3: Freed or Afraid? (2 Peter 2)

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We kicked off this series called “Faithful” a couple of weeks ago, written by the apostle Peter who is challenging Christians to be FAITHFUL to the One who has been FAITHFUL to them. Today will demonstrate the difference between those who are FAITHFUL to Jesus and those who are not.

And today might be one of those days where you walk away either FREED or AFRAID.

If you’re a follower of Jesus who is trusting Him and pointing others to Him you will be encouraged, FREED from the fear of punishment.

but…if you’re not a follower of Jesus, OR…you’re just playing the church game - where you talk like a Christian at times but then act like a non-Christian at other times - what we read today should stir up some fear in your soul. Hopefully, being AFRAID of the God who will bring judgment will then lead you to TURN FROM your sin and TURN TO Jesus.

PRAY

Last week we were reminded that...

God uses the Scriptures and Eyewitnesses to SPEAK to People through People.

And while we can be confident that God has given us his trustworthy Word and trustworthy teachers to help understand and obey His Words, there are ALSO false teachers who should NOT be trusted, who attempt to dilute the truth of Scripture and preach a false gospel.

And HOW do we know what is FALSE, unless we know what is TRUE? This is why you and I MUST spend time reading the Scriptures.

2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

We must be aware of the reality that false teachers sometimes teach what is true, just as a broken clock is still right 2 times a day. But that doesn’t mean we give them a pass when much of what they teach is false.

According to Simon Peter, who knew the heartbeat of Jesus, those who secretly introduce destructive heresies are bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Heresy is not a term to throw around when someone has a different view on a secondary issue in Scripture - like the timeline of Jesus’ return - we don’t know…we are all make educated - or not-so educated - guesses at that.

Heresies are referring to twisting and diluting the Scriptures to make God more like mankind and make mankind more like God - where we bring God down to our level and bring ourselves up to His level.

Here are some examples of heresy in our day:

In our day Word-faith teachers misquote Rom 4:17 and say that WE are to speak things into existence - which we CANNOT do. That, according to that Scripture in context - is GOD’S prerogative.

Heresy is denying that Jesus is God, the Son - or claiming that WE have all the authority that He has.

Heresy is claiming God made promises to people that God never made - like being healthy and wealthy the rest of your life.

Heresy is teaching that everyone will make it to heaven eventually.

We could go on, but will keep cruising to the part that will be hard for many of us to swallow - it’s not like these false teachers are people who have denied Jesus their whole lives.

Instead, Simon Peter notes that these false teachers are denying the sovereign Lord who bought them

that is, they recognized that Jesus died for their sins, but now they are denying His lordship and leading others to do the same.

Some say Jesus didn’t die for them because some say they never really trusted Jesus but only pretended to be followers of Jesus.

John MacArthur - a brilliant teacher, an example for many pastors, and one from whom I often quote - has to side-step this passage by saying, and I quote, “false teachers’ sins were not paid for in the atonement of Christ.” * John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Peter and Jude, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2005), 76.

To that I must disagree with Dr. MacArthur, as it seems that Simon Peter does too. These false teachers - according to Peter - are denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.

Many of us who are thankful for God’s salvation have come to the confusing conclusion that true followers of Jesus will never walk away from Him. Call it what you want - “Perseverance of the Saints” or “Once Saved - Always Saved”. Those who do walk away - we say - must have never trusted Jesus fully in the first place.

But the more I read Scripture, the more I see the reality that while Jesus will never walk away from you, you may choose to walk away from Him. And if you choose to deny the sovereign Lord who bought you…then you should be very, very, AFRAID.

Christians, may we stop short-circuiting the conviction of the Holy Spirit by comforting someone who has been living in sin - pointing to past ‘salvation’ experience, rather than call them to repentance and obedience to Jesus.

Further, may we stop being silent when someone we care about is following the teachings of those who introduce destructive heresies among God’s people.

2 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)

Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute [NET truth will be slandered; ESV truth will be blasphemed]. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

As we will see in a moment, Simon Peter gives an example of a false prophet from the past, but he is most concerned with false teachers that will show up in his ancient audience’s future. These false teachers tell fabricated stories because of their greed and lead people away from the way of truth. And I guess there are some false teachers who are poor…but there seem to be many who are super wealthy.

I just posted a 15 minute video on FB by Costi Hinn, the nephew of Benny Hinn who worked in his ministry for years. You won’t believe the lavish lifestyle and the manipulation of people that has been going on for decades! I could name many false-teachers from the word-faith movement in this way, but instead I want to ask you a question.

QUESTION: If you were the devil, and you were planning to introduce false teaching through undercover folks, what would they look like?

