“Beware of Leaving the Way” – a message from 2 Peter 2, verses 10b-22

This past weekend at Eastbrook, I continued our series “Growing in Faith: Exploring 2 Peter” by preaching a message entitled “Beware of Leaving the Way” from verses 10b-22 of 2 Peter 2. This message continues the tough yet pastoral guidance of the author throughout chapter 2.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15)

False Guides Pursuing a Crooked Way (2 Peter 2:10b-16)

These false guides view themselves as above angelic beings but are more like animals (2:10b-12)

These false guides are overcome by sinful passion and love of money (2:13-14)

These false guides are a lot like Balaam (2:15-16; Numbers 22:1-41)

False Guides Chasing a Way that is Dark and Doomed (2 Peter 2:17-22)

Their way offers no nourishment but entices people to desire that leads to darkness (2:17-18)

Their way promises freedom but is another prison which has mastered them (2:19)

Their way departs from the way of righteousness, leading to a worse end (2:20-21)

Their way is like a dog returning to vomit or a clean pig wallowing in the mud (2:22)

An Invitation to Jesus’ Way of Truth and Righteousness  (2 Peter 2:2, 15, 21)

The way of Jesus (2:2, 15, 21)

Centered on Jesus (1:16-18; 2:1)

Resist false teaching and hold to the truth delivered in Scripture (1:19-21; 2:2, 21)

Resist sin and become more like God revealed in Christ (1:3-11; 2:21)

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize 2 Peter 2:15 or 2:20-21
• It may be helpful to read further about this section by exploring the following Scripture passages: Matthew 7:15-27; 12:43-45; 1 Corinthians 2:6-4:21; Jude 1. What do these passages tell you about true and false teaching?
• Explore themes of truth, falsehood, and the Jesus way through one of the following books:
  • Bruce Milne, Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief
  • Dallas Willard, ed., A Place for Truth: Leading Thinkers Explore Life’s Hardest Questions
  • Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way