Truth and Error 

Introduction:

  Some of the Christians in Thessalonica were very concerned that those who had already died in Christ, had missed out on the great reunion with Jesus.  Some seemed to have erroneous views that He had already returned.  Others believed Jesus’ second coming was so imminent that they had quit working and living a normal life.  In our text, Paul corrects their thinking about Christ’s return and shows the importance of being able to discern between truth and error. 

Text:  II Thessalonians 2:1-12 

Body:

  I. ‘A Falling Away’ from the Truth (Verses 1-5) 

• Verse 1 Paul had previously written to them in I Thessalonians 4:15-17.  Some thought that this coming was imminent, so he gives more details.
• Verse 2 He denies the second coming was just at hand or had already come.  He tells them not to be shaken or troubled.  Some false prophets had apparently been telling the people to keep their eyes looking toward heaven because Jesus was coming any minute.  There were letters written to them saying the same thing.  The writers had forged the apostles’ name.  Note:  When someone introduces a teaching that no one else has discovered or claims the same special insight, be very cautious and somewhat leery!  Usually they just want to appear to be some sort of Biblical scholar to gain a following.  Check your Bible to see if it agrees with this new teaching.  Knowing the truth helps us to identify error.
• Verse 3 Paul warns them to not let anyone deceive or mislead them.  If they knew the truth about Christ’s second coming; they could detect any error concerning it.  Paul reveals to them that a falling away, an apostasy; must occur before Jesus returns.  He does not say Christ would come immediately after this falling away.  So this is in no way a sign to know Jesus is about to come again.  This defection was not so much from Christ as it was an apostasy from the true faith. (II Timothy 4:3-4)  Along with this falling away, the ‘man of sin’ would be revealed, the man of lawlessness.  This one leads others to sin and to be eternally separated from God.  He is lawless, without God’s law.  He substitutes man’s law for God’s law.
• Verses 4-5 He opposes God by setting aside God and Christ and setting himself up as being god.  He claims to have all authority in the church; his word is law.  This description seems to fit the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church very well.  He claims reverence, worship, and honor due only to God.  His word is final regardless of what the Scriptures teach.  He claims to be the ‘Vicar of Christ’ on earth, the ‘Holy Father’.  No other person seems to fit the description as well.  Note also: I Timothy 4:1-3

 II. Error Already at Work (Verses 6-9) 

• Verse 6 “And now you know” – truth can be forgotten, so it must be repeated often.  (Philippians 3:1)  These Thessalonian Christians knew what it was that was holding in check the ‘man of sin’ and the apostasy.  It may be harder for us to know.  It may have been Paul and other inspired writers along with their writings.
• Verse 7 Religious error, the mystery of lawlessness, was soon to be evident.  Some years later, Paul wrote these words. (Acts 20:29-30,  II Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15)  The lawless one, the man of sin, would not make his appearance until the restraining element was taken out of the way.
• Verses 8-9 Once the ‘lawless one’ is revealed, he would continue to exist in the same way until the Lord’s return.  Satan is ultimately behind the falling away and the lawless one.  He is characterized by false signs and wonders.  This is especially true of the Roman Catholic Church.  They have alleged that tears come from idols; religious relics supposedly have healing powers; demons can be cast out.  These are all meant to deceive the people.  The ending of the ‘man of sin’ will be when Christ comes in His glory.  For when the real thing appears, the one pretending to be divine will be destroyed.

III. The “Why” of the Falling Away (Verses 10-12)  

• Verse 10 The reason for the apostasy is this:  The people do not love the truth!  Without this love of the truth, one cannot be saved.  The apostle John knew this importance.  (III John 1-4)  When people love the truth, they will both defend and obey it.
• Verses 11-12 When people choose to reject the truth and follow error, God let’s them!  God in no way forces them to come back.  If they continue to believe the lie (religious error) and enjoy it, they will be condemned.  Error is often attractive; salvation by faith only is attractive; believing the Pope can forgive sins is attractive; once-saved, always saved is attractive.  God allows them to continue in their error as long as they find pleasure in it.

Invitation:

  The message from our text is clear.  If we reject the truth of God’s Word, we reject salvation; because the truth of the gospel sets us free from our sins. (John 8:32)

The truth is that one must:

• have faith,
• repent,
• confess,
• be baptized to have one’s  sins forgiven.

Bobby Stafford

September 11, 2011

 

Church of Christ Sermons
Truth or Error (Lesson on the Man of Sin) Text:  II Thessalonians 2:1-12
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Christian Living Thessalonians
Preacher	Bobby Stafford

 

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