Galatians 1:1-5 Podcast
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters with me, to the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:1-5)
The Apostle Paul begins this letter to the churches in the province of Galatia with the idea that he is careful to be defined by God. This is very important for us to note on the outset, because as it has been said, "The secret of the Lord is with those who have been broken by his cross and healed by his Spirit."
In v.1 Paul refers to himself an "apostle - sent not from men nor by a man." Apostle means "one who is sent." You will remember that in Acts 9 the resurrected Christ, appeared to Paul on the Damascus road and sent him to teach others the Gospel. This means that when we read Galatians, we are hearing Christ. An apostle speaks with authority the message of the one who sent him.
In v.3 we see a pattern the Apostle Paul follows every time he couples grace and peace throughout his writings: Grace must come before peace because we do not have peace with or know the peace of God without grace.
In v.3–5 is presented the gospel. Christ died to bear the penalty of our sin, extending to us the offer of God's love and grace and peace. At the cross of Christ, God threw more than just a life preserver to us. He gave Himself to the bludgeoning of sin. He allowed sin to do to Him the ultimate, and yet He conquered sin and death, so that we would know that we have eternal life.
The age is evil because sin has such a grip on our lives. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul says, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."
The believer in Christ is no longer enslaved to the fear and guilt and anger and pessimism and selfishness and greed and pride of the present evil age. It is from this that He rescued us.
The experience of deliverance from the present evil age enables us to bear witness with our lives that we belong to God and His kingdom. This begins with a changed heart and a changed mind. Deliverance means a change of heart so that we as Paul said in Romans 12:2, choose "not be conformed to this age but be transformed by the renewal of our mind." Deliverance from the present evil age means freedom to think like God.
Jesus Christ died to free us from a mindset that leads to destruction; and He rose again from the dead to give us the ability to trust Him and to give Him glory with and through our lives.
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3/22/19
3/21/19
Galatians Overview
Background to Galatians Podcast
Today, we begin a brand new study of Galatians, the ninth book in the New Testament. Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in the province of Galatia.
We are given some background of the churches' beginning in Acts 13-14. These were churches begun by Paul when he was on his first missionary journey, traveling with Barnabas into the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra. These were the cities of Galatia.
The Apostle Paul wrote Galatians from the city of Corinth. He wrote it to address the legalism (requiring someone to perform in a certain way to attain God's acceptance or Justification) that was being put forward there by confused teachers and none other than .... the Apostle Peter. We will see that Paul gets in Peter's face to correct his legalistic tendencies in chapter 2.
Again, Paul wrote this letter to confront those who were confused about Justification. You see, these men had come to the Galatia region from Jerusalem, teaching what Paul calls heresy in chapter 1. To be more specific, these confused teachers were teaching that in order to be real Christians the Gentiles would have to be circumcised, keep the law of Moses, and obey all the Old Testament rituals.
To substantiate his point, Paul uses Abraham to teach biblical theology. He writes that Abraham was given the promise of Justification by faith four hundred years before the Law (teaching on Sanctification) was given. The law cannot change the promise. In fact, the purpose of the law was different than the purpose of Justification. This is where most heresy comes from, people confuse the two. As we work through Galatians, the difference will become clear.
Every religion requires good works to be made right with God or Justification, except Christianity! Hinduism teaches renunciation of the world and to become one with the "spirit of the universe." Buddhism teaches eight principles by which man lives and thus find himself on the way to salvation. Islam says that a man must pray five times a day and give alms and fast on the month of Ramadan and obey the commands of Allah. In every case salvation is said to be achieved by something we do.
Paul concludes Galatians with a portrait of the spiritual man which is teaching on Sanctification. The main theme in the book of Galatians is freedom which is the point of our Sanctification.
I close with a quote from the late Mike Yaconelli which I find appropriate at this point. He said, “Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. ”
Today, we begin a brand new study of Galatians, the ninth book in the New Testament. Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in the province of Galatia.
We are given some background of the churches' beginning in Acts 13-14. These were churches begun by Paul when he was on his first missionary journey, traveling with Barnabas into the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra. These were the cities of Galatia.
