2 Peter 1:16-21 & 2:1-4
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A Christ-Centered Teacher 1:16-21
  1. Interpretation of Scripture is not man-made v.20
  2. Interpretation of Scripture is guided by the Holy Spirit v.21

A Christ-less Teacher 2:1-4

  1. Teaches destructive heresy v.1
  2. Denies Christ v.1
  3. Lead people into sin v.2
  4. Cause others to mock the truth v.2
  5. Greed driven v.3

Part of being an overseer is the absence of greed, 1 Timothy 3:3 “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

  1. Dealt with justly v.4

Let’s Define Heresy  Heresy– Belief contrary to Biblical teaching, usually a result of inserting a secular world-view. An example would be reducing the parting of the Red Sea to low tide or a drought, instead of acknowledging a supernatural movement of God. There are liberal seminaries teaching this type of heresy. How do destructive heresies occur?

  1. Ignorance of the Bible. In the 1500’s the catholic church told people that they could buy their loved ones out of Hell. No one know any better, they had no Bible. v.12 and Acts 17:10-11 “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining The Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. “ We must be consist students of God’s Word. He has given it to us to sharpen us, train us, and prepare us to be instruments of His glory!

I believe this is the number one reason sin has crept into many denominations and their leadership as allowed it. I’m not speaking ill of any denomination, I just want to see the freedom of the truth go fourth. When the Bible is absent from teaching, you can rest assured the Holy Spirit is absent as well.

  1. Irresponsible Interpretation of Scripture.
  2. Holy Spirit + Truth + Love = Biblical Theology
  3. Love – Holy Spirit – Truth = Liberal Theology
  4. Truth – Holy Spirit – Love = Legalistic Theology
Exegesis- interpreting Bible passages utilizing critical analysis. The student or teacher is digging out what the scripture means. Eisegesis- interpreting Bible passages by reading into them a particular belief that is not at all evident. The student or teacher may use certain passages out of context to support a view. Let’s be careful of the lens we see through. Are we seeing clearly through the Bibles teaching or from man’s teaching. The Word of God is a thermostat and we are the thermometer. The thermostat controls the climate of the room and the thermometer reflects that climate. A false prophet will try to control the climate (instead of God) and falsely use God’s Word to try to reflect that. The Word of God is our orders, we must obedient. Our greatest joy will be found in following Jesus! Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”