SUNDAY



2nd Peter 
Author: Simon Peter
There are at least 7 Simons mentioned in the gospels:

  1. Simon Peter – Disciple of Jesus
  2. Simon the Zealot – Disciple of Jesus - Mark 6:15
  3. Simon – Half-brother of Jesus -Matthew 13:55
  4. Sime on the Leper – Matthew 26:6
  5. Simon the Pharisee – Luke 7:36-40
  6. Simon- Judas Iscariots father -John 6:71
  7. Simon of Cyrene – Matthew 27:32
  • Jesus gave Simon the name Peter 
  • Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, Matthew 16:17-18
  • Peter – Petro: stone or rock 
    • Aramaic equivalent is Cephas: 1 Corinthians 1:12
    • 1 Corinthians 3:22, 9:5, 15:5
  • Simon: was used by Jesus when he was correcting, key failures, peter was acting like his old self – Luke 5:5, Luke 22:31-32
  • Peter was eager, bold, aggressive, outspoken, brash, vacillating, sincere, passionate and at times undependable
  • Peters name is mentioned in the gospels more than any other name except Jesus
  • No one speaks as often as Peter
  • No one is spoken to by the Lord as often as Peter
  • No disciple is so frequently rebuked by Jesus as Simon Peter
  • No disciple except Simon Peter rebuked Jesus – Matthew 16:22
  • No one else confessed Christ more boldly or acknowledged his lordship more explicitly – Matthew 16:16
  • No other disciple verbally denied Christ as forcefully or as publicly as peter did – Matthew 26:69-75
  • No one is praised and blessed by Jesus the way peter was – Matthew 16:17-19
  • Simon Peter was the only one Jesus ever addressed as Satan – Matthew 16:23
  • Peter speaks at the Jerusalem council (A.D. 49 or 50) to the issue of should gentiles who convert to Christianity be circumcised
  • The death of Peter: 
    • Jesus told Peter he would die a martyr – John 21:18-19
    • All records of early church history indicate Peter was crucified
    • Clement writes, before Peter was crucified, he was forced to watch his wife be executed. (crucifixion) Peter called to his wife by name and said β€œremember the Lord”
    • Peter for his own death requested to be crucified upside down because he wasn’t worthy to die as his Lord died
    • Peter had a wife – Luke 4:38
    • Peter took his wife on his apostolic mission – 1 Corinthians 9:5

Peter was one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus
       Peter          Philip
       James         Nathaneal Bartholomew 
       John           Matthew
       Andrew      Thomas the twin 
  • James the less (little or small in stature)
  • Simon the zealot
  • Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus (tender hearted)
  • Judas Iscariot
  • Four times the list of disciples are found in scripture: Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, Acts 1:13
  • Peter was the leader of the 12 disciples – Matthew 10:2 
    • β€œFirst” – protos- chief or leader
Purpose and emphasis of 2nd Peter
  • Written shortly after 1st Peter
  • Date: approximately 66 or 67 A.D.
  • Focus: 
    • Personal holiness, knowledge of God, ( not just an accumulation of facts and information) growing your faith
    • Warning against false teachers, false doctrine, Hersey and lies (modern day: just because someone has a podcast or a YouTube channel or has written a book does not mean they are promoting truth and are trustworthy)

Early Church Heresies
  • Gnosticism: 
  • All material is evil; God did not create the material world.
  • Jesus in human form was not God
  • Docetism: 
    • Denied Jesus had a flesh and blood body
    • Jesus was a phantom or spirit
  • Arianism: 
    • Jesus is not God
    • Jesus is a created being inferior to God

Modern Day Heresies
  • Prosperity gospel 
  • God wants you healthy, wealthy, and wise
  • Grace theology 
    • you are under grace
    • You can do whatever you want
  • Jesus and theology 
    • You need Jesus and blank to be saved

2nd Peter Chapter One
Verse 1 - Peter a slave 
* Slave: Doulos - a bond slave, one who serves another at the disregard of his own interests. 
(Doulos found in Romans, Philippians, Titus, James, and Jude) 

Verse 2 - Grace: Gentile greeting 
Peace: Jewish greeting 
Verse 3 - By his divine power 
* Power: Dunamis - inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature 

God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life
To live a Godly life, we need:
1. Jesus - Salvation 
John 3:16

2. Holy Spirit
John 14:16
* Another - Another of the same kind. One just like, a helper, guide, teacher, companion, comforter

3. Gods Word
1 Timothy 3:16-17

4. Prayer 
Philippians 4:6-7 

5. Fellowship 
1 Samuel 23:16 
* Accountability       * Support 
* Encouragement     * Admonishment 

6. Worship
Psalm 96:9
Psalm 103:1-2

7. Actively serve using our gifts, talents, abilities and resources 
Matthew 23:11
Galatians 6:3
1 Peter 5:5 

  • God has given us all we need to live a godly life: salvation, the holy spirit, God's word, prayer, fellowship, worship and gifts, talents, abilities and resources (serve)
  • Point: a part of a godly life is to serve others 
  • Point: easier to turn inward and focus on self. Not others. Turn a blind eye
  • Point: a godly person serves - they use their gifts, talents, abilities, and resources to help others
  • Note: criticism and complaining are not gifts, talents, abilities. They are an attitude/a condition of the heart
  • Note: being "in charge" is not a gift, talent or ability 
    • The job of a leader is not about being in charge...the job of a leader is taking care of those in their charge
To serve: 
  • Be intentional - look for opportunities
  • Be consistent - serving becomes 2nd nature
  • Be ready - serving is not about convenience