01. Clear Expectations

As we see Peter writing this letter he has come a long way from the disciple who denied Christ and the conversation on the seashore...

Peter… older, focused and passionate

He has been tempered by time, life and ministry… BUT NOT SLOWED!!!

He has become a key leader and has become unwavering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

He is DRIVEN by his LOVE for Jesus… and caring for His sheep

Faithfully he has fed God’s people with the scriptures and knowledge of God

His passion and zeal have only GROWN with his personal understanding of his Savior Jesus Christ!

His end is drawing near (67 AD Death) as he writes this letter BUT...

He does NOT slow down

He will NOT back off

He will NOT be silent

He now writes to challenge us and gives clear expectations to believers:

REMEMBER the scriptures taught

KNOW what the scriptures state

GROW deeper in their knowledge of the scriptures

BE AWARE of anything NOT scripture!

Listen to how Peter begins this letter… 2 Peter 1:1-3

2 Peter 1:1–3 NASB95

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Peter… A Bond Servant & Apostle

As a Bond Servant...

We see one who has been set free...

Yet he willingly serves his Savior! Even in the midst of persecution!

Not mentioned in his first letter

As a bond servant this is what he does...

As an Apostle...

This is his authority...

An apostle was one commissioned / sent out by Jesus Christ Himself!

The words and message they brought carried the AUTHORITY of the message of Jesus Christ

Those listening understood this

You and I need to understand that what Peter states in this letter is

scripture, these words, instructions, and commands

They carry the authority of God Almighty!

Peter’s audience is introduced in the opening verses and the more specific audience and purpose is found in 2 Peter 3:1-2

2 Peter 3:1–2 NASB95

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

Peter’s Audience(s)...

From Asia Minor… Roman Provinces… Under Persecution 1 Peter 1:1-2

1 Peter 1:1–2 NASB95

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

He now writes a second letter...

First to encourage them in their trials and persecutions to have grace and peace fully

Now… there is an urgency, rattling cages, a stern warning against false doctrine and moral compromise

he does this by appealing to the things they “KNOW” and charges them to engage

I love how Peter identifies them as “Aliens” this world is not our home… we are just passing through, we are ambassadors!

These are brothers and sisters in Christ “faith of the same kind as ours”!

These are people that Peter has a heart for

Many he probably knew personally, we know he visited these areas and churches

Multiple times in this letter he refers to them as “beloved”

As Roman provinces they would be under the rule of Nero...

Under Nero persecution of Followers of Jesus Christ was brutal

Because of this both letters offer both “Grace and peace”...

In 1 Peter to “the fullest”; in 2 Peter “multiplied”!

What then, is the reason for Peter to write a second letter to these churches?

Peter’s Purpose...

Cause Remembrance

Challenge Growth

Expect Maturity

Peter’s clear purpose of this letter is seen in both his opening and closing statements!

Peter wants them to engage their minds…REMEMBER

Remember the “WORDS SPOKEN”

OT Prophets

By the Lord Himself

By Apostles

Essentially THE WORD OF GOD… Scripture!

Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16 that...

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB95

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

This was a responsibility of the Apostles and according to Paul Ephesians 4:11-12 this is the responsibility of Pastor as well...

Ephesians 4:11–12 NASB95

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

It is the responsibility of the Pastor to equip you for His service, build up the body,

For UNITY in Faith

And Knowledge of the Son of God

This knowledge brings about MATURITY...

No longer babes in our relationship with God

No longer wavering but steadfast!

Many believers however are comfortable remaining as babes...

Peter expects his readers (Believers)

TO: Grow in Maturity and Understanding of Jesus Christ in order to deal with false teachings and to have an accurate Hope in Christ’s promised return.

BY: Greeting With Expectations

2 Peter 1:1-3

BY: The Believer’s Personal Spiritual Growth & Maturity

2 Peter 1:4-21

BY: Demonstrating Maturity Guards Against False Teaching

2 Peter 2:1-22

BY: Showing Our Maturity Brings True Hope in The Promised Return

2 Peter 3:1-13

BY: Giving Final Instruction for All Believers to Mature and Grow

2 Peter 3:14-18

Peter right out the gates give meat and expects them to know and apply their knowledge.

Look at the Grace and Peace we all desire so much...

How is it multiplied? In our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ!

The more you know and understand God you comprehend His divine power

This POWER has granted us EVERYTHING for life and godliness!

Through what??? “The true knowledge”

Over 23 times Peter references (Remember, know, knowledge)

CHURCH… It is time we stop being mentally lazy in our relationship with Jesus Christ!

The church needs to grow in our maturity in Christ, the time is now!

Stop being complacent to take in pre-chewed Bible, work through it, chew on it

Peter states his purpose is for them to remember… I want you to remember too (book mark reminder)

Peter ends his letter this way 2 Peter 3:17-18 and I think this would be a great verse to put to memory as we study through 2 Peter!

2 Peter 3:17–18 NASB95

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 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.