Sermon transcripts of pastor Tom Nagy

2 Peter

This morning we’re going to start our study in the book of 2 Peter……and having just finished the book of 1 Peter……the introductory stuff is pretty much the same……it was a letter written by the Apostle just before his death……and it was written to believers.  Now there are a few other things we probably should at least mention in order to have a basic knowledge of its historicity in case someone challenges you on a few points……because there are a couple of controversies that have been mentioned over the years that some liberal theologians have made a big deal out of……and the first of those is that Peter didn’t write it…….which I believe can easily be cleared up by reading the first two words of the letter……“Simon Peter”…….I think that should be sufficient to answer the question.  

What has given room for concern as to its authenticity are arguments that don’t hold a lot of water.  Critics suggest that, unlike his first letter, there is no mention of the Passion…..the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ…….no mention of the Church as the true Israel……..no mention of the Holy Spirit, of prayer, or of baptism. This charge is almost ridiculous.  If Peter were writing for the second time to the same readers……which is the claim that’s made in verse 3:1…….would he say the same things he had said in his first letter?  Do we expect 2 Timothy to repeat 1 Timothy?  Do we challenge Paul’s authorship of 2 Timothy because he doesn’t speak of elders and deacons there as he did in his first letter to Timothy? Of course the subject matter would be different!

Another argument that is often used is that the style and character of this letter is notably different than his first letter.  And to that I would say, “Of course they’re different.”  Peter told us in 1 Peter 5:12 that his first letter was written through Silvanus.  No such reference to Silvanus is found in 2 Peter. So it would appear that Peter wrote this second letter with his own hand…….which would mean that it’s exactly what we should expect from an untrained writer such as Peter would be……he was a fisherman.

And the third argument……and possibly the weakest is that Peter speaks too fondly of Paul in this second letter.  The problem is that liberal scholars just can’t fathom the unity of the body of Christ.  They tend to look at Paul and Peter as men whose personalities……whose theological positions clashed throughout their lives. That argument is really one that shows a total lack of faith and expectance in the Holy Spirit and in Scripture itself.  Because Paul had to confront Peter in his ministry in no way set them at odds with each other. In fact…..this would be a great reason to see this letter as one written by a spiritually mature Apostle that has totally accepted the revelation by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle Paul.  

As far as the time of its writing……..Peter tells us his time of departure is near…..Go ahead and read verses 13-14 of chapter 1……. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.”  Since Peter died around A.D. 67 or 68…..this letter must have been written shortly before this time……and shortly before the fall of Jerusalem and the scattering of the nation of Israel.

Why is this at all important for our understanding of 2 Peter? If this letter was indeed Peter’s final goodbye…….then we can almost see it as his last will and testament.  We can see it as his statement of unity with the apostle Paul…..and was probably written to encourage Paul’s disciples after Paul’s death. Now Scripture doesn’t record Paul’s death……but tradition tells us that he was beheaded in Rome around 65-67 AD.   Think about it…….Paul’s dead……Peter’s not far behind…….Peter knew that the two apostles these people knew the best were going to be gone.  I see it as almost a statement of apostolic doctrine……an encouragement to walk the Christian life……almost a summary of what our responsibility is now that they’re gone.  

The principle theme underlying 1 Peter is suffering……suffering brought about by persecution. The Christian is supposed to recognize suffering as a divinely ordained test of our faith……..sent to strengthen us and to set us apart from others. Our faith is to focus us on fixing our hope on the glory that’s to come at Christ’s return.  He talked a lot about the believer’s commitment to holiness……..about our submission to those in authority……..and about our resistance to Satan.

The principle theme of 2 Peter would seem to be false teachers who pervert the gospel…….distort the Scriptures……..and try to get believers to join with them in their pursuit of the world. Peter’s going to talk about how to overcome these men and to stand firmly on the promises of God as revealed in His Word.  He’s going to talk about our personal growth and maturity in our faith.  But if you really look at it……though false teachers seem to be the dominant topic……..the underlying theme really is the sufficiency of the Scriptures. False teachers are the dominant topic in chapter 2, and the first few verses of chapter 3……but the truth of the Word of God dominates every chapter.  False teachers abound in our day……and 2 Peter is a book we really need to study and apply to our lives. So…..if you’re looking for a book that proclaims the sufficiency of Scripture in the life of a believer……and how to use the Scriptures to reject false teaching…….2 Peter is the book you want to use.

So…..with those things out of the way……let’s take a look at what Peter has to say.  Go ahead and read verses 1-4……..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. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of thedivine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

 In these few verses Peter actually lays out for us the essence of the gospel. He indicates this is not just “his” gospel…….this is the gospel revealed through Christ……attested to by the Father……and consistent with the teaching of the apostles. Let’s face it…….to be able to recognize false teachers……we first have to be crystal clear about the truth that those false teachers are trying to undermine and distort. Peter gives in these four verses the fundamentals of the gospel.

When the Lord Jesus left His disciples to ascend and be with His Heavenly Father, He left the apostles in charge. It was to them and through them that His Word was to be conveyed to others John 16:12-15…….12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

In these first verses Peter reminds his readers of just what the gospel is. These verses summarize the gospel according to Peter and the apostles…..as opposed to the “new gospel” being taught by the false teachers.  And as we begin to go through it…..it’s really amazing how completely Peter defines the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peter introduces his second letter by identifying himself as an apostle…… therefore; the gospel he defines is the apostolic gospel. Defining the gospel was the mission of the apostles Galatians 1:6-9…….“6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” When a “false gospel” is taught it’s done so by “false apostles”.  The true gospel is the gospel taught by the apostles.

Peter’s gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ……the gospel in which Jesus Christ is central. It’s pretty easy to see that man isn’t at all the focus in these first four verses……. the Lord Jesus Christ is the focus. It’s His righteousness which saves us in verse 1……. It’s through knowing Him that grace and peace are multiplied to us in verse 2. It’s His divine power which grants us everything necessary for life and godliness……True knowledge comes through Him in verse 3.  It’s His precious and magnificent promises enable us to become partakers of the divine nature in verse 4.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ…….Peter’s Gospel……is all about Jesus.  The false gospels of the false teachers do something else…..they make the gospel about man and attempt to turn their listeners from Christ to something or someone else.

In these four verses Peter presents the Lord Jesus as much more than a mere man. He is Peter’s Lord and Master……the One whom he serves in verse 1. He’s not only a messenger of God…….He is God. He has divine power in verse 3……and the divine nature in verse 4. He is God……..“our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” in verse 1.

Nowhere in these verses does Peter speak of what we do to merit God’s salvation…….because the fact is that we can’t do anything.  He speaks of God’s grace and of His sufficient provision for our salvation in Christ. This passage has nothing to say about man’s contribution and everything to say about God’s perfection and provision. The righteousness that we are privileged to is the righteousness of God in Christ which was bestowed upon us there in verse 1. It wasn’t us seeking after God……but that God chose us and “called us by His own glory and excellence” in verse 3.

He tells us in verse 1 that our salvation is a faith we have “received”. The word “received” is the translation of a somewhat unusual term found only four times in the New Testament. It’s an expression that gives no credit to the recipient……all credit is given to the one who gave.

If a person were elected to office by a landslide vote……the winner might take pride in his election. But when somebody wins the lottery……the winner is happy……he’s lucky……he’s blessed……but he can’t feel any pride in what he’s done.  His winning had nothing to do with him……his merit……or his worth. He was simply the recipient.  It’s the same thing with our “reception” of the gospel. It was given to us by grace so we could take no credit for it whatsoever.

There’s another thing about this Gospel that Peter is teaching……it’s a gospel that’s available to the whole world…….it is not an exclusive gospel available only to the Jews. Peter writes that we have received “a faith that is of the same kind as ours” in verse 1. The emphasis is on the quality of faith they share. The “us” he’s referring to are the apostles themselves.  These Gentile saints aren’t second class citizens……they didn’t get a second class Gospel……they’re full-fledged members of the family.

And I think it’s pretty cool that Peter eludes to this here……he’s come a long way.  Because if you remember…….in Acts 10 and 11 and even in chapter 15……this lesson wasn’t an easy one for Peter and the rest of the Jerusalem church to learn.  It’s a lesson that Paul showed clearly to Peter face to face.  But he learned it well.  The man who would not evangelize Gentiles……and thought of Gentile converts as second-class saints now speaks of them as equals in verse one. Peter was transformed by the gospel that he preaches.

The gospel didn’t just transform Peter…….the gospel is the means by which God intends to transform every believer. According to verse 4 it delivers us from the “corruption that is in the world through lust” and transforms us into the image of our Lord…….so that we actually become partakers of His divine nature. 

There’s one more thing that stands out pretty clearly when you read the first chapter of 2nd Peter……the word “knowledge”…….Knowledge is referred to in verses 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8. Knowledge seems to be important.  What’s the opposite of knowledge?  IGNORANCE.  Ignorance is the opposite of knowledge. Whose got Acts 3:14-17…….. 14But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

Peter told the Jews that when they murdered and disowned the Holy and Righteous One…….the Prince of life……they acted in ignorance. Paul talks about it in Acts and Romans and 1 Timothy……. Ignorance isn’t bliss……..it is death.

So…..when Peter talks about knowledge in verses 2, 3, 5, 6, 8…….he’s talking about doctrinal knowledge…….the knowledge OF God and knowledge FROM God. It’s scriptural knowledge……..and it’s true knowledge as opposed to false knowledge. And it’s this knowledge that protects the believer from the instruction of false teachers.

The knowledge that Peter talks about here is the knowledge of God as taught by His divinely revealed Word……it’s doctrinal knowledge. Apart from doctrine…..it’s pretty tough to know with any depth at all the Jesus that we worship. One of the marks of a mature Christian is his knowledge of God through the Scriptures.  I can think of at least 10 times that Paul tells us that very thing in his writings.   (Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:13; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 1:9-10; 2:2; 3:10; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 3:7; Titus 1:1).

Now there’s no doubt that knowledge can be perverted…..can be misused……so that it becomes a negative……the Pharisees had knowledge……but it was perverted and abused……it wasn’t loving and guided by the Holy Spirit.  Our knowledge of the Scriptures should lead us to love……it should promote godly living……and mostly......our knowledge should lead us to intimate fellowship with God……whose got Philippians 3:10-11……. 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 

Paul wants to know Jesus so intimately that they’re almost indistinguishable.  He wants to know the power of His resurrection.  Whose got John 17:3…… 3This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”  

Knowing Jesus Christ IS eternal life…….our knowledge comes through an intimate experience with Jesus…….and through God’s Word.  Peter tells us this knowledge is pretty important.  And when we get into the study next time and we see that there is a responsibility on our part for spiritual growth…….I think it becomes pretty clear that we need to be purposing some things in our lives that bring us closer to living out our salvation.

There are times when we look at Scripture that it almost forces us to take an assessment of where we really are. Are you growing in your knowledge of Christ? Do you know more of Him today than when you first believed? Is your walk with Him more intimate than before? Is there evidence of continued growth in your life? There should be. Our God is infinite……..and our knowledge of Him in this life will never be complete. But we should be constantly growing as we get into His Word and fellowship with other believers.

These first 4 verses are about the gospel…….the gospel as defined by Peter and the apostles. We may be misled to think that, “Hey, I’ve already dealt with the Gospel……I’m saved……Peter’s not talking to me on this one.”  But, the gospel isn’t just the truth we believe…….it’s not just the truth we proclaim to the lost. The gospel is the truth we live here on earth.  Look at Colossians 2:6…….As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in Him.

This gospel he’s talking about is something that has to be purposed in our lives on a daily basis……it’s something that’s lived-out……it’s visible……and it’s something that we become closer to and more connected with as we become more knowledgeable about His Word and its promises.  

I want to look at verse 4 a little more closely……go ahead and read that verse again…….4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

 Let me have a show of hands here…….how many of you have ever heard of a man named Russell Edward Herman?  That’s what I thought……I’d never heard of him prior to doing this study…..but Russell Edward Herman left a will that bequeathed over 6 trillion dollars to thousands of people he’d never met.

 For instance……a tiny newspaper in Phoenix, Arizona he left 40 million dollars.  To the states of Colorado, California and Illinois he left 2.4 billion dollars each…..and even to the tiny Ohio River town of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, Herman bequeathed $2.41 billion dollars.  Cave-In-Rock’s mayor, Albert Kaegi had this to say, “It’s an odd thing to happen, isn’t it?” All of these inheritances are very well documented and the proper paperwork had been filed.  

There was only one catch to all of this………..Russell Edward Herman didn’t have trillions of dollars. He was just a simple, poor carpenter…….he didn’t have anything of real worth.  The fact is that will of the late Russell Herman never paid off for his “beneficiaries,”……but it certainly sounded good.  Russell Edward Herman had great intentions…….but he lacked the resources needed to make them a reality.

The greatness of God stands in sharp contrast.  God not only has made great and precious promises as Peter proclaims…….He has the ability to follow through on every single one of them.

Just how many of these great and precious promises do you think are in the Bible? 100? 1000? 10,000?.....well……according to a man named Dr. Reginald Dunlap there are approximately 30,000 promises in the Bible!  Peter calls these “PRECIOUS” promises and it seems that he liked that word a lot because he used it at least 5 times in his two letters……he talks about Precious Faith…….Precious blood……Precious stone…… Precious Lord……..and here……Precious promises.

What is it that makes these promises of God so great and precious? Well…..certainly because they come from a great God who can do the impossible…… and because they lead us to that abundant life that Jesus told us about.

Think about it…….the Scriptures are filled with the promises of God to His people……and filled with reminders that He is faithful to those promises.  Look at just a few of the verses that remind us of His faithfulness…….Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Joshua 23:14, “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”

Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Each of those verses proclaims that God always follows through.  And that’s what Peter’s telling us……that’s why he calls God’s promises “precious”.  And Peter proclaims that in claiming these precious promises we are automatically “partakers” with Christ……we are a participant……a partner…….a sharer in the “Divine nature”.  That’s pretty precious!

So……what are God’s great and precious promises?  Well……they’re certainly too numerous to mention here……but He’s promised to strengthen us……to never leave us…..to never forsake us……to always be with us…….to protect us……that we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us…… 

I love Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  That’s a lot of promise.

Another thing God said He would do is……“I will pour out my Spirit.” That promise was spoken by prophets for centuries…….and finally realized on the day of Pentecost.  The promise of the Holy Spirit Himself residing in us to accomplish God’s promises in our lives is pretty clear.  

But there’s one more precious promise of Scripture that is also a surety……Jesus Christ said, “I will come again.”  Jesus is coming back…….and He will take us to live with Him forever. That’s a promise!

After reminding them of God’s promises……Peter’s going to remind them of some of their responsibility in character building in the rest of the chapter…..which we’ll get into the next time around.

2 Peter 1:5-11

So......the last time we were in Second Peter......which was actually the first time we were in Second Peter.......we introduced the writing.......decided it was indeed Peter the Apostle who wrote the letter.......and then we dealt with the first four verses.  

And in those first 4 verses we learned 4 things......First: Peter was writing to those who had obtained faith......and it was the same faith as he had received.....they weren't second class Christians.  It was a faith that God had given to them.

Second......Grace and peace is multiplied in us when we know God.

Third........God’s power has given us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness.....nothing is left out.......with our knowledge of Jesus Christ we lack nothing that we need to get through life.

And fourth.......He has given us great and precious promises that actually allow us to partake in His nature and to help us overcome sin.......and that's where that first section ends up........with Peter telling his readers....... 4"For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises,........"  

And what we saw is that God not only has made great and precious promises as Peter proclaims…….but He alone has the ability to follow through on every single one of them.  And as was pointed out.......it has been calculated that there are approximately 30,000 promises in the Bible.......and if you're wondering what is it that makes these promises of God so great and precious? Well…..certainly because they come from a great God who can do the impossible……but also because they lead us to that abundant life that Jesus told us about.

So.....now after reminding them of God’s promises……Peter’s going to remind them of some of their responsibility.......some of what they need to focus on regarding character building in the rest of the chapter…..which is where we are this morning......so who's got verses 5-11?

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

So previously.......Peter outlined God's part in our productive Christian life......now he shoots right at the heart of the matter.......our part. God has provided.......now we must supply or add. It's as if God has placed an enormous spiritual supply room at our disposal.......and all we have to do is go get this stuff and apply it to our character......to our lives......to our walk in this world.  But the point is......we've got to do it. The secret of the Christian life is being diligent to take what God has given us and develop it in our lives. 

I remember.......many years ago, when I was first on my own......after my stint in the military.......I had a little efficiency apartment on Gold St. right at the intersection with University Avenue.  And for those of you who have never had an efficiency apartment.....it's basically a closet with a bed that folds against the wall and a toilet in the corner.......a really special place.  And as far as my experience with taking care of myself goes......well......my mother cooked for me......and then the military cooked for me.....and now it was my turn to cook for myself.

 Well.....when it came to shopping for food and cooking for myself......to say the least.....I was dumber than a two eyed dirt clod.  I didn't know anything......except I was hungry and I wanted to treat myself to Sloppy Joes.  Couldn't be too hard.  I had a pan and a hot-plate right there in my efficiency apartment.......should be able to do this.

So I went shopping.......and back then I was really poor.....I mean poor......so poor that if it took a nickel to go around the world......I couldn't get outa sight......I mean poor!  So anyway....... I really "splurged" and bought some hamburger buns and one of those fancy cans of "Sloppy Joes"......said so right on the can.  Well......I got back to my efficiency apartment ready to feast on my new food acquisition.......so I opened up the can of "Sloppy Joes" and dumped it in the pan to heat it up when LOW AND BEHOLD.......it looked kinda runny........no chunks in it at all.......in fact......no meat at all.......sorta like Hamburger Helper.....in a can!  I didn't know.  I got the can out of the garbage and read the label.  Much to my shock and dismay....... you're supposed to add the can of sauce to a pound of "browned hamburger".  If I wanted to eat Sloppy Joes.......I needed to supply something that was not in the can. 

