Oct. 22 Colossians 3

Oct. 22

Colossians 3

Col 3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

Col 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

Col 3:6 for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

Col 3:7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

Col 3:8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

Col 3:9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

Col 3:10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

Col 3:11 where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

Col 3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

Col 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

Col 3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

Col 3:21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

Col 3:23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Col 3:25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

2 Peter, Chapter 2

                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To examine Peter's detailed description of false teachers

2) To be aware of their techniques in leading others astray, and their
   sad end

3) To ascertain whether or not these false teachers had ever been true
   Christians

SUMMARY

One of the themes of Peter's second epistle is "beware of false
teachers", and such is the focus of the second chapter.  Just as there
were false prophets in Old Testament times, so there would be false
teachers.

Peter first describes the destructiveness of false teachers.  Denying
the Lord who bought them, they will secretly introduce destructive
heresies.  Many will follow them, and the way of truth will be
blasphemed.  But they will bring swift destruction on themselves (1-3).

Illustrating the doom of false teachers, Peter reminds his readers of
what happen to the angels who sinned, the ancient world destroyed by the
flood, and the fiery end of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Surely God knows how to
reserve the wicked for the day of punishment, and the example of Lot
shows that He also knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations
(4-9).

Peter then discusses the depravity of false teachers.  In arrogance they
revile against authority, all the while reveling in pleasure and lusts
as they circulate among the Christians they seek to influence.  Like the
prophet Balaam, they are motivated by the wages of unrighteousness and
have forsaken the right way.  Empty of true substance, they are like
wells without water, clouds tossed by a tempest (10-17).

Finally, Peter describes the deceptions of false teachers.  In both
their methods and promises they seek to deceive those who like them had
once escaped the pollutions of the world.  But the false teachers are
once again enslaved by such pollutions and their last end is worse than
the beginning (18-22).

OUTLINE

I. THE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF FALSE TEACHERS (1-3)

   A. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES (1-2)
      1. Just as there were false prophets, so there will be false
         teachers
      2. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord
         who bought them
      3. Many will follow their destructive ways, and the truth will be
         blasphemed

   B. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE METHODS (1,3)
      1. They bring in their heresies secretly
      2. They will exploit through covetousness and deceptive words

   C. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE END (1,3)
      1. They will bring swift destruction on themselves
      2. Their judgment is not idle, their destruction does not slumber

II. THE DOOM OF FALSE TEACHERS (4-9)

   A. THE EXAMPLE OF ANGELS WHO SINNED (4)
      1. God did not spare the angels who sinned
      2. He cast them down to hell (Tartarus)
      3. Delivered them to chains of darkness, reserved for judgment

   B. THE EXAMPLE OF THE FLOOD (5)
      1. God did not spare the ancient world, bringing the flood on the
         ungodly
      2. He saved Noah and his family of eight, a preacher of
         righteousness

   C. THE EXAMPLE OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH (6-8)
      1. God turned the cities into ashes, condemning them to
         destruction
      2. He made them an example to those who would live ungodly
      3. He delivered righteous Lot
         a. Who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
         b. Who was tormented daily by seeing and hearing their lawless
            deeds

   D. GOD WILL DELIVER THE GODLY, PUNISH THE UNJUST (9)
      1. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations
      2. He will reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of
         judgment

III. THE DEPRAVITY OF FALSE TEACHERS (10-17)

   A. REVILING AGAINST AUTHORITY (10-13a)
      1. They walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness
      2. They despise authority, are presumptuous, self-willed
      3. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, unlike angels
         a. Who are greater in power and might
         b. Who do not bring reviling accusations before the Lord
      4. They are like natural brute beasts made to be caught and
         destroyed
         a. Speaking evil of things they do not understand
         b. Who will utterly perish in their own corruption
         c. Who will receive the wages of unrighteousness

   B. REVELING WITH GREAT PLEASURE (13b-14)
      1. They count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime
      2. Spots and blemishes, they carouse in their own deceptions while
         feasting with Christians
      3. They have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sin,
         beguiling unstable souls
      4. They have hearts trained in covetous practices, and are
         accursed children

   C. REVOLTING AGAINST THE RIGHT WAY (15-17)
      1. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray
      2. Like Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness
         a. Who was rebuked for his iniquity
         b. His madness restrained by donkey speaking with a man's voice
      3. They are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest
      4. For who the gloom of darkness is reserved forever