Would they constantly frown and warn of God’s impending judgment? OR…would they smile a lot and say things that people WANT to hear?

Here’s what Paul wrote to Timothy about that.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 (NIV)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Why is Paul so adamant that Timothy consistently teach what is true? Why does he need to correct and rebuke? Isn’t he just supposed to be sweet and encouraging? Paul answers that with this...

2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Do you get that? People will WANT to listen to someone who tells them what the want to hear.

This is happening throughout our culture as unchurched folks listen to unwise counsel that encourages them to change the RULES rather than change themselves.

But it’s happening with people that ARE churched too. Rather than twisting their beliefs to fit the Bible, churched people twist the Bible to fit their beliefs…and encourage others to do the same.

Years ago we were going through a teaching called “Sola Scriptura” - a heavy teaching on how the Bible came to be and why it was trustworthy. I likely dug too deep for a lot of folks, but most were gracious to stick it out. A brother of mine who is no longer involved with our church, however, said these words to me: “Jackie, you need to teach a little more like Joel Osteen.”

I’m afraid that he wanted a lot of encouraging words without correction and rebuke.

On his heels and in his ear was another man who echoed his words with a warning that he knew of a lot of people that were about ready to leave Fellowship if we didn’t lighten up on our view of the Scriptures. Rather than challenging me to tweak the teaching to help people digest it in smaller chunks, he challenged me to STOP teaching about how the Bible can be trusted.

And as I spent more time with him, it became crystal clear why - this man did NOT believe the authority of the Scriptures…and that’s likely why he didn’t appreciate us taking so much time to study how the Bible came to be and why it was trustworthy.

All of us want and need to be encouraged, but we must cling to sound doctrine and receive the deep and difficult truths from our Heavenly Father. The Scriptures weren’t written to PUMP US UP but to GROW US UP.

And we must NEVER FORGET that as God has judged in the past, He will judge in the future. That’s exactly what Simon Peter reminds us of next.

2 Peter 2:4–5 (NIV)

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;

These angels are likely referring to those who possessed men who had children with women resulting in an overwhelmingly ungodly culture (Gen 6:4-7).

The punishment for the angels was being sent to hell - actually the Greek term is the term Tartarus - a holding place in Greek mythology that was even lower than Hades (what will typically refer to as “hell”).

* John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Peter and Jude, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2005), 85.

This is a temporary holding place where they are held for a future judgment.

The people’s disobedience resulted in God bringing the flood on its ungodly people. God, however, protected Noah and his family while bringing judgment on everyone else. WHY? Because Noah was righteous - meaning that He honored and obeyed God while everyone else acted like God’s judgement would never come.

So too, Simon Peter reminds us of a different story with a similar outcome:

2 Peter 2:6–8 (NIV)

if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

God brought incredible judgment on the immoral people in these 2 cities. But God rescued Lot and his family, because he was a righteous man who walked in purity even though he was sickened and surrounded by a culture that lived for lawless deeds.

If you feel like Noah and Lot, wanting to live right in a culture that doesn’t, then you are in good company with a great hope, and here’s why.

2 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

The Lord knows your heart and mine. He KNOWS if we are judging righteously or hypocritically. He knows if we condemn other while we give ourselves a pass for similar sins. But the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials; He can protect you and help you to live godly even when you are surrounded by those who don’t.

If, however, you refuse to obey God, then live it up while you can. There is something far worse than your empty heart and empty thrills that never last. God will hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

BIG QUESTION: If God’s judgment was handed down TODAY, would you be FREED or AFRAID?

God’s judgment WILL FALL on those who disobey Him.

2 Peter 2:10–13a (NIV)

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done.

Note the characteristics of these people: they live for the desire of the flesh, despise authority. They are bold and arrogant who slander angels and claim to have authority over them.

Peter uses some of the some language from Jude (the half-brother of Jesus).

It is there that Jude notes the the archangel Michael didn’t use bold, arrogant language against the devil, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9).

But these false teachers act like they have authority over the devil, as if they are his creator. Rather than trust the Lord Jesus to kick his tail, these people blaspheme [slander] in matters they do not understand. They act like animals who don’t know better than to hunt down another animal that can destroy them. And so, they will perish like animals as the hunters become the hunted and they are paid back with harm for the harm they have done.

2 Peter 2:13b–14 (NIV)

Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!

These false teachers seduce the unstable. This word for seduce is the Greek term that has its roots in the world of hunting and fishing and carries the idea “to lure” like using bait for a fish or an animal*. These false teachers are using false promises to hook people with lies.

* Douglas J. Moo, 2 Peter, Jude, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 126.

Peter mentions how they feast with you while reveling in their pleasures. Here again Peter speaks of something similar from Jude 12 where he says:

Jude 12a (CSB)

These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves.

