The End Draws Nigh

2 Peter 3:11-18

June 26, 2022 • Andrew Murch

2 Peter 3:11-18 | Andrew Murch | We’ve reached the end of the Apostle Peter’s final writing before his death. In these pages, we’ve been met with warnings against false teachers, immoral teachers, and distorted theology. We’ve seen Peter’s reminder to follow the truth of Christ and to commit to godly, Christ-like living. To put the finishing touches on his final letter, Peter calls his readers to be diligent, to be without spot or blemish, and to be at peace. He again highlights God’s patience, using the Apostle Paul’s letters as a witness to this.

It’s interesting that even in his closing statements, Peter is still telling of false teachers, and warning his readers to not get “carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” (v. 17). As we finish this study, may we, as the last verse of 2 Peter says, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (v. 18).

Are We There Yet?

June 19, 2022 • Andrew Murch

2 Peter 3:1-10 | Andrew Murch | In this week’s text, Peter says there are people, he calls them scoffers, who believe that the Lord is treating creation much like the kids treated their house. These scoffers say, “nothing has changed since creation. God is clearly absent.” (2 Peter 3:4). They think God has not intervened and will not intervene. Unlike the conclusion of your parent that the unkempt house meant nothing had been done, the Lord is actually at work in the world. Peter says that the Lord is not absent, he is not delaying, but rather he is patient. The Lord will bring judgment on all the broken and wicked things in this world but he is patient because of his desire that all people would be saved.

A Message & Its Fruit

June 12, 2022 • Jake Gamble

2 Peter 2:17-22 | Jake Gamble | Last week, Peter warned against false teachers, and in this week’s passage, he’s still ringing the bell to guard against those who would lead people astray. He calls these teachers a “waterless spring” (v. 17). Using God as their platform, they promise people refreshment but have none to offer. They come along, telling people that following their lustful passions isn’t that big of a deal (v. 18). Peter tells us that these teachers are slaves to sin themselves (v. 19), and they only lead people down the same path. Peter goes so far as to say that it would’ve been better had they never claimed Christ and his righteousness in the first place (vv. 20-21). We all know people who have been led astray by false teaching that minimizes sin in the name of grace; teaching that promotes the leaders’ platform and desires while downplaying righteousness. As we study this week, may we long to have ears to hear teaching that lines up with the truth of Scripture, and may we have the wisdom to discern when teaching would lead one astray.

Contagion

June 5, 2022 • Andrew Murch

2 Peter 2:1-16 | Andrew Murch | Peter just finished giving his eyewitness account of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and now he turns his attention to false teachers who manipulate the gospel for the sake of their own carnal pleasures and selfish gain. After outlining the playbook of these false teachers, Peter encourages his readers that condemnation and destruction is coming for these false teachers (verse 3), using multiple Old Testament and Jewish literature examples of divine justice to make his point. Remember, this is the last thing the Apostle Peter writes before his death. As you study this week, think about why he would’ve thought this message important enough for his final letter. As a Christian in 2022, this warning is as necessary as ever. In a world where false teachers abound, how can Christians identify and guard against instruction that is counter to the gospel of Jesus Christ?