IF - WHY? 2 Peter 2:1-3 1

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2

Introduction Many warnings of false teachers in God’s word –1 John 4:1-3 –1 John 2:18 –Galatians 1:6-8 –Acts 20:27-32 –Jude 4, 18 –1 Timothy 4:1 –2 Timothy 3:1-5 –Colossians 2:8 –2 Peter 2:1-22 –Matthew 7: If what one teaches is false - they are a false teacher!

IF - WHY? 4

Morality alone saves… 5 IF - WHY? Acts 10:1-6, 22, 48

6 IF - WHY? Conscience is a safe guide… Acts 23:1; 24:16; 26:9-15

7 IF - WHY? Justified by faith only… James 2:17, 24 & 26

8 IF - WHY? We can do nothing & be saved… Matthew 7:21 Mark 16:15-16 John 6:28-29 Revelation 22:14

9 IF - WHY? Gospel obedience is not needed… 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 Hebrews 5:8-9

10 IF - WHY? Majority must be right… Matthew 7:13-14, Peter 3:20

11 IF - WHY? Christians cannot fall from grace… Galatians 5:1-4 1 Corinthians 9:27 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 1 Timothy 4:1-3 Hebrews 3:12 2 Peter 2:20-22

12 IF - WHY? Doctrines of men are acceptable… Mark 7:7-13 Galatians 1:8-9 2 John 9-11

13 IF - WHY? Religious division is a blessing… John 17: Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:3

14 IF - WHY? Churches of your choice… Matthew 16:18 Ephesians 1:22-23 Ephesians 5:23-25

15 IF - WHY? Worship is as you please… Matthew 15:8-9 John 4:23-24

16 IF - WHY? Instrumental music is good… Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16

17 IF - WHY? Clergy - “Reverend”, “Doctor”, “Father” Laity - all other members… Matthew 23:8-10 Romans 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1

18 IF - WHY? We are not under law but under grace… If there is no law, there can be no sin, and therefore, no need of grace! I John 3:4; Romans 4:15 James 1:25; 2:12 Galatians 6:2

19 IF - WHY? If there are later day revelations… John 14:26;16:13 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:27 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Jude 3

20 IF - WHY? Divorce for any cause… Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9 Romans 7:1-3

21 IF - WHY? If we can fellowship those who teach & support error… Ephesians 5:11 John 12:46; 1 John 1:6 Romans 16: Corinthians 6:17; 7:1-2 2 John 9-11

22 IF - WHY? Manor of life does not matter… 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Galatians 5:19-21

23 IF - WHY? If homosexuality & same sex marriage are good… Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 Deuteronomy 23:17 Genesis 19:24 Romans 1: Peter 2:6; Jude 7 Matthew 19:3-6; Genesis 2:18-24

24 IF - WHY? Faithfulness is not necessary… 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Revelation 2:10

Conclusion We must be as those in Berea –Acts 17:11 We must act by only the authority of God’s word –Matthew 21:23-27; Colossians 3:17 We must speak the oracles of God –1 Peter 4:11 We must speak only sound doctrine –Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-4 25

Conclusion “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” - 1 Peter 3:15 26 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” - Acts 5:29