IV. THE DECEPTIONS OF FALSE TEACHERS (18-22)

   A. DECEPTIVE IN THEIR METHODS (18)
      1. They speak great swelling words of emptiness
      2. They allure those who have escaped through the lusts of the
         flesh, through licentiousness

   B. DECEPTIVE IN THEIR PROMISES (19)
      1. They promise liberty, while they themselves are slaves of
         corruption
      2. For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought
         into bondage

   C. WHOSE LATTER END IS WORSE THAN THE BEGINNING (20-22)
      1. Having become entangled and overcome by the pollutions of the
         world which they had escaped through the knowledge of the Lord
         and Savior Jesus Christ
      2. It would have been better not to have known the way of
         righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy
         commandment delivered to them
      3. It has happened to them according to the proverb
         a. "A dog returns to his own vomit"
         b. "A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire"

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The destructiveness of false teachers (1-3)
   - The doom of false teachers (4-9)
   - The depravity of false teachers (10-17)
   - The deceptions of false teachers (18-22)

2) What does Peter warn that false teachers will do? (1)
   - Secretly bring in destructive heresies
   - Even denying the Lord who bought them

3) What impact will such false teachers have? (2)
   - Many will follow their destructive ways
   - The way of truth will be blasphemed

4) How will such teachers exploit people? (3)
   - By covetousness, with deceptive words

5) What three examples does Peter use to illustrate the doom of false
   teachers? (4-6)
   - The angels who sinned and were cast down to hell
   - The ancient world destroyed by the flood
   - The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah turned into ashes

6) How was Lot oppressed by living in Sodom? (7-8)
   - Every day seeing and hearing the filthy conduct of wicked

7) What two things does the Lord know to do? (9)
   - How to deliver the godly out of temptations
   - How to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment

8) Who in particular will receive such punishment? (10)
   - Those who walk in uncleanness and despise authority
   - Those who are presumptuous and self-willed; not afraid to speak
     evil of dignitaries

9) What are angels unwilling to do? (11)
   - Bring reviling accusations against dignitaries before the Lord

10) How does Peter further describe the false teachers? (12-14)
   - They speak evil of things they do not understand
   - They count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime
   - They have eyes full of adultery, beguiling unstable souls
   - They have hearts trained in covetousness, and are accursed children

11) In whose way have such false teachers followed? (15-16)
   - Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness and was rebuked by a
     donkey

12) How else does Peter describe these false teachers? (17)
   - As wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest
   - For whom the gloom of darkness is reserved

13) How are the false teachers able to allure others? (18)
   - By speaking great swelling words of emptiness
   - Through the lusts of the flesh and licentiousness

14) Who will they seek to allure? (18)
   - The ones who have escaped from those living in error

15) In promising others liberty, what are they themselves?  Why? (19)
   - Slaves of corruption
   - For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into
     bondage

16) What had these false teachers once escaped?  How? (20)
   - The pollutions of the world
   - Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ

17) What had then happened to them? (20)
   - They were again entangled in the pollutions of the world and
     overcome

18) How had their latter end become worse for them than the beginning?
    (20-21)
   - It would have better for them not to have known the way of
     righteousness
   - Than knowing  it, to then turn from the holy commandment

19) What twofold proverb does Peter use to describe their sorry
    condition? (22)
   - A dog returns to his own vomit
   - A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire

20) What in this chapter reveals that these false teachers had once
    been saved? (1,15,20,21, 22)
   - The Lord had bought them
   - They have forsaken the right way
   - They had escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge
     of Jesus
   - They had known the way of righteousness
 - Like a sow, they had been washed

Irresistible

There is something wonderful about having young children.  I think God designed their growth in such a way as to make them irresistible!!! The sign is

so true!!!!  But, what if God asked you to give up your child; would you do it?  Even worse, what if God asked you to kill your own child?  What then?  Such a thing actually happened and here is the tale...

Genesis, Chapter 22

1 It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

He said, “Here I am.”

  2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”

  3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.  4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.  5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go yonder. We will worship, and come back to you.”  6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.  7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?”

He said, “Here I am, my son.”

He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

  8 Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together.  9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.  10 Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.

  11 The angel of Yahweh called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

He said, “Here I am.”

  12 He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy, neither do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Frankly, I don't think I could have ever done what Abraham did.  But, fortunately, God has never asked such a thing and never will, for I have daughters and not sons.  But the principle is still there and ultimate obedience is the test!  Not just for the father, but for the son as well!!!  Recently, I met my new grandson, Chase and what a wonder child he is!!!  So, kids have been on my mind and especially the preciousness of them.  At this point, the only thing I can say is love God and because you love him, love your children all the more!!!  No play on words or clever insights, just love.  If you do that right... its all you need to do!!!

