Grace and Error 

Introduction: 

     Often well-meaning people will say that the grace of God covers all sin; that it covers all religious error; that sincerity is all one needs to be saved.  But is this true?  What does the Bible say?

Text:  II Thessalonians 2:10-12 

Body: 

 I. The Need to Detect Error (II Thessalonians 2:1-3a) 

• People throughout history have come up with new teachings and novel religious ideas.  Someone who claimed to have authority had told these Thessalonian Christians some new revelation about Christ’s second coming.  Paul told them they were being deceived if they believed him. Note:  II Corinthians 11:4, then Verse 13 Be careful of “new” teachings.  Be cautious when someone claims that they have “discovered” the real teaching of the Bible on some subject.
• How to detect error!  Just as we recognize counterfeit money, we must know the truth!  We must know God’s word.  Note:               II Thessalonians 2:5 Then note Paul’s words in Galatians 1:6-9.
• Ignorance of the Bible leads to acceptance of all kinds of false teaching.  Examples:  baptism is not essential; mechanical instrumental music is acceptable; all churches are the same in God’s eyes . . .
• If the grace of God covers (overlooks) all religious error, why does the Word of God tell us that error can be deadly?  (Jude 3-4)  Grace never makes something that is unscriptural into something scriptural.  It doesn’t turn what is wrong into what is right!

II. Error Can Be Attractive (Verses 10-12) 

• Believing and/or teaching something novel may deceive you into thinking you have superior knowledge.  Knowing the Greek language, memorizing large numbers of Bible verses, obtaining several educational degrees may cause you to think you have greater status.  None of these guarantees knowing the truth of the gospel. 
• Teaching error can make you more popular.
• Teaching error appeals to some because they no longer need to tell others of their lost condition.  This relieves them of responsibility.  They believe that baptism is not essential, . . .
• Note:  II Timothy 2:16-18 “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer.  Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort; who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”
• Error becomes attractive when we do not love the truth; we have no passion for God’s Word.  (II Timothy 2:16-18)  We need to have the right attitude.  (Psalms 119:167) “My soul keeps your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.”

III. Truth Saves (Verses 13-14) 

• We must be sanctified, set apart from sin and its condemnation.  God’s Spirit does this when our belief in the truth, not belief in error, leads us to obey the truth. (I Peter 1:22-23)
• God’s grace saves.  (Acts 15:11)
• But grace doesn’t save if we believe and obey error or false teaching.  (Galatians 5:3-4) 

Invitation: 

     Will you come to Jesus and receive God’s gift of grace? 

Bobby Stafford

September 18, 2011

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