The Apostle Paul wrote Galatians from the city of Corinth. He wrote it to address the legalism (requiring someone to perform in a certain way to attain God's acceptance or Justification) that was being put forward there by confused teachers and none other than .... the Apostle Peter. We will see that Paul gets in Peter's face to correct his legalistic tendencies in chapter 2.
Again, Paul wrote this letter to confront those who were confused about Justification. You see, these men had come to the Galatia region from Jerusalem, teaching what Paul calls heresy in chapter 1. To be more specific, these confused teachers were teaching that in order to be real Christians the Gentiles would have to be circumcised, keep the law of Moses, and obey all the Old Testament rituals.
To substantiate his point, Paul uses Abraham to teach biblical theology. He writes that Abraham was given the promise of Justification by faith four hundred years before the Law (teaching on Sanctification) was given. The law cannot change the promise. In fact, the purpose of the law was different than the purpose of Justification. This is where most heresy comes from, people confuse the two. As we work through Galatians, the difference will become clear.
Every religion requires good works to be made right with God or Justification, except Christianity! Hinduism teaches renunciation of the world and to become one with the "spirit of the universe." Buddhism teaches eight principles by which man lives and thus find himself on the way to salvation. Islam says that a man must pray five times a day and give alms and fast on the month of Ramadan and obey the commands of Allah. In every case salvation is said to be achieved by something we do.
Paul concludes Galatians with a portrait of the spiritual man which is teaching on Sanctification. The main theme in the book of Galatians is freedom which is the point of our Sanctification.
I close with a quote from the late Mike Yaconelli which I find appropriate at this point. He said, “Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. ”
3/20/19
2 Peter 3:17-18
2 Peter 3:17-18 Podcast
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
In his heart man knows there is a God, this is why there are so many religions in the world. Pride is at the heart of religion. It is the fuel for man's desire to measure up to God. And, it is natural for the human heart to give safe haven to pride.
This is why the apostle Peter advises us in v.17 to not be self-confident, but we should be on guard "so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position." How are we protected from the error of the lawless? The answer is given in v.18.
In v.18 Peter says, "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus is the answer. The antidote to deception and destruction is growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Through God's grace, believers in Christ have become "partakers of the His nature," the penalty and power of sin has been broken. We have been set free from the demands of the law, set free to live for Christ, motivated by the gratitude that grace creates in our hearts.
The more we grow in the grace of God, the more we find that He is extending to us His undeserved favor. This creates a greater pathway for us to know Him. This knowledge does not encourage us to take His grace lightly, or to live apart from His definition of life for us; rather we are challenged to live fully for Him.
In v.18 Peter's last words are, "To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." The apostle turns his eyes away from himself toward Jesus, and prays that his Lord may be glorified.
The book of Revelation, tells us that Jesus is the Overcomer. In fact, He has won! We are on the winning side. He is coming back to set things right, and in the light of His coming, Peter tells us that our priorities should be about the rule of God in our lives and through our lives. Ironically, we have been rescued from the distortions of the enemy, so that our lives would play a role in others being rescued as well.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
In his heart man knows there is a God, this is why there are so many religions in the world. Pride is at the heart of religion. It is the fuel for man's desire to measure up to God. And, it is natural for the human heart to give safe haven to pride.
This is why the apostle Peter advises us in v.17 to not be self-confident, but we should be on guard "so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position." How are we protected from the error of the lawless? The answer is given in v.18.
In v.18 Peter says, "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus is the answer. The antidote to deception and destruction is growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Through God's grace, believers in Christ have become "partakers of the His nature," the penalty and power of sin has been broken. We have been set free from the demands of the law, set free to live for Christ, motivated by the gratitude that grace creates in our hearts.
The more we grow in the grace of God, the more we find that He is extending to us His undeserved favor. This creates a greater pathway for us to know Him. This knowledge does not encourage us to take His grace lightly, or to live apart from His definition of life for us; rather we are challenged to live fully for Him.
In v.18 Peter's last words are, "To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." The apostle turns his eyes away from himself toward Jesus, and prays that his Lord may be glorified.
