True & False. (Part 1)

2 Peter 2:1 CSB

There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

INTRO—

Peter…True & trustworthy testimony is highly important—WHY?

“There were false prophets…there will be false teachers.” [2.1a] (There WILL BE…& A R E!!)

Jesus said: “Matthew 7:15 ‘Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.’”

What is a major part of the wardrobe described as “sheep’s clothing?” (orthodox vocabulary; this component of the wardrobe is the most dangerous and difficult to fight—because it looks like picking on a nice person or even a fellow believer)

This aspect—warning of false teachers, doctrine, application—of the shepherding ministry of an elder/overseer of a local church is quite necessary.

True, it can become a fixation (“Shhhh, we’re hunting wabbits.” (Elmer Fudd)), but just because there is a danger of preoccupation with ‘discernment ministries,’ etc., doesn’t mean we cease warning about the potential for and actual existence of false teachers/teachings/applications (this last one is a category of false teaching based on out-of-balance, or out-of-line application of biblical truth).

False has Always Been [2 Peter 2.1-3]

[[“There were false prophets…there will be false teachers.”]]

What WILL false teachers do? (This list, in vv. 1b-3a, is an introduction and not comprehensive list)

Bring in destructive heresies (even denying the master who bought them) [2.1b]

Arose from within…((Others [Jude] = came into the camp from outside to distract & destroy))

“Destructive heresies” — damaging, divisive doctrine!!!

Whatever you idolize, you will find a false teacher and teaching to accommodate it:

Knowledge — Gnosticism; Mysticism; Numerology

Riches — Prosperity Gospel

Sexual Immorality — Cults

Politics — Christian Nationalism

Relativism — Universalism; Post-Modernism

Draw MANY to follow them [2.2a]

Romans 16:18 “because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.”

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them,”

Cause others to malign the way of truth [2.2b]

“Malign” — blaspheme; injure; despise; disparage

Example: Westboro Baptist Church

((Another—Where I believe we find this—the actions in the name of Christ but aren’t—happening in our day is within the segment of “Christianity” which has been hijacked for political gain/expediency (Christian Nationalism).))

Exploit you in their greed (with made-up stories) [2.3a]

They will say whatever they need to to get your money.

These are the original scammers (with a religious sounding twist)

Promises of liberating loved ones from purgatory (during Luther’s day); Sending in a financial gift for a special prayer cloth…special oil…ten-fold blessing…

What WILL false teachers ultimately get?

Bring swift destruction on themselves [2.1c]…Condemnation isn’t idle and destruction doesn’t sleep [2.3b]

Seems straight forward to me.

Justice & Mercy have Always Been [2 Peter 2.4-8]

God’s CONSISTENCY responding to wickedness:

[[untruth (lie) — false prophets, teachers, … His perfect judgment against]]

ANGELS didn’t get a ‘pass.’ [2.4]

The issue = those angels swept away in Satan’s sway (others say Gen 6.1ff ); PRIDE & REBELLION

Angels who didn’t sin…kept in heaven (preserved)

ANCIENT WORLD (early OT) didn’t get a pass. [2.5]

The issue = no respect, fear of God; APATHY & DISOBEDIENCE

Noah, plus seven (his family: Noah, wife, 3 sons and their wives)…protected (preserved — guarded, saved)

SODOM & GOMORRAH didn’t get a pass [2.6-8]

The issue = Jude 7 “Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”; SENSUALITY & SEXUAL IMMORALITY

Lot, and his family* (well…until his wife looked back)…rescued ([again in 2.9]; preserved — saved, removed from)

All these characteristics—pride, rebellion, apathy, disobedience, sensuality, & sexual immorality—are found to some degree in false teachers!

CONCL—

“IF…” in [2.4] means that a “THEN” follows. We haven’t seen it yet. That shows up in [2.9]…and we’ll see that next week!

SOOOO… definitely don’t want to be a part of any of that! BUT, then what??

Micah 6:8 “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

((Also, this issue is important to me. I believe it should be important to us all. We should value and prioritize the sanctity of the message. Think of it like this…would we let stand someone redefine and destroy what it means to be a Gordon…Foltz…Gibson. Or would we set ourselves to prove them to be pretenders, liars?))

INVITATION:

Salvation

Know & Value the Truth

Courage to Reject the Lie

2 Peter 2:8 CSB

(for as that righteous man lived among them day by day, his righteous soul was tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—