The Book of 2 Peter

Introduction

Last week, we considered Peter’s first letter. That letter was likely sent from Rome while Peter was in prison, awaiting his execution. It was intended to be circulated among churches in what is now Eastern Turkey. The purpose of that letter was to encourage and strengthen the churches in the face of suffering and persecution.

It is believed that this second letter was written to the same churches a short time after the first letter was written - sometime in the mid-60s AD.

Where the first letter dealt with suffering that is received from the outside, Peter focuses this letter on false teaching - likely that existed from within some of the churches.

In order to counter false teaching and false teachers, we must...

Embrace and apply what we have received from God (2 Peter 1)

Peter, like we have seen from the Apostle Paul in previous letters, is reminding us of some indicatives or truths that we get to embrace. We have received so much - which begs the question...

What have we received?

first of all, we have received...

His righteousness (1:1)

In his opening to the letter, Peter writes:

2 Peter 1:1 ESV

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Let me read that again...

“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of of God and Savior Jesus Christ”

Let that sink in for a moment. Here is Peter, one of the twelve Apostles that were called out by Jesus to proclaim his message of salvation. Peter was also one of the three inner circle apostles. He generally led the church in Jerusalem.

So often, we think that the Apostles were these great and mighty men of God who stand far above all of us. In many ways we do stand on their shoulders as they laid the foundation of our faith - but our faith is “of equal standing” with theirs.

We get to enjoy the same “privileges” (ESVSB) before God as Peter and the other Apostles. They may have had a different calling or a specific job to do, but they didn’t have any greater righteousness or faith.

Beloved, we stand on level ground before the throne of God with the apostles - not because of our good works or social standing or even self-rightousness, but because of the righteousness we have through Jesus Christ.

So, we have this equal faith, but we have also received...

His power (1:3-4)

We have certain abilities to try to do good on our own - to live uprightly - but so many of our attempts will fall short on our own. Peter reminds us that God has given us all that we need to work toward living in a way that pleases Him!

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

He doesn’t talk specifically about the Holy Spirit here, but when you consider that as followers of Christ, we have been given his Spirit as a gift. He indwells every believer. He guides every believer. He convicts of sin and gives us insight. He does not overtake our will - but gives us that choice to yield or submit to His presence.

Not only have we received God’s righteousness and his divine power, but we have learned about this through...

His Witnesses (1:16-18)

Peter, as a means of addressing some of the false teachers, talks about the fact that he and the other apostles are eyewitnesses of Christ. They got to see him transfigured on the mountain. They got to hear the voice of God urge them to listen to Jesus. They did not make this stuff up - and it wasn’t a solo job.

Not only that, their eyewitness accounts are supported by...

His Word (1:19-20)

Between the inspired prophecies of the Old Testament and the New Testament writings - Peter seems to be helping us see that his teaching is not something he made up, but it’s supported by scripture - and that might the writings of various people.

I think this is something that makes Christianity so beautiful and profound. In our Bibles, we have inspirited writings of multiple authors that span hundreds, even thousands of years. These 66 books are not the writings of one person - but dozens - each of whom have been inspired by the Holy Spirit.

When we think about some of the other religions of the world and even some of the heretical factions of Christianity - so often there is a bottle-neck in the writings - where one person becomes the source.

Mohammad was the one source for the Koran

Joseph Smith was the one source for the Book of Mormon and the other writings of the LDS church

The Bethel Church (well known because of their music) - is engaging in a new translation of the Bible - where one person is translating what we have in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, back into what he says is the original Aramaic in order to bring a new “correct” translation - call the Passion Translation. The challenge is that one person’s interpretation is then spinning scripture to say whatever they might like it to say.

The beauty of what God has done in His Word is that he has given us multiple authors and contexts and voices to teach us the same good news, the same truths, the same story. We get to trust in the knowledge that we receive in His Word.

But Peter doesn’t just want to us embrace what we have received from God, but he wants us to apply this knowledge - which then begs the question...

How should we apply these?

His answer could be summarized in this way...

