2 Peter - Lesson 1F

• Alright guys – good morning, everyone. Today is the day – we pick back up – with our journey through 2 Peter, and – I can officially say – we will finish Chapter 1.

  • Last week, we finished our teaching with verses 14 -15, where Peter made 2 things abundantly clear. And what were they?

  • Well, let’s recap – and read those verses one more time for context – and here is what Peter said:

2 Peter 1:14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
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 tells us that:

  • Our time on this earth is limited – He said – “The laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent”, and that, the Lord Jesus Christ has confirmed that very fact.

  • Which means – 100 percent of all people will one day pass away.

  • Which means, no one lives forever.

• Then, Peter makes a second point, which was what?

  • Well – Peter said – that while he was still alive, he wants to constantly remind these folks, (or as he said in Verse 13), he wants to “Stir them up by way of reminder.”

  • But stir them up and remind them of what?

    • The truth, or as he said, he wants to stir them up about a truth that has already been established in them.

    • In other words, remind them of a truth – they already know!

  • And what was that truth they already knew?

    • Well – it was a list of truths which were derived from a list of virtues that Peter just finished giving us back in verses 5-7.

    • Truths – that he said, established something in the life of a believer.

  • And what was it?

  • Let me read verse 11 to you again:

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.

• What Peter was saying was, if an individual believer would like to receive a “warm” welcome into the Kingdom of God, he or she should work on godliness and righteousness while they live out their lives on earth.

  • And Peter's list of virtues, will aid you and I in the pursuit of that endeavor.

  • The sense of Peter is trying to convey here is that some, will slide into Heaven by the “skin of their teeth”.

  • Where others (those who work on their Godliness – while still living on this earth), will receive rewards, compensatory to that of an athlete receiving their prize at the end of a race.

• Now, let me say something as it relates to Holiness and Godliness.

  • Holiness and Godliness aren’t things that you can just “will” into existence.

  • Meaning, you can’t just make a statement to yourself like, “Today I am going to become Godlier”, and just like that you begin your accent toward Righteousness.

    • On the contrary – the pursuit of godliness and righteousness is something you “become”.

    • It’s not something you can just “be”.

  • And just like anything worth having in life the only way to become that type of believer is by working on it!!

    • It requires study everyday followed by prayer and more study.

    • And it’s at that point, when God enters your body – through your mind.

    • It's then and only then you can begin the process of sanctification and spiritual growth, or holiness and godliness

  • And so, when Peter says:

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.

• He is referencing how believers will be received into the Kingdom of Heaven.

  • One will be, (as I said), “by the skin of their teeth”,

  • And the other is, as an athlete who receives a reward for a work well done.

    • The question is, which one do you want to be?

  • Years ago – I worked for a man here in town, and this man had once been involved in his church. He attended regularly – was involved – plugged in – but had long since fallen away.

  • This gentleman knew that I was a believer, and he also knew I surrendered into the ministry.

  • He would often take little jabs at me, simply because I was passionate about my faith.

    • He would say things like, “Well, I know I am not much of a Christian, but I am saved.”

    • And I know I probably won’t be receiving any great rewards in Heaven, but as long as I get there - I’m good!

  • I remember he also said, “Now Greg you might hold a much higher position than me in Heaven, but I don’t care – cause I’m good!

    • Even if I hold a lower position – like a janitor – where I sweep the gold dust off the streets.

• Guys, let me just say something – as it pertains to this man’s comments.

  • The Bible tells us, that when we die, we immediately will enter the presences of the Lord.

  • This according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8 – where he said:

“To be absent the body – is to be present with the Lord”

• And when that happens, let me assure you, you won’t be saying to yourself, "Well I’m here – I’m good."

  • That’s not going to be the case.

  • Our judgement as believers, will be a serious matter.

    • It won’t be a judgement unto salvation,

    • Because – if you are saved – you are saved.

    • But it will be a judgement that examines your life as a believer on this earth.

    • It will be a reconciliation of the things you‘ve done for Christ versus the things done in your flesh.

    • And you will not be saying to yourself, “Oh well – I made it!”

    • Or who cares what my rewards are.

  • If that’s your mentality – you’re in for a rude awaking.

• So Peter finishes verse 14 & 15 by saying:

2 Peter 1:14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
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.

• The words for the day are – as it relates to these verses are…

  • Do not forget!

