December 16, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church

Introduction

        One of the main heresies in “the church” today, at least in the United States, is that the Christian life is somehow about us. For many people today their relationship with God, their attendance at church is about what they get; what they receive from God – this view isn’t found in God’s Word. See Rom. 12:1-2; 1^st Cor. 10:31; 1^st Peter 4:11; etc.

        2 challenges in 2:10-16: learn some further characteristics of false teachers so we can know one when we see one, and a second theme is to examine our motives in terms of our relationship with God. Why do we go to church? Why do we read our Bibles? If we are serving in a church, why are we doing it – what’s our motive? Are we a Balaam? Is the focus of our relationship with God self-centered and self-serving as was Balaam’s focus?

I. The character of false teachers. See 2^nd Peter 2:10.

        A. Character trait #1: false teachers walk according to the lust of the         flesh. See 2:10a.

                1. Not a once in awhile struggle. “Flesh” refers to the sin nature                 that was born into the human race because of the Fall.

                2. See Rom. 7:14-20; Gal. 5. All Christians: the apostle Paul,                 Peter, and people like you and me can, do, and will struggle                 with our flesh – our sinful nature. False teachers are controlled                 by the corrupt desires of their sinful nature.

        B. #2: they despise authority. See 2:10b.

        “Despise” means: “to look on something with contempt; to disdain; or to think little or nothing of something.” Opposite: respect and submit to authority.

        C. #3: they are presumptuous. See 2:10b.

        Means bold and don’t dread or fear things. Opposite: being modest or meek.

        D. #4: false teachers are self-willed. See 2:10b.

        Greek here is where we get the word “hedonistic:” someone whose life is based on the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life. Opposite: seek to please God.

        E. #5: their speech is evil. See 2:10c.

        2 things here:

                1. Don’t underestimate how telling our speech really is. See                 Matt. 12:31-37; 15:1-20.

                2. The word “dignitaries” could be referring to church leaders or                 it could be referring to demons. See 2:11 and Jude 8-10.

        F. #6: they carouse in the daytime. See 2:13a.

        Please note: Lord willing the second part of this message will be preached in 2 weeks – on Dec. 30th.

Conclusion