<“Examples to Avoid” II Peter 2:15-18
Click Above to Listen!
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. THREE EXAMPLES TO AVOID
A. EXAMPLE OF “CAIN’S WAY”
Jude 11a Woe to them! For they traveled the path of Cain,
1. BACKSTORY (Gen 4; Heb 11:4; I Jn 3:12)
2. APPLICATION (II Tim 3:5)
B. EXAMPLE OF “BALAAM’S ERROR”
Jude 11b and gushed out like Balaam’s error in greed, II Pet 2:15-16 Leaving the straight path, they have gone astray. They have followed the path of fleshly Balaam who loved being paid for wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own law-breaking; a mute donkey speaking with human voice hindered the prophet’s insanity.
1. BACKSTORY (Num 22-25, 31; Rev 2:14-15)
2. APPLICATION (Rom 5:5)
C. EXAMPLE OF “KORAH’S REBELLION”
Jude 11c and [were] destroyed in Korah’s rebellion
1. BACKSTORY (Num 16
2. APPLICATION (I Sam 15:23)
II. THREE REASONS TO AVOID THEM
A. THEY BELIEVE IN A FALSE RELIGION
II Pet 2:17a These are waterless springs and mists driven by the wind. Jude 12b-13a blown along like waterless clouds; fruitless trees in harvest, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea producing only foam of their own disgrace;
1. FAITHLESS LIKE CAIN (Is 57:20)
2. APPLICATION
B. THEY SEEK FOR FLEETING RICHES
II Pet 2:18 For, speaking loud foolish boasts, they entice by filthy carnal lusts those who are trying to escape from those who remain in error. Jude 16 These are grumblers, discontented, following their own lusts, and loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
1. GREEDY LIKE BALAAM
2. APPLICATION (Jn 6:25-27, 47-66)
C. THEY AWAIT A FINAL RETRIBUTION
II Pet 2:17b For them the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved. Jude 13b wandering comets, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved.
1. REBELLIOUS LIKE KORAH
2. APPLICATION (Mt 7:13-14)