Beware of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3) - 6/22/25

INTRO

• Condemnation of False Teachers  2:1–22

  • Danger of False Teachers  2:1–3

  • Destruction of False Teachers  2:4–9

  • Description of False Teachers  2:10–22[1]

• We need to be aware and vigilant, but not fearful!
  

WE MUST EXPECT THEM – v. 1a

• False prophets then. Jeremiah 14:13-14

• False teachers now Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; 2 Timothy 4:3-4

  • Prophets – a Word from God

  • Teachers – the Word of God

• Among You (the church. Not all churches are the same)

• 1 John 4:1-6 – Test the Spirits
  

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THEIR TACTICS – v. 1b

• SECRETLY. HERESIES Galatians 1:6-9; Jude 4

• Come from within 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

• Denying the Gospel by their actions. (The Biblical Gospel)

  • Bought them. They claimed to know Christ, but Christ did not know them. Matthew 7:23

• Swift destruction, because of their message (heart leads to message)
  

WE MUST NOT BE FOOLED BY THEIR FOLLOWERS – v. 2

• MANY WILL FOLLOW

• Matthew 7:13-14. Narrow way. Broad way.

• Acts 20:28-30 Draw away.

• Follow their SENSUALITY. Lack of self-constraint.

• Way of truth blasphemed The true Gospel.

  • When a people follow the false teaching they are blaspheming the Word. The church blasphemes the Word. (THAT IS WHY IT IS A BIG DEAL)
    

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THEIR MOTIVATION – v. 3

• GREED

• Pride, Prestige. Possessions.

• TV preachers. $$$$

• Exploit people. They know what they are doing.

• To deceive for their own gain
  

[1] The Open Bible: New King James Version, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998).