2 Peter 3:1-18, Keep growing in the knowledge of Jesus

Review:
• 2 key words to describe the unbeliever (ignorant and foolish)
• Ignorant: doesn't know the facts (or truth)
• Foolish: doesn't want to know any different
• 2 key words to describe the non-growing believer (blind and nearsighted)
• Blind: does not see his own faults
• Nearsighted: only focuses on the things around him/her; selfish; pre-occupied with here and now


2 Peter 3:1–2 (ESV) — 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,


• What does Peter say is his purpose of his letters?
• Reminders
• The implication by the use of the word reminder is what? Reminder implies already knows truth
• Sincere mind is honest and straight-forward. Peter talks generally about two things to remember
• Predictions--things Prophets and others have said would happen, such as suffering (this does refer to the OT, but not to the  commands)
• Commandments of the Lord (through the Apostles) -- this is NOT the same thing as the OT law or the ten commandments
• NOTE: The Word of God is important to protect our mind


2 Peter 3:3–9 (ESV) — 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.


• What is the first promise?
• In the last days, there will be scoffers
• It is especially noticeable in the last days
• What is a scoffer?
• A scoffer is one who deliberately pokes fun or questions God's truth
• SCOFF, SCOFFER
The verb indicates the manifestation of contempt by insulting words or actions; it combines bitterness with ridicule.
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
• Their argument is what?
• There is no evidence of God
• Everything is explainable (at least that is the presumption, that is not a provable statement)
• What is also characteristic of a scoffer?
• Deliberately forget 3 things
• God created everything
• God destroyed almost everything by water
• God will destroy everything by fire
• Today, it is not "forget" but choose to ignore any evidence that might support the idea of God as a creator (we replace the idea of God with human explanations)
• Peter lists a couple of other problems
• Time is not the same issue for God as it is for man (man, who only lives, at most 120 years, it is a paltry argument)
• Some have used this verse to suggest that the "days" of Genesis represent periods longer than 24 hours
• Lastly, the delay in the end of times is only a delay in our eyes


2 Peter 3:10–13 (ESV) — 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.


• The day of the Lord refers to what?
• Christ's return
• Characteristic is that of a thief
• Sudden
• Unexpected
• The day of the Lord is followed by ("… and then the …") the thousand year millennial kingdom, then the uprising, and then finally, the new heaven and the new earth
• Why should the knowledge of this world's ultimate fate influence our lifestyle?
• There are more important things to live for
• Anything we do in this world of temporal consequence will ultimately be destroyed
• Verse 13 reminds us of a similar attitude expressed in Hebrews 11
• Hebrews 11:13–16 (ESV) — 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
• This is a great reminder that the world is not our home


2 Peter 3:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.


• Where else do we see the phrase "be diligent" (ESV) "make every effort" (NIV84) and what is it referring to?
• We see the phrase in 1 Pet 1:5-8, referring to the seven qualities we are to be growing in if we are to avoid being blind and nearsighted
• This time, the effort is applied to:
1. spotless (staying away from sin),
2. blameless (staying away even from the appearance of sin),
3. and at peace with him (having a clear conscience with God regarding our behavior)
• NOTE:  I think these latter 3 "results" come out of the application of the first seven qualities
• What does Peter think of Paul's letters?
• He calls them scripture
• He says that people , false teachers, distort (only here in the NT, meaning to twist or or wrench or torture, i.e., put on the rack) them
• He says that they are difficult to understand (but that does not make them untrue in any way)
• Cross-reference 2 Pet 3:2 "commands given by our Lord through the apostles"


2 Peter 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.


• Here is I believe is Peter's summary paragraph for his letter and also his last words.  How does he summarize his letter?
• Be on guard (NIV84, NAS95), Take care (ESV)
• Error of lawless men (false teachers)
• Fall from secure position (NIV84), lose your stability (ESV)
• Grow (opposite of effect of false teachers is growing)
• Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
• [this keeps us from being blind and nearsighted]


APPLICATION:
1. We need to be "Bereans"
Acts 17:11 (ESV) — 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
2. We need to be growing in the seven character qualities
3. We need to be on guard against false teaching, even from good or believing teachers
4. We need to be on guard against false teachers, who may present a message that tickles the ears (this is one of the problems in our world today, the variety of sources has allowed everyone to pick the news that fits their concept of how the world should be)

2 Peter 2:1-22, The danger of false teachers

• Review:
• 2 key words to describe the unbeliever (ignorant and foolish)
• Ignorant: doesn't know the facts (or truth)
• Foolish: doesn't want to know any different
• 2 key words to describe the non-growing believer (blind and nearsighted)
• Blind: does not see his own faults
• Nearsighted: only focuses on the things around him/her; selfish; pre-occupied with here and now
• What is the key message of 2 Pet 1:1-11? We need to be growing in the word of God
• … of 2 Pet 1:12-21? The most important thing that Peter can pass on is to be growing in the word


2 Peter 2:1–3 (ESV) — 1 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 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.


