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Proverbs 9:1-9
1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out
her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed
her wine, She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out
from the highest places of the city,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the
wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way
of understanding.
7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame
for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man
only harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will
love you.
9 Give instruction
to a wise man, and he will be
still wiser; Teach a just man,
and he will increase in learning.
Father God, bless us and guide us in all that we do. We
ask that the Holy Spirit opens our heart and mind to fully comprehend Your
Word. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Book of II Peter 1:1-4
NKJV
This introduction for the second Epistle of Peter is
taken from JSM.
It is believed that Peter wrote this Second Epistle
sometime between A.D. 61 and A.D. 65. In fact, some think that he may have
written it as late as A.D. 67. But there is no concrete proof either way, only
hints here and there.
All that appears on that subject from the Epistle itself
is that at the time of its writing the Author was expecting soon to die. “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my
tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me” (II Peter 1:14).
What evidence he had that he was soon to die he has not
informed us; nor is it known even what he meant precisely by the word “shortly.” The Greek word is indeed one
that would imply that the event was expected not to be far off; the Savior (John 21:18) did not state to Peter when his death would
occur, except that it would be when he should be “old”; and the probability is that the fact that he was growing old
was the only hint that he had that this time was drawing near.
THE PLACE
FROM WHERE THE EPISTLE WAS WRITTEN, AND TO WHOM
Some think this Epistle was written from Babylon exactly
as was his first Epistle; however, it is not really known as to the place of
its origination.
Actually, that is not too very much important, with those
to whom it was written being of greater significance.
On this subject there is no room for doubt. In II Peter 3:1, Peter says: “This Second Epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” This Epistle was written,
therefore, to the same persons as the former. It was addressed to persons who
resided in Asia Minor, and in both they are regarded as in the midst of trials.
THE PURPOSE
FOR THE EPISTLE
This Epistle appears to have been written, not so much in
view of persecutions and bodily sufferings, as was the first, as in view of the
fact that there were teachers of error among them, the tendency of whose
doctrine was to turn them away from the Gospel. To those teachers of error, and
to the dangers to which Believers were exposed on that account, there is no
allusion in the First Epistle, and it would seem not to be improbable that
Peter had been informed that there were such teachers among them after he had
written and dispatched the first Letter.
Christians must beware of false teachers (II Peter 2:1–22) who deny the soon return of the
Lord, and as well, who live immoral and greedy lives (II Peter 3:3–4). These teachers are clever and claim
Scriptural support from Paul’s Epistles for their views of liberty, but they
pervert the Letters and are headed for damnation (II Peter 3:15–16). The Church, as Peter writes, is to
be alert to error, thereby, growing in Grace and the knowledge of the Lord (II Peter 3:17–18).
If it is to be noticed, Paul addressed his last Letter (II Timothy) to this very problem. In other words, it
was corrective, even as this Second Epistle written by Peter is corrective. In
Peter’s First Epistle, we hear the voice of the Teacher. In this Second Epistle
it is rather the Apostle who speaks. Consequently, the theme of this Letter is “Faithfulness in a Day of Apostasy.”
It is ironical that the things which Paul warned us
about, and the things which Peter addresses as well concerning apostasy in the
last days, are now taking place in the modern Church.
APOSTASY
For the Holy Spirit to emphasize this subject, and
especially to do it as forcefully as He has, actually taking up a large part of
this Epistle, characterizes the teachers of error, in showing that they would
certainly come to a destructive end, and as well, he states the true Doctrine
in opposition to what they held.
It is evident that Peter supposed that the danger to
which Christians in Asia Minor were exposed by these errors, was not less than
that to which they were exposed from persecution, and that it was of as much
importance to guard them from those errors as it was to sustain them in their
trials.
These false teachers adopted a pompous mode of teaching,
distinguished for sound (meaning a lot of words) rather than for sense, and
proclaimed themselves to be the special friends of the liberal views, and of a
liberal Christianity. They were like “wells
without water”; “clouds that were
carried about with a tempest”; they spoke “great swelling words of vanity,” and they promised “liberty” to those who would embrace
their views, or freedom from the restraints of bigotry and of a narrow and
gloomy Salvation. In fact, such an appeal is usually made by the advocates of
error.
As well, they denied the Doctrines which the Apostles had
stated respecting the end of this age. The argument on which they based this
denial was the fact that all things continued unchanged as they had been from
the beginning, and that it might be inferred from this that the world would be
stable. They saw no change in the laws of nature; they saw no indications that
the world’s system was drawing to a close, and they inferred that laws so
stable and settled as those which existed in nature would continue to operate,
and that the changes predicted by the Apostles were impossible.
A large part of the Epistle is occupied in meeting these
errors, and in so portraying the characters of their advocates as to show what
degree of reliance was to be placed on their preaching.
Even though this Epistle is characterized by the same
earnest and tender manner as the first, still, the Apostle in the last two
Chapters did not fail to meet these great and dangerous errors, and the style
of rebuke was appropriate to the occasion.
He felt that he himself was soon to die, and, in the
prospect of death, his own mind was peculiarly impressed with the solemnity and
importance of coming events. He believed that the errors which were broached
tended to sap the very foundations of the Christian faith, and his whole soul is
roused to meet and counteract them.
