9. Be Discerning – There are False Teachers

2 Peter 2:1-22(pp. 1126-1127)

1 & 2 1 & 2

PeterPeter

Knowing▲ This Series – “Living for God in a Tough World”

● Be Joyful – We have a Living Hope (1 Pe 1:1-12)● Be Alert – Living our New Life doesn’t just Happen (1:13-2:10)

● Be Holy – In Daily Life (1 Pe 2:11-3:7)

● Be Faithful – Things will get Tough (1 Pe 3:8-22)● Be Agents of Grace – Love God’s World (1 Pe 4)● Be Humble – Serve one another under God (1 Pe 5)● Be Intentional – Then you will Grow (2 Pe 1:1-11)● Be Informed – Know the Truth (2 Pe 1:12-21)● Be Discerning – There are False Teachers (2 Pe 2)● Be Hopeful – Jesus is Definitely Coming Back (2 Pe 3)

1. There will be False Teachers

▲ The condemnation of the unfaithful is sure (v 3-8)

■ God did not spare angels who sinned (Gen 6:1-8 / 1 Enoch)

■ God did not spare the ancient world – Flood (Gen 6-9)

■ God did not spare Sodom & Gomorrah (Gen 19)

▲ The rescue of the faithful is also sure (v 9)

■ God rescued Noah (v 5)

■ God rescued Lot (v 7-8)

2. False Teachers live Unrighteously

● They are bold & arrogant (v 10)● They blaspheme what they don’t understand (v 12)● They carouse [self indulgence] in broad daylight (v 13)● They are blots & blemishes (cf 3:14) (v 13)● They never stop sinning; They seduce the unstable (v 14)● They are experts in greed (v 14)● They have left the straight way (v 15)● They are springs without water (v 17)● They speak empty words; They entice people into error (v 18)● They promise freedom but live in depravity (v 19)

■ They have returned to evil and are worse off than before (v

20-22)

3. How do we discern False Teachers?

▲ Test everything by the scriptures.

■ Submit yourself to the consensus of the church

▲ The Great Tradition – Creeds before Schism (1054)● Trinity (Father, Son & Spirit – 3 persons, one God)● Jesus’ virgin birth, death, resurrection, ascension, return in Glory● One catholic and apostolic church● One baptism● Resurrection of all who believe to eternal life● Forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ

3. How do we discern False Teachers?

▲ Liberals in the church & academy

■ Contrdict some or all of the beliefs of the creeds

■ E.g. Bishop Michael Ingham & UCC moderator Bill Phipps

▲ Teaching errors “outside” the creeds

■ Rejection of biblical sexual morality (lifelong Heterosexual

Marriage)

■ Teachers of “Health & Wealth” gospel (e.g. Benny Hinn)

Pursuing Truth▲ Know truth and recognize error

■ We don’t necessarily have to come to definitive decisions about particular teachers

■ Beware: False teaching appeals to our sinful natures (v 18)

▲ Pursue the best possible understanding ...hold guesses and unprovable ideas lightly

■ The importance of COMPLEMENTARITY (e.g. Gen 45:4-8)● More than one explanation of the same thing can be true.