Oct. 21 Ecclesiastes 5-7

Oct. 21

Ecclesiastes 5-7

Ecc 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to God's house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don't know that they do evil.

Ecc 5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecc 5:3 For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool's speech with a multitude of words.

Ecc 5:4 When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

Ecc 5:5 It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

Ecc 5:6 Don't allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don't protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

Ecc 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.

Ecc 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don't marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.

Ecc 5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

Ecc 5:10 He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.

Ecc 5:11 When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

Ecc 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

Ecc 5:13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

Ecc 5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Ecc 5:15 As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

Ecc 5:16 This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?

Ecc 5:17 All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

Ecc 5:18 Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

Ecc 5:19 Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.

Ecc 5:20 For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

 

Ecc 6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men:

Ecc 6:2 a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

Ecc 6:3 If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial; I say, that a stillborn child is better than he:

Ecc 6:4 for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.

Ecc 6:5 Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.

Ecc 6:6 Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don't all go to one place?

Ecc 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

Ecc 6:8 For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?

Ecc 6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Ecc 6:10 Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.

Ecc 6:11 For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?

Ecc 6:12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

 

Ecc 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.

Ecc 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart.

Ecc 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

Ecc 7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecc 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Ecc 7:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

Ecc 7:7 Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

Ecc 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Ecc 7:9 Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Ecc 7:10 Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.

Ecc 7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

Ecc 7:12 For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Ecc 7:13 Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?

Ecc 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

Ecc 7:15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

Ecc 7:16 Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Ecc 7:17 Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

Ecc 7:18 It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that don't withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all.

Ecc 7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

Ecc 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.

Ecc 7:21 Also don't take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

Ecc 7:22 for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

Ecc 7:23 All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.

Ecc 7:24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

Ecc 7:25 I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

Ecc 7:26 I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

Ecc 7:27 Behold, this have I found, says the Preacher, one to another, to find out the scheme;

Ecc 7:28 which my soul still seeks; but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

Ecc 7:29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes.

Oct. 21 Colossians 2

Oct. 21

Colossians 2

Col 2:1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Col 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

Col 2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

Col 2:4 Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Col 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Col 2:6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

Col 2:7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

Col 2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

Col 2:9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,

Col 2:10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

Col 2:11 in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Col 2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Col 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

Col 2:15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

Col 2:17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

Col 2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Col 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.

Col 2:20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,

Col 2:21 "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch"

Col 2:22 (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?

Col 2:23 Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

2 Peter, Chapter 1

                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the value of growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ

2) To understand what is involved in growing in the knowledge of Jesus

3) To appreciate the importance of being reminded of things we already
   know

4) To see that our faith relies on both eyewitness testimony and
   prophetic fulfillment

SUMMARY

Peter addresses his second epistle to those with like precious faith,
evidently the same recipients to whom he wrote his first epistle (3:1;
cf. 1Pe 1:1). His benediction of grace and peace is bestowed in
connection with the knowledge of God and Jesus, hinting at one of the
main themes of this epistle. Reference is then made to God's divine
power as the source of all things that pertain to life and godliness,
including precious promises by which those who have escaped worldly
lusts may now be partakers of the divine nature (1-4).

In view of such blessings, Peter exhorts his readers to diligently
abound in graces that will render them fruitful in the knowledge of
Christ. Failure to do so would be indicative of grave spiritual malady,
while diligence in doing so will ensure their calling and election,
resulting in an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom of Jesus
Christ (5-11).

Peter then explains why he would write such things when he knows they
are well established in them. In light of his impending death, he wants
to stir them up and make sure they will always be mindful of these
things after he is gone (12-15).

He also reminds them of the nature of his testimony concerning power and
coming of the Lord. He was an eyewitness, not a deceiver with cunningly
devised fables. As an example, reference is made to the events he
witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration (16-18; cf. Mt 17:1-9).

