Learning on the way
Sermon Summary:
The sermon discusses 2 Peter 2, focusing on false teachers within the church. The pastor draws parallels between historical financial crises and patterns of false teaching, emphasizing that these patterns repeat throughout history as noted in Ecclesiastes. The message identifies three main characteristics of false teachers: they exploit believers through greed and false words, they are characterized by blasphemy and pride, and they sound confident but are enslaved to their desires despite claiming to follow Jesus.
Key Points:
The church is not immune to false teachers; we must remain anchored in God’s Word
Advocating sexual immorality is a form of heresy
Divine judgment is coming for those who deny Christ through their actions
Salvation is available through repentance and trust in Jesus
Small Group Questions:
1 Peter warns about false teachers who exploit believers for financial gain. Have you ever encountered someone who seemed to be using faith or religion primarily for personal profit? How did you recognize this, and how did it affect your faith journey?
2 The text mentions that false teachers were often “bold and willful” rather than humble and loving. How do you try to balance confidence in your beliefs with humility and openness to questions from others? Share about a time when you had difficult questions about faith. How did others respond, and what would have been most helpful to you in that moment?
3 According to the text, the false teachers were identified more by their actions than their words. How do you think our daily actions and lifestyle choices either affirm or deny our relationship with Jesus?
4 The passage warns about people who “sound confident but are enslaved to their own desires.” How can we distinguish between genuine spiritual authority and mere self-confidence in our spiritual leaders and in ourselves?
5 According to the text, false teachers often had “eyes full of adultery” and were focused on sensual desires. In our digital age, how can we guard our hearts and minds while still engaging with modern culture?
6 The sermon mentions how easy it is to attend church for years while actually worshiping oneself. What are some subtle ways we might be putting ourselves at the center of our worship rather than God?
Key Verses 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:19, Ecclesiastes 1:9, 2 Timothy 4:3
Application On The Way This week, examine your own motivations in following Christ. Are there areas where you’re following personal desires rather than biblical truth? Choose one area to focus on and commit to aligning it with Scripture.
Verses to Go Deeper:
On False Teachers and Prophets:
Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4,1 Timothy 6:3-10
On Testing Teaching Against Scripture:
Acts 17:11, Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
On Greed and Financial Exploitation:
Matthew 21:12-13, 1 Timothy 6:5-10, Acts 8:9-24
On Sexual Immorality:
1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, Ephesians 5:3-7
On God’s Judgment and Protection:
Genesis 6-9, Genesis 19, Psalm 34:17-19