We Need To Be More Like The Bereans

2Pet 2:1-3; Acts17:11

Two things on which we stand… Apostolic witness & Holy Scriptures. (v.1:19)

The Apostles were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (2Pet 1:16)

You are a Christian because you believe the Holy Scriptures; you believe the facts that are solemnly asserted by the Apostles… that they were eyewitnesses to these things.

The authority of Scripture… it is God-breathed. (2Pet 1:20-21; 2Tim 3:16)

We are compelled to believe the Bible, which is not man’s will, but the product of men inspired & carried along by the H Spirit. (v.21) The Bible is God speaking. (2Tim 3:16)

Peter’s ultimate advice… pay careful attention to Scripture.

Bible is a light shining in darkness… only light we have in this dark world. (2Pet 1:19)

If you want to understand the times in which we live, you must study God’s Word.

The Apostle’s final word… a word of warning (2Pet 2:1-3)

Peter’s message is primarily one of warning… that Satan will attempt to rob them of the Truth of the Gospel, & that they must be prepared for spiritual conflict they will face. 

We cannot escape this conflict, so we must understand it & be prepared for it. The one great danger is to allow Satan to lull us to sleep with lie there is no real conflict.

Be on guard, take heed, watch & pray… there will be times when even true Christians will be tempted to listen to false teachers. Stand firm in the Lord & His Word.

Most dangerous forces arrayed against the church are false teachers within her. (Acts 20)

The call to be a good Berean. (Acts 17:11)

First step to guard against false teachers is to realize they do exist, & will increase in number & danger as we approach the end of the age. (1Tim 4:1-2; 2Tim 3:1-5; Mt 24:24)

Since the greatest dangers we will face are false teachers among us, it is essential that we learn how to differentiate between biblical truth & deceptive lies.

It’s also essential that we learn to focus on the glorified & victorious Christ. (Heb 12:2-3)

Only sure way to verify a true teaching is to examine it in light of the Bible. (Acts 17:11)

True teacher proclaims what the Bible says; false teacher what he thinks it ought to say.

False teachers make a virtue out of the tolerance of unscriptural teachings & ideas in the name of love & unity. (1Tim 4:1-2) Greatest tragedy is not disunity, but heresy. (Rm 15:5)

False teachers claim to be Christian but deny Christ’s lordship… refusing to live as obedient servants to Christ & His Word. (2Thes 1:8-9; 1Jn 2:4-6)

False teachers like to tickle ears with new truths. Don’t let the fact that it’s new determine whether it is right or not. There will be false teachers (v.1)… same as before. 

Don’t assume teaching is right because it’s popular. (2Tim 4:2-4; 2Pet 2:2; Mt 7:13)

Underlying motive of false teachers is not love of truth, but greed & love of money.

With false teachers, philosophy (man’s ideas) will increasingly replace revelation. (Col2:8)

With false teachers, theory of evolution will replace God’s revelation of His creation.

False teachers teach psychology’s lie that we have within us all we need for mental & emotional well being, & our problems stem from external issues. Bible teaches that man has a sinful nature, that he himself cannot change, that his sin nature is the problem & from it originates every sort of evil (Mk 7:21-23), & that God is our healer.

False teachers of the Emerging Church Movement are reinventing the Gospel making it more accommodating to young post-modern adults. Bible declares it is God’s eternal Word… truth that never changes.

False prophets use clever, smooth, easy words that always comfort. He never makes you feel like a sinner or lost, or needy & hopeless. He teaches you to feel good about yourself. 

Ultimate test of message… false teacher denies that Jesus has bought him & is Lord. 

He denies Him by not making Him absolutely central & essential. 

He denies His atoning work… fact that His sacrifice is only way to God. If the Cross & Christ’s blood & sacrifice are not central, the teaching is false.

The consequences of False teachings.

Some questions to help you determine the effect false teaching has had on you: What’s my view of world & its future? Do I view history is light of the Bible (His Story)? Do I see this world as a place of mighty spiritual battle? What is Christ to me… is he absolutely sovereign & central? Do I depend on Christ utterly? Do I trust in Christ alone for salvation & sanctification?

Today, many don’t want to be told that God is holy, men are sinful, discipleship is costly, Hell is real, & dark days are coming… but that is the clear teaching of Scripture.

If we turn away from truth to false teachings we will increasingly face moral, social & economic chaos.

When men cease to worship God, live by His Word, & believe the Gospel of Christ… morality & everything good goes down.

America is burning & much of the Church is fiddling. We are hesitant, doubtful, uncertain of the Truth & our message. God is calling us to repent & return to God in Christ.

Great pressure to not be overly concerned with teaching & doctrine differences & unite with other professing believers. Truth matters even more than unity… purity of faith/gospel & honest teaching of Word is most essential.

You must set truth in first position… even if you seem to be standing alone.

We must avoid false teaching & faithfully read/study Scripture. Make certain you know the Truth & are ready to stand for it.

We will all face the difficult task of having to take a stand for the real & true Gospel… even to stand alone. By God’s grace, will you commit to stand for the Truth of God’s Word?

                                                                                                                                              07-26-09