Category Archives: 2 Peter

The Fourth Amen

Posted on February 13, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

2 Peter 3:14-18 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of {of Christ} in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. AMEN.

The Fourth Amen Sums Up The Christian Way Of Life

Peter’s last letter to the Church closes with the word “AMEN”. Amen is an interesting word. It is a UNIVERSAL word. “Amen” in the Greek text, the text of our New Testament, is amēn. “Amen” in the Hebrew text, the language of the Old Testament, is āmēn. “Amen” is found in every language on the earth, though it is pronounced differently. It is a unique word that means “let it be fulfilled” or “so be it” or “this is truth”.

When you say “Amen” you are not only agreeing with what is being said, but are claiming ownership.

In Peter’s first letter to the Church, he used the word “AMEN” three times. In the first “AMEN” he gave all glory and power and praise to Jesus Christ. When we SPEAK, our words are to MAGNIFY CHRIST and not ourselves:

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and … Continue reading →

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Growing Victorious In This Viperous World

Posted on February 7, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

2 Peter 3:1-2 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:

In this wonderful chapter of my life – serving the Lord as a pastor and an unworthy servant – I have read many books and listened to sermons from men who were considered “greats” in our faith. The past 25 years or so I have been shocked at the fall of many of the great pastors and preachers. Johnny Hunt has been accused of sexual harassment, and is suing the SBC contrary to the direct teaching of the Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). Ravi Zacharias, a prolific author and well known apologist, was discovered (after his death) that he was systematically and sexually abusing women. Paige Patterson the former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was fired for improper behavior. Bill Hybels resigned from Willow Creek and Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill amidst charges of abusive leadership. Perry Noble was fired from his church for alcohol abuse. The grandson of Billy Graham, William Graham Tullian Tchividjian resigned as pastor… Continue reading →

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The Lord Knows, Part 2

Posted on January 29, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

The false prophet is not someone who is sincere, but become deluded. The false prophet knows what the right way is, but they have “forsaken the right way”. The Greek for “forsaken” is kataleipō, which means “to depart from or leave behind, to abandon something to go another way”. The word was used for Jesus when he “LEFT {kataleipō} Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum” (Matthew 4:13). The false prophets know the right way – but have walked away from what is right. They are “gone astray”, planaō, “wander from truth, to be led into error, to choose to be deceived, to leave the right path”. They are, like Jesus said,

Matthew 15:14 … blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Illustrate: In the United States alone, some 600,000 people get lost in woods or forested area every year. Why do they get lost? First, they leave a designated trail. Second, going off trail they do not use a compass. Or third, off trail without a compass they follow someone who doesn’t know the way. Christians, we must stay on the designated trail, the Word of God. Our compass is God the Holy Spirit. Be careful who you follow, for if they do not refer to the Scripture – they themselves are deliberately lost…. Continue reading →

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The Lord Knows (Part 1)

Posted on January 16, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

2 Peter 2:9-14 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 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. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

Whereas 1 Peter addressed threats outside the Church, 2 Peter deals with threats inside or from within. Last week we saw the Scripture address the threats of the false prophets who rose up from within the Church. As I heard a preacher say one time,

“It isn’t the water OUTSIDE of the boat that is dangerous to those on the boat. It’s the water INSIDE the boat that will sink us, and drown us.”

As Peter – under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit – addresses these false prophets, it’s clear that he is angry, terse, and very pointed. Continue reading →

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The Gospel Of “I”

Posted on January 7, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

The Gospel of “I” starts with the premise that we’re all okay, and that God loves everyone the way they are. The Gospel of “I” starts – not with Scripture – but with human viewpoint. Let’s look at our text again:

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you…

Word Study Let’s start with the “But”. The word “But”, the Greek δέ (de) is a coordinating conjunction used to connect ideas that contrast. It’s different from the coordinating conjunction AND, as AND connects two things that are similar. BUT connects two things that are opposites. The BUT in verse 1 connects us to what was discussed last week:

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

Word Study God gave us the Scripture NOT from 40 people’s opinions, not based on what THEY thought, but the Scripture was given to those men – these prophecies – “as they were moved by the Holy Ghost {spirit}”. The Holy Spirit “moved”, the Greek pherō, which means “to lift up, to bear, to carry”. The same verb was used of John the Baptist’s head CARRIED (pherō) on a platter (Matthew 14:11), or when four friends CARRIED (pherō) a crippled friend to see Jesus (Mark 2:3). The Bible tells us that God controlled the writings of Scripture, the Prophesies, so that what was produced was not flawed human byproducts, but the very Word of God. God has given us His Word, and clear instructions by His Word. … Continue reading →

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What You Need To Know First

Posted on January 2, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

2 Peter 1:19-21 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: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

Christianity is very unique among all the other religions of the world because Christianity is God made. Last week we saw that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was NOT a fantasy or a myth made up to trick people. People saw Jesus, heard God the Father say “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased”, and were willing to die gruesome deaths rather than deny what they saw. Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured on Mount Tabor. Two out of three of these men died martyrs deaths, refusing to renounce Christ.

