Truth, Warning, and Hope from 2 Peter
Introduction:
The Apostle Peter, nearing the end of his earthly journey, penned a letter filled with urgent reminders for the church. He knew that the path of faith was not without its challenges, and he sought to equip believers with truth, warn them against deception, and fill them with hope. Today, we will explore the three powerful reminders found in 2 Peter, drawing strength and guidance for our own walk with God.
I. You Have Truth To Guide You (2 Peter 1:1-21)
A. Truth of a Like Precious Faith (1:1-2):
• Peter emphasizes the shared faith of believers, a "like precious faith" granted by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
• This faith is the foundation upon which we build our lives.
B. Truth Enables Spiritual Maturity and Growth (1:3-11):
• Through God's divine power, we are given everything necessary for life and godliness.
• Peter encourages us to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
• These qualities, when present in abundance, prevent us from being ineffective or unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
C. Truth You Should Be Reminded Of (1:12-15):
• Peter, knowing his time was short, sought to remind believers of these truths, stirring them up by way of reminder.
• He wanted to ensure they would remember these things after his departure.
D. Truth From Ear and Eyewitnesses (1:16-18):
• Peter affirms the truth of the gospel, not based on cunningly devised fables, but on his own eyewitness account of Jesus' majesty on the Mount of Transfiguration.
E. Truth From Men Moved by God (1:19-21):
• The prophetic word is confirmed, and we should pay close attention to it as a light shining in a dark place.
• Prophecy did not come by human will, but by men moved by the Holy Spirit.
II. You Have False Teachers To Be Wary Of (2 Peter 2:1-22)
A. False Teachers, Truths About (2:1-3):
• False prophets and teachers will arise, introducing destructive heresies and denying the Master who bought them.
• They will exploit believers with deceptive words, and their judgment is certain.
B. False Teachers Face Divine Judgment for Their Sin (2:4-9):
• God did not spare the angels who sinned, nor the ancient world, nor Sodom and Gomorrah.
• God knows how to rescue the godly from trials and hold the unrighteous for punishment.
C. False Teachers Delude Believers (2:10b-16):
• These teachers are arrogant and blasphemous, despising authority and speaking evil of glorious beings.
• They follow the way of Balaam, loving the wages of wickedness.
D. False Teachers Are Empty of Truth and Entangle with Sin (2:17-22):
• They are like waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, promising freedom but being slaves of corruption.
• They entice unstable souls, leading them back into the defilements of the world.
III. You Have Promises To Give You Hope (2 Peter 3:1-18)
A. Promise That the Ungodly Will Face Judgment (3:1-7):
• Scoffers will come, questioning the Lord's return, but they forget the flood and the coming judgment by fire.
B. Promise the Lord Gives Time for All to Come to Repentance (3:8-9):
• God's timing is different from ours; He is patient, desiring that none should perish.
C. Promise the Day of the Lord Is Coming Like a Thief in the Night (3:10-12):
• The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, with the heavens passing away and the earth being burned up.
• We should live holy and godly lives, hastening the coming of that day.
D. Promise of New Heavens and Earth (3:13):
• We look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
E. Promise of Things to Look Forward To (3:14-18):
• We should strive to be found in peace, without spot or blemish, in the sight of God.
• We should grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, giving Him glory forever.
- Preaching on Time: How Have You Been Enjoying Your Life?
- Preaching on Sow the Wind, and Reap the Whirlwind Hosea 8:7
- Preaching on Frailty of Man (Psalm 90:3-11)
Conclusion:
Peter's reminders are as relevant today as they were centuries ago. We have the truth of the gospel to guide us, we must be vigilant against false teachers who seek to deceive us, and we have the promises of God to fill us with hope. Let us hold fast to these reminders, living lives that reflect the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, until He returns. Amen.