And what Peter's talking about here is sorta the same thing.......only he doesn't want us to get tricked.......He doesn't want us to end up with no meat in our Sloppy Joes.  Because what he's telling us in this passage is the very heart of this letter to his fellow Christians.  He's going to use these next few verses to establish the core of what he'll expound upon in the rest of what he writes.  If we get this......we get the Christian life.  

What he's saying is, "You've been given faith......God gave you faith......now you're responsible to add something to it."  Remember......Peter's writing to those who are saved about their sanctification........not to the unsaved about their salvation.  Peter doesn't challenge his readers to work hard in order to be saved......he tells them to strive diligently because they are saved. 

And I know that some people's theology is going to quake at what I'm about to say here......depending on how far to the left or right you happen to be on the Armenian/Calvinistic scale......but our faith REQUIRES something of us.  It's just like Greg was teaching last week out of the letter to the Hebrews......"sounds like doin' to me!"  And we cannot escape the fact that our faith requires action on our part.

Tish and I knew a couple years ago who were absolutely adamant about the entire Christian walk being a total work of God.  "If God wants me to talk to someone about Jesus......He'll bring that person into my life and then give me the words to say.  All I have to do is live my life so that the unsaved people will see me and ask questions about God."  And in the years and years of knowing them.......there wasn't a time that anybody ever asked.  They felt no personal responsibility at all......if God wanted it.....He had to do it.

This passage clearly shows that the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are not incompatible.......instead.......the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are interdependent truths. There's no question that man cannot contribute to his salvation in any manner. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross......God did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves. All we've gotta do is receive it.......and even this can only occur by His divine grace. 

But once we have come to faith in Christ......it's up to us to diligently strive after godly character......which He's provided the means for us to attain.  The sovereignty of God should never be an excuse for passiveness or inactivity in our Christian walk......in fact......His sovereignty should be the basis for living a disciplined life. You've probably seen the plaques and bumper stickers that describe the Christian life as.......“Let go, and let God;”........but it really should be “Trust God, and then get your butt in gear!”

So......we have faith.....what are we supposed to do?  Well......we need to diligently "........supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in yourperseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in yourbrotherly kindness, love."  Peter gives us a list of character qualities for which God has already made provision......in order for us to become the kind of person that God designed us to be.  And this isn't a one-time shot.......it's a life-long effort.  It's a challenge to every Christian to pursue.......in a diligent manner......character qualities of God.......which should also be evident in our own lives.

Now there's other lists in Scripture that lay out fruits of the Spirit and other character traits that should be evident in the Christian life.  Paul shows us in Galatians 5:22-23...... 22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

And we have another list in Colossians 3:12-15.........12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

And again in......1 Timothy 6:11....... 11"But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness."  

And there's others.......and all of them are godly qualities the Christian should pursue.........and none of the lists are exactly alike......which would seem to suggest that Peter has given us a selected list.......and that there are other character qualities that the Christian should pursue. It also implies Peter’s list was compiled for a particular reason......and if we're right in assuming that he's at the very heart of what he wants to talk about with these people......then what he's going to talk about further in his letter probably has to do with this list of character qualities that he's given us.  Which would mean that this list of qualities was chosen because of the false teachers that Peter's about to warn them of.  If the character qualities of verses 5-7 are also the attributes of God.......we can easily see that they are in dramatic contrast to the character of the false teachers and their followers.

Another thing that appears to be true is that this is not a random order of qualities that the Christian should be working on.......the sequence seems to build on one another.......each quality building on the quality before it.  And again I go back to my cooking analogy......when you follow a recipe that has a lot of ingredients.....the ingredients usually have to be added in the proper order......the sequence that the recipe calls for in order for the cake to turn out right.  So the order of the ingredients begins with FAITH and ends up with LOVE.......so let's see how it works.

OK......you've got faith......now with diligence you need to add MORAL EXCELLENCE to your faith.  Interesting thing to start out with.......moral excellence.  Some of your versions are going to say to add GOODNESS.....VIRTUE or GOOD CHARACTER......and all of those are pretty good translations of the Greek word.  MORAL EXCELLENCE........being of GOOD CHARACTER.  Who is the person that you really are deep inside?

I've heard it said before that “Your IDEAL is what you wish you were.......
Your REPUTATION is what people say you are........but your CHARACTER is what you really are.”  

Initially.......I struggled a little bit with the order of these traits that we're supposed to develop.......if indeed they are supposed to build upon each other......because, "Hey......why did you put MORAL EXCELLENCE before KNOWLEDGE?  It seems you need to have KNOWLEDGE before you've got anything else."  But I think the context......the text itself really answers that question.  Who's got 2 Peter 1:3........3seeing 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."

We were called to our faith by what?  GOD'S OWN GLORY AND EXCELLENCE....... same word.  It was God's VIRTUE.......God's MORAL EXCELLENCE that even brought us to a saving faith.......why shouldn't that quality of God's character be the first thing that His people develop.  Peter tells us earlier that we share in His divine nature.......His MORAL EXCELLENCE is one of the things that we share in........and the first thing He desires us to add to our faith.

And to this MORAL EXCELLENCE we are to add KNOWLEDGE.  How important is KNOWLEDGE?  Again......let's remember the context here.  We need these characteristics developed in our Christian lives to ward off false teachers.  A KNOWLEDGE of God.......of Jesus Christ.......of the Gospel......of false teachers seems pretty important in this context. 

Who's got 1 Peter 1:14....... 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,".  OK.....that's pretty clear.......in our former state as unbelievers........we were not knowledgeable......instead we were IGNORANT.

Yah......that was us........and the solution to our ignorance is having our minds transformed with the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ......a doctrinal and experiential knowledge that comes right from the Scriptures.

How important is KNOWLEDGE?  Go ahead and read John 17:3....... "3This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."  I'm thinking this KNOWLEDGE is awfully important.

Hosea 4:6.......6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.  MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.......it seems vitally important to the believer to continue to grow in KNOWLEDGE.  And that's something that we do.....something that we purpose.  It's one of the reasons we stress the importance of being hooked up in a Bible study through the week.  If all you're getting is the Sunday morning teaching......you're in trouble.......and you're not taking this exhortation that Peter gives very seriously.

This “knowledge” should also be understood as contrasting......as contradicting the false knowledge of the false teachers who try to undermine the truth that God desires for His people.  Our knowledge of God is absolutely essential to our growth in Christian character........and to our ability to recognize those who truly are false teachers.

Alright.....the next character trait that needs to be added to our arsenal is SELF-CONTROL.  The term literally means “to take a grip of oneself.” Self-control is the opposite of self-indulgence.  The world is dominated by their physical appetites.....by lust of the flesh......whatever form that might take.  

Paul's analogy of an athlete is a pretty good one when we're looking at this aspect of SELF-CONTROL.............1 Corinthians 9:24-27........24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

Paul's talking about self-control and self-denial here......about discipline and winning......about keeping ourselves in submission to the Gospel.  That's not what false teachers do......they make their appeal to fleshly lusts.......to abandoning self-restraint.    We've all heard 'em.......they gather a following by proclaiming a gospel that indulges the flesh rather than crucifying it.  Let's face it......the Gospel of Jesus Christ.......the apostle's Gospel.......isn't really all that appealing.  It talks about things like suffering......and self-denial.......and service......and all that stuff that doesn't feel as good as wealth......and prosperity......and Jesus being Santa Claus instead of a Savior.  The gospel of the apostles was very different.  False teachers dilute the Gospel to make it attractive to men.......they appeal to everything that is the opposite of SELF-CONTROL.

So here we are.......

FAITH brings us into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

MORAL EXCELLENCE seeks the character of God as the standard and goal for our own character. 

KNOWLEDGE describes what God is like, and what we should be like as well. 

SELF-CONTROL enables us to curb our physical passions and to make our bodies servants of the will of God. 

The next character trait PERSEVERANCE enables us to continue in our pursuit of godly character.......even when we suffer for doing so.  If self-control has to do with curbing our physical pleasures and worldly appetites......PERSEVERANCE has to do with hanging in there and enduring.......even when pain and suffering are the result. Our natural tendency is to pursue pleasure and flee from pain. I don't know about you......but I do all I can to avoid pain......I hear it's unpleasant.  The gospel calls for us to identify with Christ.......and a lot of that requires an endurance when things get tough.

PERSEVERANCE is the frame of mind and character that persists in doing what's right even though it may produce difficulties......suffering.......sorrows. Perseverance is the commitment to suffer in the short term in order to experience glory for eternity. Perseverance is able to hear the false teachers proclaiming that we should live for today.....that the Lord isn't coming back or He would have been here by now......and know that their wrong.  PERSEVERANCE has added to our faith a patience that is enduring. 

GODLINESS is then added to perseverance.  GODLINESS.......interesting term.  It refers to practical religion.........or practiced religion. It's what separates a believer from a non-believer.......his attitude of holiness......or reverence.....or piety in the inner man.  GODLINESS is an attitude that has its focus on pleasing God.  It desires a right relationship with both God and men.......and actually brings with it the presence of God into all the experiences of life.  

Scripture is plain that when we were unbelievers.......we were UNGODLY.  Now we're just the opposite.......and there's a clear distinction between an individual who is purposing GODLINESS in their lives......and the false teachers that Peter is going to deal with a very few sentences from now.  GODLINESS is something that we can purpose in our lives.......something we add to our faith.  Not an outward compliance to certain rules........but an inward purity of heart.

To GODLINESS we're instructed to add BROTHERLY KINDNESS........some say MUTUAL AFFECTION.  This is a love......an affection......a respect that is based on a shared relationship with Jesus Christ.  It's obvious from some of Paul's writings that the first century church wasn't always harmonious......that there was a lot of back-biting and bad-mouthing going on among the brethren.  Fortunately we have transcended this problem in the 21st century......we have been able to put aside our differences and live in complete harmony with other believers........don't we?

We slay our fellow Christians as if we're living in the Roman Coliseum.......

"Did you see what she was wearing?"

"He thinks he knows everything......he doesn't know what humility is!"

"Yah.....well......she's divorced you know!"

"He's probably not even a Christian.......I heard him cuss the other day!"

Rather than lift one another up......rather than encourage one another to love and good deeds......much of the visible church in America today is more like a reality TV show.  We criticize......we tear one another down......we live in our own little cliques that no one else is allowed in.......and all of this fosters a culture within the church that is not an honor or glory to God.  Instead it gives reason for the unbelieving world to criticize Christ's church.

Adding BROTHERLY KINDNESS to our faith is a big deal.  John talks about it a lot in his epistles.......James and Peter and Paul talk about it.  It's something that makes Christianity attractive to the unbelieving world.  So is it possible?  Of course it's possible.......and the Thessalonians had it by the barrel full.  Whose got 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10........9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.

This isn't one of the easier things to do......if it were......Peter wouldn't have found it necessary to command us to pursue it with diligence.......not only here.......but in his first letter as well.  It's a key element of the Christian walk.

Which brings us to the last arrow we're supposed to purpose to put in our quiver......LOVE.  We started with FAITH.....and ended with LOVE.......pretty appropriate.  The last one was "philadelphia"......BROTHERLY LOVE.......this one is "agape".........God's LOVE.......the capstone of all of the character traits a Christian should exhibit.......and there really is a difference in the two.  

God’s LOVE.......agape LOVE is evoked.....or stirred up......not by what we are........but by what He is. It doesn't have its origin in the object of the LOVE.  This kind of LOVE might be defined as a deliberate desire for the highest good of the one who is loved........and it shows itself in sacrificial action for that person. That's what God did for us when He sent His Son......and it's what He wants us to do for everyone we meet.  

While “Phileo love” is directed toward fellow-believers........“Agape love” is directed towards everybody.......it's a love that applies both to believers and to unbelievers......and we see that in 1 Thessalonians 3:12........"And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also [do] for you."

This kind of LOVE doesn’t add requirements to it......."I’ll love you if….... or "I’ll love you when......".  This kind of love is unconditional love.  Tish and I were listening to a song the other day, Jesus, Friend of Sinners.  One line in that song is so telling......"Nobody knows what we're for......only what we're against."  Agape love is not prompted by what the other person is or does.......but by a love rooted in Who God is.......and when we show that to others........God is glorified.  It's our highest calling.  But is that where our focus really is?  Tish and I were listening to a song last week.....something by a group called Casting Crowns.......and the song was titled, "Jesus, Friend of Sinners"......and one line in the song really hit me.......it said, "Everybody knows what we're against.....but they don't know what we're for."  Pretty telling.  We're against homosexuals......we're against  people who have abortions.......we don't like this and we condemn that!  We should be known by our love.

Peter speaks of love here as the end product of the Christian’s striving.......not the source of it.  We can't sit around and wait to “feel” love and then act upon it. Peter tells us that we've already received faith......now act on it to produce LOVE.  For Peter.......love is a result and not merely a cause.

So how important is it that we add these things to our FAITH?  Well......the rest of this morning's passage tells us......and we can really sum up these three verse in this manner.......

"If these seven things are in you and they are increasing….....you will be fruitful…....not barren. If you lack these qualities.......you’re blind and you've left your first love.  You've forgotten the forgiveness that you received at the beginning of your walk with God.”

So......the application here is in the form of a question.  As a Christian.......are you really growing?  You see.......Christianity isn't like a civil service job......where the more time you spend in your job it's just assumed that you're better at your job......and therefore the more you can expect to be paid.  Christians don't grow automatically. Growth and maturity aren't matters of time........they're matters of diligent and disciplined effort on our part.  If you're not growing in Christian character.......then you're becoming blind and forgetful and unfruitful. 

We weren't saved just to be rescued from the fires of hell and enter into an eternal paradise. We've been saved.....as Peter told us in his first letter......to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). We've been saved......as he told us earlier in this chapter......to become partakers of His divine nature.......and by so doing, bring glory to Him. (2 Peter 1:4)  We need to realize that it's something we're responsible for.......and if we're diligent about adding these things......then our Sloppy Joe's will have meat in 'em!

2 Peter 1:12-21

Is everything you read true?  NO.  How about everything you read in the newspapers.......is that true?  NO.  Why?  Why do you say that?  (Allow answers.)  A guy told me some really weird story one time.......I don't even remember what the whole thing was......but it had something to do with aliens......and the guy said, "It's true."  I told him he was "misguided" somehow and he said, "I saw it in a newspaper at the grocery store.......in the check-out line."  To which I responded, "Well......if you read it in the check-out line......it's got to be true!"

We've all seen them.......and still to this day I'm amazed at what the tabloid headlines read........

They're unbelievable. The stories are so ludicrous no one believes them......except that guy I was talking to!  And I think that almost everybody knows better than to suppose that this kind of journalism should be taken seriously.

There was an on-line survey done recently regarding the believability of a certain portion of the written word......and many of the responses I found to be pretty interesting.  One guy wrote........."Somebody has got to be extremely retarded, stupid, and GULLIBLE to believe it. The stories are ridiculous, unrealistic, and FAKE."

A woman responding to the survey said......."The stories in it are absurd and kind of scary."

Another man wrote......."It is 100% ridiculous lies............it is complete trash."

What were they talking about.......the headlines at the check-out stand?  No...... they were responding to the question, "Do you believe the Bible is true?"  You'd think the responses to that survey were about tabloid headlines.......but they were regarding the Bible.......the written Word of God.  How did we get to this point in our culture?

But if you really think about it.......biblical revelation is somewhat similar to tabloid headlines........dramatically different......but in some ways a similarity.  How could the Bible and tabloid headlines possibly have any similarity whatsoever?  Well......the fact is that both of them are just a little hard to believe.  

Seriously.......think about it.........we read about God’s miraculous intervention in people's lives........about promises of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of God........you gotta admit.......it seems a little too good to be true. And though it may seem too good to be true........Biblical truth is radically different from tabloid truth because it's always true.  It's true in the past.......it's true in the present, and it's true in the future. Biblical truth is the basis for life and godliness.  Biblical truth is not only meant to be believed......it's meant to be acted upon by faith.......it's meant to be live out in our lives.

We can certainly see that the Apostles were convinced of the adequacy and authority of the Scriptures......even the Scriptures that came through their own hands under the control of the Holy Spirit.  Think about it......later on in this same letter we're looking at right now......Peter tells his readers exactly that........2 Peter 3:14-16......... 14Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  

Peter tells us straight out here that what Paul wrote was Scripture......what Paul wrote.....guided by the Holy Spirit was on the same plane as the "rest of the Scriptures".  As our Lord approached the end of His earthly ministry.......He really started to emphasize the crucial role of the Holy Spirit recalling to their minds the things He had told them......and to emphasize the critical role of the Scriptures in our daily lives.  Remember in John 17 where Jesus is praying to the Father......and He states emphatically how important God's Word is........John 17:17........ Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.   Of everything in the world.......God's Word is truth.

As Peter and Paul approached the day of their deaths, they too began to emphasize the importance of the Scriptures to those whom they would leave behind..... First Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:14-17......... 14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. How important is Scripture?  Well.....every bit of it is not only inspired......but it's profitable......in a lot of areas.

And then Peter in 1 Peter 1:22–2:2........ 22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”  And this is the word which was preached to you. 1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,....."  It's the "pure milk of the word" that makes us grow.....without it we remain spiritual infants.

So......in the passage we're looking at today......it's important for us to understand just how critical God's Word is in each of our lives.  Peter's going to tell us that he's about to die.......and he’s absolutely determined to remind them of the things recorded in the Scriptures. He speaks plainly of the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures and their importance as God’s final revelation.......and that includes what Peter tells them as he's reminding them of this fact......... 

These verses flow directly out of what Peter's already written in verses 1-11.  In verses 1-4........Peter shows us plainly that from His divine nature......from all that He is......God has provided all that we need for life and godliness.......faith, grace, peace, knowledge, His precious promises......everything we need to escape from the corruption of the world and actually become partakers of His divine nature. Meaning that God has provided everything we need not only for salvation but also for sanctification.

In verses 5-7 Peter tells us that we have a responsibility in all of this.....that this is all part of a great spiritual truth....... the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are interdependent truths that cannot be separated.  It's up to each on of us to take these divine provisions and diligently pursue holiness by adding to the faith that we've been given......and what are we supposed to add to that faith........moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. That should be an honest pursuit of each and every one of us.  

