Solid Ground (2)

Significant Lessons from Second Letters

What Can We Count On?

We are in a time in history when we question everything.

What used to be settled, sure things, now…like...

This is the first decade in over 100 years that the Yankees did not make a World Series at least once in 10 years.

They signed Babe Ruth in the early 20s and every decade since, at least once, they went to the Series.

The Cubs? We used to count on them to be losers. Now, they win a little. Not a lot. Still can’t count on that.

When my grandfather would get home from work in the evening he’d turn on Chet Huntley and David Brinkley.

No one questioned their bias. It was the news.

Maybe your family was a CBS, Walter Cronkite family.

We trusted them.

Now? Do you really trust anything coming out of the media? Be honest, even your favorite news source? Fair and balanced, really?

When did ppl decide the best place to get their political news and commentary were from comedians?

Who decided it would be a good idea for award shows on TV become political rallies?

I used to enjoy watching them. The music.

What movies and actors are winning so I’d know what to rent at Blockbuster.

Lines are blurred, crossed, even ignored altogether.

Science. Facts. There are things we used assume were settled, true.

How many genders are there?

I appreciate the strong feelings ppl have inside them and about his issue. But, everyone is either XX or XY.

Climate change. Is the climate changing? The cause?

Anyone who has lived in AZ for the last 40 or 50 years will tell you the climate has definitely changed.

Monsoons used to be more regular. The snow was deeper and lasted longer.

Lake Mary, Stoneman Lake, Lake Mead all used t/b full.

Icecaps? Ocean water levels? Ozone?

We just had a day when the hole in the ozone was the smallest it’s ever been since science has been recording it.

So, is the ozone layer being depleted?

We can’t have an honest discussion on these topics anymore b/c we can’t agree on whose facts are actually factual.

God, ultimately, controls the climate. And, He’s put us in charge t/b good stewards of the environment. Just how badly are we messing it up?

Or, are we in a natural cycle of ups and downs that we haven’t been measuring long enough to be sure about?

Or, are we responsible in that God is so disgusted w/ the disobedience of the world’s culture that He’s letting the climate go down the drain?

I don’t know. I’m not scientist. I’m just a little old pastor of a little old church in little old Munds Park.

All of this erodes the foundation we stand on to make important decisions.

Who to root for in the World Series

Who to vote for president

Paper or plastic

Where is the firm ground to stand on to make the most important decisions in our life that will also allow us to make wise decisions in some of these lesser areas?

Not unimportant. Just less so that some.

Peter addressed this question here. The first brick in a solid foundation is most important.

Where is the solid ground? What can we count on when everything else is being questioned?

There is solid ground to stand on that will allow us to confidently and competently make every important decision in life knowing we are doing and saying good things.

I’ve talked about the significance of last words. If you were to ask your grandfather or grandmother at the end of their life, what is the most important thing to believe, do, say, whatever.?

These are Peter’s last words. Last week I talked about maturity. Grow up. Don’t settle for where you are right now. And, know that God has given you everything you need to live a godly life. There is nothing you lack.

Can you count on that? Yes. Absolutely. Here’s why.

Last Words

2 Peter 1:

2 Peter 1:12–15 NIV

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Peter knew his days were numbered. He would not be around much longer to talk to them about what he knew, experienced. His first-hand information.

Many, most of those who’d been alive when Jesus was here the first time were gone. If the movement is going to live on then there are some important things to remember.

3x he wrote remind you, refresh your memory, remember. He could have written about anthing.

Storms, denials, forgiveness, restoration, etc.

Storms, denials, forgiveness, restoration, etc.

Remember this when you get tired of me repeating myself.

How is he making sure they can remember this stuff?

Well, he’s writing it down.

The HS preserved it. Also, remember, Jesus said one of the things the HS does for us is remind us.

Preachers like me remind us, we can read it, and the HS will bring it back to us when we need it.

So, where was He when I almost forgot my wife’s birthday?

God still expects us to put the work in to remember.

He commends them for the maturity. He had just said, commit to keep growing. And, they had, so far.

They knew this stuff. But, Peter knew what we all understand all too well.

When life gets hard, we tend to forget.

We forget what God did for us the last time we in a tough spot. We forget what God has provided us. We forget what we can do w/ God has done for us.

As tough as some situations are, is there a tougher time than when we are nearing the end of our life on earth?

Maybe as he wrote this he was reminding himself.

We all forget too easily. Even Jesus said every time we celebrate communion to remember Who He is, what He’s done, and what He’s going to do in the future.

In when Peter boldly exclaimed that he would go w/ Jesus anywhere, even to death. Jesus said, Yeah, thanks, but no you won’t this time.

Later you will for sure. Your arms will be stretched out like mine will be.

Meaning. Peter would be crucified at some point in life, too.

He had to know what was coming, however Jesus let him know, and if there was any time to renounce his faith and tell those of us following in his footsteps that we can avoid all the pain and frustration by giving up our faith now, this would be it.

This is what led Chuck Colson to faith. He was a member of Nixon’s inner circle, involved in the Watergate break-in.

