Remember The Truth 2 Peter 3:1-2 Purpose: How to stay safe with false teachers trying to entrap us all around. Proposition: The 3 R’s of Total Resistance to false teachers. 1. Apostle Peter’s Purpose: Reminder! 2 Peter 3:1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, Stir up your mind! 2 Peter 1:12-13 Deuteronomy 6:4-15 Psalm 78:1-11 What’s at stake? Revelation is Life! Deuteronomy 31:45-47 2. Our Response: Remember! 2 Peter 3:2 that you should remember “¦ Jesus taught Peter to Feed His Sheep: John 21:15-19 What food? Pure milk of the word: 1 Peter 2:1-5 3. The Root of All truth: Revelation! 2 Peter 3:2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Scriptures = Word = Revelation Weaned off the World, Wed to the Word! 2 Peter 1:19-21 The church, your family, your personal life, all must be built upon the Scriptures God will never lead you in any way that contradicts the Scriptures
True Christians Never Fall Away 2 Peter 2:20-22 Purpose: To encourage true Christians to persevere in the faith. Peter exposes three aspects of False Teachers that challenge us to live as authentic Christians! 1. Their “morality” is Temporary, But True Christians Persevere 2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome Hebrews 10:26-31 Luke 9:62 2. They Have Exchanged God for the World, But True Christians Remain in God 2 Peter 2:20″¦ the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. Luke 11:23-26 3. Their Nature is Never Truly Changed, A True Christian’s Nature Is Forever Changed 2 Peter 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” Matthew 24:8-14 Combat this tendency to fall away by exercising your perseverance! Consider these Christian New Year resolutions: Join, Grow, Serve, Go!
Immanuel, God With Us Christmas 2019 1. There is Only One True God Isaiah 45:5 “I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; 6 That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” See also Isaiah 44:6 2. There is Only One Savior Isaiah 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11 “I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me.” Isaiah 45:21 “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. 22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” See also Acts 20:28; Titus 1:1-4, 2:11-14, 3:4-7; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 25 3. Only God Can Forgive Sins – And Jesus Did It! See Luke 5:20-25 where Jesus heals the paralyzed man and forgives him of his sin 4. What’s in a Name? Everything! See Isaiah 9:6-7 Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a 1manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
God Alone Satisfies Our Thirst 2 Peter 2:17-19 Purpose: To satisfy our greatest thirst by trusting Christ alone 1. We Thirst When We Trade the Truth for a Trap 2 Peter 2: 17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; Jude 12-13 & Jeremiah 2:13 Empty Promises Never Deliver 2. We Thirst When We Are Enslaved to Anything Except Christ 2 Peter 2:19b for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. John 16:33 & Paul’s theme in Romans 6-8 & John 8:29-36 The FTs want to enslave you with at least the four traps mentioned: 1) arrogant boisterous words 2) fleshly desires 3) sensual behaviors 4) false freedoms that are unbiblical 2 Corinthians 5:3-6
False Teachers Everywhere 2 Peter 2:13b-16 A Poor Rich Man and a Rich Poor Disciple (Mark 10:17-31) Purpose: to remind Christians not to trade earthly temptations for heavenly treasurers 1. False Teachers are Addicted to This World, but We Live for Christ! 2 Peter 2:13 … They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, Compare this to 2 Peter 3:14 “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless” A quote from Charles Spurgeon Godliness with contentment is great gain! 1 Timothy 6:3-12 “It is precisely those who fail to become solidly grounded in Christian truth whom false teachers find to be easy prey. Like trees with shallow roots, they are easily swayed and toppled.” Don’t be enticed! 2. False Teachers Live for Fleeting Pleasures, but We Live for Heavenly Realities! 2 Peter 2:14 “¦ accursed children;15 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. Balaam: Numbers 22-24; Deuteronomy 23:3-5; Joshua 13:22, 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:1-2 The example of Moses: Hebrews 11:23-27 Heavenly motivation v. human desires: 2 Corinthians 5:5-9; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 6:33 Don’t forsake the way of Christ!
The False Teacher’s Failure 2 Peter 2:12-13 Purpose: to draw near to God’s truth for our own salvation Does it really matter what we believe? The importance of ensuring salvation through correct teaching in 1 Timothy 4:13-16 1. False Teachers Have No Hope of Life with God 2 Peter 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. What’s a Christian to do? Bad company corrupts good morals! 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 2. False Teachers Suffer Due to Wrong Beliefs and Behavior 2 Peter 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. Peter’s use of “Knowledge” in 2 Peter 1:2-8; 2:12; 2:20; 3:18 Paul’s similar concern in 2 Timothy 4:1-4 So you see, we must stay in the true knowledge of God, and reject any false teaching
Thanks Be To God 1. Thanks Be To God, Jesus is Alive 1 Corinthians 15:55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Thanks Be To God, Jesus Sets Sinners Free Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. See also Romans 7:24-25 3. Thanks Be To God, Jesus Calls Us To Serve 2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! A Thanksgiving Story How can we confess the gospel and contribute liberally to Jesus Kingdom?
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?