And Peter's not the only one who has told us about this concept.   If you compare what Peter's said here with what Paul tells us in Phil. 2:12-13 you get a pretty similar picture......"12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for Hisgood pleasure."  Notice Paul tells the Philippians to 'work out'.......not 'work FOR'.....their salvation......and at the same time also notes that God is at work in us. God provides the basic supplies........we then must supply ourselves from this provision. 

And in verses 8-11........Peter tells us that if we do these things.....if we purpose to develop these characteristics......we will be assured that we will not become useless or unfruitful.........blind or short-sighted or forgetful of our former unrighteousness.  Purposing holiness in our lives is our calling........and he reminds us that the prize that awaits us is our entrance into the kingdom of God.  Go ahead and read 2 Peter 1:12-21........12 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. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. 

16 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. 17 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”— 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 

19 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. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 

Wow......look at verses 12-15 there......what's Peter so committed to?  REMINDING THEM.  He's reminding them......reminding us of God's truth......and this isn't just some gentle, one-time reminder........He's committed to “always remind them”......and I think it's pretty clear from his words that he intends his reminding to continue on........not just as long as he has breath.......but he's committed to remind his readers AFTER he's drawn his last breath. 

It's seems that Peter knows he's about to die......the day of his departure is imminent......and it appears he's been given some special revelation regarding this as he says, "our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me." 

What Peter tells us here is all stuff we need to know……it’s stuff that’s going to be very important to the people he’s leaving behind.  After working with the judicial system for a good portion of my life……I’ve learned some of the “Rules of Evidence” that are adopted for our courts…….things that are followed by judges to allow certain things to be admitted at a trial.  One of the tenants that are followed pretty closely is “Hearsay Evidence”.  Hearsay is not allowed because a person is permitted to face their accuser….. and if I tell the jury something that somebody else said……then that person cannot be confronted to verify that he said what is being testified to.  Now I realize this isn’t a Criminal Justice 101 class…….but one of the exceptions to the “Hearsay Rule” is a dying declaration.  The courts have continuously held that the final words a person speaks are inherently going to be the truth……and they’re going to be important.  Peter’s telling us that he’s about to die…….this is important stuff. 

And it also seems that as he's writing these words he's aware that he's being used by God to pen Scripture......that the words he says......the reminders he gives will be used well after he's dead and gone.  Sorta makes his REMINDING ministry last until Jesus returns.

And what is it he's going to continually REMIND them of......he tells us five times in this chapter?  "THESE THINGS".  He uses the word translated 'these things' five times in this chapter.......and very specifically........he's referring to the list in verses 5-7 of the Christian characteristics.....the Christian qualities that should be supplied to our faith. These virtues…….these disciplines are the product of a diligent pursuit of holiness.  They’re essential to our lives as successful, dynamic Christians.  It's 'these things' he wants us to remember and continually stir up. 

And evidently…….the Apostle Peter wanted us to continue working on these things as long as the Church is on earth…….because that’s pretty much how long he’s going to be reminding us. So…..if we take his admonition seriously…..and we want to work on “these things”…….what do we do……how do we go about it?  

Well……there are a number of doctrines of Scripture that we should continue to study……to work on…..to expand our understanding of.  The doctrine of GRACE for instance…….every time we look at that doctrine something new gets revealed……we get a clearer understanding……a fuller definition.  PRAYER, SERVANTHOOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT…….these are all areas of our faith that could not be over-studied.  And each time we pursue these things……we are adding to our faith........moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.   Let’s face it……we can look at the biblical idea of church leadership one time and have a rather complete understanding of it from the Bible…….but things like grace and the Christian walk and the work of the Holy Spirit are all areas that should be consistently studied.  The study of God’s Word is PROFITABLE……it’s beneficial…..it’s necessary for each one of us if we are going to mature in the area of “these things.”

Then Peter takes off in verse 16 and tells them something of the reason he’s so committed to reminding them.  First of all……he’s already told them in verse 12 that what they’ve heard……what he’s reminding them of is the TRUTH. ……it’s stuff that’s vital to their lives…..and it’s not just his truth……it’s God’s truth…….that has been communicated by the Holy Spirit……through Jesus Christ……Who was himself acclaimed by the Father.  The entire Trinity is proclaimed here by Peter.   

Remember…….Peter is about to take off on this whole warning about false teachers…..and he knows they’re out there……and they claim to speak for God…..but what they’re telling the people are “cleverly devised tales.”  They aren’t the truth…..they aren’t the Scriptures that God spoke through the apostles.

How sure is he that this is the truth?  He was an eye witness.  Nobody had to tell him that Jesus was the Christ…….nobody had to teach him that Jesus was divine and sent by the Father…….he saw Jesus in His glory at the transfiguration.  On this occasion Christ allowed the curtain to pull back just a little bit…..for the benefit of Peter and James and John……which, in effect, really strengthened their supernatural authority.

Let me ask you something.  If I told you I was sitting here in this building yesterday…….and this guy walked in…..and he walked across this floor…….straight up that wall……and then walked across the ceiling upside down……would you believe me?  NO!  You wouldn’t believe me.  You’d probably say something like, “You know, ol’ Tom……he’s usually mostly sane……but this time he’s lost it……off his rocker…….crazy as a sprayed roach!”  And you’d probably be right.  But I insist……I tell you it’s real……it really happened.  I’m probably not going to convince you……right?

But what if you saw it…….what if the guy came back this morning and we’re all sitting here…….and he does it again.  Now do you believe it?  Sure you do.  You might not know how he did it…….you might be awed and speechless……but you’d believe it.  Because you witnessed it…….and nobody’s gonna convince you that it didn’t happen.  You saw it.  That’s where Peter’s at.  He witnessed the transfiguration…….he saw and talked to and ate with the risen Christ.  That’s how sure he is that what he has to say isn’t some cleverly devised scheme. 

So in verse 19…….Peter says that “WE have the prophetic word made more sure.” What’s he saying?  He’s saying that the apostles……that’s the “we”…….know what the Old Testament had to say about the coming of the Christ……we have the prophecies…….and now it’s even MORE SURE because of the eyewitness that we have.  “We’ve seen the prophecies fulfilled……and you’d be wise to pay attention too…….just as you’d pay attention to a light in a dark room.”  

These apostles “saw the light”………they saw the glory and power of our Lord…….and when we listen to and internalize the apostle’s writings…….we have all the “light” we need…….we don’t need any other “light”…….especially not the false “light” of “cleverly devised tales.” 

Then Peter uses a phrase that may be confusing…….so I want to explain it briefly just so you can settle it in your mind……or maybe explain it to others who may question it.  He tells us it would do us good to pay attention to what he’s saying “until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”  And I’ve read this before and I’ve always felt I know what he’s saying……but a part of it bothered me just in the words he used……THE MORNING STAR.  What does that phrase bring to mind when you hear it?  Lucifer…..Satan.  Me too…….but in this context that obviously cannot be.

Obviously…..what he’s saying is that we need to use this “prophetic lamp” to guide us until Christ returns to establish His kingdom.  But……usually when I hear the term Morning Star I think of Isaiah 14:12……. “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn!  You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!  And most commentators would agree that it is a reference to Lucifer being cast from the heavenly realm.

But consider Revelation 22:16……..“ I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”  Here……Christ triumphantly proclaims that He is the true "Morning Star"………the final conquest of the counterfeit takes place……the serpent of old is revealed and conquered…….just as was prophesied in Genesis 3:15 where it’s recorded that the Seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.

 It’s at that point that he perfect…..even though right now, limited revelation of  Scripture will be replaced with the perfect and complete revelation of Jesus Christ.  Then the Scriptures will have been fulfilled……and believers will truly have the Morning Star arise in their hearts.  John talks about it in one of his letters……1 John 3:2……. ”Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”  At that time believers will have perfect knowledge and all prophecy will be abolished. 

Peter’s now going to begin to zero in on those “cleverly devised tales” that he spoke of earlier……he’s going to begin to deal with the false teachers he’s going to warn us about during the rest of his writing.  Verses 20 and 21 say…..20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 

Think about what Peter’s saying like this…….the Constitution of the United States of America was written by men who had a very clear vision of what it was they wanted to say……but in the course of over 200 years our Constitution has been radically “rewritten”……..not by writing a new constitution…….but by a fundamental and drastic misinterpretation of the original document.  For instance……the First Amendment’s “separation of church and state” clause was originally written……NOT to protect people and their laws from religious values……..it was written to protect those values from government interference.  Over the decades that idea has been interpreted and reinterpreted to where it is 180 degrees different in its application than what it was intended to be……all because individuals in a position of power took it upon themselves to twist the words of our founding fathers to say something that was unintended and fit their ungodly agenda.

Peter’s warning here is that the same thing happens to the Scriptures when men with their own twisted agendas take on God’s Word and attempt to reinterpret what’s been written in an attempt to lead people away from the light and grace that Scripture provides. We’ve all seen it.  The prosperity gospel that’s so prevalent today is an interpretation of God’s Word that was never intended.  This is what Peter is warning believers about.

If the Scriptures are to be interpreted correctly……they have got to be interpreted consistent with their nature and original intent……and consistent with the whole counsel of Scripture. Peter’s saying that biblical interpretation is not a “private” matter…..it’s not up to an individual to come up with something that’s different and unique just because it sounds pleasing to those who hear it. That which attracts some people to certain interpretations is the very uniqueness of the interpretation.  In fact…..Peter’s really warning us that “uniqueness” should probably serve as a red flag rather than an attraction. 

The second thing that Peter tells us in these last two verses is that accurate biblical interpretation can only be achieved through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Old Testament prophets didn’t originate prophecy…….they were used by the Holy Spirit to say and write what God Himself desired to be said.  Prophecy never begins with man’s will…….but with God’s will. So it follows that the interpretation of prophecy can never be subject to man’s will. 

So……what do we take out of this passage……what can we walk down the street after what Peter’s told us?  Well……we all need to be reminded about God’s truth…..all of us.  We don’t need “new truth”……we need to be reminded of God’s eternal truth as set forth in His Word……..and if we’re going to be reminded constantly……then we’ve got to be constantly in the Word ourselves…..because that’s where God’s reminders are found.

I believe Peter’s words that we looked at today call into question anyone who claims to have a “new revelation” or to have a “new and different prophecy.”  God has spoken finally and completely in Jesus Christ and through the apostles.  We don’t need any additional revelation. What we really need is to continually be reminded of what God has already said in His Word. We need to seek to understand and apply these truths every day of our lives.

2 Peter 2:1

    So......after three weeks in the first chapter of 2 Peter.......we come to the second chapter and see that chapter one was all about all of the stuff we have in Christ that is true......"everything pertaining to life and godliness"........we have faith and a whole storehouse of moral excellence and knowledge and self-control and perseverance and godliness and brotherly kindness and love......we have all of these truths that are readily available in our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

    But now Peter's going to get down to the heart of why he's writing this letter to these people......and to us.  He already said he knows his time is short here on earth.......and he's concerned about the people he's going to leave behind......and what might happen to their faith because of false teaching........and that's what he'll talk about the rest of this letter.  Chapter one was about truth......chapters 2 and 3 are about what is false......it's a warning about those that would try to steal away the apostolic Gospel that they have received.

    And to get the context of what Peter is talking about here we really need to go back to the final thing he says in chapter 1. .....2 Peter 1:19-21...... 19 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. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

.    These verses stress not only the importance of the Scriptures......but their certainty. In contrast to the “cleverly devised tales” of false teachers......the Scriptures are a more sure word of prophecy......which come from men who have witnessed the power and glory of the resurrected Christ. And here's something that's important........these Scriptures must be interpreted correctly, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and in a way consistent with the interpretation of godly saints throughout history.  

    The fact is that I'm much more comforted by knowing that my understanding of a biblical passage agrees with the interpretation of a saint moved by the Holy Spirit.......who suffered and died for his faith.......than I am by embracing some bizarre interpretation of a Rolls Royce-driving televangelist who lives in Beverly Hills and whose only suffering is measured by the number of viewers his latest scandal cost him.

    @Alright......let me ask you a question.......what does PC stand for in our culture today?  I thought Bob......being the "I.T." guru that he is would say "Personal Computer".  But you're right........POLITICALLY CORRECT.  Is being politically correct a positive thing or a negative thing?  ANSWERS   Well......if it's such a bad thing......why is it so prevalent in our society today?

    @The Politically Correct definition of politically correct is........a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts, and, as purported by the term, doing so to an excessive extent. Widespread use of the term politically correct and its derivatives began when it was adopted as a negative term by the political right in the 1990s.

    Basically.......we've adopted a path in our culture where we don't want to offend anybody for any reason......at any time or anywhere........and I believe that the outcome of such a stand in our society is that we've come to a point where we refuse to take a stand on anything.......and that includes the church of Jesus Christ........which seems to have adopted a 'hands-off' policy when it comes to taking certain teachings......or even teachers to task regarding their handling of Scripture simply because we don't want to offend them.  

    But.......I look at Scripture.......and Jesus certainly wasn't politically correct when he addressed the teachers and religious leaders of His day.  Paul wasn't politically correct  when he dealt with those that would lead God's people to a Gospel other than what had been preached by the apostles.......and Peter is not politically correct in the passage we're going to begin today.  Political correctness is a danger when it comes to dealing with God's people and God's Word.  So keep that in mind as we get deeper into this discussion.......as we begin to look at some of the teaching that is readily available to Christ's church today......it won't be politically correct.

    @So......right before the verses we're going to discuss today......Peter's talking about the prophets of old......and not only did such people exist.......but the fact is that the prophecies were not made by men.......but the Holy Spirit who put the words into the prophets' mouths.  And then he starts our section of this passage......go ahead and read verses 1-3......... But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

    So verse one tells us that this problem with false teachers.......or false prophets is not a new one......it's been going on as long as man has existed.  Chapter one told us that the holy men of God wrote the Scriptures......and now chapter two introduces us to Satan's counterfeit..... FALSE TEACHERS......and they will bring in destructive heresies.......they will operate in secret.......they will bring on themselves sure destruction......they will use sensuality, greediness and false words to accomplish their goals. God's people have always been plagued with those individuals who refuse to submit to the authority of God and try to lead His people away from Him.  And God isn't silent about what He thinks of those people.....and how He will deal with them.  Deuteronomy 18:20-22......20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ 21 You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ 22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

    So right from the early days of Israel becoming a nation......there were always those individuals set on drawing God's people away from Him.......and God deals with it a lot in the Old Testament.  But what's really interesting is the number of times this is dealt with in the New Testament......and if we read this first verse carefully we see that this problem with false teachers in the church today is not just a possibility.  What are the chances of us being exposed to false teachers today?  Minimal?  Pretty good?  What does it say?  THERE WILL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU!!!! It's a certainty.  If that's the case it should make this teaching of Peter's pretty relevant for all of us.  Especially when you consider the warnings that we've been given......and Scripture is absolutely filled with them.

    Remember in Matthew 24.......Jesus is doing a teaching on the end of times.....and the apostles want to get it right.......so they ask Jesus, "Hey, You think You could tell us some of the signs that these things are about to happen?"  What did He tell them?  Matthew 24:9-11........9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

    This should perk our ears up........One of the clear signs of the end of the age is that many false prophets will arise in the world.  Have we got any of those people out there today?  We have a plethora.......a cornucopia........a lot!  Everywhere you turn some new revelation......some new way of doing things.......some "flavor of the month" that Oprah's thought of comes along to lead us into a life of peace, bliss and abundance.  

    But I want to take a little side track here to try to explain or at least define some of the terms that Peter uses here in verse one so that we can clearly understand not only what he's saying.......but also how we can rightly apply it today.

    Peter uses three words or phrases that I think bear looking at.........."But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies.....".  FALSE PROPHETS arose in earlier days.......and we should expect FALSE TEACHERS to arise in our day.  And they're going to introduce DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES.  What do those terms mean.......and why the switch from FALSE PROPHETS to FALSE TEACHERS?

    I believe we can pretty readily see from Peter's teachings in chapter 1 why the change.  The apostles were raised up as God’s instruments to record God’s revelation in Jesus Christ. They were there......they saw the miracles.......they saw the transfiguration.......they saw the power and glory of the resurrected Lord. Their writings were overseen by the Holy Spirit, who caused them to remember all that the Lord had taught while He was with them. Their writings and their prophecies.......like those of the Old Testament prophets.......are a “more sure word of prophecy” which provides sufficient light for us until the coming of our Lord......as he tells us in verse 1:19.  Peter also tells us later on in this letter that Paul's writings are also inspired and authoritative.  The apostles were the last of the prophets as the term applied in the Old Testament.  No further prophets are required.  God's revelation is complete in Jesus Christ.

    And though the need for prophets has ceased........the need for teachers of the Scriptures continues. Among those who teach........we should expect some to be false teachers. They hold a Bible in their hands and tell us they are teaching the Scriptures........but their teaching is false.......in fact some of them teach destructive heresies.......or damnable heresies as the King James Version puts it.  Their interpretation has not come from the Holy Spirit but from their own will.  And what are the "damnable heresies"?  Well......he immediately explains one of them......denying the Master who bought them.  

    But the problem with false prophets......with false teachers is not just a theological one........it's a moral problem as well.......and we need to remember that.  They won't only be known for their destructive heresies.......but they'll also be known by their sensuality and their greed.  

    So......let's talk about FALSE PROPHETS for a minute.  When you hear the term "false prophet"......what comes to mind?  ANSWERS  I guess most people think of a slick......smooth talking “TV preacher.” We've all seen 'em.......their messages seem to be mostly about how much wealth and prosperity God wants you to have......and it all starts by YOU showing your faith and sending in a "faith seed" to show God you're sincere.   

    You might even think of some of the more notable goofy people who have made the news like David Koresh and the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas........or maybe Harold Camping who stated that the rapture and judgement would take place on May 21, 2011.......and that the end of the world would take place five months later on October 21, 2011.  Let's face it......there's plenty of "crazy" out there......and it's all being done in the name of the Lord......and it has done nothing but malign the truth of the Gospel.  So there's no shortage of false prophets.

