Caution! False Teachers Part 1

Transcription

1 Caution! False Teachers Part 1 2 Peter 2:1-11 Lesson 17 Counterfeits have existed ever since Satan first entered on the scene in the garden way back in the book of Genesis. Satan himself is called the deceiver in the Word of God. He also masquerades as an angel of light. He does all of this to confuse the church and lead saints away from the truth of the good news of the gospel. Since Peter was called to be a shepherd, he had a responsibility not only to feed the flock God had entrusted to him but to warn and protect them also. Here in our verses this week, we will see Peter s shepherd s heart as he issues a word of warning to those he cares so deeply about. The warning: Beware of counterfeits! Believers needed to be cautious because false teachers abounded and the message they were preaching was false and destructive! Unfortunately, false teachers had crept right into the church and they were secretly spreading fake doctrine and promoting division. Sadly, many believers were listening to these teachers and being led astray. Peter s heart was broken because the way of truth was being blasphemed and God s holy name was being dishonored. To stop this destruction and spread of false teaching, Peter reminded the church that God knows how to deal with both the righteous and the ungodly. He assured them if God did not spare the angels who sinned, nor the ancient world before Noah, nor Sodom and Gomorrah, they could be assured that these false teachers would not escape God s judgment. In due time, they would face judgment and be held accountable for their lies. What a contrast exists between the true children of God and the false teachers. For false teachers, judgment awaits where they will be dealt with for their deception. But for us who believe, not only will we be delivered from this judgment, but we have an amazing inheritance reserved and waiting for us to enjoy. No wonder we look and wait expectantly for our Savior s return. Hold fast to the truth because it is worth the reward! 1

2 Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-11 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. 2 Peter 2:9 1. This week we will focus on false teachers and the negative impact they have on the church. Read verse 1 of this week s passage and answer the following questions. a. Where were the false teachers? b. List a couple of behaviors that false teachers engage in to draw people away from the truth. c. What will be their end? 2

3 No one statement wrested from its context is a sufficient warrant for actions that plainly controvert other commands. How excellent a thing it would be if the whole Church of Christ had learned that no law of life may be based upon an isolated text. Every false teacher who has divided the Church, has had, "it is written" on which to hang his doctrine. G. Campbell Morgan ( ) 2. Look up 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 and note the additional information given about how false teachers weave their way into the Body of Christ. 3. What wisdom do the scriptures below give us concerning combating false teachers and prophets? a. 1 John 4:1: b. 1 Timothy 6:3-5: c. After learning about false teachers, how would you summarize the reason for such extreme warnings? 3

4 If you do get lost, some of you will have to wade through your mother's tears and leap over your father's prayers and your minister's entreaties. You will have to force a passage through the warnings of godly people and the examples of pious relatives. Why this effort to destroy your own souls? Charles Spurgeon ( ) 4. The end of our passage this week speaks of God s judgement on the ungodly. This can be a very difficult subject to study, but God has much to say about His judgments. Look up the following verses and note your findings. a. Exodus 34:7: b. Psalm 33:5: c. Psalm 145:20: 5. At times, we can look out at the world and see that the wicked appear to prosper. In fact the writer of Psalm 73, Asaph, expressed that very frustration when he wrote, For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (v. 3). Does knowing that God will be righteous in His judgements help you when you see those who have done great wrongs go unpunished? Why or why not? 4

5 Reflect and Respond What has touched your heart and encouraged your spiritual growth during this week s study? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5

6 Thoughts & Prayers 6