  • Peter wanted them to remember!

  • The same message still holds true for you and I sitting here today – don’t forget what Jesus did for you.

  • Don’t forget you have been called unto salvation.

  • You have been chosen and bought with a price.

    • Which is the highest of calling you could ever receive.

    • Don’t forget it – because God has an expectation for your life!

• Moving on – my NASB Bible calls this next section of scripture Eyewitnesses. Let’s see why it’s entitled that way!

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, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
2 Peter 1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”—
2 Peter 1:18 and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:19 And 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.
2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation,
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.

• Peter is saying, listen up guys, what I am telling you is the truth.

  • And then in verse 16, he reinforces what he is trying to say by saying:

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, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 

• In other words, we aren’t just telling you this stuff, and we aren’t just following “cleverly devised tales”

  • No, we have witnessed it for ourselves!

  • This section of scripture begins (what is commonly referred to) as Peter’s defense of his faith, which was being challenged by a host of False Teachers.

    • And by the way – false teachers were a real issue in those days.

    • But maybe a bigger issue today – albeit in a much different way.

    • All sorts of men and women in our era, claim to have received a new message or revelation from God.

    • Revelations outside God's Word.

  • And to be honest it’s not just a slight issue.

  • It's rampant and for most believers, in our day an age, they don’t know the difference between God’s truth and false teaching.

• Now as I said, this problem is still very much present today, but in a very different way.

  • In Peter’s day, many of the false teachers were outright heretics.

  • Meaning, their teachings were totally contrary to God's Word.

  • In many cases, they simply taught another religion all together!

    • Today, many of the false teachers find their home inside our churches.

    • For the most part, they don’t teach outright, in your face, heresy.

    • Rather – it’s a subtle and familiar form of Christianity.

  • Let me give you explanation of what I mean.

    • I did a little research on this topic and found an article that I feel kind of hits home on what Peter is trying to convey.

    • At least as it relates to the false teachers of our day an age.

    • The article was written by a man named, Tim Challies – Canadian Theologian and Pastor.

    • And he did a great job identifying what are 7 different types of false teachers present in our modern-day church, and here is what he wrote:

  • The history of Christ’s church is inseparable from the history of Satan’s attempts to destroy her.

  • While difficult challenges have arisen from outside the church, the most dangerous have always been from within.

  • For from within arise the false teachers, the peddlers of error who masquerade as teachers of truth.

  • False teachers take on many forms, custom-crafted to times, cultures, and contexts.

  • Here are seven of them you will find carrying out their deceptive, destructive work in the church today.

• Challies said - Please note that while I have followed the biblical texts in describing them in masculine terms, each of these false teachers can as easily be female as well:

  • The 1st type of False teacher is the “Heretic”,

    • The Heretic is the most prominent and perhaps the most dangerous of the false teachers.

  • Peter warned against them in his second letter – when he said:

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

• The Heretic is the person who teaches and blatantly contradicts an essential teaching of the Christian faith.

  • He is a gregarious figure, a natural leader teaching just enough truth to mask his deadly error.

  • Yet in denying the faith and celebrating what is false, he leads his followers from the safety of orthodoxy to the peril of heresy.

  • From the church’s earliest days, she has been afflicted by the Heretic in his various forms.

  • And he or she continues their evil work today, sometimes by contradicting the truth and sometimes by adding to it.

    • For example – He or she may reframe the doctrine of the Trinity, as Arius (air-ree-us) did in the third century or as Oneness teaching Churches do today.

    • He may also, like Marcus Borg and other prominent scholars, deny the virgin birth or even “the resurrection” of Jesus Christ.

    • Or like Jehovah’s Witnesses, he or she may alter God’s finished word, or like Mormons, they may add to it, by

    • Boldly tampering with “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

• Next up – is the “Charlatan”:

  • “The Charlatan” is only interested in the Christian faith to the extent that it can fill his or her wallet.

  • The Charlatan is the person who uses Christianity as a means of personal enrichment.

  • Paul charged Timothy to be on guard against these people when he said,

    • “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

  • He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

  • As previously stated, the Charlatan is only interested in the Christian faith to the extent that it can fill his wallet. He uses his leadership position to benefit from others’ wealth.