    In generations past.......certainly in my parents' generation......the term ‘evangelist’ was one of respect. Even among non-Christians for the most part. How about today?  It's a label of contempt.......isn't it? Ask a non-Christian what comes to mind when they hear the word evangelist and they would probably say things like greedy....... hypocrite........money lover.......adulterer. For those that don't know Christ........evangelist simply means ‘Tele-evangelist’........and that's becoming more and more linked with scandal and greed. The way of truth has been maligned.  

    So.......biblically.....are there defining characteristics of false prophets or false teachers?  Is it just their false doctrine?  Let's take a look at one of the warnings that Jesus gives us in Matthew 7:15-20........ 15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits."

    How are we going to know them?  BY THEIR FRUIT.  The Greek word for "fruit" is Karpos......which is the same word that's used in Galatians chapter 5 talking about the fruit of the Spirit.  So it isn't just their theology.......it's their very character.  False teachers are driven by their own lusts rather than led by the Holy Spirit.  Greed motivates their ministry.......not grace. They don't give sacrificially to others.......they seek to gain from others. They don't seek to edify others......but to exploit them. Their life is one of sensuality........not true spirituality. The false teachers who Peter writes about are self-centered......self-serving and self-indulgent.

    What's the first thing that Christ says about them in that Matthew 7 passage?  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."  Do these people have horns and carry a pitchfork?  No.....they look like the good guys.  If they looked like the devil we'd all run away......but they don't.....they look like all the rest of us.  Which brings me to a question about all of this.   Does every false prophet.......or false teacher have a wicked heart and intentionally lead people away from God........or can an honest man be a false teacher too?  ANSWERS.

    Let me give you an example........Let’s say a group of dishonest con men create a fake investment company.......and they take your money and send you fake quarterly statements about how well your investment is doing. They’re slick operators and convince a large number of people that they're legitimate….....including you. Looking at the phony statements.......you're impressed with how well your investment seems to be doing.......so you convince several friends and relatives to invest their money with the crooked firm as well. Eventually......the Feds come and shut the operation down......and everyone discovers that the crooks have actually absconded with all the funds to South America.  

    There’s no question that the crooks who opened the fake investment company were dishonest........but what about you?  When you convinced friends and relatives to invest, you were also creating the same false impression.......that the company was legitimate and a good investment. But wait........your motives were completely different from the that of the crooks. You honestly thought you were helping people you cared about. But.......whether they were convinced by dishonest con men or by well-meaning family and friends.........people who invested in this company lost their money all the same.

    The point is.......an honest man can become honestly convinced that certain harmful religious falsehoods are in fact religious truths........and if he tries to convince others of the veracity of those falsehoods........he would qualify as a false teacher......only on the merit of what he said.  What I'm saying is that not all false teachers that we see today have hearts that are rotten to the core......or characters that are in complete rebellion to God and His authority.  But they have been convinced of a spiritual falsehood and can ignorantly continue to propagate that false doctrine.  I think that's why Christ told us to consider their fruit......and why Peter tells us in this passage that there will be a message and lifestyle of sensuality and greed. 

    Therefore......when I start naming names in a moment.......understand that I am not judging their hearts........I am simply making observations regarding their message, as it compares with Scripture......and their character, as it is observed publicly......and how that image may or may not align itself with what Peter's saying here.  

    So......how can we identify false prophets today?  It would be nice if false prophets had a tattoo on their foreheads in large letters that said, “FALSE PROPHET”.......or if their eyes glowed red or something. But.........it’s not that easy.  What do they look like then?  Well.....Paul gives us a little insight in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15....... 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds."

     Paul says they're going to look like ministers of righteousness........and remember the Lord’s own warning that let us know that though they are wolves......they're wearing sheep’s clothing. Kinda like this 20 dollar bill here......if it was pink it would be easy to tell it was a fake.......but if it weren't for the word COUNTERFEIT that I wrote on the side here.......you wouldn't know that it's absolutely worthless.  To pass as real, it has to look real. The only way you can tell is to examine it.  The same holds true for false prophets. They’re not going to look like evil slobbering creatures......they’re going to look like sincere and caring ministers of the Gospel.  So......just like this 20 dollar bill.....we have to deal with false teachers the same way.......we have to examine them......their message and their character.  So let's take a look at a few of them from our culture today and see how they stack up with just a cursory examination.

    Now while we're looking at things some of the more prominent television preachers have said......on numerous occasions..........I'm not going to deal with a "slip-up".......a misspoken word here or there......we're going to deal with core teachings and beliefs of these prominent individuals.  I have nothing against any of them other than the fact that they have done an incredible disservice to our Lord and His church with their heresies.  What I'd like you to do is to listen to the quote and then think of a verse that clearly refutes their teaching.......because that's our responsibility.  We should know Scripture well enough to hear a lie and know it's a lie.  OK......let's start out with.........

@BENNY HINN.........

    In talking about the secret to his power, Hinn says it's his peculiar anointing, regularly visiting the grave of Aimee McPherson, founder of the Foursquare Gospel Church, where he says: "I felt a terrific anointing ... I was shaking all over ... trembling under the power of God ... 'Dear God,' I said, 'I feel the anointing.' ... I believe the anointing has lingered over Aimee's body."

    @"People of God, we must never speak such faith-destroying words as these: 'If it be thy will, Lord.'... I am Jesus! The Word has become flesh in Me! ... You are a little god on earth!" 

    @His other heresies include the teaching that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each has a body, soul and spirit. "There's nine of them!" he told his congregation "by revelation knowledge." 

    @When questioned about his diamond Rolex, diamond rings, gold bracelet and custom suits Hinn responded......."What's the big deal, for goodness sake? What am I supposed to do, drive a Honda? ... That's not in the Bible. ... I'm sick and tired about hearing about streets of gold in heaven. I don't need gold in heaven. I got to have it now."

@ROBERT SCHULLER........

    “The core of original sin could be considered an innate inability to adequately value ourselves. Label it a 'negative self-image,' but do not say that the central core of the human soul is wickedness. ... Positive Christianity does not hold to human depravity, but to human inability.

    @ “The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the 'unworthiness of the sinner,' and that starting point has set the stage for the glorification of human shame in Christian theology”

    @"Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem.”

    @Robert Schuller referred to Norman Vincent Peale as his close friend and mentor.  Upon his death Schuller said, "Peale has been my inspiration and mentor when he started the positive thinking movement.  I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker." 

    It seems to me there's something really wrong.....when the shepherd starts speaking well of the wolf!!!  So let's just take a quick look at some of Peale's beliefs......

@NORMAN VINCENT PEALE .......

    "Your unconscious mind has a power that turns wishes into realities when the wishes are strong enough." 

    @"Who is God? Some theological being? God is energy. As you breathe God in, as you visualize His energy, you will be reenergized!" 

@JOEL OSTEEN.........

    “Become what you believe.  Are you believing to go higher in life, to rise above your obstacles, to live in health, abundance, healing, and victory? You will become what you believe”. 

    @ “God doesn’t want you to drag through life, barely making it.  It is not His preference for you to live in perpetual pain.  Become a true believer, knowing that you will become what you believe.” 

    @ “Our words become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you allow your thoughts to defeat you and then give birth to negative ideas through your words, your actions will follow suit. That’s why we need to be extremely careful about what we think and especially careful about what we say….Your words have enormous creative power. The moment you speak something out, you give birth to it”

    @"I had been pulled over a couple of times for speeding but when the officer saw my last name was Osteen, no ticket was issued. The same can happen for every Christian who wakes up declaring they have God’s favor. By following this method I have been able to get the best parking spot in a crowded parking lot, a first class seat on a crowded airplane with no boarding pass, and priority seating at restaurants."

@CREFLO DOLLAR.......

    This man is on the leading edge of what is known as "Star Trek Bible Interpretations"......I mean he's taking it where no man has gone before.

    @In a teaching in 2002 on Philippians 2:5......"let this mind be in you".......“Let this way of thinking that was in Jesus be in you let this confidence that was in Jesus be in you. Jesus didn’t think it was robbery he didn’t he didn’t think it was dishonor he didn’t he didn’t think it was, was “oh the you ought not think that way.” No he said let this attitude let this way of thinking be in you who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Now if I’m to take what he said here and, and put it on, the normal attitude now should be I have equality with God. That’s my way of thinkin’, now somebody says its hard to think this way, well keep saying it I have equality with God talk yourself into it, you’ve talked yourself into other things, talk yourself into this attitude talk yourself into this way if thinkin’ talk yourself into it until you feel the confidence on the inside of you that I have equality with God.  We're not gonna shine as lights until we change the way we think. We’re not gonna shine as lights until we accept our equality with God, were not gonna shine as lights until we stop thinkin’ that being equal with God is a dishonor and a robbery.”

    @ “I’ll tell you what blasphemy is, when God says you’re the righteousness of God and you go around talking about I’m unworthy, that’s blasphemy.........you are cleansed because of the blood of Jesus, you're not a sinner saved by grace you sons and daughters of the most high God, you’re God!”

    @"Jesus didn’t come as God, He came as a man, and He did not come perfect.  And somebody said well Jesus came as God, well how many of you know the Bible says God never sleeps nor slumbers and yet in the book of Mark we see Jesus asleep in the back of the boat. Y'all please listen to me, please listen to me; this ain’t no heresy. I’m not some false prophet, I’m just readin’ this out to you the Bible, I’m just telling you all these fantasy preachers have been preachin’ all of this stuff for all of these years and we bought the package.”

@DEREK PRINCE.......

    "First of all, let me point out that 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 together contain 39 verses. They deal exclusively with one subject which is what? Money, that’s right. Some people would say, “Brother Prince, why are you talking so much about money? Love is what really matters.” It always amuses me because in 1 Corinthians Paul has one chapter on love and it takes 13 verses. In 2 Corinthians he has two chapters on money and it takes 39 verses. Exactly three times as many verses!  It means that without rightly acting in matters of money we’re talking empty talk about love."  

    @"Jesus took our poverty that we might have his wealth.  Why did he become poor? That we might be rich. Let’s face the fact his poverty was not spiritual. Is that agreed? He was really poor. Therefore, by all the laws of logic, our wealth cannot be spiritual either. It’s not talking about spiritual blessings. Thank God they’re there but this is talking about the nitty-gritty, practical, material world. All right?" 

    Alright.......we've run plumb out of time here......and we've just barely scraped the surface of the false teachings and the false teachers that are among us.  It isn't hard to spot.......if you've prepared yourself scripturally to refute their words.  Every one of these individuals can clearly be seen as a false teacher.......and we've only examined their words......their theology......and they fail the test.  We haven't looked at their character...... their fruit.

    Scripture is full of warnings about "wolves in sheep's clothing".......it's an incredible responsibility we have to "study to show ourselves approved."

    The next time we meet we'll take off right here in verse one again.......and we'll deal just a little bit with denominational heresies so that we can clearly understand what it is that we need to protect ourselves from regarding certain break-aways from mainstream theology......the Gospel of the apostles.

2 Peter 2:1-3

    We are going to be looking again into the second letter that Peter has recorded in Scripture......and if you recall the last time we were here we looked at the first verse of the second chapter.  And we spent the entire time dealing with one subject.......anybody remember what it was?  FALSE TEACHERS.  Exactly......we barely scratched the surface of this teaching that Peter is going to talk about for the next two chapters......false teachers.  And there's so many warnings.......so much of Scripture that deals with this subject that we really ought to take it very seriously.  We're talking about a very real danger that Jesus and Paul and Peter and Jude and John and Moses and just about everyone who penned the Bible as we know it gave warning of.  

    I feel like I should actually just present my last teaching on this subject to refresh our memories.......because the last time we dealt with this letter was clear back on June 24th.....prior to my back surgery.....and Tish dropping her little pumpkin and breaking it.  So, here we are in September and I find that we may need to just review a little bit in order to get into the flow of the passage.

    So......if you remember back over this study......we saw that chapter one was all about all of the stuff we have in Christ that is true......"everything pertaining to life and godliness"........we have faith and a whole storehouse of moral excellence and knowledge and self-control and perseverance and godliness and brotherly kindness and love......we have all of these truths that are readily available in our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

    But now Peter's going to get down to the heart of why he's writing this letter to these people......and to us.  He already said he knows his time is short here on earth.......and he's concerned about the people he's going to leave behind......and what might happen to their faith because of false teaching........and that's what he'll talk about the rest of this letter.  Chapter one was about truth......chapters 2 and 3 are about what is false......it's a warning about those that would try to steal away the apostolic Gospel that they have received.

    And to get the context of what Peter is talking about here we really need to go back to the final thing he says in chapter 1. .....2 Peter 1:19-21...... 19 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. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

.    These verses stress not only the importance of the Scriptures......but their certainty. In contrast to the “cleverly devised tales” of false teachers......the Scriptures are a more sure word of prophecy......which come from men who have witnessed the power and glory of the resurrected Christ. And here's something that's important........these Scriptures must be interpreted correctly, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and in a way consistent with the interpretation of godly saints throughout history.  

    And we should all be much more comforted by knowing that our understanding of a biblical passage agrees with the interpretation of saints moved by the Holy Spirit.......who suffered and died for their faith.......than we would be by embracing some bizarre interpretation of a Mercedes-driving televangelist who lives in Beverly Hills and wouldn't know the difference between suffering and a piccolo.

    And we spent a little time trying to figure out where things got so wrong in our culture today.......and we talked a little bit about POLITICAL CORRECTNESS......and basically.......we've adopted a path in our culture where we don't want to offend anybody for any reason......at any time or any place........and I believe that the outcome of such a stand in our society is that we've come to a point where we refuse to take a stand on anything.......and that includes the church of Jesus Christ........which seems to have adopted a 'hands-off' policy when it comes to taking certain teachings......or even teachers to task regarding their handling of Scripture simply because we don't want to offend them.  

    But.......I look at Scripture.......and Jesus certainly wasn't politically correct when he addressed the teachers and religious leaders of His day.  Paul wasn't politically correct  when he dealt with those that would lead God's people to a Gospel other than what had been preached by the apostles.......and Peter is not politically correct in the passage we're going to begin today.  Political correctness is a danger when it comes to dealing with God's people and God's Word.  

    So......right before the verses we're going to discuss today......Peter's talking about the prophets of old......and not only did such people exist.......but the fact is that the prophecies were not made by men.......but the Holy Spirit who put the words into the prophets' mouths.  And then he starts our section of this passage......go ahead and read verses 1-3......... But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

    So verse one tells us that this problem with false teachers.......or false prophets is not a new one......it's been going on as long as man has existed.  Chapter one told us that the holy men of God wrote the Scriptures......and now chapter two introduces us to Satan's counterfeit.....FALSE TEACHERS......and they will bring in destructive heresies.......they will operate in secret.......they will bring on themselves sure destruction......they will use sensuality, greediness and false words to accomplish their goals. God's people have always been plagued with those individuals who refuse to submit to the authority of God and try to lead His people away from Him.  

    Peter's just one of many writers of Scripture that talks about this problem.  In Acts chapter 20.......remember, Paul is in Miletus and he calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus.......and he has a lot to tell them about watching over the church.......and in verses 28-30 he specifically tells them.........28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

    So.....how do we know if someone who says he's from God actually is from God?  Because he can perform miracles?  Who's got Matthew 7:21-23........21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

    OK.....I'm guessing "miracles" is not the way.  The fact is that a true prophet doesn't have to perform great works........John the Baptist didn't.  One of the things we do know about a prophet is that if he declares that something will happen......and it doesn't, then he's a false prophet.......which we get from Deuteronomy 18. We know from Deuteronomy 13 that a true prophet's doctrine has to be in line with the Word of God. Jesus teaches that the “fruit” that distinguishes false teachers from true ones isn't just their mighty deeds.......we also need to look at the fruit of their own character.....and that's what Peter's talking about here.

    What are the chances of us being exposed to false teachers today?  Minimal?  Pretty good?  What does it say?  THERE WILL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU!!!! It's a certainty.  If that's the case it should make this teaching of Peter's pretty relevant for all of us.  

    Have we got any of those people out there today?  We have a plethora.......a cornucopia........a bunch!  Everywhere you turn some new revelation......some new way of doing things.......some "flavor of the month" that Oprah's thought of comes along to lead us into a life of peace, bliss and abundance.  

    And we ended the last time by taking a look at some of the false teachers who are very prominent in religious circles today.  We named names and took a look at some of the "destructive heresies" that they teach.  And hopefully, you were able to come up with Scriptures that refuted each of those horrible teachings.  

    This morning......to follow up the last teaching.....rather than look at individuals.......we're going to spend a little time looking at some of the organizations that promote a false doctrine.....where they started and just what it is that they believe.  We'll look at what could be considered some of the more popular "CULTS" that are out there.  We're not going to look at false religions that don't deal with Jesus Christ at all.......like Islam, Buddhism and groups like that.....because we probably won't fall prey to their teachings since they believe something so dramatically different than we do it shouldn't be a danger.  We're going to look at groups that use the Bible......that infer Jesus in some manner......but their teaching is contrary to mainstream Christianity enough that belief in it would not result in salvation.  In fact.....we'll look at those groups who actually call themselves Christian or at least a spin-off of Christianity.  This should equip us to where all we have to do is hear the name of a group and we'll immediately be able to know they do not align themselves with the Gospel of the Apostles.

    When we hear the word “cult,” we often think of a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, or takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals.  When the news media depicts cults they pull out the old footage of Jim Jones’ group.......the Peoples Temple...... where 909 people drank the Kool-Aid back in 1978.  Or maybe the Branch Davidians led by David Koresh that ended in an inferno at their compound in Waco, Texas, in 1993.  There was also the Heaven’s Gate group in 1997.......a strange astrological cult that convinced followers they could hitch a ride to eternal life on the Hale-Bopp comet. I never did figure out how you convince thirty-nine people to commit suicide thinking they were going to fly off on a comet.  But then......it did happen in California......so that could explain it.

