Guarding Against False Teachers: A Call to Discernment

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I addressed the pressing issue of false teachers within the Christian community, drawing from the epistle of Peter to highlight the dangers they pose to the integrity of the Gospel and the spiritual health of the congregation. I began by setting the context of our current season, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Easter week and the need for prayerful preparation and outreach.

As we delved into the heart of the message, I drew attention to the characteristics of false teachers, likening them to the notorious financial charlatan Bernie Madoff. Just as Madoff's greed led to the largest financial fraud in history, false teachers are driven by a similar greed, infiltrating Christian ranks to exploit the faithful for personal gain. I explained that these individuals are skilled in their deceit, having trained themselves in greed to the point of professional expertise.

I then outlined three specific behaviors of these false teachers: reviling, reveling, and revolting. Reviling refers to their disrespectful and slanderous attitude towards spiritual authorities, including angelic beings, which even the angels themselves do not engage in. Reveling describes their indulgence in pleasure and debauchery, often at the expense of others and even during sacred times like the communion. Revolting points to their moral corruption, as exemplified by the Old Testament figure Balaam, who was reprimanded by a donkey for his disobedience to God.

I emphasized the need for discernment within the church to identify and address the influence of false teachers. I warned against their predatory nature, as they target the unstable and naive within the church, twisting scripture to spread their false doctrines and leading others astray.

In conclusion, I called the congregation to a time of reflection and preparation for communion, urging each person to examine their own hearts for any traces of greed or other sins that might hinder our relationship with God. I reminded everyone of the beauty of salvation and the significance of the communion table as a reminder of what we have been saved from and who we have been saved to.

Key Takeaways:

- False teachers are skilled in exploiting the faithful, much like financial fraudsters, but their currency is spiritual deception. Their greed is not merely a personal failing but a calculated discipline that they have honed to manipulate and profit from the church. As we guard against such influences, we must be vigilant in our study of Scripture and in fostering a community that values truth and integrity. [49:33]

- The behaviors of reviling, reveling, and revolting are symptomatic of a heart far from God. These individuals show no respect for spiritual authority, indulge in excesses, and corrupt the sacred practices of the faith. It is crucial for us to recognize these signs and to uphold the sanctity of our worship and communal life, ensuring that our gatherings reflect the holiness and love of Christ. [31:21]

- The story of Balaam serves as a stark reminder that God's judgment is upon those who lead others astray for personal gain. As we consider the impact of false teachings, let us be mindful of the responsibility we have to protect the vulnerable among us, providing sound teaching and pastoral care that nurtures faith rather than exploits it. [48:02]

- The communion table is a place of deep reflection and connection with the sacrifice of Christ. It is a time to examine our own hearts and to seek reconciliation with God. Let us approach this sacred time with humility and a sincere desire to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus, casting aside any greed or sin that may be revealed in us. [49:50]

- Our response to the presence of greed, whether in leadership, our community, or within ourselves, should be one of prayerful intervention rather than judgment. By praying for conviction and transformation, we participate in the redemptive work of God, trusting that He can change hearts and restore integrity to those who have been led astray. [51:33]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Peter 2:1-3 - "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. 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."
2. Numbers 22:21-35 - The story of Balaam and his donkey.

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three specific behaviors of false teachers mentioned in the sermon? ([29:21])
2. How does the sermon compare false teachers to Bernie Madoff? ([23:38])
3. What does the story of Balaam illustrate about the nature of false teachers? ([44:01])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the communion table in relation to false teachings? ([49:06])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the need for discernment within the church to identify false teachers? ([39:03])
2. How do the behaviors of reviling, reveling, and revolting reflect a heart far from God? ([29:21])
3. What lessons can we learn from Balaam's story about the consequences of greed and disobedience to God? ([44:01])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should respond to the presence of greed in leadership or within ourselves? ([51:05])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the characteristics of false teachers. Have you ever encountered someone who exhibited these traits? How did you handle the situation? ([29:21])
2. The sermon warns against the predatory nature of false teachers who target the unstable and naive. How can you help protect and support new or less mature believers in your community? ([39:03])
3. The communion table is a time for deep reflection and connection with Christ's sacrifice. How can you prepare your heart for communion to ensure it is a meaningful experience? ([49:06])
4. The sermon calls for prayerful intervention rather than judgment when dealing with greed. How can you incorporate this approach in your daily interactions, especially when you notice greed in others or yourself? ([51:05])
5. Think about a time when you might have been influenced by false teachings or misleading information. What steps can you take to ensure you are grounded in sound doctrine and biblical truth? ([39:03])
6. The story of Balaam shows the dangers of pursuing personal gain over God's will. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to prioritize personal gain? How can you realign your priorities with God's will? ([44:01])
7. How can you foster a community that values truth and integrity, as emphasized in the sermon? What specific actions can you take to contribute to this goal? ([23:38])

