August 18, 2019

LIFEGUARD: FAKE TEACHERS 2 PETER 3
August 18, 2019
Jonathan Falwell

 

Was there a person you knew—or someone from television—that you looked up to when you were a child, to the point where you mimicked their mannerisms to the best of your ability?

Today we end the series on the book of 2 Peter. We have been made aware of tribulation and suffering that we will endure as a Christ-follower, as well as learning how to recognize false teachers. Today we look at an evil world gone mad, trying to stop the message of the Gospel and frighten Christians into silence. Let us commit to imitating Jesus Christ in all we do and say.

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:2-3: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”

Focal Passage: 2 Peter 3:1-18

People will mock what you believe

  • Read 2 Peter 3:1-2. What did Peter want his readers to be mindful of? When truth is attacked, what are we to call to mind?
  • What are some promises of God that you hold on to during times of stress?
  • Read verse 3. Who will be a major force to reckon with in the last days? Why do some people dismiss the truth? Will there always be unbelievers?
  • In verse 4, what is the main theme the wicked will taunt God’s people with?

But God will never be mocked

  • Read verses 5-6. What example of the earth not continuing as it was do the scoffers overlook? Read Matt. 22:29. What are some evidences of the accuracy of Scripture, and why can we trust all of God’s word?
  • Read verse 7. What had God—by His Word—done with the earth in the past? How is He holding it together? What will He do with the earth at the end?
  • Read verses 8-9. Why has God waited to end earth as we know it? What is proven by the patience of God?

The end is a reality

  • Read verses 10-12. What are four characteristics of the Day of the Lord?
  • Jesus Christ is going to return! Is this a promise you can back up with Scripture? What type person does Peter say you must be, to be ready?
  • Read Matt. 16:2-3. Jesus says we cannot be ready for the end unless we know the signs; how can we know those signs?
  • Read Matt. 24:43. How must we be living, since we do not know the hour He will return?

Remain faithful because God is faithful

  • Read verses 13-14. What are we to be watching for? In addition to be living in “holy conduct and godliness” (verse 11), how else are we to be living?
  • Read verse 17. When it seems as if everyone around us is mocking God, what will keep us faithful to Him?
  • Verse 18. What is our goal in this life? What is the answer we must have ready if asked by scoffers where our God is (verse 15a)?

Close:

An old hymn, Jesus Is Coming Soon*, has these words: “Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear, freedom we all hold dear now is at stake; humbling your heart to God saves from the chastening rod, seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians, awake!” And the chorus begins, “Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon, many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound…” Those lyrics sound as though they could have been written for today. The sinful lifestyles lived by the people of nearly a hundred years ago seems nothing compared to the evil that is rampant in this world. The tragedy is that more people today are going to hell than ever before.

Peter was concerned not only for the Christ-followers of his day, but those who would be reading his letters for years to come. We who are alive more than 2000 years after he lived grab hold of the words and cling with faith to the promises left by the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing everything written in scripture holds true until the end of time.

Hopefully you are encouraged through this study of Peter’s writings to remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, enduring suffering, recognizing false teachers or preachers, and looking for signs of His return. What a tremendous depth of the riches of Christ is found in these books! Lay hold of the truths, being steadfast til His return!

*Winsett, R. E., “Jesus Is Coming Soon”

/by