• What is Peter referring to as he starts out the passage?
• OT and false prophets in those days
• What is the promise of verse 1?
• There will be false prophets among you
• What will be characteristic of false prophets?
• Secretly introduce destructive heresies
• Even denying the sovereign Lord
• Follow shameful ways
• Bring the way of truth into disrepute
• Greedy, sensual (sexual lusts)
• Are they believers?
• No: There are certain aspects that suggest, like OT false prophets, that they are not (especially denying the Master)
• Yes: It says they were "bought," but …
• 1 Timothy 2:4–6 (ESV) — 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
• “False teachers are better known for what they deny than for what they affirm.” (Wiersbe)
• Word for "false words" is plastos (we get the word plastic), meaning fabricated, molded, formed, …


2 Peter 2:4–10a (ESV) — 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10a and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. 


• One long complex conditional sentence (4-8 form the condition; 9-10a the conclusion). What is Peter's two main points?
• God can rescue the godly man from trials
• God will bring judgment on the ungodly
• Peter uses three examples. What are they and what do they show? (Constable)
• Angels who sinned. An example of how the devil works
• The world in Noah's day. An example of worldview or world culture
• Sodom and Gomorrah. Example of the flesh (sexual lust and greed)
• Was everyone except Noah and his family a false teacher?
• Was everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah false teachers?
• Was everyone affected by false teaching?
• Yes -- they were party to the judgment
• Note: The angels experienced a spiritual judgment, but Noah's day and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah experienced a physical judgment


2 Peter 2:10–12 (ESV) — 10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction,


• What are some additional characteristics (or conduct) of false teachers?
• Bold (they are not afraid) … Teaching is a great responsibility and trust
• Arrogant (obstinate and perversely self-willed, also stubbornness)
• Slander celestial beings
• It is possible that their blaspheming was the teaching that lustful indulgence is angelic and that God wills man to live under no restraints whatever. (Gangel, K. O. (1985). 2 Peter. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 872). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
• Blaspheme in things they don't understand
• Brute beasts, creatures of instinct -- means that their appetites control their behavior
• If it feels good, do it
• If it's fun, then it's okay
• … (what are some similar statements today)


2 Peter 2:13–16 (ESV) — 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.


• What is the promise for false teachers?
• Paid back wrong for the wrongdoing -- but what is the wrong?
• The word adikeo, means hurt, but also unjustly
• One thing that is not always understood with the use of the word "destruction" is that it does not always mean eternal or spiritual, but can also mean physical. In Hebrews, the warning is not about losing salvation for going back to Judaism, but a physical destruction (accomplished a few years later when the city is burned to the ground)
• Galatians 6:7 (ESV) — 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
• What is different about the false teacher's sin?
• Revel in the daytime (most people hide their sin … meaning what?)
• They have justified their actions
• What is the way of Balaam? (Num 22-25)
• Balaam was a believer
• Balaam was a prophet of God
• Balaam ultimately obeyed God (He did not verbally course Israel), although with the wrong attitude
• Balaam was not supposed to go with Balak (King of Moab), but the prospect of riches convinces himself to go and maybe make a fortune (with his spiritual gift)
• Also, there is some indication, that Balaam told Balak how to destroy Israel through inter-marriage (essentially using the women and sex to cause Israel to participate in idolatry and immoral practices)


2 Peter 2:17–19 (ESV) — 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.


• What does the imagery of waterless springs and mists driven by storm suggest?
• Promise of something good (spring), but there is nothing there that truly satisfies (sounds good, but it isn't)
• You think you are going to get rain, and the mists just blow by
• Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV) — 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
• What do they, false teachers do?
• Loud boasts of folly
• Entice by sensual passions young believers
• Promise freedom (a form of Gnosticism, and also Satan's trick of Eve)


2 Peter 2:20–22 (ESV) — 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”


• If you are saved, how can you be worse off?
• From an earthly point of view, your life will be hell
• Not just guilt, but now the conviction of the H.S.
• Also, you will struggle with insecurity regarding your salvation.
• Am I really saved? How can I know for sure? Etc.

2 Peter 1:1-21, The promises of God are our tool for growth and protection from unsound teaching

• Overview of 2 Peter
• Author: see below
• Timeframe
• V14 suggests Peter will die soon (some historical data suggests 66 AD)
2 Peter 1:14 (ESV) — 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
• Probably between 63-65 AD (both letters); some suggests a slightly later day which also moves Peter's death
• Letters may have been a year apart
• Recipients
• See below
• Purpose
• Heresies developing in the Asia Minor region
• Jude quotes 2 Peter in at least 13 places


[Skip intro and start in verse 4]
2 Peter 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.