Through Spiritual Disciplines (1:5-11)

2 Peter 1:5–11 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We might think that we could just sit in our faith and assume that it should make no difference in our lives. However, as we learned with James - is that really a saving faith at all? But Peter is urging us to let faith be the starting point - put it into action with:

virtue or excellence - good intentions, adding to that...

knowledge - continually growing in our knowledge of our faith - through personal Bible reading, fellowship with other believers, discipleship opportunities in Bible Study Classes and more.

self-control - this is where we get to apply what we have learned - putting into practice - verifying by our actions the veracity of the knowledge we have received.

steadfastness - or faithfulness - that steadiness to keep going - even in difficulties

godliness - acting in a way that honors God - acting in the righteousness that we have received from Christ

brotherly affection - mutual care for one another

love - love is the ultimate pinnacle of our life in Christ.

Notice that this list doesn’t say - don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t sleep around, go to church, read your bible. It’s not about a legalistic adherence to a code - but a transformation.

These qualities seem to build on one another. As we apply what we have received from God, we avoid becoming ineffective and unfruitful.

In addition to embracing and applying all that we have from God, we must...

Expect the existence of false teachers (2 Peter 2)

I tend to be an optimist. I tend to think the best in people - which can sometimes mean that I am caught off guard when I hear someone that I trust saying something that is out of line with God’s word.

For Peter’s first century readers, they were likely dealing with teachers who were exploiting some of Paul’s teachings on freedoms - in order to fill their pockets and indulge their passions.

Peter seems to be telling them and us to simply expect the fact that since there were false prophets in the past, there will be false teachers today.

How do we know how to detect false teachers? (2 Peter 2:1-3; 10b-22)

Peter gives us some indicators to look out for...

2 Peter 2:1–3 ESV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Peter continues a few verses later...

2 Peter 2:12–14 ESV

But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

There are a whole variety of places where we can look today to see the kinds of people that Peter is talking about.

Preachers and churches that promote prosperity theology - this may seem like low hanging fruit, but it is a rampant problem around the world. A slick talking, charismatic speaker can make the Word of God seem to say anything they want it to - all so that you and I will give a little more so that he or she can have a little more - money, houses, cars, planes, clothing.

Teachers who are re-writing biblical morality through flawed hermeneutics - There are some who want to condone all sorts of sexual behavior - under the guise of freedom or even “shalom.” For example, there was a preacher/teacher that I respected many years ago who began to re-interpret what the Bible says about homosexual acts. Rather than seeing sin as a falling short of God’s standard, he began to re-define sin as a lack of shalom or peace. With this definition, we could justify any behavior as being “good” or “right” because it means I’m at peace with me. The problem is that we are not the standard - God is. (be loving)

Teachers who endorse universalism - There are many over the centuries who would say that all religions and faiths lead to the same place - they are all sufficient to get us to heaven/paradise/nirvana, etc. It’s true, there are things in nearly every religion that are good - but how can all of those faiths lead to the same place if they contradict each other. (Self Denial of Buddhism; Works and Religious acts of Islam; Salvation through grace alone in Jesus)

We could spend weeks analyzing various doctrines and heresies. But we’d be better spent reinforcing what we do believe.

I’ve heard it said that people who look for counterfeit money study the original, so than any variation is quickly identified.

When it comes to false teachers, we have to remember that...

2 Peter 2:17–19 (NLT)

These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

So, if we have to expect that false teachers will be around and we have to be aware of what they will teach, it sort of begs the question about why God would allow false teachers? Why doesn’t he simply do away with them now?

Peter doesn’t really answer that question. I think that part of the reason God allows this is to strengthen the resolve of true believers. It’s also a way that God seems to allow us to see the consequences of our sin. Sin is rampant in the world.

But Peter does answer this question...

What will happen to false teachers? (2 Peter 2:4-10)

In short, just as God punished those who rebelled against him in the past and preserved those who were faithful, God will do the same in the future. These false teachers will suffer the same fate as the angels who rebelled against God, as the people acted in wickedness before the flood, as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

So, Peter has encouraged us to embrace and apply all that we have from God, to expect false teachers - and essentially watch out for them. Finally, Peter tells us that we should...

Expect the coming day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:1-13)

From the earliest days of the church, people have been looking forward to the return of the Lord where God’s people will be vindicated and God’s enemies will be punished. Jesus gave us clues but he never gave us a timeline as to his return. This delay has led some to wander from the faith and has led false teachers to cast doubt that Jesus will ever return.

Part of the purpose of the letter is that we should

Remember what we learned (2 Peter 3:1-3)

2 Peter 3:1–3 ESV

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

The presence of these scoffers and false teachers are predicted - but Jesus will still return.

But we also have to keep in mind that.