The book of Revelation, tells us that Jesus is the Overcomer. In fact, He has won! We are on the winning side. He is coming back to set things right, and in the light of His coming, Peter tells us that our priorities should be about the rule of God in our lives and through our lives. Ironically, we have been rescued from the distortions of the enemy, so that our lives would play a role in others being rescued as well.
3/19/19
2 Peter 3:14-16
2 Peter 3:14-16 Podcast
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:14-16)
In light of the end time results, Peter implores us in 2 Peter 3:14 to do three things: 1) be found spotless, 2) be found blameless, 3) be found at peace with God.
To be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God by whom? First, be found by God. Second, be found by the people with whom we have influence.
If we are not declared by God as spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him, what is the point? We must be diligent to make sure that we are in Christ, if we are to be found by God in this way. These three are not the products of our own doing. No, these are the products and gifts of God to us through His Son's finished work on the cross.
To be spotless is to be without spot. The Greek word that Peter uses here for spotless is "aspilos", which means without defect or blemish. aspilos is used four times in the New Testament. This word is also used in 1 Peter 1:19 where Peter describes the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross. In light of being made spotless by Christ in the eyes of God, believers should strive to live a life that is without spot or blemish in order to point the unsaved to Christ. That they may cry out to Him for the gift of salvation through His shed blood on the cross.
To be blameless is to not be in a position to be charged for anything wrong. The Greek word Peter uses here is "amōmētoi." Like "aspilos", this is a word that is used of the Lord Jesus and applied through His cross to the believer. It is as if God sees us through the lense of His Son. Yet, Peter encourages us to live out of the position of being blameless.
Believers in Christ are to be found by Him at peace with Him. The Greek word Peter uses here for "peace" is "eirene" which means the absence of strife. Since there is no strife between God and the believer in Christ, the believer should be at peace with all men.
The goal of all of this is that the culture of God would not be distorted and men of all walks of life would come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers in Christ should be the most secure people in the world, because God has chosen us to be on His side. And, He wants to use us in the process of bringing others to faith in His Son.
G.K. Chesterton wrote in this regard, "Orthodoxy is like walking along a narrow bridge: one step to either side is a step of disaster. Jesus Christ is God and Man; God is love and holiness; Christianity is grace and morality; the Christian lives in the world and lives in the world of eternity. Over stress either side of these great two-sided truths and at once destructive heresy enters in. One of the most tragic things in life is when a man twists certain Christian truths and holy Scripture into an excuse and even a reason for doing what he wants to do, instead of taking them as guides for doing what God wants him to do."
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14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:14-16)
In light of the end time results, Peter implores us in 2 Peter 3:14 to do three things: 1) be found spotless, 2) be found blameless, 3) be found at peace with God.
To be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God by whom? First, be found by God. Second, be found by the people with whom we have influence.
If we are not declared by God as spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him, what is the point? We must be diligent to make sure that we are in Christ, if we are to be found by God in this way. These three are not the products of our own doing. No, these are the products and gifts of God to us through His Son's finished work on the cross.
To be spotless is to be without spot. The Greek word that Peter uses here for spotless is "aspilos", which means without defect or blemish. aspilos is used four times in the New Testament. This word is also used in 1 Peter 1:19 where Peter describes the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross. In light of being made spotless by Christ in the eyes of God, believers should strive to live a life that is without spot or blemish in order to point the unsaved to Christ. That they may cry out to Him for the gift of salvation through His shed blood on the cross.
To be blameless is to not be in a position to be charged for anything wrong. The Greek word Peter uses here is "amōmētoi." Like "aspilos", this is a word that is used of the Lord Jesus and applied through His cross to the believer. It is as if God sees us through the lense of His Son. Yet, Peter encourages us to live out of the position of being blameless.
Believers in Christ are to be found by Him at peace with Him. The Greek word Peter uses here for "peace" is "eirene" which means the absence of strife. Since there is no strife between God and the believer in Christ, the believer should be at peace with all men.
The goal of all of this is that the culture of God would not be distorted and men of all walks of life would come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers in Christ should be the most secure people in the world, because God has chosen us to be on His side. And, He wants to use us in the process of bringing others to faith in His Son.
