𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥: 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗬𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 & 𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗣𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦

CROCODILES IN POWER: POLITICAL TYRANTS & PULPIT PRETENDERS

(A Dispensational Warning to the Body of Christ)
Key Text: Acts 20:28–30; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

Not every enemy wears a uniform—and not every danger stands outside the church.
Paul warned the elders of Ephesus that wolves would arise from BOTH outside and inside (Acts 20:29–30). In our age, these wolves often look like crocodiles—cold-blooded, patient, predatory, and power-hungry.

Today we expose CROCODILES IN THE GOVERNMENT and CROCODILES IN THE CHURCH, and we learn how the Body of Christ must respond—not with fear, but with RIGHTLY DIVIDED TRUTH.

POWER-DRIVEN PERVERSION
Proverbs 29:2; 1 Timothy 6:5

A. Political Predators – Abuse office for dominance
B. Pulpit Pretenders – Abuse scripture for influence
C. Personal Promotion – Power replaces service
Dispensational Insight:
Government power corrupts bodies; church power corrupts souls.

AUTHORITY-ABUSING AGENDA
Romans 13:3–4; 1 Peter 5:2–3

A. State Tyranny – Authority enforced by fear
B. Spiritual Tyranny – Authority enforced by guilt
C. Scriptural Silence – Authority never questioned
Pauline Truth:
Authority is delegated by God—not owned by men.

CONTROL-CRAVING CARNALITY
Luke 22:25–26; Galatians 5:1

A. Government Control – Laws without liberty
B. Church Control – Rules without grace
C. Christ’s Contrast – Freedom through truth
Emphasis:
Grace liberates; control enslaves.

TRUTH-TWISTING TRADE
Isaiah 5:20; 2 Corinthians 4:2

A. Political Lies – Truth bent for votes
B. Religious Lies – Truth bent for tithes
C. Biblical Integrity – Truth rightly divided
Right Division:
Truth mixed is truth corrupted.

FEAR-FUELED FOLLOWING
2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:15

A. Civic Fear – Threats of punishment
B. Church Fear – Threats of curses
C. Christ’s Assurance – Peace through grace
Paul’s Gospel:
Fear is not the tool of grace—it is the weapon of deception.

GREED-GOVERNED GAIN
Micah 3:11; 1 Timothy 6:9–10

A. Political Greed – Devours taxes
B. Religious Greed – Devours offerings
C. Gospel Generosity – Freely received, freely given
Dispensational Balance:
The gospel is never for sale.

LOYALTY-DEMANDING LEADERSHIP
Jeremiah 17:5; 1 Corinthians 3:4–7

A. Government Loyalty – Party above principle
B. Church Loyalty – Pastor above Scripture
C. Christ Loyalty – Scripture above all
Pauline Warning:
Follow Paul only as he follows Christ (1 Cor. 11:1).

DOCTRINE-DESTROYING DECEPTION
Jude 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:3–4

A. Political Deception – Redefines truth
B. Church Deception – Redefines doctrine
C. Sound Doctrine – Preserved by right division
Stand:
Doctrine is not optional—it is protective.

FINAL-FRUITFULNESS FALLOUT
Matthew 7:15–20; Philippians 3:18–19

A. Government Crocodiles – Leave nations broken
B. Church Crocodiles – Leave believers confused
C. Christ-Centered Teaching – Produces liberty and life
Eternal Perspective:
Bad roots always bear bitter fruit.

CONCLUSION

Crocodiles thrive in murky waters.
When Scripture is not rightly divided, deception flourishes—whether in congress halls or church pulpits.
The answer is not rebellion.
The answer is not silence.
The answer is RIGHTLY DIVIDED TRUTH.

CALL TO ACTION

Study to show thyself approved (2 Tim. 2:15)
Test every authority by Scripture (Acts 17:11)
Stand fast in the liberty of grace (Gal. 5:1)
Reject blind loyalty to men
Serve Christ, not systems

FINAL THOUGHTS

Crocodiles love power
Grace produces servants
Fear controls—truth frees
Mixed doctrine multiplies confusion
Sound doctrine brings stability
Christ alone is Head of the Church
Paul reveals God’s will for today
Right division exposes deception
Only truth makes you free (John 8:32)