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Spiritual Deception
Spiritual deception is a calculated discipline among false teachers. These individuals, driven by greed, have honed their skills to manipulate and profit from the church. They are like financial fraudsters, but their currency is the spiritual well-being of the faithful. It is essential to recognize that their greed is not just a personal failing but a deliberate practice. The church must be vigilant in studying Scripture and fostering a community that values truth and integrity to guard against such influences. This requires a commitment to discernment and a willingness to confront and correct false teachings when they arise.

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:3-4)

Reflection: How can you actively contend for the faith in your community, and what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture to recognize and resist spiritual deception? [49:33]

Day 2: Respecting Spiritual Authority
The behaviors of reviling, reveling, and revolting are clear indicators of a heart that has strayed from God. These individuals show blatant disrespect for spiritual authority, indulge in excesses, and corrupt the sacred practices of the faith. It is crucial for the church to recognize these signs and to maintain the sanctity of worship and communal life. By doing so, the gatherings of believers will reflect the holiness and love of Christ, and the church will stand as a beacon of light in a world that often celebrates the opposite.

"Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity." (1 Timothy 5:1-2)

Reflection: In what ways can you show greater respect for spiritual authority in your life, and how can you contribute to a church environment that honors God and His commandments? [31:21]

Day 3: Protecting the Vulnerable
The story of Balaam is a stark reminder of the consequences that befall those who lead others astray for personal gain. It is the responsibility of the church to protect the vulnerable from false teachings by providing sound doctrine and pastoral care that nurtures faith rather than exploits it. This protection involves being watchful for those who twist Scripture and being proactive in offering biblical teaching that equips the congregation to discern truth from falsehood.

"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." (2 Peter 2:1)

Reflection: What measures can you take to ensure that you and those around you are not swayed by false teachings, and how can you contribute to a culture of accountability within your church? [48:02]

Day 4: Embracing Communion with Sincerity
The communion table is a place for deep reflection and connection with the sacrifice of Christ. It is a time to examine our hearts and seek reconciliation with God. Approaching this sacred time with humility and a sincere desire to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus requires casting aside any greed or sin that may be present. The communion table serves as a reminder of the beauty of salvation and the call to live a life that honors the sacrifice made for us.

"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what are the areas of your life that need examination and repentance, and how can you approach the communion table with a heart that is truly open to God's transformative work? [49:50]

Day 5: Praying for Transformation Over Judgment
When confronted with greed, whether in leadership, the community, or within ourselves, the response should be one of prayerful intervention rather than judgment. Praying for conviction and transformation allows participation in the redemptive work of God. Trusting that He can change hearts and restore integrity to those who have been led astray is an act of faith that aligns with the heart of the Gospel.

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

Reflection: How can you practice prayerful intervention for those who may be struggling with greed or other sins, and what steps can you take to gently restore someone who has been led astray? [51:33]

Quotes

1) "These false teachers saw them as a source of their financial and personal gain. Peter goes on to describe these religious charlatans as having hearts trained in greed." [26:09] ( | | )

2) "Today, we're going to learn one of the three characteristics of false teachers... The depravity of these false teachers. They're reviling, they're reveling, and they're revolting." [29:36] ( | | )

3) "They do things that not even angels do. Now does that bring any mind, people to mind? Not only the reviling, but look at all the second of all, the reveling." [31:21] ( | | )

4) "They are predators in two ways. They are predators sexually and they are predators doctrinally. By their teaching, they're trying to model and multiply themselves throughout the church." [36:55] ( | | )

5) "They have a heart trained in greed. This is the word gymnasso, and it refers to the word of training, discipline, and the athletic term, where we get the word gymnasium." [42:24] ( | | )

6) "Baylon, the son of Beor who loved the wages of unrighteousness... for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet." [44:17] ( | | )

7) "It's a time to remember what Christ did for us. But when God identifies something in your heart, like He did with me this week, when He identifies it, pray that God removes the greed or whatever it is." [49:50] ( | | )

8) "Pray that God would move in that person's heart and say, God, I'm not the judge, but it's obvious that what's going on here is inappropriate. Would you do something to convict this person?" [51:33] ( | | )

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Transcript
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