The Truth About False Teachers
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION: 2 Peter 2
A. Many passages speak of the existence of false teachers, but none is any more specific than that of 2 Peter 2.
B. This chapter provides positive proof that there has always been those who would pervert Bible truth
C. Five major ideas emerge from a study of this great chapter
DISCUSSION:
A. THE REALITY OF FALSE TEACHERS
1. 2 Peter 2:1
a. Notice the word “but” – draws a contrast
b. 2 Peter 1:21
c. In contrast to those who were moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter notes two things:
2. There were false prophets also among the people
a. Even a casual study of the history of Israel proves that there were false prophets among them
b. Let us just note one of many – Deuteronomy 13:5
3. There shall be false teachers among you
a. This is not a surprising prediction in light of what Jesus taught His disciples – Matthew 7:15
b. Notice what one of His disciples wrote – 1 John 4:1
c. Thus, we need to be on guard for false teachers
B. THE REASON THAT FALSE TEACHERS EXIST
1. There are a number of reason that explain the existence of false teachers, but two of these are discussed in 2 Peter 2
1. Revenue
a. 2 Peter 2:3, 14-15
b. “Revenue” is “the gross income returned by an investment”
1) In this case, the investment was the time and energy invested by the false teachers to promote false doctrine so that they might receive revenue from their happy hearers
c. It was through covetousness that these false teachers endeavored to
1) “make merchandise” of their hearers [or, exploit – NKJ], and
2) they taught what they did because they had hearts of covetousness
d. Their attitude was like Balaam “who loved the hire of wrong-doing” or, “loved the wages of unrighteousness” [NKJ] (2 Pt. 2:15)
e. Many false teachers are only in it for the money
1) 1 Timothy 6:5
2) Titus 1:10-11
2. Rebellion
a. 2 Peter 2:10-12
b. The people described in these verses manifested a number of evil characteristics:
1) Desire the filthy
2) Despise dominion (authority)
3) Daring (presumptuous)
4) Self-willed
5) Disrespectful of authority
6) Mere animals (without reason)
7) The speak evil objects whose worth and value they cannot appreciate
C. THE RECIPE FOR BECOMING A FALSE TEACHER
1. A careful study of 2 Peter 2 provides a compelling description of the modus operandi of the false teacher
2. They repress their real intentions
a. 2 Peter 2:1-3, 13-14
b. “Privily” – smuggle in secretly (v. 1)
c. “Feigned words” – fictitious (v. 3)
d. “revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you” (v. 13) – they use fellowship to gain trust and then to deceive
e. “Beguiling unstable souls”- prey on the weak (v. 14)
f. “Cunningly devised fables” argument are made up, or artificial (2 Pt. 1:16)
g. “Crept in unawares” (Jude 4)
3. They recruit their followers by promising what they cannot deliver
a. 2 Peter 2:17
a. Peter describes them as:
1) “Springs without water” – a traveler and a dry well
2) “Midst driven by a storm” – promising clouds, but no rain
b. They recruit with empty enticing words
D. THE RESULT OF FALSE TEACHING
1. It results in repudiation of the Savior Who does for us
a. 2 Peter 2:1
b. Sin waxes worse and worse
2. It results in many following after lasciviousness
a. 2 Peter 2:2
b. Many teach that the Bible is not our pattern – Divorce for any cause, etc.
3. It results in the way of truth being evil spoken of
a. 2 Peter 2:2
b. This is true because those who see the wickedness produced by the “cheap grace” philosophy are going to speak evil of those promoting such a philosophy
c. If we maintain that we are teaching the truth, and “the truth” we are preaching leads to lustful and lewd behavior, you can be sure that the way of truth will be evil spoken of
4. It results in the damnation of its hearers and practitioners
a. 2 Peter 2:1
b. Hearing a lie, believing a lie, and acting upon that lie, will lead to disaster
c. If we believe a lie we will be damned (2 The. 2:10-12)
5. It results in the corruption and damnation of those who teach it
a. 2 Peter 2:3
b. This is not an idle threat – 2 Peter 2:4-6
c. 2 Peter 2:9
d. 2 Peter 2:12
e. 2 Peter 2:20
E. THE REMEDY FOR FALSE TEACHING
1. Remember the Revelation of God
a. Remember those taught by holy men of God (2 Pt. 2:1)
b. One of Peter’s favorite words in his epistles is “knowledge,” and it is through knowledge that we escape the pollutants of the world (2 Pt. 2:20)
c. We are to desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby (1 Pt. 2:1-2)
d. We must be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11)
e. God’s word thoroughly furnishes us (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
2. Remember your Redemption
a. The false teacher of 2 Peter 2 did not properly appreciate the blood of Christ (2:1)
b. Reflection on our blessings will keep us from being easily seduced
c. Doctrines that do not require much are not worth much
3. Remember the Righteous examples of others
a. 2 Peter 2:7-8
b. We must emulate great men and women of faith
4. Remember the Reward awaiting the Righteous
a. 2 Peter 1:11
b. 2 Peter 3:13
CONCLUSION:
A. Thus let us be like the Psalmist
1. Psalm 119:104
2. Psalm 119: 128
B. Invitation
*Thoughts for this sermon were gathered from a sermon by B. J. Clark