God’s timing is not like ours (2 Peter 3:8-10)

2 Peter 3:8–10 ESV

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

God sees the beginning and the end at the same time. He exists beyond time. What seems like a 1000 years to us is a mere day to the Lord.

What is wonderful, is that he doesn’t want anyone to perish. His delay is reminder of his patience.

This week at the SBC Annual Meeting, one of the biblical references that we heard repeated was Revelation 7:9

Revelation 7:9 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

One of persistent goals of the International Mission board and other mission agencies is to see this vision come to fruition. And yet we still have a lot to do. Currently, it is believed that there are

7283 unreached people groups - These are people groups where there is an active engagement but less than 2% of the population is Christian.

3105 unengaged, unreached people groups - less than 2% of the population is Christian and there is no active work or engagement.

155,473 dying daily with out Christ

(IMB ASR 2020)

God is patient to return because we still have a lot of work to do. He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

As it pertains to false teachers, God is patient, enduring them, encouraging us to endure them, while we finish the task before us.

If you are not yet a follower of Christ, know this, that God is being patient for you. When he comes, whenever that is, he will come swiftly and it will be too late. The Bible gives us this great promise that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Will you trust in what Christ has done for you?

Believers, because we get to walk by faith in Christ’s righteousness, we get to expect that there will be false teachers seek to lure us aside, we get to...

Be diligent to walk in holiness and peace

2 Peter 3:14 ESV

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

Don’t get caught up into the greed, sensuality, and compromise of the false teachers. Continue to walk in holiness. But also remain at peace - with God - living a life that is pleasing to him. Remain at peace with others - demonstrating the life of love that God has called us to live. Not endorsing sinfulness (that’s not love), but in love sharing the good news as you have people over, as you meet them at the mailbox, as you make a difference in the office.

Conclusion

As we close, let me take a moment to give you a brief update on the Southern Baptist Annual Meeting. Going into the meeting, there was a lot of chatter on the internet and in some news outlets about what would happen at the convention. There were a lot of eyes watching the largest denomination in the world to see what would happen, to see fireworks of contention.

What I observed was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. There were some frustrating and unfortunate things - part of that is in the nature of our polity as we all get to have a voice - which means that even some fringe people get to speak out.

But there were also some beautiful things.

Rather than having some time to be recognized and honored, several of the past presidents of the convention suggested that we have a time of prayer. That set the tone for so much of what happened afterward.

There were some groups who came with a specific agenda to address Critical Race Theory - a complicated theory about the origins of racism. In fact, this theory is so complex that James Merritt said in response to some very loud voices - “Never before have I seen people speak so loudly about something they know so little about.” We left with a resolution that decried all forms of racism and reinforced our conviction that every man made theory and ideology is subordinate to the authority of Scripture. God’s word is sufficient for everything we encounter. We also elected a man to be the next President of the SBC who has a history of fostering racial reconciliation.

There were some who came with an agenda to get to the bottom of some allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment among some pastors and denominational leaders. We left with a mandate for the new President to initiate a task force made up of church members and appropriately experienced professionals to investigate the allegations and make recommendations for how to address them. We also voted to add a 6th strategic action to the Executive Committee’s five-fold Vision 2025 - to “Prayerfully endeavor before God to eliminate all instances of sex abuse and racial discrimination among our churches.” (https://www.sbc.net/vision-2025/)

The 15000+ messengers came with varying agendas - (one even came with a motion to add a “Fellowship Meal Sunday” to the annual baptist calendar), but we left with a focus on the Great Commission as we sent 64 new missionaries who will be going out - with a big goal to send out 500 more International missionaries and start 5000 new churches here in North America by 2025. Wouldn’t it be excited to see some of us be those missionaries and get to be instrumental in starting one or more of those new churches!

We have a lot of work to do together as a convention - both inwardly and outwardly - but I believe that by God’s grace we will, if we

embrace and apply all that we have received from God

expect that there will be false teachers - inside and outside the church

expect that Jesus will come again to reward His people and judge those who reject him.

Our job is to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”

Let’s pray.

Memory Verse: 2 Peter 1:3-4

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Benediction:

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

References:

https://bibleproject.com/learn/2-peter/

https://bibleproject.com/blog/2-peter-delay-jesus-return-crisis-of-patience/

https://www.imb.org/research/annual-statistical-report/

https://www.sbc.net/vision-2025/

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Dever, Mark the Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005

Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1974.