Peter then exhorts them to give careful heed to the prophetic word made
sure, for it will serve as a light in a dark place until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in their heart. Such prophecies are to be
heeded because they come from men who were moved by the Holy Spirit
(19-21).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)

   A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
      1. Peter
      2. A bondservant and apostles of Jesus Christ

   B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
      1. Those who have obtained like precious faith
      2. By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

   C. GREETINGS (2)
      1. Grace and peace be multiplied
      2. In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

II. GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE (3-21)

   A. WITH PRECIOUS GIFTS FROM GOD (3-4)
      1. His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life
         and godliness
         a. Through the knowledge of Him
         b. Who called us by glory and virtue
      2. His glory and virtue has given us exceedingly great and
         precious promises
         a. Through which we may be partakers of the divine nature
         b. Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
            lust

   B. ABOUNDING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST (5-11)
      1. Diligent to add to our faith:
         a. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance
         b. Godliness, brotherly kindness, love
      2. Diligent to make our call and election sure
         a. Abounding in these graces, neither barren nor unfruitful in
            the knowledge of Christ
         b. Not lacking in these graces, neither shortsighted nor
            forgetful of our cleansing
         c. Ensuring that we do not stumble, but have an abundant
            entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus
            Christ

   C. STIRRED UP BY CAREFUL REMINDER (12-21)
      1. By one who knows his death is imminent
         a. Who desires not to be negligent in reminding them
         b. Even though they know and are established in the present
            truth
         c. Who thinks it right to stir them up by way of reminder
         d. Knowing he will shortly put off his tent, as Jesus showed
            him
         e. To ensure they will always have a reminder of these things
            after his death
      2. Whose eyewitness testimony along with the prophetic Word we
         should heed
         a. He did not offer cunningly devised fables
            1) When proclaiming the power and coming of the Lord
            2) But was an eyewitness of His majesty
            3) Such as when Christ received honor and glory from God the
               Father on the Mount of Transfiguration
         b. We also have the prophetic word confirmed
            1) Which we do well to heed
               a) As a light in a dark place
               b) Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our
                  hearts
            2) Knowing the prophetic nature of Scripture
               a) It was not of private interpretation (origin), or by
                  the will of man
               b) But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
                  Holy Spirit

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-2)
   - Grow In Grace And Knowledge (3-21)

2) To whom does Peter address this epistle (1)
   - To those who have obtained like precious faith

3) In what way are grace and peace multiplied for the Christian? (2)
   - In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

4) What has God's divine power given to us?  How? (3)
   - All things that pertain to life and godliness
   - Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue

5) What else has been given to us?  Why? (4)
   - Exceedingly great and precious promises
   - That we might be partakers of the divine nature
   - Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

6) What spiritual graces are we to diligently add to our faith? (5-7)
   - Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly
     kindness, love

7) What will be our condition if we abound in these graces? (8)
   - Neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
     Christ

8) What will be our condition if we lack these graces? (9)
   - Shortsighted, even to blindness
   - Forgetful of being purged from our old sins

9) What benefit will there be in doing these things? (10-11)
   - We will make our calling and election sure
   - We will never stumble
   - We will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of
     our Lord Jesus Christ

10) What was Peter careful to ensure concerning these things? (12,15)
   - To remind them always, even though they know them and are well
     established
   - To leave them a reminder of these things after his decease

11) What did Peter hope to accomplish?  What did he know would soon
    happen? (13-14)
   - To stir them by reminding them
   - He would put off his tent (i.e., die), just as Jesus showed him

12) In making known the power and coming of the Lord Jesus, what did
    Peter claim? (16)
   - He did not follow cunningly devised fables
   - He was an eyewitness of the Lord's majesty

13) What experience in Jesus' life does Peter refer to as an example of
    witnessing the Lord's honor and glory? (17-18)
   - The transfiguration on the mount (cf. Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-9; Lk 9:
     28-36)

14) In addition to apostolic testimony, what else do we have to which we
    should give careful heed? (19)
   - The prophetic word made more sure

15) How does this word serve us? (19)
   - As a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
     morning star arises in our hearts

16) What should be remembered regarding the prophetic word? (20-21)
   - No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation (i.e.,
     origin)
   - Prophecy did not come by the will of men, by holy men of God spoke
     as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

How good is good?

Question: How good does a person have to be before we label them as GOOD?  In other words, when does a bad person become good?  And how hard do we look for the good in people, anyway?  Yes, I know the picture is exaggerated, but there is more truth here than makes me comfortable!  Consider the worst person you can think of, you know, that particularly rotten individual that we all seem to know... is there anything about them that is good?  Now look at the following picture and think...

People loved him, he was a great speaker, he loved dogs, he painted, he was a forceful military commander - yet at his command, millions upon millions of people died as a result of his hatred.  After all that- think about the following verses...

Romans, Chapter 5

 6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.  8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus, who is called Christ, died for this man as well as for you and me.  Even that really rotten person we all know!!!  Perhaps it would be better NOT to grade others and just accept this one fact: God loves us all, even the worst of us.  Now, the real question is... what are we going to do about it?