    Most destructive cults don’t have a long shelf life, since their leaders are prone to either suicide or violent crime......but the fact is......in reality......most cults appear much more innocent. The specific Christian definition of a cult is “a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth.” In simpler terms.......a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it. 

    Historically.......a cult is a group that claims to be part of a particular religious thought.......yet denies essential truths of that group. Probably the easiest definition that I've held to is one that Peter is making a warning against when he says that these destructive heresies include......"even denying the Master who bought them,.....". Therefore a "cult" could be considered any group of beliefs that deny Jesus as deity and negate in some manner His atoning sacrifice for our sins.......and many times that comes in the form of salvation through "works".

    Probably the two most well-known examples of cults are the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons. Both groups claim to be Christian.......yet both deny the deity of Christ and salvation by faith alone.......yet both groups also believe a whole lot of things that are in agreement with or at least very similar to what the Bible teaches.  And we'll deal with both of those groups in a minute......but let's start with one that was in the news just a week or two ago when its leader died.

    And you may not recognize it when you hear it by its full name.......The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity.......also called the Unification Church........and probably best known as the Moonies.  Founded in South Korea in 1954 by the now defunct Sun Myung Moon......the self-proclaimed “savior of all humanity,”........it has expanded to most nations of the world and now claims a membership approximately seven million members.

    Now......believe it or not......the Unification Church's beliefs are based on the Bible.......as it's interpreted by the church's textbook called Divine Principle. Probably one of the biggest publicity events that the Unification Church was noted for were the mass weddings that were performed......where hundreds, even thousands of couples would be married at one time.......called "The Blessing Ceremony of the Unification Church".  The purpose of these ceremonies was that the couples he married in mass weddings were to produce a race of sinless children that would overcome the world and its evil.  Now I don't care who would have married Tish and I...... sinless children didn't happen!

    In his teaching Moon basicly said that Jesus failed in His mission because He did not marry and have children. Now they believe that Jesus was the Christ.....the Messiah.....and that He came as the new Adam to become the head of the human race and replace Adam who was sinful.  Therefore.......only through Jesus could man enter that sinless state and join God's family.  Jesus was supposed to marry and establish a perfect family which was God-centered and expand that to the rest of the world.....now through Moon.  Divine Principle teaches that Jesus' death on the Cross was not a preordained necessity but rather a secondary course made necessary because people rejected His teaching.  It also teaches that Jesus' resurrection was spiritual, not physical.   Jesus' goal was to restore the garden of Eden......a place where perfected parents would dwell with God in love. 

    This statement is directly from their techings......."The conventional Christian belief in Jesus' divinity is well founded because, as a perfect human being, Jesus is totally one with God. To assert that Jesus is none other than a man who has completed the purpose of creation does not degrade the value of Jesus in the least."  That statement alone qualifies this group in the category that Peter spoke about here in this text.......they "deny the Master that bought them".

    OK.....who's next........Christian Science.....what do we know about those folks?  What is it they believe?  Well......it's a system of, and I quote, "religious thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible."  The Christian Science textbook, Science & Health With Key to the Scriptures was written by Mary Baker Eddy......and in it she describes the teachings of Jesus as a complete and coherent divine science which was demonstrated and proven through his healings. 

    Christian Science addresses the theological problem of evil by teaching that evil is unreal and an illusion.  Christian Scientists believe that if the belief in evil is replaced by the understanding of the true universality of good......then one's perception will also change.....and we'll all figure out that there really is no evil.   

    Christian Science regards God as both Father and Mother. This concept of God that has qualities traditionally considered feminine.......like gentleness, compassion, nurturing and so on.........and qualities traditionally considered masculine.....like strength, support, protection etc. 

    While some Christian Science teachings are unorthodox from what you and I would think of as conventional Christian theology......for instance.....they reject the whole idea of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ........and of Hell as a place of eternal punishment......and yet they accept the Virgin Birth and the physical Resurrection of Jesus.  

    Christian Science distinguishes between "Jesus" the man.....and Jesus the "Christ" who was the divine manifestation of God.  From her writings Mary Baker Eddy states, "As a drop of water is one with the ocean, a ray of light one with the sun, even so God and man, Father and son, are one in being."  Christ is completely divine and spiritual......but not material. Jesus, on the other hand.......as the son of God, was not the totality of Christ.

    The Trinity in Christian Science is found in the unity of God, Christ, and divine Science.  Again I quote from her writings........"Final deliverance from error...is not reached...by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort.  One sacrifice, however great, is insufficient to pay the debt of sin. The atonement requires constant self-immolation on the sinner's part. That God's wrath should be vented upon His beloved Son, is divinely unnatural. Such a theory is man-made." 

    Mary Baker Eddy, reponded to the question of how she knew there ever was such a person as Jesus Christ this way......."If there had never existed such a person as the Galilean Prophet, it would make no difference to me. I should still know that God's spiritual ideal is the only real man in His image and likeness."  BUZZER......wrong answer!!!  Without a doubt......they "deny the Master that bought them".

    OK......what about Scientology?  I included this one simply because it's in the news a lot with people like Tom Cruise and much of the Hollywood ilk.  They really don't share any beliefs with the Christian world.....but I thought we should at least know why we avoid them.  Where did it come from?  What do they believe?  L. Ron Hubbard........the Founder of Scientology was a science fiction writer.....he made stuff up and wrote it down for a living......and he once said, "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."  How can you fall for this stuff when the guy who starts the whole thing makes a statement like that.  Actually.....this one's so crazy we'll just spend a minute on it.  

    Scientology beliefs revolve around the thetan......an I'll try to explain this.....but it gets a little goofy.  The thetan is described as "the individualized expression of the cosmic source, or life force", named after the Greek letter theta. Which I'm guessing means that there is this huge "life force" that each person is a part of......or should I say each "thetan" is a part of.......but it's not physical.  The thetan is the true identity of a person........an intrinsically good, omniscient, non-material core that is capable of unlimited creativity. 

    Somewhere in the primordial past......thetans brought the material universe into being largely for their own pleasure. The universe has no independent reality.......but it appears real to all of us simply because most thetans agree it exists. Thetans fell from grace when they began to identify with their creation......and they seemed to like being physical rather than their original state of spiritual purity. Eventually they lost their memory of their true nature....and with that they also lost their spiritual and creative powers. As a result......thetans came to think of themselves as nothing but embodied beings. Thetans are reborn time and time again in new bodies through a process called "assumption"......or reincarnation......and when you finally perfect it......you too can become a pure spiritual being......again!  This guy used to write science fiction books!!!!  Who would follow this nonsense???

    Alright.......what about Jehovah's Witnesses......how are they different.....where do they come from?   Their initial beginings were in the late 1870's in New York State as the Bible Student Movement under the direction of Charles Russell and Joseph Rutherford.  The name Jehovah's Witnesses was adopted in 1931 to distinguish themselves from other Bible Student groups and to show a break with their hostorical association with Charles Russell. 

    Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs are based on their interpretations of the Bible and needless to say they prefer to use their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.  They believe that the destruction of the present world system is at hand which will bring about the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. 

    Jehovah's Witnesses are best known for their door-to-door distribution of literature in the form of The Watchtower and Awake magazines......and refusing military service and blood transfusions. 

    As far as theology goes.......they reject several traditional Christian beliefs such as the Trinity.......the inherent immortality of man and the idea of an eternal hellfire. They don't observe Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or other holidays believing them to be incompatible with Christianity.......and they try to limit their social interaction with non-Jehovah Witnesses. 

    The doctrines which Jehovah's Witnesses adhere to are established by the Governing Body.......which assumes total responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture. What I found interesting was that the Governing Body does not issue any single, comprehensive "statement of faith" for their religion.  Instead.....its publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation......which probably accounts for them expecting Christ to return in 1975......but alas.....He did not........so they had a new revelation that it would happen some other time.  

    They believe that all worship should be directed toward Jehovah......and that He is not part of a Trinity.  They claim that the Holy Spirit is God's power or "active force" rather than a person.......and that Jesus is God's only direct creation.  Everything else was created by means of Christ.......God's "only-begotten Son". They do believe that Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humankind.......and was qualified to do so as God's created Son.......again......."denying the Master who bought them".

    We've got one more group to take a look at.......and it's been in the news a great deal lately also......The Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints......or better known as the Mormons.  I'm going to try to give as clear an account of the beginnings and  beliefs of the Mormons.......utilizing numerous references which seem to have very valid proofs for their accounts.  After reading the church history of the Latter Day Saints I am truly dumbfounded how this group ever got off the ground......and more astounded that it is still in existence.  

    The church was founded by Joseph Smith who lived in western New York in the 1820's and 30's......where he and his parents supplemented their agricultural existence through treasure-digging. Joseph claimed an ability to use seer stones for locating lost items and buried treasure. And the way he would accomplish this is that Smith would put a stone in a white stovepipe hat and would then see the required information in reflections given off by the stone. 

    Smith said that while praying one night he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him the location of a buried book of golden plates as well as other artifacts.......including a breastplate and a set of silver spectacles with lenses composed of seer stones.......which had been hidden in a hill near his home. Smith said he attempted to remove the plates for the next four years but was unsuccessful because the angel prevented him.  Meanwhile......Smith continued traveling to western New York and Pennsylvania as a treasure seeker and a farmhand. In 1826......he was brought before a court in New York, for "glass-looking,"........or pretending to find lost treasure. 

    On September 22, 1827, he finally was allowed to retrieve the plates at which time he placed them in a locked chest. He said the angel commanded him not to show the plates to anyone but to publish their translation.  Once the translation of the golden plates was complete.....knowing that potential converts to the planned church might find Smith's story of the plates incredible he asked a group of 11 witnesses....which consisted of the male members of his and one other family......to sign a statement testifying that they had seen the golden plates and actually lifted and held them. According to Smith.....the angel Moroni took back the plates after Smith was finished using them.  

    Smith had visits by other various angelic messengers other than Moroni including John the Baptist, Moses, Elijah, and the apostles Peter, James and John..........who conferred upon him "priesthood authority".....which he is able to confer to his successors.

    As it turns out.....after the new religion began to grow in populatity......during hearings that were held to verify the witnesesses statements.......each of the "witnesses"recounted having "hefted boxes" that Smith said carried the plates.......or had seen the plates in a vision with an angel holding them.   In the final analysis......Smith was the only person who actually viewed the plates he reports to have translated.

    Further testimonies as to the character and integrity of Smith are numerous and very unflattering.......suffice it to say Smith enjoyed the company of prostitutes.....was responsible for numerous abortions on his "spiritual wives"........and defrauding people in his "seer" business.

    Now there are a lot of very intelligent people who have become Mormons.....how do we account for that given the history that is published about the man?  Well..... apparently there are two Joseph Smiths......there is the favorable and reverential view of the church founder and leader that the Mormon Church upholds.....and then there is the historical account which shows a man who continuously displayed questionable integrity in his actions and words.

    So how are the two compatible?  Mormons justify following Joseph Smith...... despite his obvious major character flaws by saying that they "don't expect a prophet to be perfect" and......"their church embodies the true gospel despite the human foibles of members and prophets alike."  The Mormon Church now seeks to deflect focus from John Smith and Brigham Young........and have distanced themselves from their radical beginnings while focusing on family values.

    Personally......I think the very character of their founder and the whole golden plates story is sufficient for rejecting their theology.......but let's take a look at what they do believe.

    When speaking to others......the Mormons focus their doctrine and teaching on Jesus Christ........that He was the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, performed miracles, died on the cross, rose on the third day, appeared again to his disciples, and now resides, on the right hand side of God.  Wow......It seems like I should be one.....except......they also believe..........that Christ brought about the universal resurrection of all men and women.......as they were not responsible for the fall of Adam and Eve.......leaving mankind to account only for their own deeds in the flesh.

    It is also believed that each man and woman must partake of every one of the "Saving Ordinances" in order to be fully exhalted......or reach God-like state.  These include baptism,  the Initiatory or washings and anointings, the Endowment, Celestial Marriage, and Family Sealings.

    Every person who has lived to the age of eight must participate in each of the saving ordinances. However.......the church teaches that they may be performed for a person by someone else......either during their lifetime or by proxy after the person has died. Therefore......church members participate in the saving ordinances on behalf of dead relatives......which can only be done at one of the church's temples.

    God the Father is understood to be the literal Father of the spirits of all mankind.....including Jesus.  Which isn't really very special because......and I quote directly from their writings...... "As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be" 

    That single......very much adhered to doctrine is sufficient to reject Mormonism on the basis of what Peter is telling us in this passage we're in....... "even denying the Master who bought them".

    We look around today......and what Peter told us would happen has happened.  He said these people would come around with all of these false teachings and that "MANY WOULD FOLLOW".  That has happened.....and it's sad because many of those people are well meaning decent people who have bought the lies and promises of people and not Jesus.

    We've gone on long enough for today.......Next time we'll take off in verse 4 and continue in the line that Peter is following here.

2 Peter 2:4-10a

    Alright.......we're back in 2nd Peter this morning and we're taking off where we left it last time.....beginning in verse four of the second chapter. .......and we really are right where we left off the last two times we were in this letter with Peter still talking about false teachers.  Two times ago we talked specifically about some of the individual false teachers that are prevalent in our culture today.......and last time we dealt with some of the more popular cults that are in our society.

    Today.......Peter is really going to be giving us a brief look at what is in store for the future of false teachers.......and he's going to be showing this to us by taking a look at the past.  This passage could probably best be described as the "Good News/Bad News" portion of his letter.  Peter is basically saying, "I've got some good news and I've got some bad news."

    Remember the old good news/bad news jokes?  They weren't great jokes.....but I remember as a kid telling them and thinking they were hilarious.  For instance......

Doctor:    I have some good news and I have some bad news.

Patient:     What's the good news?

Doctor:     The good news is that the tests you took showed that you have 24 hours to live.

Patient:    That's the good news? What's the bad news?

Doctor:    The bad news is the test results came in yesterday and I forgot to call you!

OR HOW ABOUT..................

Gallery Owner:    I have some good news and some bad news.

Artist:        What's the good news?

Gallery Owner:    The good news is that a man came in here today asking if the price of your paintings would go up after you die. When I told him they would he bought every one of your paintings.

Artist:        That's great! What's the bad news?

Gallery Owner:    The bad news is that man was your doctor!

OK.......LAST ONE.........

A guy is in the hospital with two broken legs. The nurse comes in and tells him that there's good news and bad news.

The guy asks for the bad news first.

The nurse says, "We're going to have to remove your legs."

Then the guy asks for the good news.

The nurse says, "The guy in the bed next to you wants to buy your sneakers."

I'm not sure why most of those kind of jokes all revolve around doctors......but you get the idea.  That's what Peter is going to do here.......lay out some good news and some bad news regarding God's judgment on false teachers and on the righteous.  Let's go ahead and read the passage and get started............

2 Peter 2:4-10a......... 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in [its] corrupt desires and despise authority.

Alright......so we see that Peter is talking about not only the destruction of the wicked........but also of the deliverance of the righteous.......the good news and the bad news.  And the way that Peter illustrates this is by taking a look back in history......and it is probably a history that most folks were familiar with......whether they were Jewish or not.  Let me try something here......and this could back-fire terribly.  Is there anybody here who did not grow up in the church.......anybody who didn't attend Sunday School or have much of a spiritual background as a kid?  

IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO RAISE THEIR HAND ASK QUESTIONS.......

OK.......let me ask you......did you ever hear of Noah's Ark before you came to church?  How about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise?  Jonah and the whale?  The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?  HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT IT?  WHO TOLD YOU?  ARE THESE STORIES THAT EVERYBODY GROWS UP WITH?

Our society probably isn't a lot different than theirs back in Peter's time in this regard.  People knew what Peter was talking about.  The oral tradition was much more important back then......they didn't get their information from TV or radio or the internet.  People told stories.......and they talked about these kind of things.  "Boy......did you hear about ol' Noah?.......Let me tell you......."  

Also......as we get into this passage it's set up in an "IF/THEN" format.  We see that verses 4, 6 and 7  contain the word "if"......and verse 9 starts with "then".  So, Peter says, "If God can bring about the destruction of the lawless and the salvation of the righteous in all of these past cases......then surely we can rely on Him to destroy the false teachers and rescue the righteous of our generation."  What he's referring to is the statement he just made in the last part of verse 3......The judgment of such men “from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep”.  

So the logical breakdown of what Peter says through the illustrations he uses are basically this........IF this historical event happened........and IF this historical event happened.......THEN this future related event is certain......all to show that God will certainly judge the false teachers in the future.......as certainly as He brought judgment in the past.

So, now he goes about to prove his point by drawing on illustrations from the ancient days of Scripture.  Why would he do that? 

Well.......I think what he's telling us is that the events of ancient times have a great deal of bearing on the events of our own day. The execution of divine judgment on the wicked and the rescue of the righteous from temptation in ancient times is proof positive that God will not only deliver the righteous from temptation.......but He'll deliver the wicked to eternal judgment.

In studying this passage I found conflicting ways that it's presented.  Many scholars view Peter using three separate historical events from ancient days......but I see that Peter's really using two major events to make his point.......the destruction of civilization and the deliverance of Noah and his family at the flood......out of Genesis chapters 6-9.......and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah along with the deliverance of Lot and his two daughters found in Genesis chapters 18-19.  

You may view this as only semantics here......but I see the confinement of the angels as a related event of the flood......not a separate event......and the reason I think that's important is that Peter has a dual teaching going on here.  God destroyed the unrighteous and rescued the righteous.  If you view the angels incident as unrelated to Noah's time then there was no rescue involved.......only judgment.......and the judgment of the angels seems interconnected with Noah in the Genesis 6 account.  As we go on I think you'll see it.

So.....let's look at the first illustration Peter draws upon.......Genesis 6:1-8........ 1 Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore [children] to them. Those were the mighty men who [were] of old, men of renown. 5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 And the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

OK......before we try to see what was taking place here......let's look at what appears to be a related passage in the New Testament book of Jude.  Go ahead and read Jude 5-7.......... 5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

It would certainly appear that Peter and Jude are referring to the “fall” of some angels at the time of the flood. The term used in Genesis 6....... “the sons of god” as referring to angels would certainly square with Scripture.......in the book of Job on three occasions the angels are referred to using the expression “sons of god” (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7)........as well as in the book of Psalms (Psalm 29:1).  

