Watch out for the deceivers!

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

(2 John 7-8)

For many deceivers have gone out…

1. There are many deceivers of faith in the world today
2. These deceivers are
   1. False teachers
   2. False prophets
   3. False messiahs
3. The Lord Jesus has warned us of the deceivers (Matt.24)
4. Paul the Apostle of Gentiles also has warned us of the coming of the deceivers

(1 Tim.4:3-4)

Who do not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh…

1. John the Apostle specifies the deceivers with reference to their Christology
   1. They do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in flesh
   2. In other words, they reject the incarnation of Christ outright
2. The deceivers as far as John the Apostle is concerned
   1. Have faulty view of Christ
   2. Hold onto a defective Christology
3. Anyone like this is simply a deceiver and an antichrist!

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things…

1. The gift of eternal life we will never lose
   1. The Father will keep us (John 10:25-30)
   2. The Son will also keep us (John 10:25-30)
   3. The Spirit of God will also preserve us (Eph.1:13-14)
2. There are things we can lose
   1. Knowledge of the Scriptures
   2. Skills for ministry
   3. Joy of salvation
   4. Joy of service
   5. Rewards promised to us
   6. These are things we work for
   7. And they are things we can lose adversely if we are deceived
3. Look to yourselves
   1. Let us look to the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb.12:2)
   2. Let us also to ourselves, meaning,
      1. We must watch out for the danger of losing what we work for
      2. We must take heed to our faith and life (1 Tim.4:16)