2011-02-06
2 Peter - Beware of False Teachers
Steve Lane

A. Intro/Review: Virtues, God's Word: Light in the darkness
First Step in preparing them for the coming storm of opposition
Peter is going to remind them to have confidence in God's Word
We must remain alert. It's a war and you have a mission, have on your armor
One interpretation, many applications.
But this is a time for warning
Jude 3 - 4
Jer 23:16,21,26
Matt 7:15
2Cor 11:13

B. False teaching today

You will find Believers in all three of these examples!
Word of faith movement
Positive faith words that to which even God is obligated to yield

The emergent church
Culture driven rather than biblically driven.

Seeker friendly
Old Testament as prominent as it once was

1 Thess 1:8
When Paul shared the gospel he shared his life as well...
What do they believe about Creation, fall, marriage, flood, Abraham and Israel, Jesus...

God is above all things and to give our time, resources, abilities, gifts, the things we love, and the things we have for the purpose and cause of Christ in the world.

C. Warnings about and to false teachers

2 Peter 2:1
"Denying the Master who bought them"
These false teachers are not believers gone astray
Lives did not match the biblical standard... nor teach the power of a transformed life
2 Peter 1: 5 - 8
Teaching can go towards legalism and intellectualism or experiential and emotional

2 Peter 2: 2
Many will follow... there is a appeal to the flesh cloaked in spirituality

2 Peter 2: 3
These guys may be extraordinary story tellers. Check their life styles

2 Peter 2: 4 - 9
A few examples of some impressive types that have been dealt with by God
Angels: Probably fallen angels who crossed the line even for demons
Ancient world of the flood: The whole world was headed on such a direction that no...
Sodom and Gomorrah: God destroyed two cities because of their extreme wickedness

2 Peter 2: 9
Those He rescued are an example and encouragement to us - He knows our situation

2 Peter 2: 10 - 12
Cloaked with spirituality and religion they pursue the desires of the flesh
Jude 8 - 10 Even powerful angels are not this presumptuous

2 Peter 2:13 - 14
Shamelessly wade right in to the fellowship of the body and look for weak

2 Peter 2: 15 - 16
The common sins of greed and lustfulness

2 Peter 2: 17 - 19
They boldly promise what they cannot deliver.

2 Peter 2: 20 - 22
Not one that has truly put his faith in the substitutional death of Jesus...

D. Conclusion

Many love to study how everyone else is so wrong, but this is not the point. Apologetics (defending the truth) without love and 'sharing your life as well' is like a "resounding gong or a clanging symbol"

Psalm 40: 8 - 11,16 Can you say this?