The Progression from Sound Doctrine to False Teaching

Text: 2 Timothy 4:2-4

What is Sound Doctrine?

  • The word we are to preach, the truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
  • The gospel (1 Timothy 1:10-11)
  • The words of Christ (1 Timothy 6:3) and the apostles (2 Timothy 1:13)
  • All of God’s word (Acts 20:26-27), only God’s word (1 Peter 4:11), without changes (Galatians 1:6-7)

What is False Teaching?

  • Opposite of truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
  • A perverted form of the gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)
  • Determined by message, not by a preacher’s motives

How Does the Progression Occur?

  • Start with sound doctrine, backed up by book, chapter and verse (BCV)
  • Right message, but BCV is replaced by stories, human wisdom, and misused Scripture
  • Eventually false teaching is introduced — How? Through stories, human wisdom, and misused Scripture
  • The “style” is the same as those who make the right points without properly using Scripture — Therefore it is hard for people to see the difference

How Is This Stopped?

  • Use the style of preaching found in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:11; Acts 17:2-3)
  • Do not be afraid to talk about all that God has revealed (Acts 20:26-27)
  • This may not be popular (2 Timothy 4:2-4), but it is God’s way (2 Timothy 4:5)

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