2 Peter

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“There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV)

November 28, 2016

The apostle Peter wrote his second letter to awaken believers to an unclouded understanding of the faith. In chapter 2, he warned them to keep their eyes open for false teachers that would invariably try to creep into the flock. As Jesus warned, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Persecution and trouble from without is challenging enough, but false teachers that attack from within may actually cause the most destruction. What are some signs of false teaching according to Peter: 1) “Denying” the divinity and lordship of Christ (v.1), 2) Overt sensuality or pursuit of the flesh (v.2), 3) Greedy exploitation of the flock for personal gain (v.3). What is the best way to stay alert to false teaching? Stay in the Word! By knowing the genuine, we guard against the counterfeit.

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20 NKJV)

November 28, 2015

Who is in an “entangled” and “worse” condition? Understanding this verse means identifying who “they” are. There are two choices: The false teachers (2:1) that Peter has been describing or those that the false teachers “allure” (2:18). The description that “they” have “escaped” through the “knowledge” of Jesus points to the latter. These are immature believers who have been enticed back into a life of sin. How is their latter state worse? Is it because they have lost their salvation. Peter does not say this. Instead, he describes them as miserable and muddied, like a dog who returns to its vomit or a pig who returns to the mud. Unlike the unbeliever, who lives in ignorance, they wallow in sin having known better, yet once again “overcome” by it.

“Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (2 Peter 1:15 NKJV)

November 27, 2015

I’m thankful that the apostle Peter was “careful to ensure” that we have “reminders” from him to “stir” us up for the Lord. He surely had assurance from God that his writings would endure as they had been inspired by the Holy Spirit and were given for our encouragement and edification. Peter knew that he would not always be present, but his letters would live on. He wrote with an awareness of his soon “decease” (Greek: ἔξοδον, “exodus” – death, departure), knowing as the Lord Jesus had told him, that he would shortly “put off his tent.” Peter and the other apostles left us the spiritual legacy of the New Testament Scriptures. I’m thankful to God that He gave them not only the inspiration, but also the commission to write, so that we might “always have a reminder of these things.”

The Mark of Self-Control

July 12, 2015 | 2 Peter 1:1-6 | character, discipleship, fruit of the spirit

As we conclude our sermon series called, “Nine Marks”, we’re looking at the final fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23. Technology and our culture make it evermore difficult to control our own desires. We learn through 2 Peter 1:1-6, though, that when Christ lives in us, he gives us his control so self-control ends up being more like “Christ-control”.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16)

November 27, 2013

Peter wrote that the gospel message that he and the other apostles preached was not man made myth, but eyewitness testimony. He knew that he would not live long in the flesh, so he was determined to make this clear before his passing. He saw the unveiled Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, he witnessed the empty tomb and the risen Savior, he joined him walking on the water. Peter knew the message he shared was true because he was there to see it. We can know that it is true by believing his testimony.

“A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day” (2 Peter 3:8)

November 29, 2012

God’s timing is not yours. We must not become impatient because He is never late. He is always right on time.

Awaken to Christ’s Return

November 28, 2010 | 2 Peter 3:18 | exposition

Pastor Gary Combs concludes with part four of the series entitled “AWAKEN,” a study through the book of 2 Peter. This message unpacks 2 Peter 3:18 which warns believers to watch out for scoffers in the last days and to stay awake to Christ’s return.

Awaken to False Teaching

November 21, 2010 | 2 Peter 2:1-22 | exposition, false teaching

Pastor Gary Combs continues with part three of the series entitled “AWAKEN,” a study through the book of 2 Peter. This message unpacks 2 Peter 2:1-22 which warns believers to watch out for false teaching within the church.

Awaken to a Certain Word

November 14, 2010 | 2 Peter 1:12-21 | exposition, God's Word

Pastor Gary Combs continues with part two of the series entitled “AWAKEN,” a study through the book of 2 Peter. This message unpacks 2 Peter 1:12-21 which instructs believers to wake up and stir up their confidence in God’s Word, trusting that God’s Word is certain and sure.

Awaken to Your True Identity

November 7, 2010 | 2 Peter 1:1-11 | exposition, identity

Pastor Gary Combs begins a new 4-week message series through the book of 2 Peter entitled: “AWAKEN – Seeing Life Through an Unclouded Lens.” This first message is from 2 Peter 1:1-11 and is entitled: “Awaken to Your True Identity.”