True/False
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we ended with 2 Peter 1:12-15.
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.
In this passage, Peter tells two things—both of which should be evident in our lives.
1. As long as he lives he will remind people about the message of Jesus!
1. As long as he lives he will remind people about the message of Jesus!
2. Even after he’s gone, he hopes his testimony will continue to remind people about the message of Jesus!
2. Even after he’s gone, he hopes his testimony will continue to remind people about the message of Jesus!
Four Witnesses
Four Witnesses
1. Peter Eyewitness!
1. Peter Eyewitness!
Peter wants us to know the message of Jesus was not something that was simply made up, but rather came from God, and he and others (James and John) were eye witnesses.
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For 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.
The first thing that Peter wants us to know is that the stories about Jesus were not cleverly invented stories—they were real, and true!
Peter tells us that he and others were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2. God the Father as Witness
2. God the Father as Witness
For 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.
3. The Prophets as Witnesses
3. The Prophets as Witnesses
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, 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.
We need to pay attention to what the prophets of God had to say.
For they were a light shining in a dark place.
They did not simply say what they wanted to say—they said what God wanted them to say.
4. The Holy Spirit as Witness
4. The Holy Spirit as Witness
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
In this verse we read that through the prophets, the Holy Spirit gave witness to the ministry of Jesus!
Four Witnesses:
The apostles!
God the Father!
The prophets of God!
The Holy Spirit!
False Teachers
False Teachers
One of the big problems throughout the Old Testament was the mixture of godly prophets, and false prophets. For Israel, figuring out who was the godly prophet, and who was the false prophet was always difficult at best!
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
1. False Prophets
1. False Prophets
Peter tells us there were also false prophets among the people. But Peter doesn’t stop there. He continues by saying, “just as there will be false teachers among you.” It was a problem in Peter’s day, and it continues to be a huge problem in our day.
2. False Teachers
2. False Teachers
Peter says, the false teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies. The phrase, secretly introduce had the idea of smuggling in destructive heresies.
How do we know if someone is a false teacher or a true teacher? They deny the sovereign Lord Jesus. These are the same people mentioned in Jude 4.
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the world around us! Godless men/women who don’t know God, twist and distort God’s word telling people they can fill their lives with all kinds of sin! Today our world is all about making ourselves feel good! If it feels good to you, do it!
Peter, tells us that the sad thing is that people are kind of dumb! Look at verse 2.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3. The People
3. The People
Peter says that people:
Will follow—imitate
Their shameful ways—extreme immorality, lustful indulgence
Bring the way of truth into disrepute—blaspheme the gospel message
4. False Teachers—part 2
4. False Teachers—part 2
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
Make up stories.
Stories to steal the people money (exploit).
5. God Keeps Score!
5. God Keeps Score!
Peter tells us their condemnation—judgment has not taken a nap, because God says it will happen!
So What?
So What?
In this passage we are reminded of a few things.
As long as we live we must continue to remind people of the message of Jesus. The gospel and How we should live.
We must be aware that there are false teachers out there.
Know that they want to lead people astray—with:
Made up stories—lies!
Steal them blind.
We must know to whom we are listening so we don’t fall for lies!