PASTOR JOHN COWLES
BRIDGE CHURCH

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
Grounded – Week 4
2 Peter 2:1-22

2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV - But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

BE AWARE – KNOW YOUR

2 Peter 2:14-15 ESV - They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hosea 4:6a ESV - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

WE NEED TO

2 Peter 2:3 ESV – And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Ephesians 5:14 ESV – Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Psalm 119:105 ESV - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV - And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

IT’S NOT ABOUT

Psalm 103:1 ESV – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

2 Peter 2:17-18 ESV – These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

How do we battle selfishness?
A. Establish relationships with other believers.
B. Discover Your Purpose.
C. Practice Self Denial.

Luke 9:23 ESV – If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

2 Peter 2:20-22 ESV – For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

How can we protect ourselves from falling prey to false doctrine?
- Be a serious student of God’s Word
- Learn from trusted teachers and commentators
- Listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- Be extremely cautious about any “new” teaching or “new” revelation.