Untwisting Scripture: Beware of Wolves 2.23.20

Sorry that the audio in this sermon is bad. 

 

Matthew 7:15-16  (NLT)

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

 

 

Point number 1 in your notes:

False teachers look innocent but seek to undermine the teachings of Jesus to gain influence for themselves or their cause.

 

 

2 Peter 2:1-2 (NLT)

2 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.

 

 

Matthew 7:17-20  (NLT)

17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

 

Point number 2 in your notes:

There is no need in the kingdom of God for dead wood.

 

  

2 Peter 1:5-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  

(This is all one piece – It may need a few slides)

 

2 Peter 2:2-18 (NIV)

2 Many will follow their depraved conduct

3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.

10 They follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. They are Bold and arrogant,

12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand.

13b They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable;  they are experts in greed

15 They have left the straight way and wandered off

17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.

18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

 

Point number 3 in your notes:

There is an eternal penalty for False Teachers.

 

 

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NLT)

3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

 

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (NLT)

12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

 

 

Matthew 7:24-29  (NLT)

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

 

 

Point number 4 in your notes:

False Teachers are dangerous.

  

2 Corinthians 11:26 New Living Translation (NLT)

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

  

John 15:1-4 N (NLT)

15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.