Recognizing False Teachers and Their Teachings

Recognizing False Teachers and Their Teaching 2 Peter 2:1-22 May 23, 2021 REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF 2 PETER: To encourage Christians to grow in their faith through the knowledge of Jesus and stay true to Gospel, rejecting false teaching. Key Verse: 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” The Context of Peter’s Teaching About False Teachers 1. 2. 3. 4. In chapter 1 we are called to live a Godly life through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re reminded there will be a Day when Jesus returns and we all stand accountable for our lives and deeds. Peter tells us that God has spoken through faithful prophets who were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit, giving us a sure, certain word from God. This Word of God is what we call the Bible. In contrast, Peter now warns us to watch out for false prophets and teachers – those who will pretend to speak for God, but who don’t really submit themselves to the Lord and whose words, therefore, cannot be trusted. The Big Idea: Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one and not all who say they have a word from the Lord actually do. Churches and the Christians who attend them must learn to be discerning about our own words and the words of those who seek to influence us. Matthew 7:15 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 2 Timothy 4:3-4 2 Peter 2:1-21 (ESV) 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, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 17 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 22 HOW TO SPOT A FALSE PROPHET 1. They are presumptuous about God’s grace. 2. They are pretenders, claiming to know Jesus, but in their personal lives they live as one who doesn’t know Him. 3. They are exploiters of those they lead. 4. They are greedy, seeking personal gain from people. TIMELESS TRUTHS: 1. Not all who claim and proclaim Jesus are saved. The evidence is in a life submitted to the Sovereign Lord with the outward fruit of doing the will of God. [Matthew 7:21-23] 2. God will judge the arrogant rebels who refuse to submit their lives to His rule, but in mercy will rescue the repentant ones who will bow before Him [vv. 4-16] 3. Every Christian is called by God to live a life that bears witness to the Savior who forgave and is changing us. [1 Thessalonians 2:12] “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” 2 Peter 2:9