G.K. Chesterton wrote in this regard, "Orthodoxy is like walking along a narrow bridge: one step to either side is a step of disaster. Jesus Christ is God and Man; God is love and holiness; Christianity is grace and morality; the Christian lives in the world and lives in the world of eternity. Over stress either side of these great two-sided truths and at once destructive heresy enters in. One of the most tragic things in life is when a man twists certain Christian truths and holy Scripture into an excuse and even a reason for doing what he wants to do, instead of taking them as guides for doing what God wants him to do."
To invest in BYM, click here
3/18/19
2 Peter 3:10-13
2 Peter 3:10-13 Podcast
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
The end of the world is coming. According to 2 Peter 3:10-11, Peter says the materials within the earth will be used to destroy it. We have fire all around us. We have the sun, for example, some 93 million miles away. The sun's core is 29 millions degrees hot. We also know that the core of the earth is made of molten rock, with a temperature of 12,400 degrees fahrenheit. The whole earth is like a ticking nuclear bomb.
In Colossians 1, we learn that it is Jesus Christ who holds this world together. He is the Creator of that which holds all things in this earth together. And, one day, He who has always held this earth and its universe together, will let it go. He will undo what He has done. And, this is described in many passages in the Bible (see Daniel 12, Joel 2, Matthew 24, Revelation 6-16).
Peter's point in our text today is clear: since life, as we know it on this earth, will be destroyed, we should live lives that are marked by the knowledge that God has favored us through His Son. And, we should look for opportunities to share this good news with all who we come into contact with.
In v.12, Peter says we should be "looking" for signs of the end. Then in v.13, Peter writes "In keeping with His promise." Peter says, "we are looking for new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells."
We should not be surprised, for this was predicted in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 65:17 we read, "Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth . . . " In Revelation 21:5 we read, "He that sits on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." God will create a perfect home filled with redeemed people willing to serve their Creator and enjoy him forever. In Isaiah 66:22, we learn that this will be a new heaven and a new earth which will last forever.
In the end, the marriage of God's faithfulness and the believers' faith will be realized. Think of it, how great will that be? We will realize that which we have always hoped for. We will breathe a sigh of relief, because we will realize that His promises are and forever true.
Jim Cymbala once said, “We like to control the map of our life and know everything well in advance. But faith is content just knowing that God's promise cannot fail. This, in fact, is the excitement of walking with God.”
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10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
The end of the world is coming. According to 2 Peter 3:10-11, Peter says the materials within the earth will be used to destroy it. We have fire all around us. We have the sun, for example, some 93 million miles away. The sun's core is 29 millions degrees hot. We also know that the core of the earth is made of molten rock, with a temperature of 12,400 degrees fahrenheit. The whole earth is like a ticking nuclear bomb.
In Colossians 1, we learn that it is Jesus Christ who holds this world together. He is the Creator of that which holds all things in this earth together. And, one day, He who has always held this earth and its universe together, will let it go. He will undo what He has done. And, this is described in many passages in the Bible (see Daniel 12, Joel 2, Matthew 24, Revelation 6-16).
Peter's point in our text today is clear: since life, as we know it on this earth, will be destroyed, we should live lives that are marked by the knowledge that God has favored us through His Son. And, we should look for opportunities to share this good news with all who we come into contact with.
In v.12, Peter says we should be "looking" for signs of the end. Then in v.13, Peter writes "In keeping with His promise." Peter says, "we are looking for new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells."
We should not be surprised, for this was predicted in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 65:17 we read, "Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth . . . " In Revelation 21:5 we read, "He that sits on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." God will create a perfect home filled with redeemed people willing to serve their Creator and enjoy him forever. In Isaiah 66:22, we learn that this will be a new heaven and a new earth which will last forever.
In the end, the marriage of God's faithfulness and the believers' faith will be realized. Think of it, how great will that be? We will realize that which we have always hoped for. We will breathe a sigh of relief, because we will realize that His promises are and forever true.
Jim Cymbala once said, “We like to control the map of our life and know everything well in advance. But faith is content just knowing that God's promise cannot fail. This, in fact, is the excitement of walking with God.”
