2 P e t e r St u d y

orthgate Baptist Church

1301 W. Linebaugh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 933-6741

Date: April 7, 2010

Authored By:
Rev. Roger Odle

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study, there is a learner
handout available.
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2 Peter 1:1-11

Background information: 2 Peter was written about 3 years after the 1st
letter around 67 AD. The letter was to warn about false teachers and to
encourage the Christians to grow in the Lord. Peter was trying to help
the people know that time was short before the 2nd coming of Christ.

Do we, today, have what we need to live a Godly life? (V3)

Yes, God has already given us everything we need to live a Godly life

If God has already given us what we need, how and when did we get it?
(v3)
When we received Christ into our life

How can we escape corruption caused by our human desires? (v4)

By sharing in God’s divine nature

What is important about God’s divine nature?

Nature - the sum of innate properties and powers by which one person
differs from others, distinctive native peculiarities, natural
characteristics
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible - but by way of resemblance and
likeness, the new man or principle of grace, being formed in the heart in
regeneration, after the image of God, and bearing a likeness to the
image of his Son, and this is styled, Christ formed in the heart, into
which image and likeness the saints are more and more changed, from
glory to glory, through the application of the Gospel, and the promises
of it, by which they have such sights of Christ as do transform them, and
assimilate them to him; and which resemblance will be perfected
hereafter, when they shall be entirely like him, and see him as he is:

God’s Nature:
He is the only living God – not the greater of many gods, but the one and
only God
He is holy – righteous, pure
He is eternal – no beginning or end
He is spirit – the highest form of existence, not limited by material or
physical form, allows Him to be everywhere at one time
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He is love – God is love itself, love is God, true love is marked by

righteousness
He is Father – Father of Jesus by incarnation, Father of believers by
adoption, Father of all people by creation
He is intimate – has personal characteristics as we do

What is important about God’s divine nature? It is what gives us

everything we need to live a Godly life every day.

Because of what God has done for us and through us, how can we live our
life within His divine nature? (v5-7)

1. Live a life of moral excellence – virtue – conformity to a standard or

right

2. Add to moral excellence, knowledge – moral wisdom, such as is seen in

right living, the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge, such as
belongs to the more advanced

3. Use self-control – the virtue of one who masters his desires and passion,
especially his sensual appetites

4. Have patient endurance – the characteristic of a man who is not swerved

from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the
greatest trials and sufferings

5. Display godliness – devotion or piety towards God, living like our great
example Jesus Christ

6. Give brotherly affection – to cherish our fellow brothers/sisters in

Christ, care for them and support them

7. Love everyone – this love goes beyond those within our fellowship, it is
extended to everyone we come into contact with

What will happen to us if we apply this pattern of living in our daily life?
(v8) we will become more productive and useful to God
(v10) we will not fall away from serving God
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(v11) we will have a grand entrance into heaven

2 Peter 1:12-21

Do we need to be reminded now and then to remain faithful to God? Yes

What evidence do we have today of what the apostils, in the New

Testament time, were saying and wrote was truthful?

1. They were eye witness to Christ,

2. They heard God’s voice when Jesus ascended to heaven.
3. We have the words of the prophets

What else do we have today that points us in the direction that the Bible is
truth?
1. The Bible is the #1 best seller in the world,
2. The findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls,
3. How God’s word will convict man’s heart

2 Peter 2:1-22

Scenario 1: A new Christian is brought into our church. They don’t know
much about the Bible except what they may have heard as a child. They
are eager to learn God’s Word. But because they don’t understand much
yet, they begin to listen to everything they can.
Scenario 2: A Christian comes back to the Lord after a long period as MIA
to the Christian faith. They find a new drive to catch up on all they
missed over the years. They begin reading, studying, and listening to
everything they can about the Bible.
How do these people keep from being led down the wrong path of
understanding God’s Word?
Is there anything they need to know that will protect them?
What is a false prophet?
Prophet - one who, moved by the Spirit of God and is His organ or
spokesman; one who solemnly declares to men what he has received by
inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as
relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation
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False prophet - one who, acts the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters
falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies. Matthew 7:15

Do we still have prophets today? Not in the sense of the OT and NT

times. The key is to compare everything with what the Bible says. If
that is what we are to do anyway, then we don’t need a prophet as much
today.
Gotquestions.org
Question: "Are there prophets in the church today?"

Answer: The gift of prophet seems to have been a temporary gift given by the Christ for the laying of the foundation of
the church. Prophets were foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20). The prophet proclaimed a message from the Lord
to the early believers. Sometimes a prophet’s message was revelatory (new revelation and truth from God) and sometimes
a prophet’s message was predictive (see Acts 11:28 and 21:10). The early Christians did not have the complete Bible.
Some early Christians did not have access to any of the books of the New Testament. The New Testament prophets “filled
the gap” by proclaiming God’s message to the people who would not have access to it otherwise. The last book of the New
Testament (Revelation) was not completed until late in the first century. So, the Lord sent prophets to proclaimed God’s
Word to His people.

Are there true prophets today? If the purpose of a prophet was to reveal truth from God, why would we need prophets if
we have the completed revelation from God in the Bible? If prophets were the “foundation” of the early church, are we still
building the “foundation” today? Can God give someone a message to deliver to someone else? Absolutely! Does God
reveal truth to someone in a supernatural way and enable that person to deliver that message to others? Absolutely! But is
this the biblical gift of prophecy? No.

