Upon This Rock (Week 23) - Exposing Phony Prophets (2 Peter 2:1-11)
2 Peter 2:1-3
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.
1. Be Aware of their
a. False Prophets existed in the
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people…
Jeremiah 6:14
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they cry out when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 28:15
Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.
b. False Prophets exist in the
2 Peter 2:1-11
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you,
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2. Be Acquainted with their
a.
2 Peter 2:1
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:
1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man
James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
b. Methods they Practice
2 Peter 2:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words;
c.
2 Peter 2:2
And many will follow their destructive ways,
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2 Peter 2:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words:
D.
2 Peter 2:2
And many will follow their destructive ways
Jeremiah 23:14
14 Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
Matthew 7:15-16
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize by their fruits.
3. Be Advised of their
2 Peter 2:3
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.
Example #1—Arrogant Angels.
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
Example #2 Wicked World of Old.
2 Peter 2:5
and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
Example #3 The Sinful Cities
2 Peter 2:6
and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;