2024 Wk 30 2 Peter 2
Notes
Transcript
A Word for someone:
When Israel was poised to enter the Land of Promise, they had to get 2 million plus people across the Jordan River (at flood season).
God told Joshua to have the priests lift the Ark of the Covenant upon their shoulders and wade into the river. As soon as they did, the waters upstream (about 20 miles) backed up.
It would have taken a little time for the results to be realized where they were. But by the time they reached the middle of the river, the ground below them became dry.
The sequence of events are critical.
God speaks,
the people obey,
God acts, and
the people receive a miracle.
Activating the miraculous often happens in a vacuum of results.
Some have acted in faith to the Word of God.
The miracle has begun.
You just haven’t seen the results, yet.
Trust Him.
The water has already been stopped upstream.
The miracle is flowing your way.
WORSHIP SET ONE WITH CHILDREN:
You have redeemed my soul from the pit of emptiness
You have redeemed my soul from death
(repeat)
VERSE:
I was a hungry child,
a dried up river
I was a burned out forest,
and no one could do anything for me.
But You put food in my body,
water in my dry bed
And to my blackened branches,
You brought the springtime green
Of a new life
And nothing is impossible for You
OFFERING OF GENEROSITY
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat:
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
WORSHIP SET TWO VS 17
17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.
SONG: You Have Redeemed My Soul
These Epistles are Peter’s “farewell speech”
These Epistles are Peter’s “farewell speech”
LAST WEEK--THE CHALLENGE
(vrs. 1:1-11)
Last Week was God’s invitation for us to become participates in His divine nature— God’s very own love and life.
Peter showed us 7 Characteristics that would help us mature...
The Ladder — Pyramid — Chain of VIRTUE and it ends with LOVE.
Love Defined by Jesus as “to be devotion to the well-being of others. NO MATTER THEIR RESPONSE OR THE COST!
(vrs. 1:12-15)
The purpose of Peter Writing the Epistle
It is a memorial to Peter’s teachings, knowing that he will be dying soon and the Epistle could be given to future Generations.
(vrs. 1:16-20)
CONFRONTING HERESY:
THAT Peter AND THE OTHER APOSTLES MADE UP ALL OF THESE THINGS ABOUT
JESUS DYING
BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND
THAT HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN.
Peter GIVES his personal witness-- takes them to Mark 9 and explains the Transfiguration of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus being glorified.
WE TOO CAN FALL IN DENIAL IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL...
Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII Apostasy (2 Peter 2)
How we may deny:
(i.) By speech.
(ii.) By life—an ungodly life
(iii.) By doctrinal views.
Peter talks about the words of the prophets about Jesus’ return as King according to Isaiah, Micah, Zachariah.
Now in Chapter Two we see Peter give two warnings:
to be aware of corrupt preachers.
to be aware of distorted theology.
Paul wants to oppose Apostasy in the Church as some of the people have been saying:
Apostasy is the act of rejecting, abandoning, or renouncing a religion or previous loyalty.
It can also refer to adopting an opinion that goes against one's previous religious beliefs.
The term comes from the Greek word apostasia, which means "defection," "rebellion," or "abandonment".
(vrs. 2:1-3)
-A day of final reckoning where God will hold all people accountable for their choices.
(vrs. 2:4-11)
God will meet rebellion with His Justice
3 examples: How God dealt with rebellion with divine judgment
The Sons of God, rebellious angels who crossed the line and slept with women. (Gen. 6)
The flood (Gen. 6-8)
Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19)
However, God knows how to rescue people from their trials.
Peter uses Lot as a perfect example of God’s deliverance. Then he says...
9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.
(vrs. 2:12-22)
Peter joins these ancient stories to the corrupt way of life of these leaders.
They teach Christian Freedom, but use it as a licence to do whatever they want to do.
Later in chapter 3, Peter brings up Paul’s teaching about being free in Christ in Romans 6.
They are slaves to their body’s physical impulses, but yet Christians— this makes it doubly accountable
As a dog returning to it’s vomit
As a washed pig returns to the mud.
Apostasy can be avoided by:
keeping the Gospel at the center of one's heart,
loving its truth, and
avoiding sins like spiritual pride and judgment.
When we do this as believers we can further guard our heart against apostasy by:
Praying
Cultivating a disciplined prayer life and meditating on Scripture can help believers maintain communion with God, which is essential for spiritual growth.
Keeping watch on oneself
Believers can ask themselves questions like whether they are seeking to align their beliefs with Scripture, if they are asking fellow believers for help when stuck in a sin, and if they are being vigilant against impropriety.
Learning from others' failures
Believers can learn from the failures of others to be diligent in resisting falling away.
Recognizing apostasy
Apostates may twist truth to fit their own agenda, rather than denying it outright
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO THIS?