Outline
“Discerning the Truth” (2nd Peter 1:16-2:22)

Intro/Set-Up:
Review from chapter 1:1-15

I Cling to The Established Truth (1:16-21)
- Peter’s Eyewitness Testimony (vv. 16-18)
+ A Significant Event
- The Declaration of Scripture (vv. 19-21)
+ The prophetic word… confirmed!
+ Inspired by God

II. Beware Destructive Doctrines (Ch. 2)
- The Presence of False Teachers (vv. 1-3, 15-16, 12-21)
+ Examples from History/Scripture
+ They’re still here
+ Their way of living (vv. 10, 12-16)
+ Their way of speaking (vv. 17-19)
- God’s Judgment Against False Teachers (vv. 4-11, 15-16)
+ Three Examples: Fallen angels, The Ancient World & Sodom and Gomorrah
- God’s People Preserved (vv. 5, 7-9)
+ Two Examples: Noah (and his family) and Lot

III. Conclusion
- Comparing and summarizing the messages:
True vs. False

The theme/main idea we are going to be identifying this morning is:
“Discerning between True and False Doctrine”

Questions to consider:
What is God saying to me in His Word?
What am I going to do about it?

Helpful/Supplemental Study:

Calvary Laramie/Pastor Nathan's Jude Study:
https://www.calvarylaramie.org/jude

Chuck Missler:
2nd Peter Study: https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/missler_chuck/2pe/2-peter-vintage.cfm

Jude Study: https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/missler_chuck/jud/jude-vintage.cfm


Landmark Church/Pastor Matthew Maher's Jude Study:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhOII_jhi0h6SBETboZCnOJdVnmJoSG73&si=shp5z7QxX-rUeVBB

Quotes:

“What Peter is suggesting is that prophecy in the Scripture is more vivid, more convincing, more ironclad proof to you and I than if he stood here right now and [testified] as a first person witness of all the things he saw.” –Chuck Missler

“Experiences are subjective, but the Word of God is objective. Experiences may be interpreted in different ways by different participants, but the Word of God gives one clear message. What we remember about our experiences can be unconsciously distorted, but the Word of God remains the same and abides forever… [so we can see] two important truths as we have seen these contrasts: men die, but the Word lives, and experiences fade, but the Word remains.” –Warren Wiersbe

Identifying the way of the false teacher:

To help identify these false teachers Peter summarizes their way of living and way of speaking in verse 10 and 12-18 noting that they are driven by the desires of their flesh, that makes them act like “brute beasts” (v. 12), walking in and even taking pleasure in their unrighteousness (vv. 13-14) they have eyes full of adultery (v. 14), enticing others into their sinful practices (v. 14).

They have forsaken the right way (v. 15) and speak “great, swelling words” alluring their hearers into “the lusts of the flesh” and lewdness that only leaves them empty (vv. 17-18). They promise liberty, but are only able to deliver bondage to depravity (v. 19).

“God judged the angels who sinned, so no one is too high to be judged.God judged the ancient world before the flood, so God doesn’t grade on a curve, only comparing man among other men (you can’t excuse yourself, because you’re the least wicked among a bunch of wicked people).God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, so even the prosperous can be judged.” –David Guzik

Comparing and summarizing the messages: True vs. False

The true message is not “cunningly devised” but plainly communicated (1:16) vs.
The false message is brought in “secretly” (2:1) and deceptively (2:3)

The true message centers on the person of Jesus Christ (1:16-18) vs.
The false message denies the Lordship of Christ (2:1; 20-21)

The true message submits to authority (namely the authority of Scripture) (1:19) while The false message and messenger rebels against authority (2:4, 10; Jude v. 8):
Examples:
- The angels rebuking their supernatural counterparts (2:11; Jude vv. 8-9)
- Jesus: “43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”–John 5:43

“49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” –John 12:49-50

Summary: The false messenger wants to step outside of the bounds of God’s Word, and wants to be their own authority, not submitting to the authority of the Lord

The true message is “self-controlled” and inspired by God (1:19-21):
The false message is “self-willed” and inspired by the flesh (2:10, 13-14, 18-19)

The true message has “guard rails” and sticks within the bounds of scripture (Gal. 1:6-10)The true message carries with it the charge to “self-control” and bears the fruit of true liberty in the life of the believer (Gal. 5:13)– the “yoke of bondage” can be legalism or it can be taking liberty outside of its rightful boundary and into the realm of license (Gal. 5:19-21)

The false message is presumptuous and acts with an attitude of licentiousnessWhile their message carries with it “the promise of liberty” they themselves become “slaves of corruption” (v. 19)

Supplemental Study Links:

(From 1:1-15)
2 Peter Overview:
Print: https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-2-Peter.html
Visual: https://youtu.be/wWLv_ITyKYc?si=_wXvmeJlV4POfjpM

The Deity of Christ:
Print: https://www.gotquestions.org/deity-of-Christ.html
Visual: https://youtu.be/A4r3dC-kr5E?si=xTt2yl57nZFI_4-V

In what ways are believers partakers of the divine nature?
https://www.gotquestions.org/partakers-divine-nature.html

What does it mean that He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)?
https://www.gotquestions.org/pertain-to-life-and-godliness.html

Bible Study Help: What is the Granville Sharp Rule?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Granville-Sharp-Rule.html

(From 1:16-2:22)
"What is Apostasy and How Can I Recognize it?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/apostasy.html

"Just How Narrow is the Narrow Gate?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/narrow-gate.html

"What is Tarturus?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-tartarus.html

**Homework**
- Share something you’ve learned from our study this week
- Read the Epistle of 2 Peter