He said there were 12 men who knew the truth about Watergate and could not maintain a lie for more than 3 weeks under the threat of prison. They confessed.

The 12 disciples maintained their story to death, even horrible torturous deaths. And never recanted or changed it up. Those men were not living a lie. They were living in the truth.

In the face of Peter’s impending crucifixion, he stood on the solid ground he knew to be true.

Time may cause us to question truth as maybe it’s not true anymore especially when the challengers are so passionate.

Did the Holocaust actually occur? Was the moon-landing faked on a sound stage in a back lot in Hollywood?

For whatever reasons, too many Christians don’t take the time to know, don’t put in the work to remember, or are just unwilling to live out the truth they are aware of.

We may remember vaguely that Jesus died for our sins but fail to consider its significance as we live our daily lives.

If we live too loosely, thinking only that our faith affects us after we die, then when it comes time to die, we may question everything about our faith and stress over whether or not it’s really true.

Not so w/ Peter.

His body, like ours, was like a tent; as compared to the house you live in and the body we’ll get when we get to heaven.

Canvas, stakes, leaky, weak, susceptible to so many things.

Versus, foundation, studs, sealed roof, insulation, heat.

His tent was about t/b history and he was about to get his house in heaven.

He knew it. He was confident. How could he be so confident? Why should we be confident, too?

Eyewitness

2 Peter 1:16–18 NIV

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

2 Peter 1:

2 Peter 1:13–18 NIV

I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

He was there. He saw it, heard it, felt it, smelt it. He tasted the wine that came out of water pots. Every human experience; he had it w/ Jesus.

Not based on clever stories. They didn’t sit in the upper room scheming and figuring how they could dupe generation after generation.

No made up visions, drug-induced hallucinations, or emotionally influenced feelings.

Just the truth as he witnessed it.

And, not just him. This was not just his story to tell.

He said, “We.” One person w/out corroborating testimony can be questioned, legitimately.

He’s referring to a specific event. And the facts could be questioned if the group told questionable stories.

He was there to see Jesus’ power and majesty.

He was there to hear God’s voice honor and glorify His Son.

He was there on the mountain, with James and John, at the transfiguration, when Jesus was transformed physically before their eyes and met there w/ Moses and Elijah.

And, James and John all told the same story about that event giving no one any reason to question them.

Peter wrote about what he saw and heard that day.

They saw his majesty that day. His appearance was way different than the man who walked the dirt roads around Jerusalem w/ them.

They saw His glory that will be His regular appearance when he returns to establish His kingdom on earth at His second coming.

They had never seen this before but it was intended to communicate this would be a regular sight when he returns after his death and resurrection.

This was a foretaste of Jesus’ kingdom.

Something they would never forget. So, they wrote about it so we could know it and remember it when everything swirling around us caused us to question what we’ve always believed as true.

This is the first domino that has to fall. This is the first brick in the foundation of a life built to follow and live for Jesus.

Jesus came once as a man and fully God. They killed Him. But, He walked out of His grave. Then, He ascended, flew to Heaven.

But, He will return, once and for all, establish His kingdom on earth for all who believe, and only for those who believe.

How can we know this?

Peter, Jame, and John saw a glimpse of what Jesus will look like when He returns.

Oh, and, how long ago had Moses and Elijah died. Yet, there they were, alive.

Not only will Jesus return in majesty and glory, everyone who died believing this will return w/ Him.

Jesus was coming to the end of His time on earth. He had assured them and reassured them He would return to establish His kingdom on earth at some point in the future.

Well, after he was crucified, naturally, they would question this truth.

Then, the resurrection. Okay, probably true.

But, now, it’s been almost 2000 years. Is it true? Will He?

Yes. Look beyond the last time He came to earth. Be assured there will be a next time.

His coming in glory and majesty is as assured and factual as His crucifixion and resurrection.

They saw it, heard His Father speak that day. The 3 told Matthew when they got back what happened and Matthew wrote about it. John wrote about it. Peter is writing about it.

First and second sources. Not fake news. Real. Truth.

If it were a lie, why would Peter subject himself to all that he had, especially what coming to him in the near future?

So, why should we live holy, maturing, faithful lives?

B/C it’s all true. Jesus did it for us. We can do it for Him.

Remember, in 2 Timothy, Paul referenced the importance of studying and knowing the Word of God.

Using it to know Jesus better, be taught by it, corrected by it, convicted by it.

God’s Word takes several forms. And, Peter references 3 here.

Not only did

Peter saw the incarnate Word of God.

Jesus is the Word, .

He heard revelation, the revealed Word when the Father spoke from Heaven.

He read, and wrote, the inspired Word, when the HS worked in Peter and the OT prophets.

He recognized the illuminated Word, as he studied and remembered himself what he had been taught of the OT.

Psalm 119:105 NIV

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Peter knew this. He had been taught all his life what the prophets spoke and wrote.

It has been a long time since causing him and other synagogue and temple leaders to question the truth.

Is this true? Would come true? Would what the prophets wrote actually come to pass or did they just write myths?

The wrote about a great kingdom that God will establish on earth for believers to occupy and enjoy God’s presence forever. Will it happen?

