untethered empathy. (manipulation)

Love the Word of God, Especially the Commandments.

Do you love Scripture? This is key. God has spoken. Do you love His Word?

When you read the commands of Scripture, are you frustrated or do you rejoice?

Give examples: Household commands. Commands to refrain from sin (drunkeness, sexual immorality, honesty, etc)

Be like David in Psalm 119. Love God’s Law.

Conclusion:

Beware of false teachers. Be sober minded. Care more about what God has said rather than you think.

Visualization:

Stand firm always. Resist those who try to deny what Christ has said.

Closing Prayer:

Offering:

Offertory Prayer:

Benediction:

2 Peter 3:17–18 “17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”