The document is a sermon outline on false teachers and counterfeit Christians based on passages from 2 Peter 2 and Jude. It discusses seven characteristics of false teachers, including having a different source, message, position, character, appeal, fruit, and end than true teachers. False teachers are compared to wolves in sheep's clothing. The sermon warns that false teachers will be among the church and outlines how to identify them. It also provides criteria for determining if one's own faith is real based on being distressed over sin. The outcome of judgment is also contrasted for the unrighteous and godly.

1. 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 16-25
“On Guard”
False Teachers & Counterfeit Christians
November 20, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 NIR
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
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2. November Memory Verse
Matthew 9:37-38 ESV
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his
harvest."
References
• Smith, Collin. “Everything You Need for Deliverance”, A Sermon Series on 2
Peter 2. (Available on YouTube and unlockingthebible.org.)
• The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1985.
Introduction to 2 Peter 2: (Lessons from 2 Peter 1)
1. God has given us everything we need for life in knowing Jesus.
2. God has given us everything we need about knowing Jesus in the Bible.
3. You have everything you need because you participate in His divine
nature.
4. In Jesus, you escape the corruption from evil desires.
5. Sin is now the enemy and not your master.
Introduction to 2 Peter 2
• 2 Peter 1 is about “all the good” you have because of Christ and
describes the “True Christian”.
• 2 Peter 2 is all about “Counterfeit Christianity”.
• Alongside truth you will find error.
• Alongside genuine you will find counterfeit.
• Alongside wheat you will find the weeds (tares).
• Your eternal destiny is either heaven or hell.
Lesson Outline
• The 7 characteristics of a false teacher or Counterfeit Christian.
• Applications of these characteristics.
• How do I know if I am a real Christian?
• (The mark of a true Christian according to Peter.)
• The outcome for Counterfeit Christians and for True Christians.
2 Peter 2:1 NIV
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false
teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even
denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on
themselves.

3. Peter knows about denying the Lord
• This was probably a hard statement for Peter to write.
• Even though Peter denied Christ 3 times, he was not a false teacher or a
“Counterfeit Christian”.
• Peter’s denial was a sin that was forgiven by Christ.
• “Counterfeit Christians” can become “True Believers”.
• We should pray for the salvation of false teachers.
2 Peter 2:2-3 NIV
2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into
disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have
made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their
destruction has not been sleeping.
Jude 16-23 NIV
16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires;
they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their
own ungodly desires." 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere
natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in
the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to
others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by
corrupted flesh.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

4. Jesus’ words about false teachers
Matthew 7:15-17 NIV
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do
people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every
good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot
bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not
bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will
recognize them.
7 Traits of False Teachers (Counterfeit Christians)
1. Different Source – Where does the message come from?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:16
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses
of his majesty.
• False Teachers
2 Peter 2:3
3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
• The false teacher relies on his own creativity and not God’s word.
• The Bible is viewed without authority and not the source of truth.
• They make the Bible fit their theology and lifestyle.
2. Different Message – What is the substance of the message?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness.
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:1b NIV
1b They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the
sovereign Lord who bought them —bringing swift destruction on
themselves.
• They secretly introduce heresy.
• Movement away from the centrality of Christ is subtle.
• The false teacher will speak about how other people can help
change your life, and Jesus is not essential to his message.

5. 7 Traits of False Teachers (Counterfeit Christians)
3. Different Position – In what position will the message leave you?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:4c NIV
4c having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:19 NIV
19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of
depravity—for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them."
• The true believer is escaping corruption, but the counterfeit believer
is mastered by it.
• 2 Peter 2:13b, c
13b, c Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are
blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with
you.
4. Different Character – What kind of people does the message produce?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:10, 14 NIV
10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the
sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not
afraid to slander celestial beings;
14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the
unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
5. Different Appeal – Why should you listen to the message?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:19 NIV
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you
will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
• The true teacher appeals to Scripture.

6. 5. Different Appeal – Why should you listen to the message?
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:18 NIV
18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful
desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just
escaping from those who live in error.
• The false teacher asks, “What do people want to hear? What will
appeal to their flesh?”
• They adapt the church to the culture.
6. Different Fruit – How does the message affect people’s lives?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:8 NIV
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep
you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
• The true believer is effective and productive.
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:17 NIV
17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.
• The false teachers promise much but produce little.
• Their teachings are not soul nurturing but shallow and teach you to
live for your own pleasure.
• Their teachings change with the times.
7. Different End –Where does the message ultimately lead you?
• True Christian
2 Peter 1:11 NIV
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• Your citizenship is in heaven, not on earth.
• False Teacher
2 Peter 2:1c, 3b
1c bringing swift destruction on themselves.
3b Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their
destruction has not been sleeping.
• They do not realize the path of destruction they are on.
• They live like there is no tomorrow.

