2 Peter 2

DANGERS of FALSE TEACHERS and THEIR DESTRUCTION

We have looked in Chapter 1 the need of growth in our relationship with Christ and the Power of Christ transforming us with the Holy Spirit doing an ongoing work

WHAT ARE WE FOCUSED ON AND WHAT INFLUENCES OUR THOUGHTS, DESIRES and SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS

2 Peter 2 reveals about damnable heresies that deny the Lord with an increase in immorality in the latter days 2 Peter 2:1-3 1 Timothy 4:1

DO WE ABSORB THE TRUTHS OF GOD’S WORD with OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST along with PRAYER RELEASING THE SANCTIFYING WORK AVAILABLE IN CHRIST

False heresies are opinions independent of divine truth

2 Peter 2:4-7 Reveals the last days hold a warning against false teachers with Luke 17:26-29 revealing Noah and the flood and the deliverance of Lot out of Sodom and Gomorrah are models of end time deliverance and judgment

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation 2 Peter 2:9 GOD PRESERVES COMMITTED BELIEVERS IN THE MIDST OF EVIL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE SO ABIDE STEADFAST IN CHRIST WITH HIS WORD ABIDING STEADFAST IN US

A description of False Teachers

Them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government being presumptuous and self willed not afraid to speak evil of others….speaking evil of things that they do not understand 2 Peter 2:10-12 Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls with covetous practices…forsaking the right way 2 Peter 2:14- 15 These are wells without water to whom the mist of darkness is reserved For when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness those that were clean 2 Peter 2:17-18 with False teachers being the servants of corruption

THE CHARACTER THAT IS SENSUAL, ARROGANT AND INDULGENT REFLECTING THE LIFESTYLE OF FALSE TEACHERS 2 Peter 2:10-22

The right way is contrasted with the way of Balaam. The way was a designation for early Christianity Acts 9:2 Acts 19:9 & 23 Acts 22:4 Acts 24:14 & 22 Balaam the prophet was ready to curse God’s people apparently for profit, illustrating the greed of false teachers who deceive and exploit for personal gain Numbers 22- 24 Revelations 2:14 2 Peter 2:15

WELLS WITHOUT WATER ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO INSTEAD OF OFFERING THAT WHICH SATISFIES THE NEEDS OF GOD’S PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY INDIVIDUALS EMPTY AND VOID OF THE REALITY OF CHRIST WITH SCRIPTURE CONFIRMING THEM AS FALSE TEACHERS 2 Peter 2:17

FALSE TEACHERS ARE MOTIVATED BY THE FLESH OFFERING CARNAL OR SOULISH SATISFACTION WITH DOCTRINE THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE TRUTH.

WE EACH MUST USE THE WORD OF GOD TO MEASURE ACCURATELY THE WORDS OF ANOTHER BEING SENSITIVE TO THE LEADING AND PROMPTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE WOULD BE PARTAKERS OF DIVINE TRUTHS

REJECT ANY TEACHING THAT DENIES THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS BE ESTABLISHED SO THAT YOU CANNOT BE LURED BACK INTO SIN BY FALSE DOCTRINE 2 Peter 2:18-22

False teachers having experienced the cleansing power of Christ are now rejecting him having returned to their former corrupt life style

BELIEVERS WHO FALL INTO APOSTASY BY DELIBERATELY REJECTING THE DEATH AND THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST ARE IN A MORE TRAGIC POSITION THAN UNCONVERTED PAGANS Hebrews 6:4-6 Hebrews 10:26 2 Peter 2:20-21

Many in the middle east especially Muslims are receiving divine visions of Jesus that is turning them to encounter the reality of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the sins of mankind and thereby partaking of His resurrection power that the Power of the Holy Spirit can do a creative and ongoing work in their lives

HAVE WE BEEN LULLED TO SLEEP BEING IN A STATE OF APATHY AND INDIFFERENCE OR ARE WE OPEN AND RECEPTIVE TO THAT WHICH HE ALONE CAN ACCOMPLISH AND BRING TO PASS IN OUR HEART AND LIFE

Peter gives three warning signs for identifying false teachers

…SHAMEFUL WAYS…Do their lives contain or condone immoral practices. Does the group listening have immoral sexual relationships …GREED…Teachers have a right to financial support but is money the teacher’s prime motivation? Evaluate with care if the individual is clearly serving God or merely promoting their own interests? …LYING…not having scriptural backing for their beliefs

BELIEVERS TODAY WOULD DO WELL TO HEED PETER’S WARNINGS AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS FOR THE DANGER IS GREAT

FALSE TEACHERS TWIST CHRIST’S TEACHINGS AND BELITTLE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION CLAIMING THAT JESUS COULDN’T BE GOD ALLOWING ALL TYPES OF IMMORAL LIFE STYLES

Awake while there is still opportunity to do so and Draw nigh in humility seeking the true reality of the Lord Jesus Christ and being willing to TURN to so APPROPRIATE THE FULL REALITY OF HIS LOVE AND PRESENCE

He reaches forth to bring restoration and as we choose to bind the powers that would thwart His will and purpose so we shall be partakers of the benefits of truly knowing Him personally

Study by Charlotte…August 2012

JESUS IS THE WAY, REVEALING DIVINE TRUTH and THROUGH JESUS WE CAN BE PARTAKERS OF THE TREE OF LIFE