Exceeding Great and Precious Promises, Part 1 - Mar. 26th, 2023

Dr. CJ Walker

FBC Westminster

Misc. Services • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago • 1:10:22

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Grow your knowledge of God's promises, hold fast the faith, partake of God's nature, and flee worldly lusts.

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Pre-Introduction: Have we had a wonderful Lord’s day? Have we been challenged afresh to consider how we will fulfill the Great Commission both at home and abroad this month? Are we so glad to have new member join this morning? Are you ready to spend some more time in the Bible with me tonight?

For those joining us online, you’re listening to the Services of the First Baptist Church of Westminster. This is the Co-Pastor bringing the Sunday Evening message entitled "Exceeding Great & Precious Promises.” We invite you to follow along with us in your Bible in the Book of 2nd Peter, chapter one, and verses one through four.

2 Peter 1:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Introduction:

[Start Low]

Get Attention - Striking Statement:

Someone has said, “The only thing we can be sure of is change.” The world we live in is continually churned up by change—change in morality, culture, customs, and character—change, in many cases, beyond our ability to understand. There seems to be so little that lasts; so little that is settled and sure. In a day of so much uncertainty we find words in Peter’s second epistle that grip and gladden our hearts. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3–4). In the midst of change and decay, Peter calls our attention to the promises of God, which neither change nor are affected by change. He sees them not only as great promises but also as exceeding great and precious promises. The word Peter uses is the superlative of great, meaning that of all the promises known to man, these are the greatest. They are sweeter than the sweetest, dearer than the dearest, richer than the richest, higher than the highest, better than the best and greater than the greatest! (~Dean Weaver)

State Purpose-

MO - Doctrinal/Devotional

SO - I want my hearer to renew a passion to know God deeper by remembering His promises.

Main Thought:

Grow your knowledge of God's promises, hold fast the faith, partake of God's nature, and flee worldly lusts.

Sub-introduction:

Expository/Behavioral: Peter describes what things were like as he neared his own death in light of the encroachment of false teachers upon and from within the local church. He exhorts them to remember the tenets of apostolic instruction and live out by God's power a godly life anchored in the Word of God.

Verses 1-2 show us Peter's salutation, whereby he establishes his credentials for addressing his audience to strengthen them on the basis of their faith to avail themselves of God's grace and peace by knowing Jesus personally and intimately.

Verses 3-4 then exhort them to live in a manner consistent with the power of God and character of God, fulfilling their calling of sanctification through communion with Him, and fleeing from the corruption they will experience should they give heed to the wooing of worldly and carnal false teachers whom he condemns in the body of his letter.

God Empowers Godliness (1:1–4)

God has granted faith to Peter’s readers and promises that they have everything needed for a godly life through divine empowerment.

Greeting the Faithful (1:1–2)

Peter identifies himself and the recipients of the letter.

1:1 Peter’s identifications relate to themes that recur throughout the letter. Peter’s apostleship connects with his role as an eyewitness (1:16); his position as a servant/slave contrasts with the false prophets/teachers (2:1). The faith received by the recipients of the letter is the foundation for the following instruction in virtue.

1:2 Peter expands on the typical “grace and peace” salutation by introducing the theme of knowing God and Jesus.

Power and Promises for Godliness (1:3–4)

This paragraph grounds the believer’s godliness in divine power and promises.

1:3 Peter’s confidence in praying for grace and peace to be multiplied to the recipients is grounded in the divine power having already provided everything needed for life and godliness. That this comes through the knowledge of God is reaffirmed.

1:4 By his own glory and virtue, God has granted promises with the purpose of making the recipients sharers of God’s nature rather than participants in the world’s corruption. [LCC]

Body:

I. Knowledge Is: Grace & Peace (2 Pet. 1:1-2)

[Go Slow]

A. The Context of this “Knowledge” (2 Pet. 1:1)

2 Peter 1:1 KJV 1900

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1. Its Source - the Person of Christ & His Apostle (v. 1a)

Note - Explain the context of 2Peter in light of encroaching of false teachers, Peter's life & teaching, his passion to leave a faith-legacy, to strengthen his brethren.

Word Study for “Knowledge”

Concordance:

3 they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, Rom 1:28

1 for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20

4 a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Rom 10:2

3 and revelation in the knowledge of him: Eph 1:17

2 and of the knowledge of the Son of God, Eph 4:13

3 more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; Phil 1:9

4 ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will Col 1:9

4 and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:10

3 and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:10

4 to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, Col 2:2

4 the new man, which is renewed in knowledge Col 3:10

4 and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tm 2:4

4 repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2 Tm 2:25

4 never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tm 3:7

4 of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truthTit 1:1

3 by the acknowledging of every good thing Phlm 1:6

4 that we have received the knowledge of the truth, Heb 10:26

3 Grace and peace … through the knowledge of God, 2 Pt 1:2

2 through the knowledge of him that hath called us 2 Pt 1:3

4 nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus 2 Pt 1:8

3 knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 2 Pt 2:20

Word Studies:

Classical Greek

Among classical writers the primary use of epignōsis was to denote “recognition, knowledge.” Epignōsis and gnōsis (1102) demonstrate significant semantic overlap. It should be remembered that for the Greek “knowledge” was chiefly an objective, verifiable experience (Bultmann, “ginōskō,” Kittel, 1:691).

Septuagint Usage

The close relationship between epignōsis and gnōsis is apparent from the Septuagint, which uses both terms to translate the Hebrew term da‛ath as “knowledge, ability, discernment” (cf. 1 Kings 7:14 [LXX 3 Kings 7:14]; Ecclesiastes 1:17). However, epignōsis appears only eight times (if all variant readings are accepted). Epignōsis refers to the skill of a craftsman (1 Kings 7:14 [LXX 3 Kings 7:14]), but it especially describes the “knowledge” or “recognition” of God (Judith 9:14; Proverbs 2:5; Hosea 4:1; 6:6).

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament epignōsis is especially a Pauline term occurring elsewhere only in Hebrews and 2 Peter (four times). Paul employed epignōsis in a religious sense most frequently. Negatively, “consciousness” (cf. NIV) of sin comes through the Law (Romans 3:20). One can (or cannot) have “knowledge” of God (Romans 1:28; 10:2), His Son (Ephesians 4:13), and His will (Colossians 1:9).

“Knowledge” of the truth is synonymous with salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; cf. 2 Timothy 2:25; 3:7; Titus 1:1; cf. Hebrews 10:26). Second Peter likewise refers to “knowledge” of God (2 Peter 1:2, 3) and Christ (1:8; 2:20). Such knowledge comes via the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17) and contributes to spiritual growth (Colossians 3:10; cf. 2 Peter 1:2–8).

[Thoralf Gilbrant, “Ἐπίγνωσις,” The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1991).]

2. Its Substance - “like precious faith” (v. 1b)

ἰσότιμον. It is doubtful whether ἰσοτ. means “like in honour” or “like in value”. Both meanings are found (cf. Mayor, p. 80). We may compare the sense of τιμή in v. 17 (see note), where the sense is clearly of an honour conferred (cf. 1 Peter 1:7), which would suggest the same meaning here. [Strachan]

PRECIOUS, a. [Fr. precieux; L. pretiosus, from pretium, price. See Praise.]

1. Of great price; costly; as a precious stone.

2. Of great value or worth; very valuable.

She is more precious than rubies. Prov. 3.

3. Highly valued; much esteemed.

The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Sam. 3. [ADEL]

3. Our Standing - Christ’s Righteousness (v. 1c)

The syntax of τοῦ θεοῦ … καὶ σωτῆρος is an example of the Granville Sharp Rule: two nouns (θεοῦ and σωτῆρος) that are personal but not proper names, are in the same case, and are preceded by a definite article that is not repeated before the second noun refer to the same person (see also v. 11). Here, that person is then identified as Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, who is thus described as both “God” and “Savior” (see the discussion in Wallace, 270–77; MHT, 3:181; 1:84).

[Peter H. Davids, 2 Peter and Jude: A Handbook on the Greek Text, Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2011), 42.]

ἐν δικαιοσύνη … Χριστοῦ. ἐν is instrumental., δικ. has the sense of “justice” or “impartiality,” and is opposed to προσωπολημψία. God is no respecter of persons. There is no distinction in His sight between the faith of an eyewitness, and the faith of those “who have not seen”. With this non-theological sense of δικ. cf. ἄδικος in Hebrew 6:10; also 1 John 1:9. Θεοῦ refers to Christ, cf. John 20:28. σωτῆρος, a title used by the Emperor. “Familiarity with the everlasting apotheosis that flaunts itself in the papyri and inscriptions of Ptolemaic and Imperial times, lends strong support to Wendland’s contention (ZNTW, pp. 335 ff.) that Christians from the latter part of i. a.d. onward, deliberately assumed for their Divine Master the phraseology that was impiously arrogated to themselves by some of the worst of men” (i.e., the Emperors).

[R.H. Strachan, “The Second Epistle General of Peter,” in The Expositor’s Greek Testament: Commentary, vol. 5 (New York: George H. Doran Company, n.d.), 123.]

B. The Compound Interest of Investing in this “Knowledge” (2 Pet. 1:2)

2 Peter 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1. Multiplied Grace (v. 2a)

2. Multiplied Peace (v. 2b)

3. Manifested Presence (v. 2c)

Application:

Note - Illustrate how grace is multiplied, peace is multiplied, His presence is manifested

Transition:

Not only is this knowledge one of multiplied grace and peace, but also this . . .

II. Knowledge Is Power (2 Pet. 1:3)

2 Peter 1:3 KJV 1900

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

[Climb Higher]

A. Power to Live Godly (v. 3a)

Note - Argue for remaining true to the heritage, holding to a literal-historical-redemptive premillennial dispensational hermeneutic and not following the pragmatism of isms that either prolong, delay, or deny the second coming, while living amongst those who have a twisted hermeneutic that allows for the further moral degradation and erosion of the faith, as it will surely end in corruption.

But the church of Jesus Christ ignores this epistle at its peril. After all, Peter wrote it to help believers face a world filled with subtle spiritual deception. Knowing that his death was imminent (2 Pet. 1:14),

2 Peter 1:14 KJV 1900

14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

the apostle wanted to remind his readers of the truths he had already taught them, so that those truths would continue to safeguard them after he was gone (2 Pet. 1:15).

2 Peter 1:15 KJV 1900

15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

Peter also knew that the deadly threat of false teachers loomed large on the horizon; he wanted to expose the apostates in order to expel their demon doctrines from the church.

Never has Peter’s warning been more timely than it is today. The rapid advancement of mass media, coupled with the church’s lack of discernment, has allowed doctrinal error to spread like wildfire. False teachers propagate their heresies via television, radio, the Internet, books, magazines, and seminars—doing whatever they can for their own self-promotion. In the process, their deceit lures multitudes to exchange the truth for utter lies (cf. 1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 2:16–18).

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV 1900

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

2 Timothy 2:16–18 KJV 1900

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

To make matters worse, some in today’s church, motivated by cowardly fear of rejection or misguided notions of love, are reluctant to expose today’s apostates. Instead of countering error, they either embrace it or ignore it in the name of tolerance.

The apostle Peter, however, had no qualms about denouncing the deceivers who threatened his beloved flock. He recognized them for what they were: wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29),

Matthew 7:15 KJV 1900

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Acts 20:29 KJV 1900

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

lurking to devour the ignorant with their beguiling lies. Peter understood that false teachers are the emissaries of hell and pawns of Satan, motivated by the love of money, power, prestige, and prominence. Because they are masters of deception, they successfully peddle the doctrines of demons to unsuspecting souls, marketing eternal ruin as if it were eternal life.

The only sure defense against their tactics is found in the truth of God’s Word. Peter knew this, of course, which is why he penned this epistle. As a true man of God, he was deeply concerned to protect those under his spiritual care.

[John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Peter and Jude, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2005), 1–2.]

B. Power to Fulfill Your Calling (v. 3b)

1. God Knows How to Make You Shine for Him

2. God Know How to Make You Strong for Him

First Peter 2:9 is a clear instance of an Old Testament understanding of aretē. As God’s special possession believers are to proclaim His virtues (eminent qualities and mighty deeds). This text is in all likelihood an allusion to Isaiah 43:21.

Isaiah 43:21 KJV 1900

21 This people have I formed for myself; They shall shew forth my praise.

Likewise, 2 Peter 1:3 refers to God’s calling the saint by His “glory and virtue,” that is, by the kind of glory and virtue that belong to the One true God (Isaiah 42:8).

Isaiah 42:8 KJV 1900

8 I am the Lord: that is my name: And my glory will I not give to another, Neither my praise to graven images.

In 2 Peter 1:5 aretē is best understood as being moral power or moral excellence that comes through exercising faith in God in relation to His Word. Thus the New Testament reflects the various aspects of meaning associated with aretē.

2 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

[Thoralf Gilbrant, “Ἀρετή,” The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1991).]

Note - Illustrate how God knows to make us shine, to make us strong

VIRTUE, n. vur´tu. [Fr. vertu; It. virtu; Sp. vertud; L. virtus, from vireo, or its root. See Worth. The radical sense is strength, from straining, stretching, extending. This is the primary sense of L. vir, a man. Class Br.]

1. Strength; that substance or quality of physical bodies, by which they act and produce effects on other bodies. In this literal and proper sense, we speak of the virtue or virtues of plants in medicine, and the virtues of drugs. In decoctions, the virtues of plants are extracted. By long standing in the open air, the virtues are lost.

2. Bravery; valor. This was the predominant signification of virtus among the Romans.

Trust to thy single virtue. Shak. [This sense is nearly or quite obsolete.]

3. Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion. In this sense it is true,

That virtue only makes our bliss below. Pope.

Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth. Dwight.

4. A particular moral excellence; as the virtue of temperance, of chastity, of charity.

Remember all his virtues. Addison.

5. Acting power; something efficacious.

Jesus, knowing that virtue had gone out of him, turned—Mark 3.

6. Secret agency; efficacy without visible or material action.

She moves the body which she doth possess,

Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue’s touch. Davies.

7. Excellence; or that which constitutes value and merit.

—Terence, who thought the sole grace and virtue of their fable, the sticking in of sentences. B. Jonson.

8. One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers. Milton.

9. Efficacy; power.

He used to travel through Greece by virtue of this fable, which procured him reception in all the towns. Addison.

10. Legal efficacy or power; authority. A man administers the laws by virtue of a commission.

In virtue, in consequence; by the efficacy or authority.

This they shall attain, partly in virtue of the promise of God, and partly in virtue of piety.

[Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).]

Application:

. . . the opponents’ view [of the passing of the preceding generation of believers who held with the apostles' doctrine of the parousia] proved the primitive Christian eschatological hope to have been mistaken (2 Pet 3:4, 9a).

2 Peter 3:4 KJV 1900

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:9a KJV 1900

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

There would be no eschatological judgment (2 Pet 2:3b),

2 Peter 2:3b KJV 1900

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

no divine intervention to eliminate evil and to establish a world of righteousness. This attitude seems to have been based on a rationalistic denial of divine intervention in history (2 Pet 3:4b),

2 Peter 3:4b KJV 1900

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

as well as on the nonfulfillment of the Parousia prophecy. But it also related to the ethical libertinism of the opponents. They claimed to be emancipating people from the fear of divine judgment and therefore from conventional Christian morality (2 Pet 2:19a).

2 Peter 2:19a KJV 1900

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Evidently they felt free to indulge in sexual immorality (see Purity) and sensual excesses generally (2 Pet 2:2, 10a, 13–14, 18).

2 Peter 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2 Peter 2:10a KJV 1900

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2 Peter 2:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2 Peter 2:18 KJV 1900

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

[Richard J. Bauckham, “2 Peter,” ed. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids, Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997), 925.]

Apply this to the rampant moral degradation of conventional Christian morality today by skewed hermeneutical systems that claim to "liberate" believers (i.e., LGBTQ++ Hermeneutics, Feminist Hermeneutics, Liberation Theology, the Social Gospel, Pragmatic Ministry, etc.). This essentially amounts to practical atheism in that while they might even know the Lord as their savior, yet they live in a way that betrays an inward belief that God will neither judge sin nor reward obedience to His Word.

Future Topic to develop: The Problem of Practical Atheism Plaguing the Postmodern American Mission Field.

I. The Cancer of "Isms"

A. Religious "isms"

B. Civil "isms"

II. The Compromise of Neo-Orthodox Mindsets

A. In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In Everything Charity

- When "Liberty" becomes a Stumbling-Block from Biblical Separation

- Is the Lord on their side? they argue "yes" because they see "success"

- Justifying compromise on the altar of "cultural relevancy"

B. "Voices Crying in the Worldliness"

- Heralds of the Coming False Prophet and the Ecumenical One-World Religion

III. The Collapse of Conservative Christianity

A. As Goes the Foundation, So Goes the Structure

- The "Conservative Baptist" Seminary of Denver's erosion of its Baptist Distinctive

- The "Changing of the Guard" or "Passing the Baton" to those who "drop the ball"

B. Differences Between Pioneers & Settlers

- The Inheritance of Faith from Generation to Generation:

* Joshua & Caleb - the bridge between Moses and <20,

* The Apostles & early believers

* The "Seniors" and the "Juniors"

C. The Remedy of Genuine Faith - Conviction w/out Compromise, Conditioned by Christlike Compassion

- i.e., “Dig where Daddy Dug” (Gen. 26)

Transition:

Knowing Jesus in a more intimate and deep way brings to light how much grace we’ve been given, and peace that comes in every moment of our walk with Him; Knowing where to find what we need to live more like Him each day, and knowing that He knows what is best for us in every situation is how we will live a life that shows others who He is through us, and carries us in a strength that the world will not understand, leads us to our challenge . . .

III. Therefore: Know His Promises! (2 Pet. 1:4)

2 Peter 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

[Take Fire]

A. Be a Partaker of His Nature! (v. 4a)

How can you live more like God when you know so little about Him? Where should you spend more time if you want to get to know Him better?

You will go out into a community tomorrow that operates from a completely different worldview from what we sometimes take for granted within these walls. Do not expect everyone to agree with you, in fact, you should be graciously "peculiar." Let your salt season those around, and expect some of them to react negatively when it "burns." Maybe someone this week will get thirsty because of your "saltiness." Be sure to show them where to find a drink from that Someone you know who can give them living water so that they will never thirst again!

B. Protect Your Faith-Investment from Corruption! (v. 4b)

CORRUPTION - Depravity; wickedness; perversion or deterioration of moral principles; loss of purity or integrity.

Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Pet. 1.

Corruption in elections is the great enemy of freedom. [ADEL]

CONCORDANCE:

2 shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption Rom 8:21

Romans 8:21 KJV 1900

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

3 is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 1 Co 15:42

1 Corinthians 15:42 KJV 1900

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

1 neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Co 15:50

1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV 1900

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

4 shall of the flesh reap corruption; Gal 6:8

Galatians 6:8 KJV 1900

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

4 Which all are to perish with the using; Col 2:22

Colossians 2:22 KJV 1900

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

2 having escaped the corruption that is in the world 2 Pt 1:4

2 Peter 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

4 brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,2 Pt 2:12

2 Peter 2:12 KJV 1900

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

3 and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 2 Pt 2:12

2 Peter 2:12 KJV 1900

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

2 they themselves are the servants of corruption:2 Pt 2:19 [Gilbrant]

2 Peter 2:19 KJV 1900

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

- Theological Themes - 2 Pet. 1:4 = source of sin

- Illustrate this by the reality of miscarriage, be careful with the mental image of a “corrupted fetus.”

- Develop Gen. to Rev. Redemptive-Historical narrative here = the Gospel

In the midst of great loss of material possessions, I am reminded of where true precious treasures are found, treasures that thieves cannot break through and steal: treasures gained by nothing of my own merit, but simply by a compounding interest of my life's investment into a deeper knowledge of these Scriptures. I realize afresh and anew how much God has given me undeserved, and how overflowing is His peace that continues to allow me to rest assured that He will one day come for me, even when at times, I cannot count on anyone else. I am the more confident and resolved, that the pleasures of this world for a season that might be had from the pursuit of carnal and worldly lusts, are nothing to be compared to the reward He will bring with Him for the servant of His that remains faithful to the faith once delivered unto the saints. Therefore, I gladly suffer losses of what I cannot keep along with the reproaches of a world doomed for corruption, looking for that Blessed hope and the appearing of my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, my righteousness.

Conclusion:

A. Call to Act/Summary of Message/Application:

Note - Know His promises by: reading & studying them regularly, guarding your intake and those who would seek to influence your mind, learning how to properly interpret and apply the Bible, teach them to others, live them out despite trends & currents, be prepared for persecution from those who hate the Jesus revealed in the NT.

People have so many things pulling at them from all different directions, there is uncertainty and instability all around us every day. Some people are angry. Some have lost hope. Many are too stoned to even see straight. All of them are hurting from the consequences of sin and are going to experience the corruption that is in the world through lust. In order to show them there is a better way, you have to first know that yourself. How are you currently doing in light of these “exceeding great and precious promises?”