The Church, the Word, and Being Stirred to Faithfulness

Lets take a look back at our virtues from last week.

Virtue

Knowledge

Self- Control

Steadfastness

Godliness

Brotherly Affection

Love

If we remember Peter said pursuing these things would keep us from being ineffective and unfruitful.

This is how Peter opens up his letter, and he now is stating to us the purpose of his writing.

V. 12

Peter is reminding the people of these qualities.

They have already been taught them.

He is also writing to a church stating that as a body of believers, they have access to this truth and are built on it.

The Church is the means in which God completes His work in the world.

Specifically in this context, its the church that helps remind and establish Christians in truth and virtue.

V. 13-14

Peter is here expressing this same sentiment, stating that as long as he lives, he wishes to remind them of truth and to keep pursuing virtue.

He then strengthens his reasoning, by stating that he knows that he will soon die.

For Peter the most important thing for him to do near the end of his life is to encourage and strengthen the believers.

V. 15

Finally, Peter solidifies the idea of leaving a reminder to the people, by making the point of why he is writing. This letter will serve as a reminder to the people.

The letter’s written by the apostles contain the their teaching, and would be read aloud to the congregation in order to encourage and instruct them.

Acts 2:42 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

One of the key things the early church did was devote themselves to the apostles teaching.

And this is a direct advantage that you and I have over many of the believers in the early church, we have all of God’s Word given to us. We have the full revelation of God. Every ounce of truth necessary for us is in our Bible.

This is why the apostles wrote letters, and this is why churches who are founded on God’s Word as their center are the ones who are built to last!

So Peter writing, inspired by the Holy Spirit in this letter, is going to instruct us on why we can trust the bible, how to spot a false teacher, what it will be like when God judges the world, and the New Heavens and Earth.

Discussion Questions:

Why is it important for us to daily reflect on God’s Word?

What stands out in Peter’s desire to write this letter in his last days?

How can our involvement within the local church encourage us to keep pursuing God?