“Beware”

“Be guarded, take care, beware!”“Warning”

All verses are from the NKJV unless noted.

TEACHES US THE DUTY TO WARN OTHERS

1

Give Warning!

• “His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (Is. 56:10)

DogsDon’t BarkSleepingLying DownLove Slumber

Dumb Dogs

Watchmen

Blind and Ignorant

Don’t WarnAsleepDon’t SeeLove Slumber

Ezekiel 3:17, 18

17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:

18 "When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.

Position Tool Commission Purpose

“Beware”

• 2 Chronicles 19:9, 10:– “And he commanded them, saying, ‘Thus

you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart: Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty.’”

“Beware”

• Isaiah 58:1,“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:14,“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”

“Beware”

• Acts 20:31,“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

• 1 Corinthians 4:14,“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”

• Colossians 1:28,“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

TEACHES US TO HATE EVIL

2

Beware of Evil• “You who love the LORD, hate evil! He

preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (Ps. 97:10)

• “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Rom. 12:9)

• “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Cor. 10:6)

• “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22)

Beware of Evil Abroad• Beware of false brethren

(Gal. 2:4)–“Beware of dogs, beware of evil

workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Phil. 3:2)•Dogs: undiscerning of what is holy,

vicious (Matt. 7:6; Ex. 22:31; 1 Kin. 21:23; etc.)

• Evil workers: disobedient to the word (Ps. 119:115; Matt. 7:22, 23; 2 Tim. 3:1-6; Titus 1:16)

•Mutilation: Judaizing teachers who bind fleshly circumcision as a requirement of salvation and therefore mutilate the body of Christ (Acts 15:1, 2; Gal. 2:3, 4; 5:1-5; Phil. 3:3; Rom. 2:28)

Beware of Evil Abroad

• Beware of false teachers–“Beware of false prophets, who come to

you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15)–Who is a false teacher?• A person who brings destructive teaching

(2 Pet. 2:1, 2)

• A person who causes divisions contrary to sound doctrine (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 1:10)

Beware of Evil Abroad

• Beware of false teachers– “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in

sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15)

–Who is a false teacher?• Cannot use the barometer of sincerity and

honesty – (Some insincerely preached Christ Phil. 1:15-18)

• We cannot read the heart of man–Can observe the fruit he bears (Matt. 7:16-20)

• Paul was still a blasphemer even though he had a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:13, Acts 23:1)

Beware of Evil Abroad

• Beware of being cheated–“Beware lest anyone cheat you

through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8)

•Philosophy – love of wisdom; loving wisdom that is speculative or away from Christ is in fact unwise (Col. 2:3, 9, 10; 1 Cor. 1:30)!

•Empty Deceit – “fullness” and “complete” (2:9, 10) are in contrast to the fruitlessness of man’s thinking

1 Peter 3:17, 18

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

IN THE NEXT LESSON, WE WILL GIVE WARNING AGAINST: