General Epistles                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                 11/16/1997

The Book of Second Peter

Author: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ" (Also called Cephas). (1:1); John 1:42
Date: About 67 A.D. (LAB)
Themes: Diligence, False Teachers, Christ's Return.

I. THE EQUALITY OF FAITH (1:1)

      "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them
      that have obtained like precious faith with us..." (1:1)

      "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17

 A. "faith" as a Common Gift (1:1); Ephesians 2:8-9

      Greek 'isotimon' means 'of equal value'

      All believers, including apostles, start off by being repentant sinners.

      All must rest in the righteousness of Christ which is imputed by the grace of God and received by faith.

 B. "knowledge of God" (1:2,3)

      It is very important to know the truth about the end of the age. 

        
   Jesus in the days of His flesh had freely predicted His personal 
   return in power & glory.  False teachers were denying this & 
   scoffing at any such doctrine.

II. THE ADDITIONS OF FAITH (1:5)

      "add to your faith..." (1:5)

      "partakers of the divine nature" (1:4)

      We enjoy more and more of God's fellowship & likeness.

      The great end of salvation is conformity to the character of God.

 A. "virtue" &
      "knowledge"--practical wisdom

 B. "temperance"--control of inner enemies &
      "patience"--steadfastness against outer enemies

 C. "godliness",
      "brotherly kindness"-- considerate, unselfish, merciful &
      'love'--compassionate ministry; it speaks and serves in the Spirit of Christ.

III. THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH (1:16,19)

      Peter knew Jesus' prediction that he would suffer martyrdom (1:14-15); John 21:18-19

 A. Apostolic Testimony: "we...were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (1:16)

      Peter, James & John had seen His transfiguration on the Mount.

      They had seen & heard JESUS; They were reporters.

 B. Words of the Prophets: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;" (1:19)

      Evidence that the apostles held the highest view of inspiration;
      Necessity of the ilumination of the Holy Spirit for a proper
      understanding of authoritative Scriptures (1:19-21)

      When truth is forgotten, there are always harmful moral consequences.

      The secrets of God do not yield to self- confident, unaided human energy & wisdom.

IV. TIMELESS PRINCIPLES OF JUDGMENT (2:9)

      The characteristics of the false teachers: 

      1) "bring in damnable heresies" (2:1), 
      2) "denying the Lord" (2:1), & 
      3) "through covetousness shall they with feigned words 
          make merchandise of you" (2:3)

      God's active intervention in judgment (2:1-10a)

 A. As a Warning: "The Lord knoweth how...to reserve the unjust unto
      the day of judgment to be punished:" (2:9)

     1. "the angels that sinned" (2:4)--pride & rebellion against God.

     2. "the old world" was not spared (2:5). They wouldn't listen to
         Noah's preaching of sin, righteousness & judgment.

     3. "the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha" were turned to ashes (2:6).

     Violations of truth & goodness always work toward their own frustration & punishment.

     Sowing to the Wind will Reap the Whirlwind.

     What God hated in the past, He hates now (e.g. Sodomy).

 B. As a Comfort: "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2:9a)

     Noah & Lot were saved.
     However, Lot "vexed his righteous soul"

V. THE RETRIBUTIONS OF ERROR (2:10b-22)

      Time alone will not correct past sin.

      Detailed activities of the false teachers.

      "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants
      of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he
      brought in bondage." (2:19)

      The moral law condemns & proves the sinner to be a slave to sin.
      The new life in Christ which the Holy Spirit works in a convert brings deliverance from the old slavery.

      "be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23

 A. Retribution of Slavery

      Libertine error fostered sins of speech, lust & greed.

      4 marks of deep slavery to sin: 

      1. rationalization
      2. shamelessness--can't blush 
         "pleasure to riot in the day time" (2:13) 
      3. unrestrainedly abandoned to sin
         "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease 
         from sin" (2:14) 
      4. seduction of others
         "beguiling unstable souls" (2:14)

 B. Retribution of a Worsened State

      Jesus spoke of this danger Matthew 12:43-45

      "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
      through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they
      are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse
      with them than the beginning." (2:20)

      "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
      righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the
      holy commandment delivered unto them." (2:21)

      A 'little' lying, a 'little' fornication or adultery, a 'little' cheating matters to God.

      There is no such things as 'minor' compromises & indulgences.

      Corruption, destruction & doom await sinners.

VI. THE LORD'S COMING: QUESTION & ANSWER (3:4,9)

      "many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" Matt. 24:11

      See I Peter 1:5-7; 5:4,10.

      "the last days" (3:3); II Timothy 3:1

 A. The Question of Scoffers: "Where is the promise of his coming?" (3:4)

      Certain individuals are willingly ignorant of the great deluge.

      Unpopular NOAH: Matthew 24:37; Hebrews 11:7; I Peter 3:20

 B. The Apostolic Answer

      "the heavens and the earth" are "reserved unto fire against the
      day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (3:7).

      O.T. prophets predicted a final, fire judgment: Isa. 34:4; 51:6; 66:15-16; Dan. 7:9-10; Joel 2:30-31

      God's time perspective: "one day is with the Lord as a thousand
      years, and a thousand years as one day" (3:8); Psalm 90:4

      "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise" (3:9); Titus 1:2

      God is "longsuffering" (3:9)

      God doesn't want any to "perish" (3:9).

      God is now waiting for unbelievers to repent-- turn from their sins & trust in God (3:9)

VII. THE DAY OF THE LORD: CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES (3:10-11)

      "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" (3:10)

 A. 2 Facts About the Day of the Lord

      1. Startling suddenness. Matthew 24:44

      2. Its fearful accompaniments--terrifying noise & destructive heat.

      "what manner of persons ought ye to be" (3:11)

 B. 3 Christian Obligations

      1. KNOW what God has revealed about the course & conclusion of this age (3:17)

      2. SHOW the vitality of their conviction about the day of the Lord.

          "Looking", "look", "look" again (3:12-14)

          Be holy and godly.
          Be honest before the Lord about your sins.

      3. GROW . . . Christians should never stop growing (3:18)