Sermons From Second Peter - The Destructiveness Of False Teachers (2:1-3)

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                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

             The Destructiveness Of False Teachers (2:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. I suggested in the first lesson of this series that the theme of
   2nd Peter could be "Beware, But Grow", based upon Peter's concluding
   remarks in 2Pe 3:17-18

2. As we enter the second chapter, we find Peter's attention turned to
   "false teachers", and the need to beware of them...
   a. Just as there were "false prophets" in Old Testament times, we 
      can expect "false teachers" in our day - 2Pe 2:1
   b. The term for "false teacher" is pseudodidaskalos 
      {psyoo-dod-id-as'-kal-os} and is defined as "a spurious teacher, 
      i.e. propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine:--false teacher"
      1) In the Bible, the term is found only in this passage
      2) Peter's use of it and his description of these "false 
         teachers" throughout this chapter strongly suggests that:
         a) It means more than simply someone who happens to teach 
            error out of ignorance of the truth (such as someone 
            sincerely mistaken)
         b) He has in mind those who know full well what they are doing
            and are purposely trying to mislead others!

3. While it may be true that there are "blind leaders of the blind" 
   (Mt 15:13-14), Peter is not describing "blind leaders" per se, but
   individuals much more sinister!

[In this lesson we shall consider the first three verses of this 
chapter, in which we learn about "The Destructiveness Of False 
Teachers".  Beginning with...]

I. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES (1,2)

   A. DEFINING "HERESY"...
      1. The word in Greek is hairesis {hah'-ee-res-is} which means:
         a. Choosing, choice
         b. That which is chosen
         c. A body of men following their own tenets (sect or party), 
            used of:
            1) The Sadducees - Ac 5:17
            2) The Pharisees - Ac 15:5
            3) The Christians - Ac 24:5
         d. Dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims 
            (e.g., denominational division as it exists today)
      2. It not only refers to a "sect" or "party", but sometimes to
         the doctrine(s) that produce the division
      3. That seems to be the way Peter uses it here:  referring to the
         doctrines the false teachers would "bring in" that would cause
         division

   B. "EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM" (1)
      1. This may refer to either:
         a. What their doctrine promoted
         b. What their doctrine produced in those who followed it
      2. We know that soon after Peter wrote there were those 
         (precursors of the "Gnostics") who literally denied some 
         things about the Lord - cf. 2Jn 7
      3. Were these "false teachers" at one time true Christians?
         a. The phrase "who bought them" certainly suggests so! - cf. 
            Ac 20:28; 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 1:18-19
         b. They are later described as those who had "escaped the 
            pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord 
            and Savior..." - 2Pe 2:20

   C. WHY THEIR DOCTRINES ARE "DESTRUCTIVE" (2)
      1. Because "many will follow their destructive ways"...
         a. Instead of following the Lord as they should
         b. Who is the only way of salvation
         c. Thus separating themselves from the true source of 
            salvation
      2. Because of them "the way of truth will be blasphemed"
         a. Those in the world will speak evil of who profess to follow
            Christ, thinking that the false teachers are a fair 
            representation of Christianity ("If that is what it means 
            to be Christian...")
         a. Or they will speak evil of the divisions that will occur 
            ("Hey, if you Christians have the truth, why can't you 
            agree on what it is?")

[Knowing that such "false teachers" will come, and that their doctrines
will be destructive, what indications can we look for to be able to 
identify them?  Peter describes for us...]

II. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE METHODS (1,3)

   A. THEY WILL WORK "SECRETLY" (1)
      1. "...who will secretly bring in destructive heresies"
      2. Knowing that error cannot stand the light of the truth, they 
         will resort to working "behind the scenes"
      3. Truth has nothing to fear from investigation, so if one 
         believes they have the truth they will not object to open and 
         fair evaluation
      4. If a teacher is not willing to let his doctrine be examined 
         openly by others, let that be a warning sign!

   B. THEY WILL APPEAL TO "COVETOUSNESS" (3)
      1. "By covetousness they will exploit you..."
      2. Trained in covetousness themselves, they will allure through 
         this "lust of the flesh" - cf. 2Pe 2:14,18
      3. They will offer things that the flesh often desires:  wealth, 
         health, power, influence
      4. Sounds a lot like the "gospel of health and wealth", doesn't 
         it?

   C. THEY WILL USE "DECEPTIVE WORDS" (3)
      1. "...they will exploit you with deceptive words"
      2. Peter later adds "...they speak great swelling words of 
         emptiness" -  cf. 2Pe 2:18
      3. They will be smooth talkers, who know exactly what they are 
         doing:  deceiving those follow them!
      4. If a person cannot give you "book, chapter, and verse", but 
         must appeal to "theological mumble-jumble", watch out!

[With this awareness of the false teachers' "modus operandi", we are 
less likely to be deceived by them.  Of course, being well-grounded in 
the truth of the gospel is the best protection against being misled!

Finally, we notice that Peter describes...]

III. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE END (1,3)

   A. THEY WILL "BRING ON THEMSELVES SWIFT DESTRUCTION" (1)
      1. Not only will their doctrines destroy others, but themselves 
         as well
      2. When the destruction comes, it will be "swift"
         a. How often have we seen the world of the "false teacher" 
            fall apart so quickly!
         b. E.g., as in the case of Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart
      3. While their destruction will be swift when it is "executed", 
         the execution itself may not come as quickly as we might like,
         which may explain why Peter goes on to reassure that...

   B. "THEIR JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN IDLE, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION DOES 
      NOT SLUMBER" (3)
      1. When there are "false teachers", God is not idle, nor does He
         slumber when it comes to their judgment and destruction
      2. As Peter goes on to describe in 2Pe 2:4-9, God did not 
         spare those who were guilty
      3. But He may choose to delay the execution of judgment upon the 
         ungodly, if He feels that by doing so some may repent - cf. 
         2Pe 3:7-9
      4. But when the time is right, judgment and destruction will be 
         swift! - e.g., 2Pe 3:10

CONCLUSION

1. This is not the end of Peter's discourse concerning "false 
   teachers", for he will have more to say concerning:
   a. The Doom Of False Teachers - 2Pe 2:4-9
   b. The Depravity Of False Teachers - 2Pe 2:10-17
   c. The Deceptions Of False Teachers - 2Pe 2:18-22
   -- The Lord willing, we shall consider each of these things in 
      future lessons

2. But in considering "The Destructiveness Of False Teachers", we have 
   been warned such teachers exist and that if we are not careful, we 
   will "follow their destructive ways"!

The only sure prevention is to follow Him who is "the way, the truth, 
and the life", and to "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" 
- cf. Jn 14:16; Ac 2:42
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