03. Our Authority For Life
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2 Peter: Spiritual Maturity... In Knowledge, Grace, & Growth • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 38:00
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Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself.
- C.H. Spurgeon-
We live in a day and age where the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of God, is under attack.
The greater authority of our day is now man’s opinion or the culture wave
Rather than scripture man uses terms like “God spoke to me” or “I was given a message from the Lord” which are neither based in scripture or sometimes even are contrary to scripture!
More emphasis and authority has been given to emotions, feelings, opinions or culture norms than to the inerrant Word of God
The Bible is unlike any other book...
Writings spanning 1300-1500 years
Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
It consist of narrative, poetic, legal, and argumentative texts
Written by over 40 people, Kings, fishermen, tax collectors, military leaders, farmers, priest, shepherds, Jews and gentiles, servants, prisoners
Yet, it has one consistent message throughout, even with multiple themes, events, teachings, and the message of scripture never contradicts itself...
As Peter challenges his readers in their growth spiritually… he establishes some truths for them that will prepare them to stand against false teachings. 2 Peter 1:12-21
Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
We need to be reminded of God’s Truth and we need someone to remind us… Verses 12-15
We need to be reminded of God’s Truth and we need someone to remind us… Verses 12-15
Three times in these verses Peter states “I will remind you”
Peter has just reminded them of what they should be adding to their faith
He has challenged them to remember what Christ has done for them
Peter has taught the truth, lived it out before the people, as he prepares to die soon he wants to remind them again!
It is crucial for us as followers of Christ to be reminded of the things of scripture.
In order to be reminded, there must be someone to remind you!
Peter is an apostle, one giving God’s Word / Scripture to people
Peter has recieved what he is teaching from Christ Himself
Time is closing in, his death is imminent… that is why he is writing, diligently giving the people the truth of God’s Word!
God’s Word is timeless, when one leader passes from this life, God’s Word still works, teaches, instructs, leads the believer in the will of God
Church, whoever leads you, teaches you, preaches… MAKE SURE they teach the powerful, unchanging, TRUTH of God’s WORD!!!
You can only know this if you know God’s Word as well, go back to the scriptures, test what is being taught Acts 17:11 The believers in Berea...
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
God’s Word is written down, what He wants us to know, do, and respond to, is written down for all time!
We can have a confidence in God’s Word! Verses 16-18
We can have a confidence in God’s Word! Verses 16-18
In this section Peter transitions from “I” to “WE” (Peter, James, and John)
The other disciples too if you are speaking of what Christ taught!
This is not just from Peter’s perspective, or his own experience...
There were others! Eyewitnesses… Peter is challenging his readers at that time…
Look into these things… this is based on fact not just clever stories!
Peter is referencing back to the Mount of Transfiguration
They saw Christ’s glory! Never to be forgotten!
Peter is starting his argument against the false teachers he will refute in chapter 2…over the second coming of Christ! vs 16
There were at that time just as there is now all sorts of ideas and stories of gods. Hercules, Zeus, and others.
These were gods the people could relate to, understand, and at some level even control
These kinds of gods entertained the minds of people… much like our super heroes do today.
Peter is saying here… these tales have no foundation in fact, evidence, and especially an eyewitness.
Paul too warns Timothy of these myths that take people away, tickle their ears
Something about man made substitutions for truth just seem more appealing, less convicting, allow us to go on with our lives as is...
Peter, there with Christ, hearing His teachings, there at the transfiguration, hearing God speak from Heaven, Peter tells his readers, what you are being taught...
Can be trusted, the promises will be fulfilled, the return of Christ will happen, He is who He said He was and He did what God had said would occur
Even the kingdom of God… that night on the Mount… a glimpse of it was seen… and there were EYEWITNESSES!!!
This truth brings LIGHT into a Dark world…
The Word of God sheds perspective, brings clarity
The same God who gave us His Word, lives in you and me!
He leads and directs you and me through His powerful unchanging, light bearing WORD!
This experience Peter had, God had written in His Word, why… because experiences can fade away… BUT God’s Word remains. Men like Peter and you and me may die, BUT God’s Word lives on...
God’s Word, God’s Will… NOT Man’s Opinions! Verses 19-21
God’s Word, God’s Will… NOT Man’s Opinions! Verses 19-21
What Peter writes for us is so crucial for you and I to understand today! 2 Peter 1:20-21
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
This passage of scripture finds its counterpart in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 when Paul speaks of this same issue...
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Paul states “ALL SCRIPTURE” not in part (we don’t pick and choose)
Peter states “NO PROPHECY” by human will or interpretation
God used men, moved by the spirit to write His Word! R.C. Sproul explains it this way...
Can I Trust the Bible? Article VIII: Human Authors
God made it possible for His truth to be communicated in an inspired way while making use of the backgrounds, personalities, and literary styles of these various writers. What was overcome or overridden by inspiration was not human personalities, styles, or literary methods, but human tendencies to distortion, falsehood, and error.
That is why we see unique styles, we can tell the difference between what James writes and Paul...
The danger we see is when we begin to look at this book… come across something we don’t like or understand completely and we determine that it is not “God Breathed” or Not from God!
We at that point take God out of the equation and place our selves, our personality, our culture, our opinions in the place of Authority and remove God
To make our case and argument “sound” good we begin to find scriptures out of context to prove our point!
We make our own teachings to fit our agenda, plans, desires
Think about the logic of man picking and choosing… we will believe the big things but debate on the smaller things… REALLY!?
At what point do we begin to question Jesus deity?
At what point do we question Jesus resurrection?
At what point do we challenge what Christ said about Himself being the way to God?
We either have to take all of it or ultimately we can’t believe any of it!
We sing the song as children “Jesus Loves Me” how do we know? The Bible tells me so...
If we question that this book IS the Truth the Word of God, God breathed, then we ultimately will have to question it all!
As you and I grow in Grace and Knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ what a blessing He has given us His Word
God’s Word is under attack, BUT it is powerful enough, being the very Words of God to defend itself and stand on its own...
May we as His followers handle it accurately!
It stands the test of time, culture, and man’s opinions
And if we sway into thinking we can find truth in experiences, dreams, feelings, or opinions… we will see ourselves fall into error into listening to false teachers out to tickle our ears