THE CASE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS

2 Peter 2:1-22
By: Dr. Gary G. Dull
INTRO: ISN’T IT A GRAND THING TO BE A CHRISTIAN? What we have through the
work of redemption by Jesus Christ is just down right marvelous as far as I am concerned.
Consider these questions:
1) Aren’t you glad that the Bible CONTAINS the Word of God?
2) Aren’t you glad that Jesus became the Messiah of God AFTER HIS BIRTH in order to provide
salvation for us all?
3) Aren’t you glad that all Jesus needed to do in order to secure our salvation was to DIE and that
He was willing to do that without any hesitation?
4) Aren’t you glad that SALVATION FOR THE CHURCH IS THE SAME IN THE OLD
TESTAMENT AS WELL AS THE NEW TESTAMENT?
5) Aren’t you glad the church got involved in missions right away after it was founded in Acts
chapter 16?
6) Aren’t you glad GOD GIVES US THE CHOICE TO BE BAPTIZED AFTER WE ARE SAVED,
in order to identify with Jesus Christ?
7) Aren’t you glad that Jesus Christ DIED FOR THE ELECT in the world?
8) Aren’t you glad that salvation is a free gift of God and all we need to do is MAINTAIN THAT
SALVATION THROUGH GOOD WORKS AND MINISTRY FOR THE LORD?
IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” TO ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS, YOU ARE GOING
THE WAY OF FALSE DOCTRINE TAUGHT BY FALSE TEACHERS!!!
Take another look at those seven questions!
1) The Bible IS THE WORD OF GOD, it does not just contain the Word of God!
2) Jesus is the ETERNAL MESSIAH OF GOD, and did not just become such after His birth.
3) Jesus had to do more than DIE to secure our salvation, HE HAD TO SHED HIS PRECIOUS
BLOOD FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
4) Salvation in the Bible is always by faith no matter what dispensation is considered, but THE
CHURCH IS NOT FOUND IN THE OLD TESTAMENT!
5) The church did get involved in missions early but IT WAS FOUNDED IN ACTS 2 NOT ACTS
16!
6) God does not give us a CHOICE TO BE BAPTIZED, IT IS A COMMAND!
7) Jesus did not just die for the ELECT; HE DIED FOR THE WHOLE WORLD!
8) Salvation is truly a gift of God but we DO NOT HAVE TO MAINTAIN SALVATION
THROUGH GOOD WORKS AND MINISTRY FOR THE LORD!
In conducting this “quiz,” I did not mean to embarrass you, but I did intend on getting you to
think a bit about what track you are going down in your theological position. So many people
follow false teaching and do not even realize it…and that is how they get involved in cults and
destructive doctrine!
THERE IS A LOT OF TEACHING GOING ON UNDER THE NAME OF CHRISTIANITY
THAT IS NOT BIBLICAL! The serious minded Christian will recognize that and will seek to
understand the ways of the false teacher.
I. THE PRESENCE OF FALSE TEACHERS VS. 1
WHAT IS A FALSE TEACHER? Consider FIVE serious indicators!
1) A false teacher is one who does not line up directly with the Word of God in thought, in
intent, in proclamation and in practice.
2) A false teacher is more interested in teaching the Bible and Christian living the way “he”
wants rather than the way God wants.
3) A false teacher relies more on opinion than on the fact of scripture.
4) A false teacher maintains a practice of “preference” rather than “conviction” on biblical
matters.
5) A false teacher looks for verses to support “his” way of thinking and living rather than
conforming “his” way of thinking and living to the Word of God.
A. The Location of False Teachers – “AMONG THE PEOPLE.”
1. False teachers were in the O.T. – Deuteronomy 13:1-5
2. False teachers were in the Gospels – Matthew 15:1-9
3. False teachers were in the Book of the Acts – Acts 15:24
4. False teachers were in the Epistles – 1 Timothy 1:18-20
5. False teachers were in The Revelation – Revelation 13:1-8
B. The Identification of False Teachers
1. They Promote DAMNABLE HERESIES –
a. “DAMNABLE” means “Self-condemning.”
b. “HERESIES” involves making theological choices that go against the Word of God
in position and practice.
DAMNABLE HERESIES ARE CONDEMNING CHOICES MADE BY FALSE
TEACHERS THAT WILL BRING THE DESTRUCTION OF GOD UPON THEM!
2. They Personally DENY the Lordship of Christ….Who “bought” them! The fact is, the
Lord Jesus provided redemption for them, but they have refused both Him and the
redemption He offers!
TWO OBSERVATIONS:
1) These false teachers include “so-called pastors, teachers, evangelists and missionaries.”
2) These false teachers produce “self-designed” religious lies which lead to division and
faction – Jude 4; 1 Corinthians 11:19.
C. The Operation of False Teachers – They enter the church in a stealth fashion and are
undetected by spiritual radar – Vs.1 and Jude 4.
D. The Destruction of False Teachers – They are destroyed either by death and/or judgment
when Christ returns. Vs. 8 and Jude 4
E. The Salvation of False Teachers – THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SAVED! Perhaps they
know the Bible, but they have never really applied the Bible. Vss. 20-22
WARNING: ALL OF THE ABOVE IS A WARNING NOT TO TOLERATE
UNCSRIPTURAL TEACHINGS AND IDEAS IN THE NAME OF LOVE AND UNITY!
2 Thess. 3:14; Titus 3:9-11
ILLUSTRATION:

II. THE PATTERN OF FALSE TEACHERS VSS. 1-22

EVERY FALSE TEACHER HAS THE FOLLOWING BIBLICAL PATTERN
A. They are Heretics - Vs. 1 – They make personal choices to follow their own ideas and
ways rather than the Word of God.
 1. Comes due to Biblical Ignorance – They do not know the Bible.
2. Comes due to Biblical Interpretation – The do not interpret the Bible accurately.
3. Comes due to Biblical Insolence – They boldly and rudely disrespect the Bible.
B. They are Popular - Vs. 2 – Many follow their “pernicious” ways which are evil and filthy.
C. They are Covetous - Vs. 3 – They desire to be followed and worshipped.
D. They are Corrupt - Vss. 10-12 – They walk “after the flesh and in lust,” which leads to all
sorts of adverse activities.
E. They are Stealth – Vs. 13 – They are right in the midst of the true church.
F. They are Depraved – Vss. 14-16 – They cannot stop sinning. Every situation is looked
from the sinful perspective.
G. They are Empty – Vss. 17-19 – They say a lot but offer little.
I. They are Apostates – Vss. 20 – 22 – They have NEVER had faith…never saved!
ILLUSTRATION:

III. THE PROSPECT OF FALSE TEACHERS VSS, 4-9

EVERY FALSE TEACHER IS ORDAINED TO BE JUDGED BY GOD!
A. The Judgment is Based upon the Past Actions of God against heretical beliefs and
practices.
1. The Judgment of Fallen Angels – Vs. 4
a. A reference to the angels who fell with Lucifer due to his false teaching of pride and
rebellion as described in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Revelation 12:9
b. A reference to the angels who followed the false teaching of ungodly sexual relations
with human beings as described in Genesis 6:1-4.
2. The Judgment of Noah’s Generation – Vs. 5 – A world-wide flood due to the false
teaching of ungodliness.
3. The Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrha – Vs. 6 – Total destruction due to the false
teaching of homosexuality.
B. The Judgment Based upon the Present Acclamation of God’s Word – Vs. 9 –The
“unjust” are preserved to be punished on the day of judgment which is the Great White
Throne. Note Galatians 1:8,9
FALSE TEACHERS ARE KEPT BY GOD LIKE PRISONERS WAITING THE
SENTENCING THAT WILL SEND THEM TO ETERNAL PRISON IN THE LAKE OF
FIRE – REVELATION 20:11-15
ILLUSTRATION:

IV. THE PROTECTION FROM FALSE TEACHERS

EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN MUST MAKE A CONSCIOUS DAILY DETERMINATION TO
PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE WAYS OF FALSE TEACHERS.
A. Principle One: Know the Word of God THOROUGHLY on a personal level.
1. Regularly Study the Bible – Joshua 1:8
2. Rightly Interpret the Bible – 2 Timothy 2:15
B. Principle Two: Compare EVERYTHING you hear with the pure teaching of the Bible.
Psalm 119:105
1. Avoid taking for granted that everything that comes under the name “Christian” is
biblical. There are many out there who want to make money on Christianity including
musicians, authors, televangelists, Bible translators.
 2. Avoid going along with something just because “you” like it. The nature of the flesh is
to like that which is sinful.
C. Principle Three: Determine to MARK those who are false teachers. This is not a joyful
thing to do, but it is necessary in order to keep from falling into error. Romans 16: 17,18.
What a shame it is to allow others to be lured away into false teaching because we have
avoided to reveal the error.
D. Principle Four: Refuse to FELLOWSHIP with any one person or organization which
violates biblical truth to any degree – 2 John 10,11
E. Principle Five: Be certain to REBUKE any and all false teaching. 1 Timothy 4:1-4
F. Principle Six: Be ready to RESCUE those who have fallen into false teaching. Jude 22,23
G. Principle Seven: Be ON GUARD for false teaching so as not to be lured away into its
devastating effects. Jude 17-21
1. Build Up Your self – Vs. 20a – Know the Truth of God.
2. Pray in the Holy Ghost – Vs. 20b – Be led by the Spirit.
3. Keep Yourself in the love of God – Vs. 21a – Love what God loves.
4. Look for the Mercy of Christ Vs. 22b - Look at everything in light of the return of
Christ and eternal life.
ILLUSTRATION:

LESSON: FALSE TEACHING HAS ALWAYS BEEN AROUND AND WILL ALWAYS
BE AROUND AS LONG AS MANKIND EXISTS….IN FACT, IT WILL INCREASE AS
WE CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF CHRIST. NEVER LEAVE YOUR GUARD
DOWN, BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU DO, YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO EITHER
FOLLOWING FALSE TEACHING OR PROMOTING FALSE TEACHING.