2 Peter 2:15-16 (NIV)

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

These false teachers follow the way of Balaam - remember him? You can go read the story in Numbers 22:21–30. Balaam was a prophet who was going to curse God’s people for money - until God rebuked him in a strange way.

While riding the donkey, the animal saw “the angel of Yahweh” standing in the road with a sword, so it turned off the road. Balaam beat his faithful steed. This kind of thing happened several times until God gave the donkey the ability to speak to Balaam asking why Balaam was beating him. Then God opens Balaam’s eyes so that he too can see the angel that is ready to kill him. And Balaam finally listened.

These false teachers who were also cursing God’s people, would find out that God would destroy them for their wickedness. Which is about to be crystal clear.

2 Peter 2:17–19 (NIV)

These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

These people make promises they can’t deliver.

And People who follow their false teachings are not FREED, but should be AFRAID of what is coming.

Here’s the test: What or who are you a slave to?

Are you a slave of Jesus - serving & obeying Him OR are you a slave of sin?

These false teachers will face a stricter judgment as Jesus warned that those who caused little ones who believed in Him to stumble that they would be better off if a millstone was tied to their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea, rather than face His judgement (Mt 18:6-7). So too we see that weighty warning, that blackest darkness is reserved for these false teachers who lead people AWAY from Jesus instead of TO Jesus.

And here’s the final warning in this text:

2 Peter 2:20–22 (NIV)

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

Some say this could never be applied to a true Christian and instead point to those who claim to be Christians, but never really know Jesus.

That’s an easy out, but I don’t think that is what Peter is warning of. Peter is writing about people who have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but then turn and walk away from Jesus.

Someone might ask, “Jackie, do you believe a person can lose their salvation?”

A person doesn’t “lose salvation” like you lose your car keys. A Christian who has a moment of disobedience isn’t suddenly cut from the team.

Instead, this is a willful act to walk away from the One you committed your life to and return to your old life.

Peter uses animal imagery to demonstrate what this looks like. For Jewish people, dogs weren’t house pets, but were dirty, diseased animals that fed from garbage. Pigs were unclean animals, not to be farmed nor eaten.

Those who walk way from Jesus are compared to a dog that goes back to lick up its vomit. Yuck! The thing that made it sick is gone…and the dog decides it wants it back.

The sow that is washed doesn’t stay clean, but returns to its mud bath and wallows around in the filth again.

But once again, in the middle of all this warning of impending doom, is a ray of sunshine that should bring joy to those who love Jesus.

2 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

...the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

BIG QUESTION: If God’s judgment was handed down TODAY, would you be FREED or AFRAID?

If you are AFRAID, you don’t have to stay that way. You just need to respond to the TRUTH by turning from your sin & trusting Jesus, and following Him for the rest of your life.

Warren Wiersbe tells the story of a Christian doctor had tried to witness to a very moral woman who belonged to a church that denied the need for salvation and the reality of future judgment. “God loves me too much to condemn me,” the patient would reply. “I cannot believe that God would make such a place as a lake of fire.”

The woman became ill and the diagnosis was cancer. An operation was necessary. “I wonder if I really should operate,” the doctor said to her in her hospital room. “I really love you too much to cut into you and give you pain.”

“Doctor,” said the patient, “if you really loved me, you would do everything possible to save me. How can you permit this awful thing to remain in my body?”

It was easy then for him to explain that what cancer is to the body, sin is to the world; and both must be dealt with radically and completely.

Just as a physician cannot love health without hating disease and dealing with it, so God cannot love righteousness without hating sin, judging it, and removing it from our lives.

* Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 194.

If you want to talk more about giving Jesus 1st place in your life, please call YOUR STAFF

or YOUR DEACONS.

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Ark Singers - Feb 20 @ 8:30am

discussionquestions Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? Explain why.

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-3. Spend some time discussing the difference and necessity of correcting, rebuking, and encouraging from the Scriptures with patience & care.

Read 2 Peter 2:4-9. What is the encouragement for those who trust Jesus during the good and bad times and what is the warning for those who do not?

Read Matthew 18:6-7 and 2 Peter 2:13-19. According to Jesus and Peter, why will false teachers face harsher punishment in eternity?

Have you ever known someone who seemed to show genuine proof of believing Jesus, but who no longer follows Jesus? (Don’t name them.) If so, what conclusion have you come to - did they genuinely know Jesus and walk away or were they just pretending to know Jesus? Explain your answer. What warning and what hope could be offer to them at this point?

Share some false teachings that have infiltrated the American church and then share Scriptures that confront and correct those teachings.

Share prayer needs. Consider praying for those who have walked away from Jesus. Continue to pray for the Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade.