Expectations...
2 Peter: Spiritual Maturity... Knowledge, Grace, & Growth • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 0:09
0 ratings
· 186 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
As we see Peter writing this letter he has come a long way from the disciple who denied Christ and had a conversation on the seashore...
Peter...
A Bond Servant
An Apostle
He has been tempered by time, life and ministry
He has become a key leader and over time has become unwavering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
He is DRIVEN by his LOVE for Jesus
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 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 challenges and expects believers to:
REMEMBER the scriptures taught
KNOW what the scriptures state
GROW deeper in their knowledge of the scriptures
BE AWARE of anything NOT scripture!
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!
Listen to how Peter begins this letter… 2 Peter 1:1-3
1 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: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 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’s Readers...
From Asia Minor… (Galatia too!)
Roman Provinces
Under Persecution
We know this is Peter’s second letter from… 2 Peter 3:1-2 and they are the same recipients as his first letter… 1 Peter 1:1-2
1 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, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 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.
Some of his readers were in the same region of Galatia, where Paul had written his letter Galatians.
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 2 Peter 3:1-2 and also both in his opening and closing statements!
1 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, 2 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 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...
16 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 4:11-14 this is the responsibility of Pastor as well...
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
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...
A man walked up to an amazing buffet of food… choice cuts of meat, steamed vegetables with seasonings, sides and accompaniments that caused the taste buds to salivate! The chef stood behind the serving line and asked what he wanted, as he contemplated his eyes saw a dish that almost made his stomach turn… What is that he asked the chef? Ah that there is our most requested dish! That there is pre-chewed food! Many love this dish, there is no effort, no chewing, no cutting up the meat, all that is needed is to swallow! It doesn't stick with you as well as the other food, but people sure love it!
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.
Peter right from the get go begins to 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 (not like power we have but far greater)
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!
17 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, 18 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.