False teachers will come (part 1)
Notes
Transcript
Q: What do we need to be aware of false teachers?
A:
They are among us
… but they will be judged
… for the LORD knows how to rescue the godly and judge the ungodly
SW:
Be aware by being godly
Warn others
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Wondered what you thought about the reading?
“wow heavy stuff” correct. heavy stuff.
Fair warning. Next two weeks: heavy stuff. Judgment of false teachers.
Two types of reactions to these kind of passages
Yes! Judgment! Burn! Fire! Preach!
Uneasy… Don’t like being judgmental
Why do we need to be so harsh?
Personal experience? Know friends in certain churches. Not sure how to process.
two types.. (L) speak to both
(i) “Yes! Judgment!”
True. Passage tone. words. Peter hates false teachers.
But notice Peter’s motivation: 2 Peter 3:17 “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.”
Driven by love. Care. Concern.
Not the enjoyment of tearing people down.
If you’re a “Yes! Judgment!” - right to hate false teaching. But ultimately driven by care for other Christians.
(ii) “I feel uneasy”
Peter’s motivation. Helps.
Loving thing. Caring thing to warn people of FTs.
(A) rogue doctor
They destablise Christians. Wobble in faith. Doubt. Stumble and fall.
The stakes are high. Eternity. Heaven or Hell.
.: chapter 2 on FT. Central chapter of 2 Peter. Peter’s writes extensively.
So good for us to take time to process this.
Worth saying: I understand that they may be personal concerns.
How do I tell who is a FT?
What if I know someone who became a Christian because of going to a FTs church? Good or bad?
Great questions. Think about these things more - Also Q&A later.
(L) But first, want to persuade you why this topic is really important.
So important that we will spend two weeks understanding what God is saying to us.
Because FTs… are not immediately obvious.
2 Peter 2:1 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies
(A) No signboard “False Teacher” - secret. undercover. in disguise.
(A) Rather they will wear the signboard that says
“Christian” “Follower of Jesus” “Bible-believer” “Evangelical” (may even add the word “conservative” before)
2 Peter 2:20 they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
They look like Christians. Talk like Christians. Even smell like Christians.
(L) And guess what else?
(A) Perhaps you might have had meals with them
2 Peter 2:13 “they feast with you.”
Shared a glass of wine.
Served from the same dish.
Enjoyed a cup of tea.
These FTs are not obvious. Requires discernment.
(L) But more than notice their impact.
2 Peter 2:2 “And many will follow their sensuality
(A) saying: “safety in numbers”
“There are so many of us.” “Sure we all can’t be wrong right?”
“Wrong.”
Danger in numbers
Mega church. Large social media following. Conferences oversubscribed.
Many will follow: Friends, family, ourselves?
You may love calling out FTs or you may not.
Regardless… Peter thinks its really important.
Important enough to dedicate a significant of his farewell letter to this topic.
Important enough to give us central truth about the LORD in our passage.
(L) and so, what do we need to know be aware about false teachers?
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
ARGUMENT
ARGUMENT
THEY ARE AMONG US (2:1-3a)
(A) Can anyone remember what happened in 2020?
Covid. Maybe want to forget. Significant. Feels long ago.
Does anyone know online game. App. Peak 300 million users.
It is a whodunnit game where players are crewmates on a spaceship, but some are secret impostors trying to kill everyone.
Crewmates do tasks and try to figure out who the impostors are, while impostors try to blend in and sabotage.
Players vote to eject suspected impostors.
Among us - murderer / Polar bear / the Mole
That’s what Peter wants us to know. They are among us.
2 Peter 2:1–3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Peter tells us how to identify
Notice: They are subtle
In secret
False teachers: never wear a sign
False teaching: never outrightly reject Jesus. Never outrightly reject truth.
Often hand on bible. Quote from greek and hebrew.
Emphasising some parts of the bible, ignoring or downplaying others
Always partially true. 90% true 10% lie. But it’s that 10% that kills.
Subtle.
Their teaching denies Jesus
Emphasising some teachings of Jesus, downplaying others. pitting them against each other
Unable to hold two truths together
Loves you so he cannot judge
Provide for you so it cannot be costly
Wants what is best for you so we don’t need to deny self.