We see.......in a number of passages of Scripture that angelic beings can take on masculine bodies........never feminine.......and probably nowhere is it clearer than in the Genesis 19 passage about Sodom and Gomorrah......where the angels who appeared as men were sought out by the homosexuals of Sodom.  Genesis and Peter and Jude are referring to an incredibly sinful time in the history of the world.    The improper relationship between angels and women would also explain the appearance of the Nephilim.......the super race of Noah’s day. This inappropriate sexual union of angels and humans fits right into the contexts of 2 Peter and Jude.......where the sensuality and greed and desire of the false teachers is the reason for divine judgment.

So......with all of this......I see the destruction of the fallen angels and the destruction of civilization by means of the flood to be the same historical reference......either way......it's clear that certain angels fell and were put in confinement awaiting their final judgment. And that's Peter's point.......God is going to judge those who sin.......especially those who seek to corrupt others. 

God's judgment in Genesis 6 didn't only deal with fallen angels and some super race that was being produced........it was about all of mankind......the sinful men and women of Noah’s day. But it's interesting that Peter doesn't give any details of the sins of Noah’s day........or the sins of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. In fact.......how does Genesis 6:5 describe the people of Noah's time?...... Not in terms of their deeds......but in terms of their heart........."Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."   

Noah's time was the epitome of a sinful and corrupt society........but God didn't immediately wipe out mankind........in fact He tells us that He's going to allow them another 120 years.......but we don't know how long it took Noah and his sons to build the ark which is probably the time God gave them to repent.......which would be at least a generation...........but finally........judgment arrived.......and God wiped out every living person except for Noah and his family......which brings us to Peter's point of the illustration....... in the flood we see both divine destruction and divine deliverance.

OK......the next illustration from history that Peter uses to make his point is found in verses 6 thru 8.......the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah......and the rescue of Lot and his daughters.....and I have to admit.......I found this one sort of fascinating.  The biblical account is found in Genesis 18 and 19.......which we won't read for sake of time......but if you aren't familiar with the history.......or just need a refresher on it........read those chapters later on.

Alright......let's break this down.  What do we know about Sodom and Gomorrah?   A couple of cities back in Abraham's time.......lots of sin and deviant behavior.......two of the 5 cities of the plain......located on the southern end of the Dead Sea........destroyed by God with fire and brimstone. So......not a lot.  The cities are mentioned not just in the Genesis account......but throughout the Bible......Old and New Testament alike.......as well as non-biblical references.  So.....there's little doubt as to their one-time existence.  

@Here's a map of Old testament times.......(POINT OUT VARIOUS LANDMARKS).......@and here's a close-up of the area.......you see the 5 cities of the plain and also Ammon and Moab.......which also come into play in Genesis 19.

I thought it was interesting.......as I was studying this passage and looking up references.  The scientific community said this about the two cities.  "The historical existence of Sodom and Gomorrah is still in dispute by archaeologists, as little archaeological evidence has ever been found in the regions where they were supposedly situated."  Why would that be?  Because GOD DESTROYED THEM!!!!! 

@What has been found......in exactly the places where the Bible describes the two cities being is a different colored earth......much lighter than the surrounding areas......and a lot of these things that one would have to call "brimstone"........a crusted rock filled with sulfur and magnesium that burns very hot.  I don't know.......some might call it proof!

@OK.......so Peter tells us very plainly in verses 6 thru 8 a couple of things.  The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot and his daughters is an example......it's an illustration of what God will do in the future regarding the deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of the wicked.  He also shows us that this is a warning to the wicked in the future........and an encouragement to the righteous in the future........it's not just some ancient story tucked away in the Bible.  

Alright.......so the Reader's Digest version of the Genesis account is that the Lord and 2 angels.......all appearing as men......show up at Abraham's tent and tell him that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great that the cities will be destroyed by God......and what is Abraham's response?  Does he say, "Good.......those folks deserve it!"  Who remembers what Abraham did?  He asked God to spare the cities if there are 50 righteous people there........and in the bargaining process......he gets it down to 10 righteous people.  That's pretty interesting in light of what Peter's telling us here.  

Let's look at the passage in Genesis 18:22-25.........22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt Thou indeed sweep [it] away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are [treated] alike. Far be it from Thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” 

In the passage we're studying.......Peter's making a very strong statement that God is going to punish the wicked and rescue the righteous.......which is obviously something that Abraham understood.  He knew that justice required God to distinguish between the just and the unjust.......so he makes his appeal.  Abraham knows that God......in His infinite justice wouldn't destroy the righteous along with the wicked......and that's exactly the point that God comes to.  He didn't spare the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah........He destroyed them completely........but He did spare Lot and his daughters. God delivered the righteous from judgment........and He delivered the wicked to judgment.

Here's the part I find interesting in Peter's description of this event......Three times in verses 7 & 8 Peter calls Lot a "righteous" man.  When you've read the accounts of Lot in the book of Genesis.......did you ever view him as "righteous"?   What is new and surprising is that Lot is identified by Peter as a righteous man. Peter is emphatic on this point.  But when I read chapters 13 thru 19 of the book of Genesis......I never really saw him as righteous.  

In Genesis 13......after his uncle Abram decides they can't live so close together because their flocks are too big to be sustained by the land.......and also their herdsmen can't get along.......Lot doesn't say, "Oh Unk.......you've been do good to me......you choose where you want to live and I'll take what's left over."  No......he grabs up the rich valley land and Abram goes off to the land of Canaan.  Go ahead and read Genesis 13:9-11......... 9 "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this wasbefore the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other."

@So Lot takes the rich fertile land of the Jordan River Valley.......and Abram gets the Negev and the mountain region west of the sea.......not exactly what one would think a righteous man would do.  Combine that with the fact that Lot offers his two virgin daughters to the men of Sodom to do with as they please if they'll leave the two angels alone.......not exactly a stand-up guy there.  And then later on in chapter 19 he impregnates his two daughters and has children by them.  Yet......Peter calls him a righteous man......WHY????  

Well......the answer is actually rather easy when you think about it......GOD SAID HE WAS!!!!  Think about it.......when Abraham appealed to God to spare the righteous of the city......who did He spare?  Lot and his daughters........therefore, we've got to assume that God considered them to be righteous. 

But Peter takes it a step further. Peter describes the response of Lot’s heart and soul to the sin of his surroundings.......he tells us that Lot saw the wickedness of the people and he was deeply grieved......and he wasn't only grieved.......he grieved continually........“day after day”. Once again I see this same thread throughout Scripture.  I tend to judge a man by the things I see him do......by the way he looks......by who he associates with........pretty much by his outward appearance.  

God, on the other hand.......judges a person on the basis of what's in their heart. Lot may have lived in a wicked city.......among very wicked men......probably even did some wicked things........but he never loved the “world” in which he lived. He hated their sin with a genuine hatred........and it's something that brought him constant grief.

So what are the lessons to be learned today?  It's pretty much summed up in verses 9 and 10.............9 Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in [its] corrupt desires and despise authority.

So......we're left with the good news and the bad news that we started out with.  Two statements here that we can absolutely count on.  God knows how to rescue the godly from temptation.......and He knows how to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 

He's telling us that God can keep the righteous......righteous......no matter where we are.  We have a tendency.......as Christians today to become somewhat like the Pharisees of Christ's time. They seemed to think that holiness was measured in terms of the distance we put between ourselves and “sinners.” But the Bible talks about holiness more along the lines of us losing our love for the world. We somehow think that if we isolate ourselves and our families from the world we'll be unstained.  And yet Peter assures us that God will rescue us from temptation even in the midst of a corrupt and violent society.  

The second part of that teaching is that God knows how to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.  We've got to be careful we don't misunderstand what Peter's saying here.  He's telling us that God is preserving the unrighteous for a great eternal judgment that is yet to come.  The flood that killed the people of Noah's time and the fire and brimstone that killed the people in Sodom and Gomorrah......those were their initial punishments.  But God is keeping them someplace that is quite unpleasant to await a judgment still to come........a judgment described in the Book of Revelation..........Revelation 20:11-15..........11 And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one[of them] according to their deeds. 14 And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Those who were judged at the flood and in the fire which came upon Sodom and Gomorrah experienced the first death. But that judgment is only temporary. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16......Jesus describes Lazarus as entering into some of his eternal rewards.......a presence with God.......but He also describes the rich man’s suffering while he awaits his final day of judgment as a place of torment.  God hates sin......and the unrighteous who die are going to await their final judgment that is going to come just as surely as the flood or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The wicked are kept “under punishment,” Peter tells us.......just like a person sentenced to death awaits his execution on death row.  This is the judgment that awaits the false teachers that Peter is warning us against........those who despise the authority of God and His Word.

And maybe a third lesson that we can take away from this mornings passage is that biblical history isn't always just history.......sometimes it's prophecy that we should take care to understand.  

2 Peter 2:10-22

Generally......I try to start out a teaching with a stupid joke or anecdote that relates to the passage.......to try to get people's attention and make them more attentive to the teaching.  I tried to do that this time too......but the problem was.....I couldn't find anything the least bit humorous about today's passage.  This is one of the most somber, sober, dark passages of Scripture.  At least last time we got a little good news........but not this time......it's all bad news and it's as clear a warning as the Holy Spirit could possibly give us about false teachers in our midst.......and it speaks plainly about recognizing them and what their final outcome will be.

And just to reiterate......what Peter's warning of here is not something we should take lightly......like it happened long ago.......or we may not be exposed to it.  He's very clear that false teachers are not just a hypothetical possibility.......but rather.....they are a certainty.  When we read this we'll see that Peter isn't giving us a step-by-step logically developed argument here......it's more like a series of statements that describe the characteristics.....the methods........and the ultimate end of false teachers. So......with that in mind......let's go ahead and look at the passage for this morning....... 2 Peter 2:10-22........10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; 

15 forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression; for a dumb donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. 

17 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20 For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” 

Wow.......stinks to be a false teacher!!!!  The words couldn't be harsher......their outcome could not be more certain.  Verses 10-14 describe the character and conduct of the false teachers. Verses 15 and 16 liken them to Balaam, an Old Testament prototype. Verses 17-22 describe these false teachers in terms of their destructive impact on those who follow them.

But before we tackle this passage.......I want to go ahead and read a parallel passage of Scripture......written probably 15 years after Peter wrote this one.......with an eerily common theme and description.  Go ahead and read Jude 8 through 19.............

8 Yet in the same manner these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. 

11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 

12 These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. 14 And about these also Enoch, [in] the seventh [generation] from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their [own] lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of [gaining an] advantage. 17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Alright.......right up front.....both of these passages of Scripture have certain theological and textual problems......both lay out some things that are difficult to understand and I will try to address them to some degree......but I don't particularly want to focus on what's not clear about our text.......but instead on what's become pretty clear in our society today......something we really don't want to make light of. I mean.....think about the warnings he's given us regarding this problem.......@

1.  False teachers aren't just a possibility......they're a certainty. 

@2. False teachers aren't just expected outside the church......but within the church. 

@3. False teachers aren't secretive about their sin......they openly flaunt it.  And we saw that very visibly when we went through that session where we actually called out certain prominent false teachers of today's culture.  They lived incredibly greedy, self-serving life styles.

@4. In spite of their openly shameless lifestyles.......their followers seem oblivious to their sin.  And because of this.......false teachers feel free to continue in sin without any fear of correction. 

@5. Rather than expose these heretics......the visible church seems content to embrace them as fellow-believers.  And I think we saw that "Political Correctness" has crept into the church and has provided these false teachers with position and prestige and has allowed them to subvert the faith of others.

Those are all things that we've learned earlier.  What do these verses we just read point out about them?  

@The false teachers had little respect for those in authority (2:10; Jude 8). 

@They were grumblers and complainers who created strife and division in the church (Jude 16). 

@They were greedy and self-serving (2:14-15; Jude 12). 

@They used people for their own purposes and gratification (2:13-14; Jude 12, 16). 

@They were immoral to the point of having no shame for their sin; they proudly flaunted their sin (2:13-14; Jude 13). 

@These teachers gathered their own following of vulnerable saints (2:14, 18). 

@If they were recognized for what they were, they were not dealt with as they should have been (2:13-14; Jude 12).

That's a lot of "pointing out" in just two passages.....and the reason is that it's a huge problem and one that Peter really wants believers to understand.  It's vital that we not be misled in such an important area.  

Alright.......there's a lot that's been said about false teachers......but, as I mentioned before.......this particular passage is not without theological controversy........and I'd like to address those right up front as best I can.  First......Those who do not believe in eternal security......those who maintain that a Christian can lose their salvation view verses 20-22 as supporting their belief. Under this interpretation........the false teachers were, at one time, saved......which means that phrases like....... @"For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world"......."to have known the way of righteousness,".......and.......“to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them."......are all talking about salvation.  Then......to top it off.......there is the little matter of.......“the last state has become worse for them than the first.”  So......if they're right.......and if all of this is talking about real salvation......then it could absolutely happen to any Christian.  Although this is a possible interpretation.......after really studying it.......I believe it's in error.  And I have really studied this concept from every angle that I could.  

You see.......I came out of Catholicism a lot of years ago.  And in their beliefs you can easily end up in hell.......no matter what you've said or done or believed.  If you die with an unconfessed MORTAL sin in your life then you're gone.  I figured the only way I was going to make it to heaven was to step out of the confessional and get hit by the truck that was delivering the communion wine to the church......otherwise, I was goin' to hell.

But let's look at the parallel passage we just looked at in Jude......he's talking about the same false teachers.......and yet how did he end it up in verse 19?  He says...... "These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit."..... these are individuals who do not have the Spirit.  I guess the question could still be were they saved in the first place and then lost it?  But what Peter talks about in verse 22.....where he quotes Proverbs 26:11 seems to negate the possibility.  He tells us that a false teacher is like a dog who returns to his vomit.......or a pig who gets washed and goes right back to the mud.  These proverbs are true because the nature of these animals never changed from the time they threw up or the time they were washed......they were the very same as when they started.  So......these sayings ONLY make sense if the false teacher’s nature has NEVER changed.......and the fact is that a Christian is given a new nature.  I also thought it was interesting that Jesus referred to both dogs and pigs when He was talking in Matthew 7:6......which is clearly referring to those who were not holy: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” 

So.....what do we do with this......how do we part these verses against the whole counsel of Scripture?  The fact is that whenever we think we see the possibility of a contradiction in Scripture......we've got to assume that the problem is our lack of understanding.......and not God's Word.  If that's true......then which of these statements could be understood in a different way?  Could the terms ......."For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world"......."to have known the way of righteousness,".......and.......“to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them."......could all of these be interpreted in a different manner?

If we take Peter's final analogy with the pigs and dogs as false teachers having an unchanged nature......it would seem that terms like "escaping" and "known" would have to refer to an unsaved person.  Is it possible to say, of an unsaved person, things like he has “escaped” and "understood the way of righteousness?”  

Before we get to that.......let me just make sure we're all on the same page.  Let me ask you a question.......IS EVERYONE WHO EVER WAS BORN GOING TO BE SAVED?  NO!  OK......I think we're all in agreement of that.  With that in mind........who's got John 16:7-8...... 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.......

In this passage Jesus Himself tells us that the Holy Spirit “will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.….” But are we ever told that this conviction cannot be rejected......can't be turned away from? We know that the whole world is not going to be saved........so some people do reject this conviction of the Holy Spirit. And if you notice in this passage.......the Spirit not only convicts the world of sin.......but He also convicts the world of righteousness. That's why Peter was able to say in verse 21 that the false teachers “understood the way of righteousness.” But ultimately.......in the end......they wind up denying “the Master who bought them”.....just as Peter tells us in the very beginning. 

We just need to remember......when we're studying Scripture to pay close attention to what the text actually says.......and to try not be influenced by our own preconceived ideas. In this passage.......Peter never says anything that requires us to think the false teachers were ever saved in the first place.......which is how he ends verse 22.  So......any of you who may believe that you can lose your salvation and were depending on this passage to back you up......I don't think it does. 

So.....with the more controversial portion of this passage out of the way......what is Peter getting at here?  

One of the points I believe can be made here is that false teachers are a real danger to the church of Jesus Christ and that it is truly up to the church itself to insure that doctrine that is taught is sound......that doctrine is not compromised for convenience and that the teachers of God's Word understand their responsibility before God to insure that those people under their umbrella of teaching don't compromise either.

In looking at these passages one of the things I questioned was, "How does this happen?  How do we let things get to a point where these teachers have got such control and are able to get away with teaching such perverse things?"  And I found the answer to that question in Scripture as well......who's got 2 Tim. 4:3-4........3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."

How does it happen?  We WANT it to.......the church itself......the people begin to rebel against sound teaching....."they will not endure sound doctrine"......they want "their ears tickled".  We want to hear the fun stuff and not the teachings that hold us accountable to a holy God who demands holiness from us.  That's one of the big draws of some of the popular televangelists of our culture......people flock to them because all God wants for us is big cars, big houses and lots of spending money!

One thing I really appreciate about this Body is that we do have elders who take their role seriously when it comes to maintaining sound doctrine.  If one of the teachers here instructs something that is contrary to Scripture......or not in line with what the passage says.......I know they'll be questioned by the elders and after discussing the passage the error will be corrected and not let to stand.  It doesn't happen often.....but it does happen.

In fact, recently we had to deal with such a problem......and I'm afraid that it may not have been handled rightly when it came to informing the Body of what had taken place.  In an effort to protect the teacher from anything negative.......we chose to be silent regarding what had happened.....and it probably needs to be addressed here.  

Some of you have asked where Larry and Barbara Fechter are these days.  Well.......Larry made a decision to leave this Body when his teaching was questioned.  Immediately following the teaching of a passage we talked about what he had taught......which he had taught very wrongly.  When confronted with his error he chose to leave the Body rather than correct his teaching......or even present the other side of the error.  I believe the situation was handled in love and with every concern for not only the Body......but Larry and Barbara as well.  

