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Hidden rocks are the seamen's worst dangers, and they generally prove the most fatal. They account for the disappearance of many a gallant barque and brave crew. They are not laid down on the chart.

I. THE UNSUSPECTED DANGERS WHICH WRECK CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. The apostle means that there were men who, instead of keeping the unity and peace of the Christian community, were the means of wrecking both. The kind of men they are is described in verse 4.

1. They have crept into the Church surreptitiously, not being possessed of the spiritual qualifications they professed to have.

2. They perverted the gospel to evil ends. "They turned the grace of our God unto lasciviousness." They divorced religion from good morals and good life.

3. There was denial of essential Christian doctrine. "Denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

II. THE UNSUSPECTED PERILS OF INDIVIDUAL SPIRITUAL HISTORY. "Hidden rocks."

1. "Nobody will know." The possibility of secret sin is one of the grave perils of youth and inexperience.

2. "Only this once." The tempter has never had a more successful plea to urge upon the unwary. But if for once, why not for always?

3. "It is not necessary to be so very particular." But thoroughness is one great element of safety.

4. "Never mind, another time will do as well." This is perhaps the most fatal of all. Procrastination of duties means the giving up of duties. Secret unfaithfulness becomes open apostacy.

(W. H. Davison.)

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KJV: These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

WEB: These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;