Always partly true. Mostly true. But denying Jesus.
result they are destructive
Destructive heresies
Destructive: Peter’s use - final destruction.
False shepherd
Herd sheep off the cliff
Jump off themselves
Matthew 7:13 ““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”
(L) As Jesus said there are many who follow them, so does Peter
Many
Great crowds. Great popularity.
Of course, does not mean: anyone who is popular = FT.
But the kind of gospel on offer: is easy. Moral permissiveness. Easy acceptance. Light on repentance.
It appeals to our passions
Sensuality
Peter uses: Sensuality / Licentiousness
Lack of self-control. Self-abandonment.
2 Peter 1:5–6 “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control”
Knowledge = slow thinking. About Jesus.
Self-control = fast thinking. control our misguided passions.
Here. Knowledge of Jesus = denied
Sensuality, self-abandonment, lack of self-control = takes over.
Slow thinking (deliberate thoughts) and fast thinking (passions desires)
Passions take over. Sinful desires dominate.
Sexual misconduct or Greed. Promoted.
Self-abandonment is affirmed. encouraged. Championed.
(A) i once heard someone sharing her testimony of becoming a Christian. She is gay and beforec becoming a Christian she expressed those desires by being in relationship with another woman.
Normal relationship. Do things together.
Read a gospel. Met the person of Jesus. Drawn by him. Wanted to follow him
Same time experienced the challenge of the cost of JEsus’ teaching on sex.
But decided it was worht following him despite the cost. And it was a struggle. It was a struggle.
It worth saying that Jesus clearly describes that sex being exclusively to be between a man and woman in life long marriage covenant. And any form of sex, virtual, physical, mental outside marriage is sinful.
We all sexual sinners.
And it’s true that those who are same sex attracted do find this area more costly that those who are not.
Grace Church is a church that wants to support and encourage in your costly walk of following Jesus.
Imagine her being in a church where same-sex attraction is being encouraged.
Her struggle is ignored.
Her battling is disregarded.
And she is actively encouraged to ignore Jesus’ teaching and pursue her own passions.
Hard.
Promotes sensuality.
Blasphemes truth
Presents an alternate gospel. Counterfeit truth. False reality.
Outside world looking in = Confusing.
“These Christians are no different than me.”
“They care about the same things as I do.”
“They want the same things i want.”
“They desire the same things i desire.”
“Why do I need Christ?”
Outside world apathetic
Their followers?
Exploited
Meaning: to engage with someone in a business transaction.
Those who follow False teachers are in a business transaction.
(A) come to church. Follow. sign on the dotted line.
Everyone signs a contract.
Transaction that happens each sunday. sometimes during the week.
Trading going on.
You hand over money. They hand over false words.
Keeps going.
It’s a great deal. For them of course. They love it. Ponzi scheme.
Peter wrote this letter because he was about to go. Farewell letter.
Worried. False teachers. Scoffers. Come in.
Deny Jesus. Not all of him, but an aspect of him.
“He died to save you and now you’re free.”
“So live freely. He is not coming back to judge.”
They were progressives. Promoted a message of moral permissiveness. easy acceptance.
So Peter says: “beware! They are among us.”
Helpful. Peter offers litmus test. To detect FTs.
Summarise: D.E.BT.S.S
Denies Jesus (an aspect of his teaching)
Exploits followers
Blasphemes truth
Subtle heresies
(promotes) Sensuality
Those who follow them? Go into Debt. Debtss.
Application
Where today?
(A) Film. 2018. Netflix. American gospel.
Exposing the excesses of the PG.
Calling out Main culprits in US - Joel Osteen. Benn Hinn. Kenneth Copeland. T.D. Jakes. Joyce Meyer. Creflo Dollar
(describe Joel Osteen) - sleek. white teeth.
Joel Osteen “I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m blessed, I’m favoured, I’m a victor, not a victim.”
Overlay: “21 Christians Beheaded by ISIS”
Victim saying: “The very things we are called to set aside to follow Jesus, they make it into the attraction of the gospel.”
Great Trailer. Makes your blood boil. I’ll send.
Denies Jesus - take up our cross.
Exploits followers - give to these false ministries
Blasphemes truth - Presents to outside world. Christianity promotes greed.
Subtle heresies - may not so subtle. Next week consider someone more subtle.
(promotes) Sensuality - Discourages godliness, self-control, promotes greed and idolatry.
Those who follow them? Go into Debt. Debtss
Where here?
PG too ostentatious for British taste buds.
But there are false teachers here too
Denying Jesus’ views on marriage
Blaspheming the gospel - Christianity indistinguishable to the outside world
Subtle - promoting aspect of Jesus’ teaching over another. Love over repentance
Sensuality - promoting , encouraging, sexual immorality
Before moving to next point: not safe - never be in danger
Peter’s readers: established in the truth. Christians. even mature.
But Peter: right to warn.
Appeals to our carnal desires. Sinful desires. Impulses. passions.
Champions these desires.
“Jesus paid it all” “So you can live your life to the full”
Again: not entirely wrong. depends. But sinful hearts will twist and hear things according to our passions.
It feels good. It feels uplifting. But it is a fast track to destruction.
(expand)
(L) Can be worrying. False teaching = subtle. False teaching = Winning. All around us.
What is God going to do?
2. THEY WILL BE JUDGED (2:3b-8)
2 Peter 2:3 “Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” - They will be judged.
Orientation
Peter reaches back into the OT. God knows how to judge the wicked.
Ancient world. Global world. Local setting. -> he has expertise. Track record
Each example is building up the case: God knows how to judge. how to rescue.
2 Peter 2:4 “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;”
Genesis 6
Ancient world. Before the flood. Jewish tradition: Fallen angels slept with humans on earth. Strange story.
Sinned. God cast them into hell. Imprisoned there.
learn about judgment?
No one is exempt from judgment. Not even angels.
It is delayed but inevitable.
V - FT. FL. Leading people astray.
they will be judged.
Not just yet. But inevitable.
Noah
(A) most of us will know. Forget how ridiculous.
Silly example. Water feature. In CW. Grace Church.
Start a building project. Council permission. license. Allow.
Large boat. Ark. Over a period a three years.
Residence of CW : What are they doing? Decathalon. Ugly struture.
“Jesus will come back!” “Believe in the gospel”
Weirdos.
Then the rain comes. (not hard to image). Keeps raining.
We go in.
learn about judgment?
2 Peter 2:5 “if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”
No one is exempt.
Delayed but inevitable.
But a few will be preserved from the judgment. Mean time: proclaim.
(A) Close friend. Professional poker player. Interested in Christianity. Paint picture
Travelled with him. Marbella. poker.
Fascinating stories. Toxic environment.
Completely lose the value of money.
Emotions up and down with your stack.
Show boating. Arrogance. Aggressive
Excess. Win. Alcohol and Girls.
Not all. But he’s been in for a long time.
Seen a lot.
Even as he was interested in Christianity.
Conscience troubling him.
a bit like Lot
2 Peter 2:6–8 “if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);”
Lot. Abraham’s nephew. Live in Sodom with his wife and daughters.
The norm was self-abandonment
The culture promoted sexual immorality.
The city championed arrogance and pride.
Though not perfect. Lot’s soul was tormented every day.
As heard the lewd conversations in the office
As he saw the magazines in his local supermarket
As he watched the distasteful pop ups on his social media.
God judged Sodom and Gomorrah with fire.
The heat of the flames. The smell of sulphur. The smouldering of ashes.
Lot escapes with his family by the skin of their teeth as the angel of the Lord drags them out.
Except for his wife. Abandoned to her desires.
The attraction of the city so aligned with her passions and desires. She looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
Learn about judgment?
Judgment by fire. example. a pattern. Same way, 3:12 heavens and earth will be burned.
Godly life in the midst of ungodliness before judgment. Not easy.
Learn about judgment of the FT? 5 things.
1 No one will be exempted
2 Delayed but inevitable
3 A few preserved so in the meantime proclaim
4 Judgment will come like fire
5 Godly living before judgment = not easy.
(L) But we might say. Propositional truths. How can we know for sure?