For some time the elders were aware that Larry was not in total agreement doctrinally with the rest of us.......and that was OK.......as long as both sides of the issue were made available in the teaching......thus allowing each person.......in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.......to study the passage themselves and come to a conclusion.  Sometimes that's a healthy way to learn things......when you are able to question it and come to a decision based on your own study and the Holy Spirit.  So we didn't shy from that.......as long as the proper teaching was presented.   

Larry told me he knew his teaching was in opposition to the accepted view of the elders before he taught it......and that he would not compromise his beliefs to even present the other interpretations of the passage.  Rather than stepping down from teaching and remaining in fellowship......he made a decision to leave.  It was painful......we loved them and would have done nearly anything to keep them from leaving.......except to concede to false teaching.  Peter, Jude, Paul and even Jesus Himself all told us it would come.......and they mandated that it be corrected when it came.

This passage in Peter is pretty straight forward as far as interpreting it without much difficulty.  There is one other sticking point that I would like to address so that there aren't any doubts regarding what Peter is saying......and it comes in verses 10 and 11.....and though it isn't a major issue......there does seem to be a translation problem that could throw us off.  Here are several popular translations of the passage......and I'm a big fan of the New American Standard Bible......but every now and then they seem to miss it......and I think this is one of those cases.

@".......and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,  whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord."  (NASB)

@"This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.  Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord." (NIV)

@"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord."  (KJV)

@".......especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority.  Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones, yet even angels, who are much more powerful, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord." (NET)

The word in verse 10 that NASB translates "angelic majesties" is the word "doxa" in the Greek.  The NIV translates it as "celestial beings".......King James simply says, "dignities" and the New English translates the word as "glorious ones".  

If you only had the New American Standard translation......it seems you'd come up with a meaning that may be different than what I believe the intention was.  The word "doxa" can be translated as "angels"......but the very next verse......which is referring to angels uses the Greek word aggelos.  So.....it would seem a difference in translation was intended.  Although the Greek word aggelos can refer to men.......in this context Peter is referring to what we normally think of as "angels".......the dictionary definition being......."supernatural that attend upon or serve as a messengers of a superior supernatural entity." And there is little doubt that this is what his readers would have deduced by what he said. 

Warren Wiersbe sums up these men described in this section by saying....... "The picture here is of proud people who try to build themselves up while they try to tear down everybody else. They show no respect for authority and are not afraid to attack and defame people in high positions."  These false teachers bring judgments against righteous men......and yet angels......who could, because of their great power......do not revile the false teachers.  He's saying that these false teachers are shameless in their attempts to lift themselves up and tear down those who are actually doing what God desires.

It's pretty clear that false teachers will become evident by their theology.......but it would seem they are first evident by their ungodly lifestyle. This is exactly what our Lord is talking about in Matthew 7:13-29.  We won't look at the whole passage......but it is clear from the start what Jesus is saying....... @15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. 

False teachers will become evident by their fruit. Their fruit isn't found in their doctrinal statement........it's found in their lives.  How do they act.....do they tear others down to build themselves up?  Are they divisive?  Are they concerned about worldly gain?  Conceited?  Are they servants......concerned about others......or is their own comfort and lifestyle more important? 

That's exactly why verses 15 & 16 are here.......Peter uses the Old Testament illustration of Balaam the prophet that we find in Numbers chapter 22.  You probably remember that Balak, the king of Moab.......hired Balaam to curse Israel......and it's a rather involved story.....but the bottom line is that God was displeased with Balaam because of his motive......which was money......personal gain.

Can you think of a church in the New Testament that sounds almost exactly like what Peter's describing here in chapter two?  The church at Corinth. 

• @ (Advance each bullet) The church at Corinth was characterized by its factions (chapter 1)

• They took each other to court (chapter 6).

• Some of the “leaders” of the church belittled Paul and the other apostles, claiming apostolic authority for themselves (2 Corinthians 11).

• Paul’s suffering was cited as proof of his unrighteousness, while the “spiritual giants” at Corinth knew only success (1 Corinthians 4:6-21; 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; 6:1-18; 12:7-13).

• Immorality was common (1 Corinthians 6:12-20),

• when the church knew of a man who lived with his father’s wife, they did nothing about it and were proud of their response to his sin (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

• The saints at Corinth had made a lot questionable alliances with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

• Their ungodly leaders were “smooth talkers,” making Paul’s simplicity of speech seem inadequate. (1 Corinthians 2; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 4:1-2).

Think about the letters written to the 7 churches in Asia.......Revelation 2 and 3.  For the most part......things weren't going all that well for them as far as their teaching.  Some of those same churches were recipients of this letter that we're looking at here.  It's pretty easy to see that the description of the church at Corinth......and some of the churches in Asia are awfully close to what we see in the visible church today.  

Peter’s words to these believers aren't merely history........they're prophesy.....and we need to pay attention.  The warnings are clear.......our doctrine and our conduct are both taken very seriously by God......and they are inseparable.   False teachers' doctrine is driven by their conduct......and it can't be that way.  Our doctrine should always determine our conduct......no matter what a rebellious world thinks.  

2 Peter 3:1-13

    Historically......we have not done a great deal of scientific research here at Community Bible Church........and today will be no exception to this rule......but I do want to poll the congregation and see if we can come to a consensus on what it is in life that frustrates us the most.  What is it that just gets on your nerves the most about everyday life?   OK.......I'm going to give you just a minute to think about this question so that you can answer truthfully......Think about it while I assign verses to be read and then we'll discuss it.

ASSIGN VERSES

    Alright......let's get a feel for what it is that frustrates us the most about life....when do we find ourselves the most aggravated.....irritated......upset.....displeased..... disturbed.......annoyed.....bothered......whatever it is that you call it when things aren't going well?  WRITE ON BOARD.......WAITING SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE.

    Think about our lives and what's happened over the past sixty years.....it's turned us into a people who do not want to wait for anything!  We wait less for everything in our culture today than man ever has......everything about us is faster.......and yet we are less tolerant than we've ever been.

    In the area of travel.......we get where we want to go faster than any time in history.  We have supersonic jets......high-speed trains.......75 mile and hour speed limits.....and yet......when our flight is delayed 15 minutes we go crazy.

    Communications are faster than any time in history......we can call nearly anyplace in the world and get connected immediately.  We can be sitting in the middle of the desert and think to ourselves, "I wonder who won the 1923 World Series.".....and type a couple of strokes on our telephone and the information is sent to us in a matter of seconds.    

    Meals that used to take hours to prepare are done in minutes in microwave ovens......not to mention the very name of the places many people eat everyday encompasses our way of life.......FAST FOOD JOINTS.

    We used to have to wait until we had enough money saved up to buy a house or a car......now we buy them on credit.......along with nearly everything else we own.  We don't have to wait for a big-screen TV or a cell phone or a pizza for that matter......we just charge it!

    Fewer and fewer people are willing to wait until they're married to have sex....... why not just do it now.......we don't need a piece of paper.  In 2007 the percentage of children born out of wedlock in the United States was a little over 41%......as compared with 18% in 1980.  We increasingly don't want to wait for anything.  I thought it was interesting that the unwed birthrate in Israel that same year was 1.3%.  Apparently......the Jews are used to waiting on God!!!

    It's obvious that we don't want to wait......but it's also just as obvious that man has been waiting on God all throughout history.  Noah waited a good 100 years or so for the flood to come upon the earth.........Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the birth of the son God had promised them......in fact.......Abraham didn't even possess the promised land in his lifetime.........it was more than 400 years until his descendants took possession of it.  

    You look at the apostles and it's pretty clear they didn't like to wait either.  They were constantly questioning Jesus about the coming of the kingdom.  When Jesus waited three days to go to where Lazarus had died......Martha and Mary weren't that happy.  They said Jesus came too late.  But the fact is that God’s promises never come too late.......in reality......they're never “late” at all.......God is always on time.

    Throughout history there have been men who try to convince themselves and others that the Lord is not coming back......that His second coming is baseless......that so much time has passed and nothing has changed.......in fact they'll say that there is no visible evidence at all that He's ever coming back.  Peter has a word for these people......he calls them "mockers".  Mockers believe they have given God plenty of time to fulfill His promise to return and thus have now concluded that His time is up. “Let's face it.......if He hasn’t come by now.......He just ain't coming.”

    Let's look at today's passage and see what it is that Peter is warning his readers about........ 3 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.

3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

    8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

    10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

    11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

    Initially......Peter begins with a reminder to his readers that this letter is a reminder to his readers.  This is the second letter he's written them as a reminder to do what God has called them to do.......as it has been revealed through the prophets, the Lord Jesus and the apostles.  None of that is too hard to understand.  He's saying we don't need a "new" way of doing things.  The gospel they've heard from the prophets, Jesus and the apostles is absolutely sufficient for us to live by......we don't need to go chasing after some new idea or guru or incantation......we've got it all.  

    We do seem to have the mentality in our culture that "new" is better......just look at the way we live.  We have to have the newest "smart" phone......the latest gadget...... half the products on the store shelves announce that they're "new and improved".  But the fact is......the newest "thing-a-ma-jig" isn't always the best.  Although I have to admit that sometimes it is.  In recent years we've gotten a refrigerator with an ice maker and a furnace for the house.  Imagine......instead of building a fire every night, you just go to this little contraption on the wall called a thermostat......and just push in what temperature you want the house to be......those are both really good inventions!!!  

    But Peter's telling us that when it comes to the gospel.....when it comes to our spiritual lives......we don't need to run after the newest flavor of the month.  Our revelation is complete in the prophets, Jesus and the apostles.  We are fortunate to have gone through his first letter and seen that "living" the gospel is a really important aspect of our lives as believers.......and those who claim to know the gospel and teach false things are proven to be imposters by their lifestyles.

    And then he drills into the same vein that he's been in almost from the beginning of this writing........that of false teachers.......only this time he characterizes them as "mockers" in verse three.

    It should come as no shock at all that there are people who don't believe in the second coming of Jesus......let's face it.....there's plenty of folks who didn't believe in His first coming.  But it's been a problem that the faith has faced since the beginning.  Obviously......Peter's dealing with it here.....just as Paul had to deal with it when writing to the church at Thessalonica.......2 Thessalonians 2:1-2........Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

    And all of this really is pretty easy to understand.  Christ is coming again in judgment........so if I deny His second coming......then it makes me pretty comfortable to just continue to live in my sin.  The mockers that Peter refers to here have already been described as those who were "following after their own lusts".......so it stands to reason that I would try to give myself a false hope of not having to be accountable for my sin.

    But if we take a good look at what the mockers are saying.......something pretty interesting comes to light.  Go ahead and read verses 3-7....... 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

    Verses 3 and 4 are the charge that the mockers are making......and if you look at the words that are used......they're the theological words of the time.  They talk about "the fathers"......the "promise".....the creation of the world.....and even use the words "fell asleep" for death.  The false teachers are telling "stained glass lies."  They sound spiritual in their charges......in their teaching.......but they are purposely misleading people.  These are the "destructive heresies" that Peter warned about earlier.

    A second thing that we can see from these verses is that the "mockers" don't even acknowledge Jesus Christ.......in the whole scheme of things since the creation of the world......Jesus wasn't even a blip on the map.   Everything......since the beginning of creation has gone on just like is was before.......nothing of any significance has happened that would give us any indication of the Lord's promised coming.  The first coming is not even given so much as an honorable mention. 

    The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ........His miraculous birth.......His sinless life........His incredible miracles......His amazing teaching.......His death and resurrection........none of these seem to have any significance to the mockers. They looked back to the beginning of time.......and yet they overlooked the coming of Christ just a few short years before. Fairly amazing oversight. 

    Peter points out in verse 5 that their claim to be teachers or prophets......their claim of orthodox beliefs do not even acknowledge the Word of God.  If you go back to creation.......as they do.......it is the Word of God that spoke everything into existence.....that's pretty dramatic power.  It's the Word of God that brought about the destruction of the world by water destroying everyone who wasn't on the ark......pretty dramatic power.......and Peter tells us that it will be by the Word of God that the earth will be destroyed again.......this time with fire reserved for the ungodly who do not recognize Jesus Christ.

    Let's talk about a few of these verse out of order for a minute and then we'll go back and address the ones we missed......because the reference to the end times which some of these verses talk about probably needs to be dealt with as a whole.  What exactly is this "day of judgment" or "day of the Lord" of "the day of God" that's talked about here?      Verse 7.........7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

    Verse 10 tells us that...... 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

    And then verses 12 and 13........12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

    There are a lot of different interpretations of what is referred to here.....the end times......"eschatology" if you want the seminary definition of what's being talked about.  The varied thought here is probably is diverse as anything you might study in Scripture.  People feel very strongly about their positions.......and some of those positions are so different than others.  Let me ask you.......are you a "pre-trib, dispensational premillinealist? .......or possibly at mid-trib, postmillinealist?.......of course you could be a no-trib, amillinealist.  Come on.....let's fight about it and make a different denomination because of it!!!

    Let me give you understanding in a very Reader's Digest version.......and throw in some of the other ones along side it.  I think I'm right......but I'm not dumb enough to tell you this is the way it is...... because I'm not smart enough either!  Your own study and your thoughts on the subject are as valuable as mine.

    The event usually referred to as “the end of the world” as described here by  Peter is the culmination of a series of events referred to as “the day of the Lord”......the time when God will intervene in human history for the purpose of judgment.  Scripture seems to be clear that at that time all that God has created, “the heavens and the earth” will be destroyed.  There are those who believe that this is all to be taken as allegory......and that God really isn't going to destroy the heavens and the earth......He's just going to deal with the evil therein.   I don't know.....this could just be me......but words like....... "fire"......."burned up"......."new heaven and new earth".......those all seem pretty real to me.......but none-the-less.....it is what some people have gleaned from Scripture.

    The timing of this event.......according to most Bible scholars.......is at the end of the 1000-year period called the millennium. During these 1000 years Christ will reign on earth as King.  At the end of the 1000 years.......Satan will be released and with finality be defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). Then.......after a final judgment by God.......the end of the world described in 2 Peter 3:10 occurs. 

    Then God will create a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), which will include the “New Jerusalem”, the capital city of heaven, a place of perfect holiness........where those whose names were written in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 13:8) will live forever.   Simple......huh?

    This is a passage that has a lot of interpretations to it......but I believe what is really important is something we don't want to talk about......we'd rather argue about things that may still be hidden from our full understanding.  The really important part of all of this......no matter what you believe about the end times......is that those end times are going to come with absolute surety.......and the most important part of Peter's description comes in the form of a question in verse 11....... "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness......".

    That's the question.......and the answer to that question is the application of today's passage.  How much thought do we give to the question?  What sort of lives should we live in view of the fact that eternal judgment is coming?  We know what's going to happen......do we act in such a manner that it reflects that understanding?  Peter has certainly pointed out what kind of lives we should be living......."HOLY" lives......"GODLY" lives.  Our lives are supposed to reflect an eternal perspective.  Can others see eternity in our lives.......or are we so consumed with the here and now.....are we so worried about the stock market......our 401k's.......the 2nd Amendment or "ring around the collar" that nobody could possibly see the difference between us and a non-believer?

    OK......let's go back to verses 8 and 9 now to conclude this passage.  Peter tells us here....... 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  

    Alright......another passage that is not without controversy.....but I believe readily understandable when we take the whole counsel of Scripture.  Let's address the first controversy surrounding these verses......whether or not God operates "outside of time".  It is my belief that time itself is part of creation and that God is not bound by time......not constrained in any manner.......and it is verses like this that would seem to bolster that teaching.  Moses knew this reality also......in fact it would seem that Peter is quoting here from the 90th Psalm.....who's got verses 1-6 of Psalm 90?.....Psalm 90:1-6........ 1 Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. 3 Thou dost turn man back into dust, And dost say, “Return, O children of men.” 4 For a thousand years in Thy sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or [as] a watch in the night. 5 Thou hast swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. 6 In the morning it flourishes, and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades, and withers away......

    The very first words of Genesis seem to indicate the idea that time is part of God's creative process........it says "In the beginning......"......the beginning of what?  EVERTHING!  And that would have to include time......because, let's face it......our measure of time is done by a celestial clock......and in the beginning God created the sun, moon, stars........orbits and rotations and sequences by which we mark time.  

    Now I would not even presume to understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity......and would be even less inclined to attempt to teach it to you......but in an incredibly condensed......and therefore, fairly inaccurate way.....let me just say that TIME was added to the dimensions of space in order to adequately explain........mathematically at least.......physical relation in the universe.

    God......in His infinite wisdom......created everything.......and in that creation He gave us the spatial dimensions that we're aware of.......height, width, depth......the area that "stuff" occupies.  If we did not have those dimensions then everything would be in the same place.  Likewise.......TIME was created so that every event didn't     take place at the same instant.  There's a logic to this that seems to be fairly understandable.

    There are those who believe that God is encased in time.......limited by His very creation.  They would contend that God is patiently plodding through history......day by day......but unable to see the beginning and the end of everything.  This seems to limit God and I think Scripture is clear that God is limitless.

    So......if we can understand TIME as being a product of creation......then I think it's pretty easy to understand that God would not be limited by His creation.  And following that thought.......I think it's pretty easy to understand why Peter can accurately write that to God.......a thousand years is as a day.

    And then verse 9 just explains to us that God isn't slow about the way He does things......He simply has a plan......and that plan includes those who are going to be saved to be saved......and He's not going to start the train 'til everybody's on board.  To God......who is eternal.......there's no hurry. We're in a hurry because our time's running out........Our days are numbered........His aren't. We're in a hurry to see things happen.......He's not.  We need to view the delay from the perspective of who GOD is......not who WE are.  Because with who He is......with His attributes.....His delay is inconsequential. Only from a human perspective can it be deemed “too long.”

    Peter then tells us that God is delaying His judgment......"not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."  Boy.....that's not going to cause any problems in interpretation......is it?  Does this mean that for God......His “wishes” don't come true?  Does this mean that God wants all men to be saved......but He's not able to do so?  

