Untitled Sermon (2)

2 Sins

Change the grace of God into a license for immorality.

Denying Jesus is our only Sovereign and Lord. (They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.”

Falls Teachers

Reject Authority

Blundered around in sin. (Took the way of Cain)

-disobedient and unbelieving

-worshiped God according to their own understanding

-eaten up by the envy of others

-they hated others and had a murderous spirit

3. Deceptive

-they gained positions as shepherds of the church but were serving for selfish reasons

Four Word Pictures to communicate the emptiness of their spiritual lives

Clouds without rain-they promise but don’t perform

Autumn trees, without fruit-Autumn is the time when fruit is expected; spiritual death

Wild waves of the sea-foaming up their shame. The picture is of the ocean surf washing up on shore bringing litter and garbage—pollution from their own bodies.

Wandering stars—maybe a reference to shooting starts that appear for a moment, then are lost in darkness. The blackest darkness hints at the eternal destiny of these godless people.

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4. Self Serving

-grumblers and faultfinders (never find fault in themselves: pride)

-follow their own evil desires

-Boast about themselves while they also flatter others in the hope that they might gain some advantage.

*These men were not Christians, and they moved among the congregation in an attempt to divide people.

What must we do?

BUILD-grow spiritually

PRAY-under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit, trusting him to intercede for us with “groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

KEEP-live in faith and obedience. This does not suggest that our salvation depends on our own effort. If we love God, we KEEP his commandments (1 John 3:24)

EXPECT-wait in hope