Like Precious Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 11-22-2019

2 Peter 1:1-2

Introduction:

A.  Any time that you have a 2nd or 3rd epistle with the same name, the first is normally doctrinal in nature while the others are prophetic of the times preceding the Second Coming of Christ.

1.  The key word in 2 Peter is “knowledge.”  God’s people, in light of knowledge, are destroyed in two ways.

2.  God’s children are destroyed by a lack of knowledge.  Not giving God’s children the truth of Scripture.  Knowledge is what the Bible is all about.  Knowledge of God, knowledge of sin, knowledge of Christ, knowledge of propitiation, knowledge of salvation, and knowledge of doctrine.  God’s people have a right to be taught the Word of God.

3.  God’s children are destroyed by a false knowledge or teaching.  On one side of the “coin,” we see Biblical knowledge withheld; on the other side, we find Biblical knowledge perverted or rejected.

4.  2 Peter is all about false teaching or heresy.  In 1 Peter, Satan is a “roaring lion” seeking whom he may devour.  In 2 Peter, Satan is a “serpent,” subtly deceiving God’s people through heresy.

5.  False teaching within the local church is far more dangerous than persecution from without as persecution from without strengthens while false teaching from within destroys.

B.  Chapter 3:1 tells us that Peter is writing to the same “strangers scattered.”  First, I want to call our attention to Peter’s opening statement and compare it to that in 1 Peter.

C.  In 1 Peter, he described himself only as an Apostle: one with a divine commission—one with authority.  It is because God entrusted him with sound doctrine and 1 Peter is doctrinal in nature.

D.  In 2 Peter, he describes himself as one “with them” instead of one “over them.”

1.  “Simon.”  Peter’s humanity.  Simon, in the New Testament, was a common name.  It comes from the Hebrew word of Simeon, one of Jacob’s sons.  Because of the commonness of the name, it identifies Peter with the common people.  Our Lord called Peter “Simon” when he was in trouble.  (John Milton!)  This was the fleshly side of the great Apostle that identified him with us common people.

Luke 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (Was he ever in trouble.)

2.  “Peter.”  Peter’s strength.  Our Lord called Simon “Peter,” (Petros): a rock, larger that a small stone but smaller that Petra—a mass or massive Rock which is Christ.  Though a “rock” of a man, not the Rock of God!

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (Petros), and upon this rock (Petra) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (Petra, or rock, was the statement “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”)

3.  “Servant … of God.”    Peter’s humility.  A servant was one of low class in Biblical times.  One who waited upon others.  A servant of God!  One who waited upon the Lord and ministered, not only for Him, but to Him.  Stewards were required to be faithful.  Peter was faithful to Christ!

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2 Corinthians 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

4.  “An apostle.”  Peter’s purpose.  He has declared himself a common man and yet a rock.  Now he has declared himself a servant and yet an apostle: a man sent with a mission, a man with apostolic power.  Though he is a servant of Christ and the people, he is also one commissioned by God with authority.  Apostles were chosen, empowered, and sent with a commission.

Luke 6:13-14  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;  (14)  Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

5.  “Of Jesus Christ.”  Peter’s obedience.  Jesus Chris was Peter’s Master!  Though Peter was a servant of man, he was obedient to Christ.  A beautiful picture of the New Testament pastor and evangelist: though they are servants to the people (ministers), they are to be obedient only to Christ.

John 21:20-22  Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?  (21)  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

E.  Those to whom Peter was writing: “to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  Let us look at these words:

1.  The Preciousness of our salvation – “obtained”  Our salvation is personal and it is finished.  We are not obtaining our salvation but eternally saved by God’s amazing grace.  It belongs to us.  What a gift.

2.  The Performance of our salvation – “like”   Everyone has the same saving faith in the finished work of Christ.  He is our salvation and He is our life. 

3.  The Preciousness of our salvation – “precious”  “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee!”  The most important, the most wonderful, the most thrilling thing in this world is our salvation.

Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold, 
Rivers of silver, jewels untold; 
All these together, wouldn't buy you or me 
Peace when we're sleeping or a conscience that's free. 
A heart that's contented, a satisfied mind, 
These are the treasures, money can't buy; 
If you have Jesus, there's more wealth in your soul, 
Than Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold. 

4.  The Purity of our salvation – “righteousness of God”  Faultless we shall one day stand before the throne of His glory.  “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

5.  The Person of our salvation – “our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  What makes Christianity different from every other religion in the world.  Our salvation is in a Person!  It is not about us, it is all about Him.

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.