    I have neither the time nor inclination to open up a debate on salvation from a Calvinistic verses Armenian background.  Again......for purposes of clarification I'm going to simplify.....in approximately 50 words the difference between the two positions.......because they do come into play in interpreting this half of a verse.  

    If you are approaching salvation from a purely Calvinistic perspective.....then God chose you.......you had nothing to do about it.......you couldn't refuse it and you had no choice about being saved.  I know we have some people here that believe that.

    If you are approaching salvation from a purely Armenian background then you would believe that salvation.......to some degree......is pretty much in MY hands.  If I don't tell my neighbor about Jesus Christ then he's going to hell and it's my fault.......but ultimately.....it's my decision to follow Christ and I can quit any time I want to.

    Which one's right?  Well......at the end of the day.......the fact is that both systems fail in that they attempt to explain what I believe is the unexplainable. As human beings we're incapable of fully grasping a concept such as this. Yes......God is absolutely sovereign and knows all. Yes......human beings are called to make a genuine decision to place faith in Christ unto salvation. These two facts seem contradictory to us......but in the mind of God they make perfect sense.  In His plan that's the way it works.  We cannot understand it......we really don't need to.......we cannot define God with a limited theology that relies on memorizing an acronym laying out 5 irrefutable points in order to get into the club.

    Here's the facts.  Salvation is an absolutely total work of God.  He calls us.....He gives us the faith to believe......He predestined us to salvation.  True statements.  "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son......that whoever believes in Him will be saved."  Or how about......believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  True statements.  God does it all.......I have a responsibility.  True statements.  How does that all work?  I don't know........True statement!

    But in this passage the best understanding I can give is this.......when Peter says that God does not "wish" for any to perish......it is meant in the form of God deriving no pleasure from those who perish......His delight is found in man's salvation.  God's plan is going to be fulfilled and He is going to come in judgment when the last human being in His plan comes to salvation.  

    So......the mockers can say anything they want to about God not coming back.....about God being slow to return.......about God's promises not being reliable.  But the fact is that what God has established as His plan will happen and those who believe will one day experience a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells forever.
    I believe that every generation has felt that the Lord was just around the corner......He can't wait much longer......things are terrible......morally, economically and politically. I believe He could come today......but He may wait another hundred years.  The promise of Scripture is that one day God will conclude everything in His way. Christ will indeed return and eventually there will be a new heavens and earth.  The only real question is.....how are we who know Christ going to live until that time?

2 Peter 3:14-18

    OK.......this morning we're going to finish off our study of Second Peter.....and I was looking at when we started this series in February of last year.  Now it's not like we spent all that time in 2nd Peter........because the other guys did step in for me for a few months last year.......which was most appreciated gentlemen.  But it's been a long time for us since Peter introduced this very overt warning about false teachers.......and he will end his letter with the same warning.  You really get the feeling that Peter is serious about us falling into some trap set by false teachers.......but how serious are we......the church?

    I think......for the most part.......John MacArthur has a pretty good understanding of God's Word......not in everything......but overall.   I recently read an article by him where he asks why so few pastors in the pulpit act as though false teachers are a reality today. In it he says that it only takes about five minutes following some of the celebrity pastors on TV......Facebook and Twitter to understand that it is they........and not Christ.......that are at the center of their ministries. He says that Scriptural teaching is not the norm today. "Doctrine is out. Real preaching is out. Instead......you'll find narcissistic little 'me-talks' designed to reflect well on the pastor.  Jesus.......when mentioned at all.......is presented as a sort of cosmic Josh Groban. He’s sweet, emotive, and gentle. He’s someone who lifts you up when you are weary and down. He helps you walk on stormy seas. And it’s all because the incomparable you deserves that kind of spiritual support. Repentance, forgiveness of sins, a bloody cross, hell? Not likely."

    He goes on to say, "The error alert level for churches should be a blazing red. Christ’s true church......the remnant.......is coming out of the evangelical apostasy. The Savior of Revelation 1 is a living reality to that true church........the Lord Jesus Christ who stands with blazing eyes, a sword coming out of His mouth and declares......“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”  (Revelation 1:18)

    Each and every one of the false teachers of our culture does, in fact, follow that outline.  Jesus is a feel-good Guy that only has your comfort and happiness in mind as you go through life.  We are high on teaching that God is love.......but neglect the fact that He is JUSTICE.......and RIGHTEOUSNESS........and HATES SIN.  And when an entire church culture takes that position false teaching occurs.  The "easy believism" of our day.......which has crept in to the visible church......is keeping many from a true understanding of the Gospel.  Peter has spent an entire letter trying to warn us of the dangers that are prevalent.  

    So......let's take the time to read the passage that we're in today.......the end of Peter's second letter to the church........ 2 Peter 3:14-18.......14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 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.

    Before we look at the verses individually.......let's take a look at the whole.......because this is basically one thought......the whole thing is like, two sentences.  What is it that Peter is telling us as he ends this letter?  He knows he's about to die......what's the most important thing on his mind?

    The biggest thing he's doing is taking us back to Scripture.  He's reminding us again of the crucial role that Scripture plays in our lives.  Even while Peter points us to the Word..........he warns us that there's going to be teachers who are going to seek to turn us from the truths of the Scriptures through wrong teaching.  

    He wants us to know that Paul’s letters are part of the inspired Word of God.......and that Paul is not one of the false teachers.........even though there are people out there who distort his words to mean something other than what he intended.  He tells us plainly that Paul’s teaching is in agreement with the revelation God gave through the Old Testament prophets........with the teaching of our Lord........and with the writings of the other apostles.......everything that qualifies them as Scripture.

    When you talk to people about God's Word.......have you ever heard someone say, “Your interpretation of Scripture is just one of many interpretations.” If we want to convince someone our interpretation of the Scriptures is correct.......they might respond with something like, "The Bible is capable of meaning whatever one wants it to mean." And this is probably true about any writing.  We can certainly "spiritualize" or "unspiritualize" about anything and come up with our own bizarre conclusions. 

    There's a fine line that exists when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture.  We have to be careful also that we don't wrongly conclude that men’s failure to interpret Scripture accurately proves God didn't clearly reveal Himself and His message to us. And just as important is to not make the mistake that Scripture is so obscure that it's virtually impossible to figure out. 

    I believe that there is only one correct interpretation of Scripture.......and the rest is often the result of people twisting Scripture to meet their own agenda.......whether intentional or not.

    Since Peter's......and Paul's.......and Jude's.......and James'......oh yah......and even Jesus' concern for us is that we not be caught up in false teaching........it would probably be wise to see how it is that individuals go about twisting Scripture to meet their own preconceived ideas......theologies and agendas.  So what are those things that should give us clues that something is wrong with what's being taught about God's Word?  Peter was so concerned about false teachers coming to us that we should be able to immediately identify when something isn't right.  How do we do that......what are the clues?

    One of the foremost ways that you can tell that someone is distorting Scripture is that they base most of their beliefs not on the entire Bible......but their teachings are based usually on an obscure or problematic passage.  Let me give you a couple of examples.      About two weeks ago the phone rang and it was some woman who wanted to start a Bible study in our home.  We spoke for a couple of minutes and then I asked her where she worships.  She said, "At the Kingdom Hall."  I said, "What's that?" and then she said the Jehovah's Witnesses.  When I asked if she was going to teach the Bible study with the scriptural interpretation of the Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine......she assured me she was only going to teach what the Bible says.  I said, "Yah......but with the Jehovah's Witness bent.  Like.......there's only going to be 144,000 saved and you're working your way to heaven just by making these phone calls."  She denied that it was any misinterpretation of Scripture and added that you do work you way to heaven and there's no such thing as the Trinity.

    When faced with Ephesians 2:8&9......."For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of work, that no one should boast."  She had no answer.  But she was well equipped to hit the verses that speak of 'works'.......and quick to put out the fact that the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible.  When the emphasis is on one passage to the exclusion of others.......beware.  

    Another brief example........a few years ago it seems that Tish and I had a rash of marriage counseling with couples from one of the Seventh Day Adventist churches here in the valley.  It was interesting.......every couple was exactly the same.  They were able to defend why they worshipped on Saturday with the Scriptures.......but were almost biblically illiterate when it came to the rest of God's Word.  Again......if the emphasis of teaching is on one or two select passages to the exclusion of the others.......beware.

    There is no doubt that the cults selectively use the Scriptures. Paul tells the Ephesian elders that he taught the whole counsel of God and not just selected portions or truths. (Acts 20:20, 27)  We see it all the time in our culture.  What's the basis for the "prosperity gospel"?   Matthew 18:19.........“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven”.

    The fact that this promise is contained in a context dealing with church discipline is ignored. And the fact that other criteria and requirements also apply to prayer is also nicely avoided.......like James 4:3..........."You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend [it] on your pleasures."  If we prayed like we should........then we'll pray in accordance with all the Bible teaches on prayer.......not just on the basis of one isolated text.

    Another question you want to ask yourself when you're listening to someone teaching Scripture is whether the teaching is allowing any excuse or pretext for self-indulgence in the area of sin.......or whether there seems to be ulterior motives for the teacher to be teaching Scripture in this way.

    A lot of times it's very plain that the teacher has adopted a particular bent on a passage because he stands to gain from teaching it in the manner he is......through monetary gain.......or possibly an ambition to have a personal following.......or to indulge their fleshly lusts.  Let's face it........the organizations that promote polygamy......and the Wayne Bent's and David Koresh's of this world aren't pushing their belief that they will father a godly generation because it's scriptural.  They're doing it for their own fleshly lusts and blaming God's Word for their actions.

    When a teaching of Scripture gives any license at all for sin it is wrong.  If it gives excuse for inappropriate behavior......it's wrong.  Biblical truth calls for believers to “abstain from fleshly lusts”.......false teaching tells us we can indulge the flesh with no consequences.  Scripture is replete with passages admonishing believers to live holy lives.......to deny ourselves.......to abandon the ways of the world.

    Closely associated with giving license to sin.......is giving license for inactivity.  If I teach that God is sovereign and He's going to save who He's going to save......therefore because of that and His incredible grace.......I don't have any obligation or command to tell others about Jesus......then that teaching is wrong.   God's sovereignty is not an excuse for inactivity or passivity on my part any more than God's grace being a license to sin because all of my sins are forgiven anyhow.

    What are some other ways we can get really off track when it comes to God's Word?  One of the more common things I've seen is that people have a tendency to think that their own "revelation".......or their own common sense and reasoning trumps Scripture.  The fact is that when God's command is clear......it doesn't matter that we have a clear understanding of why the command was given.......what matters is that we obey it.  There's a lot of Christians that refuse to believe or obey Scripture until it makes sense to them.  

    Adam and Eve didn't understand why God said they couldn't eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They didn't need to know why. In fact........eating of the tree is what gave them this knowledge. All they needed to know was that God had given this command and then to obey it. More faith is required to obey God when we don’t understand why than to obey when the reasons are obvious. The question is whether or not we are going to accept God's Word on it's face........are we willing to accept God’s distinction between good and evil........clean and unclean........truth and error.......without fully understanding why

    Here's another area we can go astray when we're studying God's Word......when we try to combine God's truth with man's truth.  That's usually a sure sign that something's wrong.  Have you ever heard the statement, "All truth is God's truth"?  If we believe that then we are putting man's truth.......as he currently understands something......on the same level as Scripture.  Are they the same?  

    Biblical truth never changes.......and it really is sad when we see Christians rushing back to the Scriptures to reinterpret them because modern science has apparently exposed some new truth that seems to challenge God’s truth.  All of a sudden Scripture seems to be a secondary source of truth rather than the primary source.   

    The Bible is the only revelation of truth which is inspired.......inerrant.....and infallible. The Bible reveals every truth essential for life and godliness. It's not God’s truth from Scripture.......plus other “truth” that we need to live godly lives.......it's God’s truth alone.  It's a dangerous sign when we hold man's truths at the same level as God's.

    Here's another way that we are mislead by false teachers......maybe the most popular way of all today.  If someone is teaching God's Word and allowing our own culture to take precedence over what God has clearly revealed......you need to run away.  When someone finds Scripture to be in error or invalid when our cultural values differ from God's Word......then you're listening to a false teacher. 

    In our politically correct society we have set aside the Scriptural teaching on women's roles in the church.  We ordain women as pastors.......as elders......and we look down on Paul for being a chauvinist.  What God clearly condemns as sin...... homosexuality for instance.......is dealt with as a legitimate alternate lifestyle.  We now ordain homosexual pastors and elders.  And it's all done in the name of being politically correct in order to have large.......“successful”......happy churches.  We no longer hold to the same standards of marriage and divorce that Scripture does.......simply because to do so would be to alienate and offend some people which would ultimately reduce our budgets.

    What about this one.......and it may seem harmless......but it isn't.  Any teacher who says he knows all of Scripture.......that he can explain every passage......is wrong.  He clearly holds back some revelation for later times.......and the fact is that we do not have the mind of God.  Anyone who says he can tell you what it all means is going to take verses that seem contradictory and wrongly stretch the meaning of one to accommodate the other.  The fact is that some verses have a built-in tension to them that we either do not understand for lack of knowledge.......or whose meaning has not been revealed to us at this time.  

    For instance.......salvation is a total work of God......He draws us.......He gives us the faith to believe........God is sovereign over everything.  Are those true statements?  Certainly they are.  Yet the Bible is full of commands for people everywhere to repent of their sins........to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the Bible commands us to repent and believe......I think it's fair to assume that I am responsible for doing so.  For instance.......Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24).   Is that something that I'm supposed to do?  Is God going to make me do it?

    We see throughout Scripture that we have choices........Deut. 30:19........"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants."

    Or how about Joshua 24:15........"And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" 

    So do we have choices.......are we responsible?  The fact is that both truths are true.......God is completely sovereign......and man is responsible for his actions.  Why can't we be satisfied with that instead of making Scripture say what it does not intend to say in order to explain the two concepts.

    I think Charles Spurgeon may have said it best.......when two verses seem to imply some type of contradiction......he doesn't call them a "paradox"......an "anomaly" or any other contradictory term.  He calls them "friends."  He says that he doesn't have to "reconcile" the two verses.......because friends don't have to be reconciled.  They may not make sense in our puny little minds......but they make sense to God.  What we should do is to strive to know what God has revealed.  

    The Old Testament prophets spoke of the suffering of Christ.......and they also talked about His glorious reign. The prophets themselves agonized as to how they could harmonize these two truths......two truths that seemed contradictory......but they held both of them to be true.  Now........in the light of the revelation that there was always intended to be two comings of Christ.......we understand there is no contradiction.  We need to make sure we don't reject one biblical truth......which is usually the one we like the least.......in an effort to remove the tension it creates with another truth.

    Another place we need to be very careful when we're listening to teaching is in the area of a teacher having a new revelation of a verse or passage.  Any "private" interpretation of Scripture should send you running.  It's been my experience that most people who claim to have a private interpretation of a passage are usually arrogant and unteachable.   Scripture teaches us that God's Word is not only inspired.......but is to be interpreted by the Holy Spirit.....not by a single man.  Anybody who tells you to just listen to him and his version of Scripture is a false teacher.

    It's one thing that I do appreciate about how we're organized here.  We don't listen to just one guy.......we have five men that have been gifted to teach.  Look at the church at Antioch.  It seems to be one of the healthiest churches mentioned in Scripture.  Paul didn't write any corrective letters to them........Revelation doesn't hold them up as having any major problems.....pretty healthy.  Why?  Whose got Acts 15:30-35........ 30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 [But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.

    What's significant about the church at Antioch?  They had Judas and Silas who were encouraging them and strengthening them with lengthy messages.  They had Paul and Barnabas who were teaching and preaching to them......and what else?  They had MANY OTHERS who were teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord.  Not a lot of danger in getting sent down some obscure rabbit trail with that many gifted men parting the Word to you.  There is always danger in our culture in following a single teaching. If someone's teaching of a passage fails to fall within the mainline of conservative, evangelical teaching.........over the history of the church.......then that teaching should be viewed as suspect.

    So......that's the overall warning of this passage........and those are some of the areas that we can be aware of that may be signs of danger.  But what does it specifically say.  Well........Verse 14 starts out with THEREFORE........meaning, "Since I told you this stuff"......what stuff?  Well......what I just said.......and he just said the end of the world as we know it is coming.......and it's coming like a "thief in the night".......and it ain't gonna be pretty.  OK.......so since this is GOING to happen.......how should we act?  And he tells us very clearly.......we should "be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless".  

    It's interesting that the main thrust of Peter's letter is false teaching......and in the midst of that warning......he continually encourages us to our own personal pursuit of holiness......because if we pursue holiness it's going to sharpen our ability to discern and avoid false teaching. It's when we're “following our own lusts” that we're going to be susceptible to false teaching because it'll ease our own conscience.......it will fit our own desires.  If we pursue holiness we can pretty easily discern those who lead unholy lives........so this is Peter's first encouragement here.  We need to be found in peace, spotless and blameless.

    Then in verses 15 and 16 Peter tells all of us that Paul is the real deal......that his writings are on par.......are equal to "the rest of Scripture".  On several occasions in Paul's writings we see him defending himself......his position as Apostle......his actions among the people.  That's not without reason.  He was continually being accused of all kinds of things......false teaching.......taking from the people.......but Peter is adamant that what Paul said is right.....and his writings are held in the same light as the rest of Scripture.

    Peter ends up with the final two verses of this letter with another warning......another encouragement that they have been warned.....they need to be ever vigilant to not be carried away by false teaching.......and finally encourages them to grow in both the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.    

    I think there's two things that we can clearly see in this final warning.......number one is that Peter expects the saints not only can.......but should be able to discern those who pervert God’s Word. Peter isn't speaking to church leaders or Bible teachers here......he's speaking to all of us.  Every Christian should be able to recognize those who Peter warns us about.  And it's pretty apparent that Bible teaching should never be a substitute for our own personal study of the Word of God........it should be an enhancement to our own study. 

    The second thing that Peter is telling all of here is that the best preventative for false teaching by others is to actively pursue godliness and personal spiritual growth.  That should be a call to all of us.