Whatever the case, whenever a person claims to be speaking for God (the essence of prophecy) the key is to compare
what is said with what the Bible says. If God were to speak through a person today, it would be in 100% complete
agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. God does not contradict Himself. 1 John 4:1 instructs us, “Dear
friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets
have gone out into the world.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 declares, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything.
Hold on to the good.” So, whether is it a “word from the Lord” or a supposed prophecy, our response should be the same.
Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible,
pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to apply the message (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:5).

What is a false teacher? Teacher - one who teaches concerning the things
of God and the duties of man

False teacher - one who teaches false things most times for personal gain

Most people who call themselves prophets are ready just teachers/leaders in
the Christian world. Either way we need to take steps to know the
difference between a false and true proclaimer of God’s Word.

How do we know the difference between a false teacher and a true

teacher?
How do we know the difference between real money and counterfeit
money? You need to study the real money. Then when you look at
counterfeit money you will know it doesn’t look right.
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The same is true with knowing counterfeit teachers. We need to study

God’s word for ourselves and then compare what the teachers say to
what the Bible says. If they don’t match disregard the false teaching.

Peter has given us some things to look for when trying to tell the difference.
V1 – they are clever in their teaching
V2 – they make up lies to get things from you
V10 – they are proud and arrogant
V12 – they act as creatures of habit
V12 – they scoff/mock/make fun of things they don’t understand
V13 – they indulge in evil things
V13 – they delight in deception even in our fellowship meals
V14 – they commit adultery with their eyes
V14 – they lure weaker believer into their trap
V15 – they earn money by doing wrong
V16 – they brag about themselves
V19 – they promise freedom

2 Peter 3:1-7

How are we to handle people who don’t believe the Bible to be true or that
God exists?
1. The existence of God can not be proven or disproved, but that doesn’t
mean God does not exist.
2. Don’t argue with them about it
3. Tell your story of what God has done in your life
Psalm 119:1-4 - heavens and earth speak of Him
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He set eternity in peoples heart
Romans 1:20 – people are without excuse

2 Peter 3:8-10

When is Christ coming back?

Do you ever wonder what is taking Him so long?
In God’s view, how long is a day?

These are questions many people talk or ask about. What does the Bible
have to say about them?
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Read v8-10

When is Christ coming back? Matthew 24:42-43, 1 Thessalonians 5:2,

Revelation 3:3, 16:15 We are not told, just be ready

What do we need to do to be prepared? Mark 13:33-37, Luke 21:34-36,

Matthew 25:1-12 watch, guard, be prepared

What is going to happen to the earth in the end? Isaiah 34:4, Joel 3:15-16,
Revelation 6:12-17
_______________________________________________

After the earth is destroyed, what is going to happen? Revelation 21:1-

22:7
Remember, to God a year is a thousand years and a thousand years is like a
year.
_______________________________________________________

2 Peter 3:11-18

With the realization of everything we know, the earth presently will be

completely destroyed at the end of time, what are we to do presently
while waiting for Christ’s second coming?

• Live Godly/Holy lives (v11) 1 Peter 13-16

Gird up our minds – to have no hindrances from serving God effectively,
to be ready at all times to go into action.

Why do we need to gird up our minds? We need to think clearly so we can

hear God speak to us. So we will know to avoid something wrong for
us.

Have self-control – to be disciplined, (Webster) restraint exercised over

one's own impulses, emotions, or desires
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Why is it important for us to have self-control? We live in a society that

has very little control. People do whatever whenever they think is right
such as spending habits, social gatherings, etc.

Obedient – following someone else’s set of rules, complying with,

submitting to
Submit – to willingly give up your rights to follow what someone else
wants

ot living the way you use to, the way others do – Romans 12:1-2
Is there anything wrong with living the way everyone else does? Maybe
not but most likely yes. There are things that people do that are not
wrong but does it line up with what God desires for our lives?

Be holy – God has called us into holiness – set apart to be used – it is not
our job to become holy, but God’s responsibility to make us holy

What is our part in being holy? We are to be obedient, allow God’s Spirit
to work in us Philippians 1:6

• Look forward to Christ’s second coming and the destruction of this

present world (v12)
What is involved with looking forward? To look for, waiting with
expectation
(Webster) to seek, to anticipate with pleasure or satisfaction

• Look forward to the new heaven and earth and pure righteousness
(v13)
Why would people want to look forward to the destruction of this world as
we know it? People without Christ don’t/won’t look forward to the end |
People with Christ have the hope of eternity with Christ in the new
Jerusalem

• Live in peace with everyone so you will be pure and blameless (v14)
Matthew 5 tells us to live in peace with everyone as much as possible.
What is God’s reason for living in peace? Not just to be blameless
before the people around us, but before God 1st.
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Pure – spotless, without blemish or fault

Blameless – without fault

• Be patient with God as He draws hearts to himself (v15)

Is there ever a time when we can/should stop sharing the good news of
Jesus Christ with others around us? We never know when someone is
going to accept Christ. We don’t want to be the one who lead them the
away from Him

• Be on guard so you won’t be misled (v17)

How easy is it to be misled about what the Bible says? Very easy. If we
only listen and never read/study for ourselves, someone can tell us
anything and we will believe it. This how so many different churches
have been created. Even the atheist, homosexuals, ect. will use scripture
to prove their actions. But the problem is that the information is pulled
out of context.

• Grow in your grace and knowledge of Christ (v18)

What is implied by the word grow? To increase, become greater (Webster)
to develop to maturity

We are to increase in our faith and knowledge of Christ. Each day should
bring us one step closer to maturity in our Christian walk.
Can you look back at what you life use to be and see how you have
changed for God’s good? If so, you are growing. If not, you are not
growing.
Keep in mind that everything grows in stages. There are times of quick
growth as well as times of slow growth but there is still growth.
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