Sermons From Second Peter - The Depravity Of False Teachers (2:10-17)

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                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

               The Depravity Of False Teachers (2:10-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his discourse against "false teachers", Peter has written 
   strongly and harshly against these individuals...
   a. They will bring in "destructive heresies", and bring on 
      themselves and those who follow them "destruction" - 2Pe 2:1-3
   b. Their doom is certain, for God knows how "to reserve the unjust 
      under punishment for the day of judgment", as illustrated by the 
      examples in 2Pe 2:4-9

2. Why such strong words?  Is Peter justified in writing so harshly 
   against these "false teachers"?

3. The answer is "yes", for by inspiration Peter knows the true extent 
   to which these depraved individuals have fallen
   a. Again, these "false teachers" are not just people who in their 
      ignorance are guilty of teaching error
   b. Rather, they are very much aware of their deceptions and what 
      they are doing!

[In our text for this lesson, we learn from Peter just how serious is 
"The Depravity Of False Teachers".  For example..]

I. THEY "REVILE" AGAINST THOSE IN AUTHORITY (10-12)

   A. NOTICE THEIR CHARACTER...
      1. They "walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness" 
         - 10
      2. They are "presumptuous, self-willed" - 10
      3. By so walking after the flesh, they became little more than 
         "natural brute beasts" - 12

   B. IN THIS CONDITION...
      1. They "despise authority" - 10
         a. They do not appreciate the principles of authority and 
            submission - cf. 1Pe 2:13-17
         b. They feel no need to submit to those over them
      2. They "are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries" - 10
         a. The word for "dignitaries" is doxa {dox'-ah} and literally 
            means "glories"
         b. It can refer to human dignitaries such as church or civic 
            leaders, but also celestial beings (such as good and fallen
            angels)
         c. The context of verse 11 and the parallel passage in Jude 8-9
            suggests that fallen angels (those mentioned in 2Pe 2:4) 
            may be the "dignitaries" spoken of here
         d. Thus in some way these individuals would speak derogatorily
            of "fallen angels", something even angels "greater in power
            and might" would not do!
      3. They "speak evil of the things they do not understand" - 12
         a. Once again Peter's charge is that they "speak evil"
         b. The charge appears to be in the way they speak, even of 
            fallen angels...
            1) With an attitude of despite towards those in authority
            2) When they really are not in a position to know the whole
               situation
         c. With such arrogance and evil speaking, they corrupt 
            themselves! - Jude 10

[If the Scriptures condemn those who speak evil of "fallen angels", 
what does that say of those who speak evil of "fallen individuals", 
whether they be church or civic leaders?  May Peter's words encourage 
us to be very careful about such things.

The depravity of these "false teachers" is seen further as we consider 
how...]

II. THEY "REVEL" WITH GREAT PLEASURE (13-14)

   A. THEY LOVE TO "CAROUSE"...
      1. The word "carouse" (or "revel", the KJV uses "riot" and 
         "sporting") refers to extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures;
         dissipation
      2. They count it pleasure to "carouse in the daytime" - 13
         a. This is not to suggest that it is all right to carouse at 
            night
         b. But just demonstrates how depraved these individuals are!
      3. Like "spots and blemishes", they carouse in their deceptions
         "while they feast with you" - 13
         a. They take advantage of gatherings with Christians
         b. This they do with skillful deception

   B. FOR THEY HAVE CORRUPTED "EYES" AND "HEART"...
      1. Their eyes are "full of adultery" (cf. Mt 5:28) - 14
         a. "that cannot cease from sin" (this speaks of their 
            depravity)
         b. "...beguiling unstable souls" (taking advantage of the 
            immature)
      2. Their heart is "trained in covetous practices" - 14
         a. They are skilled in how to get what they want
         b. And what they want all pertains to the flesh! (as implied 
            by the term "adultery")

[In such depravity they have truly become "accursed children" (14).

That they are even described as "accursed children" is another 
indication that these "false teachers" were once true Christians  - cf.
"denying the Lord who bought them" (1) and "after they have escaped 
the pollutions of the world..." (20)

Another such indication is seen as we consider our last point 
concerning the depravity of these false teachers...]

III. THEY "REVOLT" AGAINST THE RIGHT WAY (15-16)

   A. "THEY HAVE FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY AND GONE ASTRAY"
      1. It is hard to forsake what you never had, or to go astray if 
         you were never in the right way
      2. Therefore this phrase of Peter...
         a. Lends support to the idea that these "false teachers" were 
            erring Christians
         b. Sadly adds to the description of how far one can fall from 
            the Lord

   B. "FOLLOWING THE WAY OF BALAAM..."
      1. Like the prophet Balaam, they were swayed by the "wages of 
         unrighteousness"
      2. Here Peter is evidently making a play on words, for he used 
         the same phrase earlier in a totally different way
         a. In verse 13, the "wages of unrighteousness" refers to the
            eternal compensation one receives for their sins 
            (condemnation)
         b. In verse 15, the "wages of unrighteousness" refers to the
            momentary compensation one receives for their sins (money, 
            fulfillment of fleshly desires)
      3. But remember that Balaam was rebuked and restrained by a dumb 
         donkey who spoke - Num 22:22-35
      4. How much more should we take heed when it is the voice of an 
         inspired apostle (Peter) who seeks to rebuke and restrain the 
         madness of "false teachers"!

CONCLUSION (17)

1. In verse 17, we are given two illustrations that describe the 
   depravity of these false teachers...
   a. They are "wells without water"
   b. They are "clouds carried by a tempest"
   -- Both illustrations describe things which promise much (i.e., 
      water), but deliver nothing!

2. So it is with these "false teachers", who while promising much, are 
   so depraved themselves that there is only one thing awaiting them...
   a. "to whom the gloom of darkness is reserved forever"
   b. I.e., the same judgment given to the angels who sinned - cf. 2 Pe
      2:4
   -- How ironic, that these individuals who were so bold to revile 
      fallen angels, will suffer the same punishment!

3. Peter will have more to say about these false teachers in the final 
   section of this chapter, especially with regards to their
   "deceptions" and how they fail to deliver what they promise

In the meantime, remember that it is not sufficient to just "beware" of
false teachers, we must also being "growing" in the grace and knowledge
of Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:17-18).  Is this the case with you...?
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