THIS IS THE GREATEST CHAPTER IN THE WORD OF GOD AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS, STUDY WELL.

1. There have been true Prophets - 1:16 - eyewitnesses of Christ- evangelizing & teaching world
2. "But there were false prophets also"- 2:1a- there was confusion and problems in early church
3. For our instruction Peter wrote his second epistle that we be guided by conviction, not prejudice

So read well the Word of God- and walk close to Christ- Let Him guard your heart-

I.- WARNING,  FALSE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH II Pet 2:1

Those who are false do not travel in their own name but try to slip under mantle of church

A.- THERE WERE FALSE PROPHETS ALSO AMONG THE PEOPLE - V. 1a - REACHING INTO THE OLD TESTAMENT TIME

1. When Moses tried to lead the Children of Israel- Num 16:3, 30 - & God showed who was boss
2. There was another way- Subtle Balaam- Num 22 -rationalized his way- Subverted Israel- 25:6
3. I Kings 13:18 An old prophet lied to a true servant of God- tricked him into getting killed!

B.- PETER SAID "THERE SHALL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU" 1b -AND THE EARLY CHURCH HAD ITS PROBLEMS

1. Jesus knew about these coming- and warned- Matt 24:22-6- Especially for the "last times"-
2. Paul wrote of Satanic tricks II Thess 2:3a, 9-11 -and with miracles the World will be tricked John 2:19
3. Peter accuses them of heresies- denying the Lord that bought them- 2:1c, After Jesus died-

C.- "AND MANY SHALL FOLLOW THEIR PERNICIOUS WAYS", AND CHRISTIANITY WILL BE MOCKED - v. 2

1. The real motive behind apostacy Pernicious- unbridled lust, excesses, shameless sins
2. They claim to be Christian- so wicked that even the world cannot condone their action
3. Wherever Paul went- Judaizers (legalists) and Gnostics (Human wisdom) followed him

If you are not strong in the faith- they will seek to seduce you into their slavery-

II.- THEIR WORK - MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU - V. 3

To get more money & new companions for their lusts- they counterfeit doctrines, & great words

A.- THROUGH COVETOUSNESS (their motive) v.3- Cf. Col. 3:5c-Covetousness which is idolatry! Mortify

1. These false prophets can covet many different things- wealth, position, power, popularity,
2. Too often the hard earned money of Christians is sucked off from Churches to non accountable front organizations
3. Their mystery calls for your $$ used lavishly- Give through your local church!

B.- "WITH FEIGNED WORDS THEY MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU" v. 3b HAWKING EMOTIONAL RELIGIOUS WARES

1. They know just how to use right words -Radio & TV to take in the most money, used strangely!
2. Une nationally known crook, 3 connections in our church-died drunk-shot by sect.-husband
3. Yet this man fought Alcohol,- Very much anti-Communist & Anti-Catholic. He's dead, others alive

C.- THEY WALK AFTER THE FLESH IN THE LUST OF UNCLEANNESS, CF. v. 10,12,14,18 TERRIBLE DESCRIPTION

1. Note carefully these words -A Christian hates to believe the worst about anybody-
2. But these apostates are exciting, fresh, revolutionary, very attractive,-not old hat
3. And with their great swelling words- they trick people! v.18-  they prey on weak Christians

Jesus warned about them- Matt 23:13-16 & more; Do not allow them to trick you!

III.- BUT THE LORD KNOWS KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER YOU v. 9

I believe if the Lord can save you- He can keep you! But make sure of both-fight apostacy

A.- DO NOT FOLLOW CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES, BUT STICK CLOSE TO THE WORD OF GOD!

1. Remember, James spoke harshly about our Prejudices- Jas 2:1-, & Satan tricks us through these
2. We have so many artificial prejudices- Backward Collar, Dress, Deodorant, length of hair!-
3. If Satan can get your attention- majoring on minors- he has you whipped- Forget Fashions!-

B.- DO NOT BE TRICKED INTO ACCUSING THE BRETHREN, BUT KNOW WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE ON SATAN!

1. Some cry Modernist over Bulletins- But know what a Modernist is!- (card) Philo. Social Gospel
2. Some cry Neo-Evangelical over personalities- but know the new weaknesses (card), rethinking-
3. Some split over secondary separation (Rice & BJU) -& miss American Nazis -See papers!

C.- THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER HIS OWN, BUT ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU BELONG TO THE LORD?

1. 1:10 "Make your calling & election sure" Make sure you are saved! -Ground your salvation in the Bible
2. Make sure you are a part of a church that will fight for you, or with you to keep you free!
3. As you see the Day of the Lord approaching- search the scriptures daily to check your course!

Jude 24-It is wonderful that the Lord can keep you from falling-Do you know his voice?

THE PICTURES GIVEN OF GOD DELIVERING NOAH AND LOT GIVE YOU A LOT TO THINK ON - MAKE SURE FOR YOURS

1. If you are not Saved you will be caught up in the confusion and betrayed- so make sure
2. If you are not witnessing, and soulwinning,- you will be backsliding meat for wolves-
3. Allow no sin so stand between you and the Lord, or you will suffer confusion & betrayal.