The occasion required that he should state in a solemn
manner what was the truth in regard to the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus;
what great changes were to occur; what the Christian might look for; and his
soul kindles with the sublime theme, and he describes in glowing imagery, and
in impassioned language, the end of all things, and exhorts them to live as
those who were looking forward to so important events.
The practical effect of the whole Epistle is to make the mind
intensely solemn, and to put it into a position of waiting for the Coming of
the Lord.
1 Simon
Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained
like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Simon
Peter; The name is
written either “Simon” or “Simeon” (Σίμων Simōn or Συμεών Sumeōn). Either word means “hearing” and
perhaps like other names was at one time significant. The first epistle 1Peter 1:1
begins simply, “Peter, an apostle.” The name Simon, however, was his proper
name, and “Peter,” or “Cephas,” was added by Jesus, John 1:42; Matthew 16:18.
A
bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ; In 1 Peter 1:1 Peter only uses the term Apostle, but
here he also adds, “bondservant”. Paul also used this term in his opening of
Romans and Philippians. bondservant signifying he was a servant of Jesus; a
slave to the Gospel; a prisoner of the Gospel.
To
those who have obtained like precious faith with us; This phrase is referring to all that
are Born Again and share the same faith in Jesus Christ and believe and
understand why Jesus had to go to the Cross in our place. Peter is referring to
his fellow Jewish believers when he states, “with us”.
By
the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ; What this is stating is that salvation
through Jesus Christ was made possible by God. It was His plan for us so that
we could/can be saved through a Spiritual Birth and join Him in Heaven when we
die. It is made possible via the sinless nature that Jesus had, and that He
avoided all temptation resulting in the perfect holy sacrifice for redemption
of mans sinful nature.
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
With this verse Peter is
telling us that by studying the Word of God and through prayer, grace and peace
will be given to us more abundantly by God. The more knowledge we gain through
study and prayer, the more blessings we receive. Many believers want an
abundance of God's grace and peace, but they are unwilling to put forth the
effort to get to know him better through Bible study and prayer. To enjoy the
privileges God offers us freely, we must grow in our knowledge of God and Jesus
our Lord. Just as an athlete is committed to practicing daily to get better, a Christian
also has to be committed to studying God’s Word daily to gain knowledge and enhance
their relationship with God. This knowledge also comes through the
Sanctification process when one accepts Jesus as their Saviour.
3 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,
As
His divine power has given to us all things; All the effects of the gospel on the human heart are in
the Scriptures, traced to the power of God. There are no moral means which have
ever been used that have such power as the gospel; none through which God has
done so much in changing the character and affecting the destiny of man. This
divine power comes to us when we repent of our sinful lifestyle and accept
Jesus as our Saviour to rule and reign our lives going forward in this life
here on earth.
That
pertain to life and godliness; This phrase is telling us that Jesus
will give us everything we need that pertains to life, here and now and for
eternity. It is through the Cross that this is possible. The power to lead a
godly life comes from God, because we don't have the resources to be truly
godly. God allows us to "share His divine nature" in order to keep us
from sin and help to us live for Him. When we are Born Again, God, by His
Spirit empowers us with His own goodness. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. John 14:17-23; 2Corintians 5:21; 1Peter
1:22-23
Through
the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue; What this phrase is telling us is that
the knowledge we gain by the acts of the Cross, we are called to Christ. If we
accept this calling, meaning Jesus, it will provide “glory and virtue”. It is
by a glorious Divine effectiveness” that we are called into the kingdom of God.
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great
and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that
is in the world through lust.
By
which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises; This promise Peter speaks of here is
Salvation. It is all explained in the Word of God. Not only is Salvation explained
in the Bible, but the free gift of Grace along with solutions for all of life’s
problems are in the Bible, Jesus is the answer for all things.
That
through these you may be partakers of the divine nature; This exceedingly great and precious
promise of Salvation is implanted in the inner being of every Born Again
individual when they turn from living a life of lust to please themselves. This
gift of Grace is the source of a new life and actions.
Having
escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust; Every
person is born a sinner and when a person repents of their sinning lifestyle
and starts living for the Kingdom of God, the chains of corruption are broken
and a new lifestyle begins. No longer does the individual want to live for the
desires of the world. All of a sudden they are content with what God provides;
their goals in life change; they want to serve our Lord; our old nature dies. Romans 6:6 knowing
this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves of sin. Galatians 2:20,
Galatians 5:24, Galatians 6:14; Ephesians
4:22; Colossians 3:5, Colossians 3:9-10 Romans 7:24,
Romans 8:3, Romans
8:13; Colossians 2:11-12 Romans 6:12, Romans
6:22, Romans 7:25, Romans 8:4
I’m
going to stop here because the next few verses deal with, “Growing In Grace. We
will pick up with verse five next week.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners
Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord Jesus I know I am a
sinner. I confess my sins to you; I am
sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a sinful
lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness. I believe that only you can forgive sin. I commit my life to you and ask you to come
into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my
Savior.” I believe this and have faith
you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my
heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans
3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians
2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-14; 1:6-10)
(Sin: Rom. 1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph.
5:3-7)
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