When God became Man (for Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us – Matthew 1:23), the Holy Spirit moved on Mary. The Bible says that Mary was told:

Luke 1:35 (ESV) … The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Mary was not perfect – but her Son, created of God, was perfect and sinless. Mary said when hearing the Angel,

Luke 1:46-47 (ESV) … My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in GOD MY SAVIOR …… Continue reading →

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Witnesses Of Jesus

Posted on December 30, 2023 by bibleteacherorg

The Merriam-Webster dictionary always announces it’s “word of the year”. This year the “word of the year” is “AUTHENTIC”, which means “not false or imitation, real, actual”. Sadly, I don’t think most people understand what the word actually means. What I’ve seen advertised is “be your AUTHENTIC self”, and they attach this to transgenderism or some other abnormal fetish. Being authentic today is subjective, meaning to be true to your feelings. John Stonestreet of Breakpoint notes:

“This new definition of “authentic,” that what I feel inside is the highest truth, would have baffled people in centuries past and still baffles many non-Westerners today. However, the real problem is that this new definition of “authentic” is utter nonsense. Truth is not primarily subjective but objective. Reality is not decided by individuals but given by a Creator. One of the things our Creator both demands of us and enables us to do through redemption is conform our inner selves to His will and design, which He reveals, objectively, in both creation and Scripture.”

Comedian and Author Brad Stein – also a conservative Christian – said he had no problem understanding the difference between male and female as a child. He had a sister, and one Christmas his parents got them both bicycles. The girl’s bike has a bar in front of the seat that goes downward to the lower frame, whereas his bike – a boy’s bike – has a bar that is horizontal in front of the seat. Brad said that the first time he was standing up and slipped off the petals – he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he was a boy!

That’s AUTHENTIC!… Continue reading →

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Divine Arithmetic

Posted on December 20, 2023 by bibleteacherorg

Today I want to talk about the Divine Arithmetic Of Salvation. We see mathematical terms in our text today.

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied…

2 Peter 1:5 add to your faith

Last week we discussed how GRACE is the engine that saves a person. We are saved by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is very true. And yet, I do not think that many who PROFESS Christ actually POSSESS Christ. One acronym that explains the GOSPEL of salvation is:… Continue reading →

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The Nurture Of The Christian

Posted on December 13, 2023 by bibleteacherorg

I heard a preacher tell a story to illustrate a point – and I liked the story at first, but now don’t know about it. A young man wanted to be a dealer in Jade, so he went to an expert in Jade to learn all he could about it. He asked this wise old Jade dealer to apprentice him – and the old man agreed. He asked the young man to come back the next morning. When he did, the old man put a piece of Jade in the young man’s hand … then he began to talk about his life. As the old man rambled on as old people often do, the young man became impatient. “What does this have to do with Jade?”, he asked. The old man assured him that, in time, it would all make sense. He then began to ramble on about his life. At the end of the day, the young man returned the Jade to the old man, and went home, promising to return the next day.

Day after day the same thing happened. The young man would come to the old man’s business, he would hand him a piece of jade to hold tightly in his hand. Then the old man would ramble, telling stories about his life. This went on for about three weeks, and the young man had become so frustrated that he was about to quit. But one day he went in and the old man slipped a piece of Jade into his hand …. but it WASN’T. It didn’t feel right. The weight was off. It was too porous

The moral of that story – so the preacher said… Continue reading →

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Nature Of The Christian

Posted on December 6, 2023 by bibleteacherorg

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ…..

Let’s start with these ten words. C.H. Spurgeon noted that one of the signs of spiritual maturity is to realize how weak you are, but how great Christ is. He said:

“Get to Christ somehow, anyhow, for if you get to Him you shall live. It is not the greatness nor the perfection of your faith, it is His greatness and His perfection which is to be depended on.”

As Peter begins this letter, let’s note how he begins it:… Continue reading →