• From the Charlatan – we move to “The Prophet”

  • The Prophet claims to be gifted by God to speak fresh revelation outside of Scripture—new, authoritative words of prediction, teaching, rebuke, or encouragement.

  • When in reality, he has been commissioned and empowered by Satan for the purpose of misleading and disrupting Christ’s church.

  • John offered an urgent warning about this individual when he said,

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

• Christians must “test the spirits” to determine if they originate with the Holy Spirit or with a demonic spirit.

• Later on in his writings John declared that God has spoken fully and finally in Scripture and offered the most solemn warning against anyone who claims to bring revelation equal or contrary to Scripture – when he said this in Rev. 22:18-19

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

• Moving on – I found this next type of false teacher – somewhat interesting. He is called “The Abuser”.

  • The Abuser uses his position of leadership to take advantage of other people.

  • Usually, he takes advantage of women – in a sexual and perverse way – this person may also desire power.

  • Both Peter and Jude were aware of the Abuser’s lechery:

  • And Peter spoke about it in 2 Peter 2:2 – where he said,

“And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2)

• Jude said this in Jude 4,

“For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4)

• The Abuser claims he is tending souls, but his true interest is ravishing bodies. He is manipulative – and works his way into women’s lives, building confidence with them as he eases into their homes.

• Next on this list is – “The Divider”

  • The Divider uses false doctrine to disrupt or destroy a church. He gleefully divides brother from brother and sister from sister.

  • Jude warned about him as well – when he said this in Jude 18-21

“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 18-21).

• The Divider is devoid of the Holy Spirit whose first fruit is love and whose special work is holding believers together in the bond of peace (Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:3).

  • This false teacher brings strife, not love. He generates factions, not unity. He desires discord, not harmony.

• And finally, we have “The Tickler” and “The Speculator”

  • First “The Tickler” is the false teacher who cares nothing for what God wants and everything for what men want.

  • He is the man-pleaser rather than the God-pleaser.

    • Paul thought of him as the ear-tickler:

    • And wrote specifically about Him in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – where he wrote the following,

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but, having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

• The Tickler craves popularity and praise from the world.

  • And to maintain his follower’s respect, he preaches only the parts of the Bible they deem acceptable.

  • Therefore, he speaks much of happiness but little of sin, much of heaven but nothing of hell.

  • He gives the church only what they want to hear, and he preaches a partial gospel which is no gospel at all.

    • The Tickler preaches an empty gospel to a packed-out church.

    • And He is as old as the church itself.

  • In the nineteenth century he was Henry Ward Beecher, and in the twentieth he was Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller.

  • Today he is Joel Osteen, pastor of one the largest church in America, who is known equally for his toothy smile and his vacuous or mindless content.

    • As I said - He preaches an empty gospel to a packed out church.

    • Just like the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day, he and the thousands like him say, “Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).

• And last but not least – we have “The Speculator”, one obsessed with novelty, originality, or speculation.

  • The author of Hebrews warned his church of these “strange teachings,” while Paul told Timothy to protect the church against any “different doctrine” (Hebrews 13:9, 1 Timothy 1:3).

  • Teaching focused on speculation displaces the sure and steady doctrine of Scripture.

    • The Speculator tosses aside the bulk of the Bible’s content and the weight of the Bible’s emphasis in order to obsess about matters that are trivial or novel.

    • He grows weary of the old truths and pursues respectability through originality.

  • Today, as in every age, the Speculator obsesses about the End Times, and somehow his failed predictions dissuade neither himself nor his followers.

  • Often – he or she can be seen obscuring the clear message of the Scriptures to search for hidden codes in the Manuscript.

    • Sometimes he plants himself in academia, where one of his recent masterpieces is a re-imagined God who is unable to see and know the future.

    • Paul labels the Speculator a contradictory, irreverent babbler (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

• In conclusion – Pastor Chillies said, Satan’s greatest ambassadors are not pimps, politicians, or power-brokers, but pastors.

  • His priests do not peddle a different religion, but a deadly perversion of the true one.

  • His troops do not make a full-out frontal assault, but work as agents, sneaking in, ever so slowly from the side.

  • Satan’s tactics are studied, clever, predictable, and effective.

    • Therefore, we must always remain vigilant – just as Jesus warned us in Matt. 7:15-16 when he said “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16a).

