False Teachers Indicted 2 Peter 2:10b-11 Purpose: Who do you follow? How to live a true Christian life from the errors of the false! 1. A True Christian is Not Arrogant 2 Peter 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. True Christianity avoids the errors of being daring, self-willed, arrogant Be fruit inspectors (Matthew 7:12-21) What we believe (Orthodoxy) is interrelated with what we do (Orthopraxy) 2. A True Christian is Humble 2 Peter 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. Arrogance illustrated (Jude 8-10) Humble yourselves (James 4:6-10) Pay close attention to yourself and your teaching (1 Timothy 4:16) Not many teachers (James 3:1-2) The blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:11-14) Because you are ultimately responsible for who you follow, who you imitate!

God Judges the Wicked and Rescues the Righteous 2 Peter 2:4-10a Purpose: To strengthen your faith because of God’s righteous judgment & promised rescue I. The Problem: The Ungodly and The Godly Together 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. “ungodly” = angels, Noah’s world, Sodom & Gomorrah, unrighteous, false teachers “godly” = Noah, Lot, the righteous 2. The Solution: God’s Sure Judgment & Promised Rescue Fosters the Believer’s Trust God is the Judge 2 Peter 3:5-10; 2 Thess. 1:6, 8-10 God is the Rescuer Matthew 6: 13; 2 Corinthians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:11 Therefore”¦ Romans 12:19 3. The Result: We Must Live a God-Centered Life Psalm 73:16-28; Psalm 92:5-8; Psalm 94:22-23; Proverbs 16:4

Warnings About False Teachers 2 Peter 2:1-3 Purpose: To expose false teachers so that you will not fall into a shipwreck of your faith! 1. False Teachers Mislead God’s People 2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies “¦ False Prophets of the Past: Ezekiel 13:9-16 False Teachers of the Present: -deny the Sovereign Lord (2:1); -despise authority (2:10) -slander celestial beings (2:10) -are blemishes (2:13) -are “springs without water and mists driven by a storm” (2:17) -scoffers following their own evil desires (3:3) False Teachers Now They will be among us = eschatological teaching that they will be here! Matthew 24:10-13; 24-25 2. False Teachers Go Against God’s Revelation of Himself 2 Peter 2:1 “¦ even denying the Master who bought them”¦ Matthew 7:13-17 Conclusion: Any attack on the person or work of God, which does not follow His own revelation in the OT and NT, is a destructive false teaching! 3. False Teaching Brings Guaranteed Destruction 2 Peter 2:1, 3b “¦ bringing swift destruction upon themselves”¦ their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 1 Timothy 4:1-6, 15-16 4. False Teachers Want You to be Free from Restraint 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; Jude 4-5; Prov. 29:18; 2 Cor. 11: 3; 1 Peter 1:14-19; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Psalm 145:13-20 5. False Teachers Want You to Fund THEIR Finances 2 Peter 2:3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; They Exploit you for Money See Deuteronomy 13:1-4

“The All-Sufficiency of Scripture for True Religion” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Purpose: To show that the Scriptures are from God and therefore our surest guide 1. We Must Comprehend the Calling of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke 1:78-80 & Revelation 22:16 The Bible is our guide now! See Psalm 119:103-7 & 1 Corinthians 13:12 But in the end, there will be a light even brighter than the Bible! Revelation 21:23 & 22:5 Though the truths of the Scriptures will not fade! Matthew 5:18, 24:35 & Luke 16:17 A view of the end! Matthew 13:40-43 2. We Can Confide in the Consistency of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, See Matthew 15: 11-14 3. We Must Count on the Constitution of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. See 1 Peter 3:10-11 Scripture is from God! see also 2 Tim 3:16 & Eph 3:1-7 The extent of the “moved by the Holy Spirit” in the example of Galatians 3:16 Our only and proper response is believing the Bible to be God’s Word 2 Timothy 4:1-4 And be careful with it! 1 Corinthians 4:6

Peter’s Testimony Concerning God’s Testimony 2 Peter 1:16-18 Purpose: Three tiers of testimony which we can depend on for a true knowledge of God. TIER ONE TESTIMONY: We have received a testimony of Truth not myths 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ See also Colossians 2:8-12 The Scriptures are the truth of God Himself TIER TWO TESTIMONY: We have received the eyewitness testimony 2 Peter 1:16b but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty . . . 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Let us go to the scene of the event. (Mark 9:2-10; Matt. 17:1-9; Luke 9:28-36) See also 1 John 1:1-4 This is eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ transfiguration 1. The miracles of Jesus testifying to His life and His person are real!! 2. Notice the biblical due process of the occurrence = three witnesses. 3. Peter’s testimony is not about himself but pointing to God, like all true teachers! TIER THREE: We have received the testimony from God Himself 2 Peter 1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” We have only two choices! See also 1 Thessalonians 2:13

What Does Your Last Will and Testament Say? 2 Peter 1:12-15 – Peter’s last will Purpose: To live for the legacy of Jesus Christ! 1. Reminder Who You Are! 2 Peter 1:12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. You’ve been established in the truth”¦ remember?! 2. Revived by Remembering 2 Peter 1:13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Peter knew he would die: John 21:18-19 Peter lived for Christ despite his sure demise: 2 Peter 3:11-15 God through Peter calls Jesus’ followers to “stir up” their lives for Him! 3. Revisit Your Roots Often! 2 Peter 1:15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. Peter Leaves a Legacy for Us: 2 Peter 3:1-2 Christians must come to Scripture, read it, take it into their very soul, then live for Jesus! Billy Graham’s Last Will & Testament What does your last will & testament say? Better yet, what does your life say? What will be your legacy? When you die, will others remember Jesus Christ because of you?