Peter says the first coming of Jesus help prove the second coming will happen. And, it’s all written about in the OT by the prophets who warned us and encouraged to watch for it.

Light in a Dark Place

2 Peter 1:19–21 NIV

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The inspired Word is illuminating.

It’s a light for us to use in dark places.

When we are in deep, dark places and need a light to show us the way out, God’s word provides it.

Remember, when the light comes on, shadows go away.

Jesus has already defeated everything that can scare us. All that’s left for them to use to pressure us is their shadow which is a 2-dimensional facsimile of what Jesus already beat up.

Don’t let a shadow beat you down.

We know enough prophecy to know it’s going to get worse. Believers will find themselves in even darker places in time.

Not only will we have to deal w/ all the things we deal w/ now, we’ll also have to deal w/ pressures to renounce faith and give up on Jesus.

These prophecies, predictions, did not originate w/ any man or group of ppl. They are revelation from God.

Elijah showed up at the transfiguration w/ Jesus and Moses.

Moses got the law. Elijah got the future. He predicted these things.

A subtle, but very important truth communicated the day of the Jesus showed His majesty and glory is the reliability and validity of what Elijah wrote.

Do you think God would have brought him along w/ Moses to meet w/ Jesus in front of Peter, James, and John if he wrote fake news?

If he made this stuff up on his own?

No. He spoke and wrote the Word of God.

It’s been carried along by the HS ever since.

The picture here is of the wind carrying a sail boat on its course, directed by a divine author.

The HS inspired Elijah to write it down. He illuminated everyones path who studied it and believed it.

As true as his first coming is, so is the truth of His second coming.

A Day is coming. The Day is coming.

The Day will dawn. The Morningstar will rise.

In the Bible there are 3 Days of the Lord described. Each is a historical period characterized by God’s extreme anger and judgment against disobedient ppl who should know better followed by a believing few restored to a promised place.

The first Day of the Lord was when Israel was enslaved in Egypt, delivered out, had to wander for 40 years while an entire disbelieving generation died, then the next generation, led by Joshua, entered the PL.

The 2nd Day of the Lord was when Babylon invaded and destroyed Israel. God used this Pagan, unbelieving ppl to judge and discipline Israel for their disobedience. Then, after 70 years of exile a believing few got to return, rebuild the temple, the wall, and city under Zerubabbel, Ezra, and Nehemiah’s leadership.

There will be one more Day of the Lord and it will be the worst, the most severe.

This Day, predicted by Elijah, Zechariah, and Joel will begin w/ the Rapture, then the 7-year tribulation, followed by Jesus’ 2nd coming and establishment of His kingdom w/ all His majesty and glory on earth.

Every non-believer who is still alive will die during the Trib. Many believers will die, too. But these will return w/ Jesus for His Kingdom.

The transfiguration is the most important event in history that proves these events will occur in the future. And, Peter was there to see it, hear it, feel it, and experience it.

This is the truth he wants us to get as he believes to be most important truth he can leave w/ us upon his departure.

Get this foundational truth, believe it. Stand on this as solid ground, then everything else will take its proper priority in our lives.

Jesus is the Messiah, our Savior. We need a Savior b/c we sin from birth. He died for our sins and raised the 3rd day to prove He will raise us when we die.

And, on night in a garden, on hillside, he showed up in all his majesty and glory, with the human authors of the law and these predictions, in front of 3 men who were commissioned to communicate the events of this night to all of mankind so we could believe it and stand on solid ground until the future predictions take place.

If you believe this, then it won’t matter if the Cubs ever win another World Series or if the Yankees even appear in one.

It won’t matter so much if our feelings confuse us b/c Jesus has given us an ID that we can figure out and live in until we see Him again.

It won’t matter if we destroy the world b/c Jesus will recreate it b/c He promised a new heaven and new earth.

It won’t matter so much who your news source is b/c truth will light up and fake news will be darkened forever.

Get this first brick in our foundation right, stand on solid ground, then it won’t matter what’s shaking around us or how severe the shaking may be. We won’t stumble and fall.

Applications

Doubts about the future

Doubts are okay. That’s where faith works

Confusion about your present

Feelings can be very confusing.

Jesus has given you and ID and don’t let anyone or any situation cause you to think he didn’t.

If Jesus gave it to you, then it’s right and good.

It won’t lead you to contradict or disobey any of God’s Word.

Facts of the past

Trust them.

When you doubt, when you feel confused, go back to what you know is true.

Wait patiently for your future destiny to arrive.

There is solid ground to stand on that will allow us to confidently and competently make every important decision in life knowing we are doing and saying good things.

If you believe this, then it won’t matter if the Cubs ever win another World Series or if the Yankees even appear in one.

It won’t matter so much if our feelings confuse us b/c Jesus has given us an ID that we can figure out and live in until we see Him again.

It won’t matter if we destroy the world b/c Jesus will recreate it b/c He promised a new heaven and new earth.

It won’t matter so much who your news source is b/c truth will light up and fake news will be darkened forever.

Get this first brick in our foundation right, stand on solid ground, then it won’t matter what’s shaking around us or how severe the shaking may be. We won’t stumble and fall.