False teachers and God’s coming judgment 2 Peter 2:1-11 False teachers and God’s coming judgment

2 Peter 2:1-11 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 

6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh[c] and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from[d] the Lord.

Richard Baxter (Puritan) “I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men” “For myself, as I am ashamed of my dull and careless heart, and of my slow and unprofitable course of life, so, the Lord knows, I am ashamed of every sermon I preach: when I think what I have been thinking of, and who sent me, and that men’s salvation or damnation is so much concerned in  it, I am ready to tremble lest God should judge me as a slighter of His truths and the souls of  men, and lest in the best sermon I should be guilty of their blood. I believe we should not  speak a word to men in matters of such consequence without tears, or the greatest  earnestness that possibly we can”.

False teachers will come and increase in number closer to the last days. 2 Timothy 3:13 says that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived”. (also Matthew 24) Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but only he that does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on  that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesised in your name? and in thy name have cast out  devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? ….. And then I will  say unto them “I never knew you: depart from me you that work iniquity.”

False teachers and their followers Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You shall know them by their fruits”. Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after  their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn  away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables”.

William Booth

A.J. Tozer The cross of popular evangelicalism is not the cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity whose hands are indeed the hands of Abel, but whose voice is the voice of Cain. The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it. The old cross brought tears and blood; the new cross brings laughter.

Followers of false teachers 2 Thessalonians 1:8 “…. they shall be punished with everlasting destruction  from the presence of the Lord…. they did not obey the  gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Timothy 4:1-3 “Now the Spirit clearly says that in the latter times some shall depart  from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils,  speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot  iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which  God had created to be received with thanksgiving”.

Pray for Godly pastors. Sit under the ministry of a Godly pastor. Jeremiah 3:15 I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding . Good books and authors to read: Jerry Bridges from the navigators. J. C. Ryle – books such as Holiness; Old Paths Paul Washer – books such Gospel Assurance and Warnings John Blanchard – Ultimate Questions ; Right with God Richard Owen Roberts – Repentance Sinclair Ferguson – The Christian Life