II PETER 1:1-4 Lesson # 1
UNDERSTANDING WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE GOT THERE
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Note: Our new study will focus on the book of II Peter. It is a short book with only three chapters, but it is an intense book with important messages. It is written by Simon Peter.
Q What do you remember about Simon Peter? What do you remember about his personality?
An = Let them share. If they do not know or remember, remind them that Peter was the “aggressive one”. He aggressively followed, loved and disappointed Jesus. Peter was not half-hearted. He was industrious, assertive, tireless, or in a word diligent!
He aggressively asked the questions everyone else was thinking through the early part of the Gospels. Peter was the spokesman >>> Have someone read Matthew 16:21-23.
Q Is Peter a bit presumptuous in telling Jesus how He should design His life?
An = Yes he is. Peter does love Jesus, but here he thinks he knows more than Jesus, and Jesus lets him know that he is wrong. He is actually the mouth piece of Satan where in the prior verses Peter was the mouth piece of God the Father (Matthew 16:17).
Note: This Peter is an aggressive person. He aggressively cares about Jesus and even tries to tell Jesus what is best for His life. He no doubt speaks, as else where, many times, the thoughts of the others.
In the last week of Jesus’ life, Peter’s aggressiveness is again shown….
He aggressively supported Jesus with great claims of loyalty in Luke 22:33. >>> Have someone read Luke 22:33.
He aggressively tried to defend Jesus with a sword when they arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:10-11).
He aggressively tried to follow Jesus into the courtyard where Jesus was being tried. It was there that Peter denied his Lord (Luke 22:54-55). Aggressiveness does not prevent or shield us from temptation or falling.
He aggressively ran to the tomb when news was heard that Jesus had risen (Luke 24:12).
He aggressively repented when he heard the cock crow (Luke 22:62).
He aggressively left the boat and threw himself into the water to see Jesus on the shores of Galilee (John 21:7).
He aggressively stood up and proclaimed the truth of Pentecost to those who heard the “speaking in tongues” (Acts 2:14). His sermon was moving, aggressive, convicting.
This is the man who writes II Peter. Now as an old man, he aggressively shows his love for the recipients of II Peter. Let me show you why….
>>>> Have someone read John 21:15-17.
Q What does Jesus want out of Peter?
An = To love “His sheep”. Jesus is saying Peter is not only forgiven but is going to be a leader in the church, and Jesus wants him to be like Himself. Jesus loves His sheep and Jesus wants his leaders to love those they lead.
This is what Peter has deeply etched into his memory by these searching and troubling questions. This is something Peter never forgot.
As we read the book of II Peter we will see that Peter is merely being loyal to the wishes of his beloved Lord. Let’s see how he does it….
III. Understanding Who We Are and How We Got There: II Peter 1:1-4.
>>>> Have someone read II Peter 1:1
Q How does Peter see or view himself?
An = He is a bond-servant, one who is indebted to Jesus, who belongs to Jesus. He is an apostle, a sent one, one who has authority because of his commission. His commission is not of an organization, nor is his authority from an organization, but from Jesus Christ Himself. He is the bond-servant not of an organization, but of a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ.
Q What does this mean for us who wish to be teachers, leaders, ministers, etc of the Christian faith?
An = We are to be indebted and commissioned personally to the Person of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who saves us. Jesus is the One who died on the cross for our sins, and it is Jesus who commissions us for ministry. It the Holy Spirit that gives us power to do real ministry.
Q How does Peter see or view Jesus?
An = Jesus is seen as God, who is righteous. He is seen as Savior. Peter has what the scholars would call “high Christology”. His salvation and righteousness comes from God, or in other words it comes from Jesus Christ. Peter sees Jesus as God. The fact that Jesus is God is what leads to the doctrine we call the “Holy Trinity”. Jesus is part of the God-head. There is One God, but since Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God and the Father is God, and yet One, we call it “TRI-UNITY” or three and yet one. When you affirm the doctrine of the Trinity you are really affirming the Oneness of God and yet the deity of Jesus Christ.
Q To whom is Peter writing?
An = those who have received a faith of the same kind as the apostles. Notice two things here. 1) Peter is writing to those who agree with the doctrines found in the Scriptures and teachings of the early church. So often today we think we can make up our own view of God or who Jesus is. If you are like that then Peter has nothing to say to you. He would see that as willful, unbond-servant like and not with any authority. Peter knows all about trying to tell Jesus what He should do and knows it is not the way to go (remember Matthew 16:21-23). 2) Second, this is written to those who “have received” something. Oswald Chambers says we are not Christians unless we have “received” something from God. We cannot be a Christian on our own. His Spirit has to have given us something.
>>>> Have someone read II Peter 1:2.
Q What does Peter wish for them?
An = grace and peace. He really wants good for these people.
Q How does one say “peace” in Hebrew and what does it mean?
An = Shalom and it means “wholeness”, “completeness”, “fellowship”, not merely absence of conflict. The Sholomim, or “peace offering” in the Old Testament, was a fellowship offering. You ate a meal “before” God, today we call it “Communion”, or the “Lord’s Super”. We literally eat a meal with God. Then as now, to eat a meal with someone is to have fellowship with them. Peter wants for these people more than mere outward religiosity but actual communion with God: fellowship with God and with one another. He wishes them quite a lot!
Q How will this peace and grace come to these people he likes so much?
An = through and in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Again, he equates knowledge of God with knowledge of our Lord Jesus. However, knowledge here probably does not refer to intellectual knowledge, but knowledge of what the Lord God wants, what He wills. It is in knowing (and doing as we shall later see) what the Lord wants that brings us into grace and peace.
Note: Peter will now explain further what it means to be Christian….
>>>> Have someone read II Peter 1:3-4.
Q How did these believers get divine power (verse 3) and His precious promises (verse 4)?
An = They were granted to them, or given to them. Again, Peter says we need to have received something from God. It was given to them. It is not just knowledge, but “power” that gives life and godliness. It is received not from the church, but from God.
Q What is the goal of such gifts according to verse 4?
An = That we might participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of this world. Notice, many people go to church for different reasons, but Peter says if we have really received divine power, it is to actually have the “mind of Christ”, “to think as the Holy Spirit thinks”. It is so we can be sons and daughters of the Most High. We are to be like Him. Or as Oswald Chambers puts it: “We should have a family likeness to Jesus Christ”. When people see us they should say, “Looking at your heart, your character, your values, your concerns, why it reminds me of Jesus, you are so like your Master.”
Note: God is Holy. If we do not live a holy life, even if we believe Jesus is God, we are not like him. Many Christians today say they are Christians, but disagree with God’s moral viewpoints. They know better than God or think God is not concerned with sexual or other moral issues. God says there is lust in the world and we are given power to escape it, not to excuse it.
Note: Peter says we are “given” divine power. We receive it. We do not earn it, but there is a part for us to do. Now comes their part in the following verses….
Homework: For next week….
1) If there is, in your estimation, a lack of spiritual power to fight the lust of “wanting things”, gossip, sexual temptation, etc. Ask the Lord for help. Ask the Lord for an anointing of His Spirit to aid you.
2) Read II Peter 1:5-11. See what Peter says is our part.
3) Write down a few things and bring questions if they arise in your reading.