January 8, 2012 M.                 BEING AWARE, AND STAYING FOCUSED:

II Peter 3:1-7

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Review:

1.    In this second epistle Peter started by encouraging these Christians to a closer walk with God.  Telling them that God had given to us all things that pertain to life, and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory, and virtue.

2.    And that they may be partakers of the divine nature, by escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust.

3.    Then Peter told them that he would not quit reminding them of these things, even after his death he would see to it that they would be reminded of these things.

4.    Then he reminded them of the certainty of the Scriptures, and of course he was talking about the O.T. Scriptures.  However, the letter he was writing them would soon become part of our Bible in which we consider to be the infallible Word of God.

5.    Then he warned them of false teachers, and also of their destruction.  Using examples of events that happened in the O.T. as illustrations of what was held in store for these false teachers.

Today we are ready for chapter three, let’s begin:

2Pe 3:1-18 KJVR  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  (2)  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: 

• The words that were spoken by the Holy prophets, and of the commandments of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.  This is the authority of God, and they are recorded in our Bible.
• The authority of the Bible, the Holy Scriptures;

1. PETER HAS ALREADY SAID; 2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. PAUL TELLS US;  2Ti 3:15-17 KJVR And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

• That from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, this has to be the O.T. Scriptures, the N.T. had not been compiled at this time.
• And as for Peter bringing attention to the authority of the apostles, the apostle Paul says, “1Co 14:37 KJVR If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
• And Christians accept that the writings of the N.T. are the inspired Words of God.

AND BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE WE BELIEVE WHAT PETER TELLS US IS GOING TO HAPPEN:

(3)  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (4)  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

• JUDE SPOKE OF THIS; Jud 1:17-19 KJVR But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  (18)  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  (19)  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
• Jude could be referring to what we are studying this morning from the Apostle Peter.

THEN WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY CONCERNING THE LAST DAYS;

• 2Ti 3:1-6 KJVR This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
• JESUS WARNED;  Mar 13:22 KJVR For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
• These people that Paul describes deny the power of God, in which Paul told us that the power of God is the Gospel, and he says “from such turn away.”  Anyone that denies the Bible we should beware of, and turn away.
• Paul warned the church at Thessalonica concerning the man of sin that was to be revealed; 2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
• You would probably be amazed at the main stream denominations that don’t believe some of the things that are written in the Bible.
• Peter told us in chapter two;  2Pe 2:10 KJVR 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.

THEY ARE NOT AFRAID:  NO FEAR OF GOD, AND OF THE JUDGMENT:

(5)  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  (6)  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.  (7)  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

· They are willingly ignorant of, turning their minds away from what the scripture teaches.

· THAT BY THE WORD OF GOD, the story of Noah, and the flood.

· But the heavens and the earth, which are now, BY THE SAME WORD, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Listen to what Peter is referring to:

Psa 50:3  Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Isa 51:6  Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Zep 3:8  Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Then the Hebrew writer tells us:

Heb 12:26-28 KJVR Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  (27)  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  (28)  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

LORD WE KNOW WE LIVE IN PERILOUS TIMES.  WE KNOW THAT THE WORLD HAS GONE LUSTING AFTER FOOLISH THINGS.  WE ASK THAT YOU HELP YOUR CHURCH TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN, AND LOOK FOR YOUR SOON RETURN.  AMEN.