Explore the Bible Lesson Preview 11-6-2016 Being Useful Background: 2 Peter 1:1-11 Lesson: 2 Peter 1:3-11 Motivation: The clinical description of death is cessation of growth. When an organism ceases to grow it dies. Christians must never become content in resting on past laurels; we must ever be diligent in pursuing maturity in Christ. Examination: I. Background Simeon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (1-2) A. Author: Simon Peter, who was among the disciples jockeying for position as first in the kingdom, now called himself a slave. His authority came from his position as an apostle. B. Recipients: He placed his redeemed readers on the same level of privilege with ours. 1 / 8
C. Date: 65-66 AD. Note in 3:1, Peter assumes they are acquainted with his first letter. D. Theme: By the time this letter was circulated, persecution had become more widespread under Nero. Peter reminds his readers of the day of the Lord (3:10ff) when God will set things right. Much of the letter is devoted to combating heresy. HCSB: p. 2161: 1:1-2 Peter called himself Simeon Peter, a name not generally used of him (elsewhere only in Ac 15:14). The spelling is Semitic and may have lent authenticity to his letter. Moreover, it was more natural for Peter to use the original form of his name rather than a later form. He further identified himself as a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He saw himself as a servant submitted to Christ s lordship. As an apostle, he was one of Christ s divinely ordained, appointed, authoritative representatives in the early church. Though he surely had a specific group of people in mind, Peter named neither specific recipients in his letter nor their precise geographic location. The recipients are described a simply as those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours. The reason for this equality of privilege between Peter s readers and the apostles is the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Through the righteousness that finds its source in Jesus, all believers have equal standing and share the same blessings. Peter described Jesus as both God and Savior, which is not surprising since elsewhere Jesus is called God (Jn 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rm9:5; Ti 2:13; Heb 1:8). The description of Jesus as God in no way denies the Trinity, as if Peter meant to say Jesus is both Father and Son. Peter wished his readers multiplied grace and peace. Grace is God s unmerited favor displayed toward sinners who trust Christ for salvation. Peace is the sense of well-being and the attendant blessings that a person enjoys because of a right relationship with Christ. Peter emphasized the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord to remind his readers that a person experiences grace and peace only through knowing Christ. II. Stand on God s Complete Provision 2 / 8
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. (3-4) Peter addresses the book in verse one to those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours In these verses he elaborates on this precious faith. A. The Product Grace and peace (2) These two important products of the Christian life are also mentioned in Romans 1:7; I Corinthians 1:3; II Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2, 6:23-24; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:2; II Thessalonians 1:2; I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3; I Peter 1:2; II John 3, and Revelation 1:4. We are saved by grace, but are also to live in His grace by faith (Galatians 3:3). Peace is listed as a Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Notice that these are multiplied by our increased knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. B. The Power His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness (3) Jesus claimed to possess all power (Matt. 28:18). Unfortunately, many Christians do not recognize His power. They seek significance and security everywhere but in Christ. Failure to recognize Jesus as our source for all things that pertain to life is reflected in prayerlessness, inattention to the Bible, compromise, disinterest in spiritual things, worry, lack of fellowship with other believers and inconsistency in all things spiritual. Failure to believe in miracles leads us to never asking for them. C. The Practice godliness goodness - Peter s kind of faith leads to a changed life. When we experience God s power we reflect in our actions the very best that He has to offer. People will be reminded of God in our walk and talk. D. The Promises has given us very great and precious promises (4) The Bible is full of promises that God makes to His people. 3 / 8
1. The Promises are based on God s glory and goodness. 2. The Promises are boundless: very great and precious. 3. The Promises are blueprints: that through them E. The Partakers you may share in the divine nature (4) How does man touch divinity? Buddha taught an eightfold path. Joseph Smith allegedly received instructions on golden tablets. But the New Testament teaches that the only way to achieve divinity is through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). As we increasingly learn to trust His promises, we are conformed to His likeness (Rom. 8:29). F. The Pardon escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires (4) Much of II Peter seems to be aimed at combating the teachings of gnosticism. (Col. 1:19, 2:9, 2:18; I Tim. 2:5) Although the heresy wasn t fully developed at this time, the roots came out of Greek thought: 1) one was set free by knowing, and 2) matter is evil and spirit is good. This line of reasoning spawned the Stoics who denied desires of the flesh and Epicureans who indulged in desires of the flesh (after all, if matter is evil anyway, what does indulgence matter?) Gnostics had a major problem with the concept of incarnation, God in flesh (John 1:14). Peter uses knowledge in two of the three verses. However, this knowledge is not hidden, available only to a privileged few. The knowledge of which he writes is embodied in Jesus Christ who deals with the evil desires of the flesh by forgiving us (Acts 5:31), pardoning us from sin (Isa. 55:7; Col. 2:14) and granting us power over worldly desires (Gal. 2:20; I Pet. 2:24). III. Cultivate Your Character For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 4 / 8
