“But false prophets also arose among the people,
just as there will be false teachers among you…”
2 Peter 2:1a
While preparing for this week’s message in Jude about the identity and danger of false teachers, I found myself thinking back to a song released by Christian rapper, Shai Linne, in 2013 called “Fal$e Teacher$.” I won’t give the whole song here, but the opening stanzas (based on Jude) are worth quoting:
Let me begin, while there is still ink left in my pen
I am set to contend for Truth you can bet will offend
Deception within the church man, who’s letting them in?
We talked about this years ago, let’s address it again
And I ain’t really trying to start beef
But some who claim to be part of His sheep got some sharp teeth
(they’re wolves)
You cast at me when you criticize them
But Jesus told us: Matthew 7:16, we can recognize them!
And God forbid that for the love of some fans
I keep quiet and watch them die with their blood on my hands!
So, there’s nothing left for me to do except to speak to you
In the spirit of Jude 3 and 2nd Peter 2
And I know that some would label me a Pharisee
Because today the only heresy is saying that there’s heresy:
“How dare they be specific and drop some clarity
On the popularity of the gospel of Prosperity”
This morning I also hope to “drop some clarity” as we look into Jude’s warning in vv 11-13 about the danger of false teachers who invade the church and lead people astray with a false gospel. To stand for Truth, we must be clear that not all who claim to speak for Christ, know Christ. Some indeed are wolves.
We have been warned! Let us hold fast to the Truth.
Pastor Scott Lee