November 11, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church

Introduction

        A. 4 marks of false teachers.

                1. Mark #1: a false prophet or teacher has not been called by                 God. See 1:19-2:1.

                2. Mark #2: false teachers will even deny the Lord that has                 bought them. See 2:2.

                3. Mark #3: a false prophet does not have a true message. See                 2:2-3a.

                4. Mark #4: false prophets and teachers are false in their lives                 and living. See 2:2a.

        B. How can we discern truth from error? How can we distinguish         between false teaching and true teaching?

I. 3 ways that won’t help us differentiate between false teaching and true teaching.

        A. Wrong way #1: the “newness” or the “modernity” of a message or         doctrine somehow makes it right. See 2:1.

        B. Wrong way #2: if the teaching is popular it must be right. See 2:2.

                1. Example of Noah. See 2:4-5. In the days and years leading                 up to the Flood the whole world was wrong and only 8 people                 were right. Only 8 people were right – and everyone else was                 wrong.

                2. The example of evolution.

                3. The example of Sodom and Gomorrah. See 2:4-6. Everyone,                 all of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah were wrong.                 Only Lot and his family were rescued.

        C. Wrong way #3: because the message is taught in a church it must         be true. See 2:1a.

II. What are the marks of false teaching?

        A. Mark #1: false teaching is often subtle. See 2:1.

        The word “secretly” emphasizes the subtlety of false teaching.

        B. Mark #2: false teaching is often irreverent. See 2:10-11.

        A better translation of verse 10: “and especially those who indulge         the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-        willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties.”

        C. Mark #3: false teaching is inevitably dishonest. See 2:2-3, 13, and         15.

        D. Mark #4: false teaching takes a superficial view of sin and evil.         See Jude 1-2.

        E. Mark #5: false teaching is empty: See 2:17-19.

Conclusion