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. (5-9) Share in the divine nature (4) begins at salvation but requires every effort to continue toward the described goal: A. Faith - In this context faith refers to an initial experience required of all Christians that involves a transfer of trust from ourselves to Jesus Christ alone. Faith and repentance are two aspects of the initial conversion experience. B. Goodness - This has also been understood as moral courage. The quality is an excellence and productivity in one s spiritual life that is shown by the courage of one s convictions. True faith in God leads to an outward change in lifestyle. C. Knowledge - The Gnostics were a cult based on hidden knowledge. Peter uses the same word here (gnosis) but uses it in the sense of practical knowledge. This is the ability to apply God s Word to practical situations. D. Self-Control - Paul lists several of these qualities including self-control as a part of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23). Self-control refers to a mastery (not an absence of) passions. Decisions are made, not by emotion or desire, but rather of the basis of God s will. E. Endurance - This is variously translated patience, perseverance, steadfastness, fortitude, and patient endurance. It is pictured in John Bunyan s Pilgrim s Progress ; the Christian beset with trials who continues toward his/her goal. 5 / 8
F. Godliness - this practical word for religious is translated in Latin as pietas which we transliterate piety. It actually combines many of the proceeding traits and describes a person who puts God s will and purpose in his/her life above all else (Matt. 6:33). G. Brotherly Affection - This word is philadelphia and means brotherly affection. There must be a sense of community among God s people that goes beyond obligation. Some become so devoted to the Christian disciplines that they become proud of their religiosity; in its uglier form, this behavior becomes judgmental and harsh. Peter is reminding us that near the apex of Christian maturity is a quality called being nice. H. Love - Just as Paul teaches in I Corinthians 13, so Peter reminds us here: An unselfish love must always be our goal and benchmark for evaluation. This agape love is the love God has for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8) and the love we are to have for every Christian (Matt. 25:40). I. Process (8-9) Peter has described a ladder of Christian maturity, each step building upon the previous, each rung leading us closer to the ideal of Jesus. 1. The Christian life is a journey of faith, not just one event. If these qualities are yours (8) 2. The Christian life is designed to move us closer to Christ s ideal. they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (8) 3. The Christian life builds quality upon quality. It s tough to move from point A to point H without going through points B-G. the person who lacks these things. (9) 6 / 8
4. The Christian life has inter-dependent qualities. For instance, from day 1 we are to exhibit brotherly affection and servant-like love. However, these qualities will be deepened and will become consistent as we understand qualities like self-control and perseverance. Lack of these qualities is evidence of an unsaved or backslidden condition is blind and shortsighted. (9) IV. Live with Assurance (10-11) A. The Christian life sustains growth through dependence upon God s Holy Spirit ma ke every effort to confirm your calling and election. (10) B. The Christian life will not be fully achieved until we go to heaven For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you. (11) One seminar gives out buttons expressing this concept: PBPGIFWMY (Please be patient, God isn t finished with me yet). Application: 1. God s Word instructs us in life and godliness. 2. Christian sanctification is a process rather than an event. 3. Our Christianity is authenticated by the Holy Spirit s confirmation in lives. Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 9 Poster: Christian Virtues 7 / 8
Illustrator: p.85 Blindness as Biblical Imagery Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g Dates: 2016 10/31 First Fest; 11/5 - Men: Serve; 11/7-8 Grow Team Retreat; 11/11-12 HUB As We Go Wknd; 11/13 SPF B-day Bash; 11/13 DTW Appreciation Luncheon; 11/20 Make It Your Church Orientation; 11/20 Christmas Store Gift Collection; 11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holidays; 12/4 HUB Christmas Palooza; 12/7-11 Celebration; 12/18 SPF Birthday Bash; 12/24 Christmas Eve Candlelight 2, 4 & 6; 12/23 & 26 Christmas Holiday offices closed; 12/25 NO LBS 5:00pm Service only; 12/31 Summit NYE Party; 1/1/17 No LBS 10:00 am Service only. 8 / 8