“Are You Sure You Are Saved?” 2 Peter 1:10-11 Purpose: to discern with certainty your state of salvation! 1. Know where you stand! We are commanded to make certain of our state of being in this life. 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; Who is doing the action here? both God and us What does this look like? This is an antinomy not a paradox! Paradox is a self-contradictory or false proposition. In a paradox, one statement must be false Antinomy, theologically, is an apparent contradiction between two statements, both obtained by correct reasoning. In an antinomy, both statements are true 2. Practice what you preach! In true salvation, our fruit will cause us to _persevere_ through this life. 2 Peter 1:10b for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; Who is doing the action here? we are What does this look like? 1 Peter 2:9 Philippians 2:12 “¦ work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 3. Trust God into Eternity! Following the first two points, ensures us entrance into the eternal kingdom 2 Peter 1:11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Who is doing the action here? God is What does this look like? 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Necessity of Living a Godly Life 2 Peter 1:8-9 Purpose: To exalt the Christian’s necessity of living a Godly Life 1. What a Godly Life Looks Like 2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Peter 1:14-16 Useless and fruitless? OR Useful and fruitful? True knowledge is not just “head knowledge,” but is about living in and for Jesus Christ 2. What a Godly Life Doesn’t Look Like 2 Peter 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. See 2 Peter 2:20-22 Seeing and pure? OR Blind and forgetful?

The Chain Reaction of Kingdom Virtues 2 Peter 1:5-7 Purpose: having received true Faith in God, to live it out to the fullest! 1. God Triggers the Kingdom Virtues Chain Reaction 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also”¦ 2. We Contribute to the Kingdom Virtues Chain Reaction 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply. . . 3. God’s Holy People Living Out His Kingdom Virtues 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. Faith _____________________________________________ Moral Excellence _____________________________________________ Knowledge _____________________________________________ Self-Control _____________________________________________ Patience _____________________________________________ Godliness _____________________________________________ Brotherly Kindness _____________________________________________ Love _____________________________________________

God Has Given Us Everything We Need! (Part I) 2 Peter 1:1-4 Purpose: God has Given us everything we need to know Him and live for Him 1. God Gives Us Himself 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; Written by whom for who? The Apostle Peter for receivers of the faith How does Peter describe himself here? a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ What kind of faith? same kind as ours How do we get it? “have received” & “by the righteousness of Jesus Christ” Who is Jesus? our God & Savior Define the word “knowledge” of God and of Jesus our Lord 2. God Gives Us Everything for Life and Godliness 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Who “granted” to whom, what? to us everything pertaining to life and godliness “Through” what? the true knowledge of Him who called us How were we called? by His own glory and excellence 3. God Gives Us His Precious Promises 2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Again He “granted” something. What? precious and magnificent promises Why? to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped corruption

God Has Given Us Everything We Need! (Part I) 2 Peter 1:1-4 Purpose: God has Given us everything we need to know Him and live for Him 1. God Gives Us Himself 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; Written by whom for who? The Apostle Peter for receivers of the faith How does Peter describe himself here? a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ What kind of faith? same kind as ours How do we get it? “have received” & “by the righteousness of Jesus Christ” Who is Jesus? our God & Savior Define the word “knowledge” of God and of Jesus our Lord 2. God Gives Us Everything for Life and Godliness 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Who “granted” to whom, what? to us everything pertaining to life and godliness “Through” what? the true knowledge of Him who called us How were we called? by His own glory and excellence 3. God Gives Us His Precious Promises 2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Again He “granted” something. What? precious and magnificent promises Why? to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped corruption

Being the Body of Christ for the World 1. God’s Ministry, God’s Way Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. 2. God’s Power to Save 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 God’s Wisdom & Power is Greater Than Man’s 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 The Gospel Defined, Christ Crucified and Risen 3. God’s Mission Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:45-47 John 20:21 Acts 1:8 Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” Revelation 7:9-12 4. FBC Exists to Glorify Christ in “¦ Worship Discipleship Mission

Turning the Church Inside Out Purpose: to be strong inside for God’s glory outside 1st Base Believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:8-13) Be Baptized (Acts 2:38) Join a Biblical New Testament Church (1 Corinthians 12:13) 2nd Base Jesus bids disciples, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19; 19:21; Luke 9:23; John 10:27) Grow by Scripture (Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:1) 3rd Base Serve In and With the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:10-13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) Home Run Go (John 20:21; Matt. 28:18-20)