2. 9. Be Discerning – There are False Teachers 2 Peter 2:1-22 (pp. 1126-1127) 1 & 2 Peter

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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.