3. FOR THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE THE GODLY AND JUDGE THE UNRIGHTEOUS (2:9-10a)
2 Peter 2:9–10 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
The LORD has a track record. He has experience is saving and judging.
None of us has deluged the world in judgment and saved his people. He has.
Very helpful. Tempting.
False teaching is attractive. Almost true.
“Don’t you want to do well at school?”
“Don’t you want to job situation to improve?”
“Don’t you want to be healthy?”
“of course we want that. Who wouldn’t that.” - not necessarily bad things.
Then they add:
“Jesus died on the cross so you can receive all of that”
or
“You must be true to yourself”
"Don't try to be someone you're not."
"Accept yourself for who you are."
“Of course we should. there are circumstances that those statements can hold true”
then they add:
“Jesus loves you just the way you are.” Half truth. easy misunderstood.
When we tussle with these real struggles. real situations. personal identity. temptation to listen to these false teaching as a band aid.
Remember that the LORD knows how to rescue you from trials. from temptations.
Trust him. lean into him.
He will take you by the hand and drag you out as he did for Lot.
False teachers very discouraging.
Abomination of false teaching spreading across the world.
Blaspheming the way of truth. Dishonoring the church.
Frustrations of the institutional church bringing the gospel into disrepute.
Millions of people under the grip of the prosperity gospel exported by false teachers from wealthy nations
And we think “why doesn’t the LORD stop them?” “Why does he not shut them down?”
Remember that the LORD knows how to keep the unrighteousness under punishment.
Trust in his track record.
He knows how to judge. He has covered a whole sinful city in ashes. He has deluged the entire world. He has fallen angels locked up in chains.
He knows what he is doing.
He is an expert in saving and judging. that is his name.
The Lord merciful and gracious.
But who will by no means clear the guilty.
2 Peter 2:9–10 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
MAIN POINT
MAIN POINT
What do we need to be aware about FTs?
They are among us
… but they will be judged
… for the LORD knows how to rescue the godly and judge the ungodly
REINFORCEMENT
REINFORCEMENT
^After all. FT’s promoting a lifestyle of moral permissiveness is the oldest trick in the book. Just repackaged.
“You will surely not die”
There are no consequences for your actions.
Self-control is harmful. Just reach out and take what you want.
Consequence? The LORD was true to his word. They died. And we died.
The LORD did judge and will continue to judge.
One of the key ideas in 2 Peter is knowledge. Knowledge of Jesus.
end of letter 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Our passage: Key knowledge of the LORD that we need to know. This knowledge will keep us safe from False Teachers.
The LORD knows how to rescue the godly and judge the ungodly.
He has expertise.
He knows the right timing. The right kind of judgment. The best form of rescue.
LAND
LAND
Application
Obvious: Be aware of false teachers. Do not be ill informed. They exists. They are among you. You may even believe in some of what they teach.
Do the DEBTSS test.
Deny Jesus and his teaching
Exploit people
Blaspheme Truth
Subtle
(promote) sensuality
Speak to each other. Come to myself or Andrew.
Be aware
Next warn others.
Not explicit here. But in as much as Peter warns his readers.
It is right to warn others.
It would depend on the context of the relationship.
And how we do it matters.
But it is not right to feel indifferent when others are being exploited.
In as much as we forward warnings of scam to friends and family.
We should warn them of the contract they sign with false teachers.
Destruction is their destination.
Perhaps the best way to guard according to Peter = make every effort to grow in godliness. be diligent in it.
If we allow our passions to rule our life. Our thoughts. Our decisions. You are a prime target for a False teacher.
You easy prey to sign his or her contract.
You hand over pounds. They hand over false words.
2 Peter 1:5–6 “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control
Knowledge = knowledge of Jesus. Who he is. What he teaches.
He says “those who will come after me must carry his cross daily”
Exercise self-control. Put into practice self-denial in areas of life.
FT says “Those who follow Jesus need not deny self but live a victorious life”
You can smell a false teacher.
Grow in your personal godliness. Be diligent in it. make every effort.
Be aware.
Grow in your own godliness.
