Be In Awe of GOD & Obey His Commands - Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Lanny Lewis

What do we do concerning false teachers? We are commanded to beware and watchful - Matthew 7:15, warn the family of God - Acts 20:29, expose them - Ephesians 5:11, avoid them - Romans 16:17, and rebuke them - 1 Timothy 5:20.

- Romans 16:17-18 - “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

- 2 Peter 2:1-3 - “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in (introduce secretly and craftily) destructive heresies, (opinion meant to bring ruin or destruction by discord and contention) even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow (comply with, yield to) their sensuality, (unbridled lust, excess licentiousness, lascivousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence) and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed (desire for more, covetousness) they will exploit you (to use you for gain) with false (molded, formed, not genuine) words. Their condemnation (penal judgment) from long ago is not idle, (inactive, delayed), and their destruction is not asleep.” (delay, linger)

• What is a false teacher? - Pseudo-didaskalos: lying, deceitful, false - teacher) One who purposes to lie, deceive, and speak falsely about God and His Word.

Since we are partakers of the divine nature, we must always, without fail, and not reluctantly, remind each other of how we must live and whom we represent. Genuine Faith is not seen in how genuinely human you are but in how genuinely Christ-like you are. - 2 Peter 1:5-7

- 2 Peter 1:12-15 - “Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up (awake thoroughly) by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”

Jesus Christ is not a myth devised by man’s imagination; He is the Great I am, worthy of all Glory, Majesty, and Power. - Luke 9:28-36

- 2 Peter 1:16-18 - “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

God’s word is for Him, by Him, and through Him; given for the edification and sanctification of His people, for life and godliness,”...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,..” - Hebrews 1:1-3

- 2 Peter 1:19-21 - “And we have (keep) the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well (practice with propriety) to pay attention (be on guard) as to a lamp shining (Matthew 5:17-20) in a dark (dingy, filthy) place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture (God’s Word) comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy (no inspired message) was ever produced (brought to bear) by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along (led to bear, bring forth, produce) by the Holy Spirit.

• Matthew Henry - “He (Apostle Peter) tells us, We do well if we take heed to them; that is, apply our minds to understand the sense, and our hearts to believe the truth, of this sure word, yea, bend ourselves to it, that we may be moulded and fashioned by it. The word is that form of doctrine into which we must be cast, that formulary of knowledge by which we are to regulate our thoughts and sentiments, our words and confessions, our whole life and conversation. If we thus apply ourselves to the word of God, we certainly do well in all respects, what is pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves; and this indeed is but paying that regard which is due to the oracles of God.”