• So there you have it – a snapshot of just a few of the types of false teachers who are alive and well today.

  • And the most unnerving part of all of this is, for most Christians, is they simply do not know the difference between a real teacher – teaching the truth of God’s Word – and a false teacher – peddling a false narrative.

  • And why is this the case?

    • Because of what the church has evolved into!

    • Which is what?

  • A place where the pastor tells you what you believe!

  • Instead of a place, where the church takes on the personality of the Bereans –

  • Yea know - where people study for themselves to find that these things might be true!

    • You get the point – so I’ll digress on this topic.

• Let’s move on – back to our focus verses – 2 Peter 1:17-21:

2 Peter 1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”—
2 Peter 1:18 and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:19 And 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.
2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation,
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.

• In verses 17 – 18, Peter recounts what’s referred to as “The transfiguration” of Jesus Christ.

  • Where Peter, James and John witnessed and or heard Gods declaration about Jesus.

  • How that He was God’s Son – whom He was well pleased!

  • And then he recounts – where all this took place, On Gods “Holy Mountain”.

    • Which is a reference to Mt. Zion – the Holy Hill of Jerusalem – which is later referred to as the Temple Mount.

    • This was and is the place which God chose – for His Holy Presence to reside and rule!

  • And then finally, Peter ends the chapter with a warning of sorts – when he said this – one more time – verses 19-21:

2 Peter 1:19 And 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.
2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation,
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.

• In these final verses of 2 Peter 1, Peter (as I said) – gives them a warning.

  • A “heads up” if you will, when he says – “you do well”,

  • The actual Greek interpretation of this phrase is – please.

  • As in please pay attention.

• Peter expounds on this – by comparing God's Prophetic Word.

  • Which by the way is the Bible!

  • He says, you will do well – to pay attention to it – He goes on to say, It’s like a lamp shining in a dark place!

    • Which simply means – it’s like a flashing neon sign.

    • Therefore, don’t ignore it people!

• And remember God's promises – until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

  • Another way to say it is – hold onto the promises of God.

  • Especially – as it relates to the return of Christ.

  • Until the day it happens!

• And then finally – Peter closes this section of his letter by saying, no prophecy of scripture is a matter of someone’s own interpretation.

  • Now this may seem a little confusing.

    • It would appear Peter is saying no one can interpret scripture.

    • Which would mean – what would be the point of a Pastor Teacher – but that’s not the case.

  • What he is saying is, do not interpret scripture without a firm grasp of all the scriptures.

    • Meaning – scripture cannot be interpreted separately or individually by itself.

    • My favorite way of saying the same thing is, “The Sum of thy Word is Whole”

• And this is important folks, because – when you take one verse of scripture and try to interpret it – without a complete understanding of the whole, you end up with misinterpretations!

  • Remember – God is consistent – and His messaging is the same from beginning to end.

  • Therefore – if one scripture appears to contradict another passage of scripture you must dig deeper – usually into the Greek or Hebrew interpretation – and generally speaking you will find a translation issue in the way your English translation translates the meaning of the text.

    • I’ve personally found this to be true on a few occasions.

  • So, Peter is saying, do not interpret scripture in isolation from the “Sum of the whole book”.

• Let me close out today's teaching with this statement – as further commentary on what Peter is saying.

  • Peter along with many other men of the Bible, makes it clear there is no new prophecy –

    • The Cannon of Scripture was closed 100’s of years ago,

    • And God made that clear at the end of Revelation – when He said that no one should add too or take away from the Book!

• And this makes total sense – when you think about it, who in their right mind would want to follow Jesus Christ if sporadically and periodically a new person popped up saying, well guess what – God gave me a new Revelation!

  • Today, we have Pastors and self-proclaimed Prophets an Apostles – who try and do exactly that.

    • Listen to me when I tell you this it is pure and outright heresy when someone does this.

• So, if you ever hear someone say they have a new word from God – RUN!!!

  • Because it’s a lie – and this may sound judgmental, but it’s not – I am not judging - that would be an opinion based on perception.

  • It’s not judging when we line up what someone is saying back against God's Word.

    • It’s inspecting fruit.

    • And the fruit coming from those trees – is rotten!

  • And how do I know that, because God's Word says, there is no New Prophecy!

  • That’s how I know it! Amen – Amen!