7. Who are these people? Jesus’ answer.
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to
me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your
name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them
plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
How do we apply the warning of false teachers among us?
2 Peter 2:1 NIV
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false
teachers among you.
• Don’t be naïve! They are among you!
1. The church needs to be protected.
2. The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason to reject the
genuine.
1. The church needs to be protected.
• Satan will plant counterfeit believers among us and we must be alert.
(Parable of wheat and weeds)
• They have religious interests, but a different message.
• Examine their message using the 7 characteristics.
• They must be welcomed, but have no influence.
• Pray for them to accept the true Gospel of Jesus.
The Parable of the wheat and weeds
Matthew 13:24-26 NIV
24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man
who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his
enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also
appeared.
• Satan will plant counterfeit Christians and false teachers among
believers.
2. The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason to reject the
genuine.
• Some use the excuse of Christians being hypocrites for their reason to
reject Christ.
• Peter tells us that there will be counterfeit Christians in Churches
because we are in a fallen world.
• Don’t miss out on what is real when you have seen counterfeits.

8. According to Peter, how do you know if your or someone else’s Christianity is
real?
• It is a hidden mark you cannot see in other people.
• Do Not make judgments of others about this criteria.
• You can only know it for yourself with Peter’s test.
• Lot is the example according to Peter.
The example of Lot – a righteous man.
2 Peter 2:7-8 NIV
7 and if he (God) rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy
lives of lawless men 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day,
was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) —
• Lot described as righteous 3 times.
• Lot was righteous because he was “distressed over the sins of the people
around him”.
What is the mark of a righteous man in an unrighteous world?
• Godly (righteous) people are distressed over sin in the world around them
and their own sin.
• The distinguishing mark for Lot was not that Lot was without sin, but that he
was distressed over his own sin and the sins of others.
• If you are distressed (in sorrow) over the sin around you, that is a defining
mark of your righteousness.
How do “Counterfeit Christians” view their own sin and the sin of others?
• They find a way to accommodate sin in their own life, to live with it, to get
comfortable with it, to justify it and to see it as the way of the world.
• 2 Peter 2:22
22 Of them (unrighteous) the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"
and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
• The unrighteous keeps returning to his sin and change is only temporary.

9. The Counterfeit Christian is worse off now than if they never knew about Jesus.
2 Peter 2:20-21 NIV
20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are
worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been
better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known
it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to
them.
The “Counterfeit Christian’s” Judgment.
• You are judged by what you did with what you knew.
• Greater revelation has greater accountability.
• Did you accept the truth or reject and counterfeit the truth of the Gospel?
• Every time the Gospel of Jesus is preached, you are either softened and
come nearer to Christ or you are not affected and another layer of
hardness is placed over your life.
How does God deal with the unrighteous and the godly in 2 Peter 2?
2 Peter 2:4-7a, 9-10 NIV
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting
them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the
ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected
Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an
example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7a and if he rescued Lot,
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold
the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment, while continuing their
punishment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the
flesh and despise authority.
Summary of what happens to the unrighteous and the godly.
• The Unrighteous
• Sent to hell, burned to ashes.
• God is holding them for more punishment on the day of judgment.
• The Godly
• God protected Noah, God rescued Lot and God rescues the godly
from trials.

10. What can we learn from the examples of sinning angels (demons), Noah and
Lot?
1. The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from trials (2 Peter 2:9).
• This is your promise for whatever you face this week.
• Your distress over your sins and the sin around you is a mark of
God’s grace in your life.
2. God knows how to hold the unrighteous while continuing their punishment
(2 Peter 2:9).
• There is worse to come for the unrighteous at the judgment.
Closing Scripture – A Benediction Prayer.
Jude 24-25 ESV
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you
blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our
Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Next Sunday
November 27, 2106
2 Peter 3:1-18
“The Day of the Lord”
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

11. John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 ESV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a ESV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 ESV
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b ESV
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 ESV
7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13 ESV
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/