• Who is the author?
• Simon Peter
• Who are the recipients
• Those who received a faith as precious as ours
• Believers in Asia Minor (see 2 Peter 3:1)
2 Peter 3:1a (ESV) — 1a This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved….
• Sometimes we can see the purpose or  a hint at the purpose of the letter in the greeting. What would this suggest?
• Equality of all believers (laity and leadership) -- equal standing; same righteousness
• The knowledge of God, a relationship, multiplies grace and knowledge to us


2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.


• In terms of living the Christian life, what does verse 3 assure us?
• We have everything we need (through the knowledge)
• Sometimes I have felt a triteness about the statement, we just need to get into the Word of God on a regular basis … but it's not trite, it is true ...
• If we have everything we need, why do we struggle so much living out the Christian life?
• What does v4 "through them" refer to?
• Plural, so must be promises
• Apparently, philosophers of the time dwelt on topics like Godliness, goodness (virtue), divine and corruption, so there may have been some false teaching on these concepts. Do we obtain or have the divine nature?
• No, we partake
• What does it mean to partake?
• It is available but we don't own it
• What allows us to participate in the divine nature or to escape the corruption of the world (could also be a reference to worldview)?
• The promises


2 Peter 1:5–7 (ESV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.


• What does "for this very reason" refer to?
• I think the reasons specified by the "so that"
• Why "make every effort" versus "rely on God; trust God; let go and let God; …?"
• Romans 14:19 (ESV) — 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
• Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) — 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
• There is requirement of our will to activate the power of the spirit. The word here for "make every effort" is diligence, also translated hurry or haste
• The word supplement (ESV) add (NIV) is epichoregeo and is the source of chorus and choreography
• It literally means to gather a chorus
• The chorus are seven qualities that are added to our faith
• Also, the qualities seem to grow out of each other
1. Goodness, virtue, moral excellence
• Robertsons: moral energy, moral power, vigor of the soul
2. Knowledge, knowing God better
• Insight, understanding
3. Self-Control
• Holding passions and desires in hand (key is given in v3,4 (need Word))
4. Perseverance, patient endurance
• Literally "remaining behind or staying"
5. Godliness
• Lifestyle of holiness or patterned after God.  The word is never ascribed to God
6. Brotherly Kindness
• Filadelfian, fileo love
7. Love
• Agape love by deliberate choice


2 Peter 1:8–11 (ESV) — 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


• What does it mean "possess these qualities in increasing measure?"
• Growing
• Here we have a simple definition of growing.  It is adding these 7 qualities in increasing measure to our life
• One ramification of growing out of each other:  If we are weak in one, maybe we haven't progress in the former quality to the degree necessary
• And what is the promise?
• We will not be ineffective in our knowledge of Christ
• We will not be unproductive in our knowledge of Christ
• What does that mean?
• God will use us
• If we are not growing, what is the promise?
• We are nearsighted and blind
• What does it mean for a believer to be nearsighted and blind
• We don't even see what we are missing
• Our world revolves around self (since that is the closest thing around)
• In some sense, we are little like the foolish and ignorant (don't know and don't care)
• Nearsighted - see only the things near us (world)
• Blind - don't see our own shortcomings
• Why make our calling and election sure?
• Growing affirms our salvation
• Two more promises
• We won't fall (fall into what? Possible the heresies he is going to discuss)
• We will receive a rich eternal welcome (reward)


2 Peter 1:12–15 (ESV) — 12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.


• What word or idea comes up repeatedly?
• Remind
• Refresh your memory
• Remember
• Also?
• As long as live
• I will soon put it (the tent of this body) aside
• After my departure
• Peter is going to die soon, …, so how important is what he wants to say?
• "And I will make every effort …"
• Where else do we see this phrase?
• In regard to adding the seven qualities to your faith
• What do we learn about the recipients?
• They are firmly established in the truth
• If they are firmly established in the truth and not baby Christians, why is Peter so spun up about making sure they remember these things?
• It is so easy to get blasé or laissez-faire and get off track


2 Peter 1:16–18 (ESV) — 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.


• What is Peter's argument?
• We didn't make it up
• We were eyewitnesses
• What is the event that Peter specifically refers to?
• Mount of transfiguration
• Appearance of Moses and Elijah
• The glory of God
• This is one of the arguments for the validity of the scriptures -- the eyewitnesses. You need to trust the eyewitnesses, the direct sources. "Johnny come-lately's" are poor sources for truth.

2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV) — 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


• And so because of what Peter has seen, what conclusion does Peter reach?
• Everything the prophets said was true as well
• Why?
• Because it was not the Prophets who said it, but they were carried along by the Holy Spirit
• Discuss "inspiration"
• Prophet's words, language, experiences under the direction of the Holy Spirit


APPLICATION:
• Even believers can stop growing
• Growing in the Word was the most important thing that Peter wanted his readers to remember after he died
• The NT and the OT are verified by the eyewitnesses and the fulfillment of prophecy