To invest in BYM, CLICK HERE
3/15/19
2 Peter 3:5-10
2 Peter 3:5-10 Podcast
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:5-10)
Our text today begins with Peter informing us that these false teachers "deliberately forgot" that the world was made by God and that it's order was determined by His word. The key word here is "deliberately". This is a choice. The old adage, "The problem with the self-made man is that he worships his maker" is quite descriptive of these false teachers.
At the time Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, he was asked, "What made it possible for the Russian Revolution to take place and for Communism to rise to power?" His reply was simple: "Men forgot God."
Peter, in v.6, goes on to argue that God brought judgment on the world through the flood in Noah's day. As then, the laws of nature tirelessly whisper the existence of God. The earth is 4/5's water consistent with the Creation account in Genesis.
We have discovered there is great evidence for the flood that took place during the days of Noah. In fact, we have discovered sea life in Michigan and Ohio and in Wyoming (7000 feet above sea level). Only an event like the Flood explains how these sea creatures got to these places.
In the future it will be destroyed by fire at the second coming of Jesus Christ. If the false teachers were not so blinded by their own lusts (v. 4), they would be able to see that it is crazy to not believe in the Lord.
So, naturally in v.8, Peter points us to Christ. And what seems to us to be a long time, isn't so long for God. The false teachers said His return hasn't happened, therefore we do not believe He is coming back. From God's point of view, it hasn't been a very long period of time, like 2 days. For man, who do not have the view from eternity, it has been 2000 years.
The irony is that the false teachers take God's patience, which is giving them an opportunity to turn to Him and escape judgement, and use it against God as evidence that Christ is not coming. It will be an unanswerable indictment on the judgment day, when God asks the false teachers, "Why did you take my gift and use it as a prop for your unbelief?"
In v.9, there is a very important word: patient. The Greek word used here is a combination of two words: macro and thumei. Macro means large. Thumei means anger or wrath. God has an amazing capacity to be patient with fools.
The Lord is gracious to delay, allowing mankind to repent, to turn away from their unbelief. According to v.10, it is a sure thing that the Lord will come back.
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:5-10)
Our text today begins with Peter informing us that these false teachers "deliberately forgot" that the world was made by God and that it's order was determined by His word. The key word here is "deliberately". This is a choice. The old adage, "The problem with the self-made man is that he worships his maker" is quite descriptive of these false teachers.
At the time Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, he was asked, "What made it possible for the Russian Revolution to take place and for Communism to rise to power?" His reply was simple: "Men forgot God."
Peter, in v.6, goes on to argue that God brought judgment on the world through the flood in Noah's day. As then, the laws of nature tirelessly whisper the existence of God. The earth is 4/5's water consistent with the Creation account in Genesis.
We have discovered there is great evidence for the flood that took place during the days of Noah. In fact, we have discovered sea life in Michigan and Ohio and in Wyoming (7000 feet above sea level). Only an event like the Flood explains how these sea creatures got to these places.
In the future it will be destroyed by fire at the second coming of Jesus Christ. If the false teachers were not so blinded by their own lusts (v. 4), they would be able to see that it is crazy to not believe in the Lord.
So, naturally in v.8, Peter points us to Christ. And what seems to us to be a long time, isn't so long for God. The false teachers said His return hasn't happened, therefore we do not believe He is coming back. From God's point of view, it hasn't been a very long period of time, like 2 days. For man, who do not have the view from eternity, it has been 2000 years.
The irony is that the false teachers take God's patience, which is giving them an opportunity to turn to Him and escape judgement, and use it against God as evidence that Christ is not coming. It will be an unanswerable indictment on the judgment day, when God asks the false teachers, "Why did you take my gift and use it as a prop for your unbelief?"
In v.9, there is a very important word: patient. The Greek word used here is a combination of two words: macro and thumei. Macro means large. Thumei means anger or wrath. God has an amazing capacity to be patient with fools.
The Lord is gracious to delay, allowing mankind to repent, to turn away from their unbelief. According to v.10, it is a sure thing that the Lord will come back.
3/14/19
2 Peter 3:1-4
2 Peter 3:1-4 Podcast
1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:1-4)
The great hope of the Christian is: Jesus Christ is coming back. In 2 Peter 3 Peter redirects us back to the theme of 2 Peter 1, namely, that God has given us His promises, so that we will have power to resist temptation and remain in His way. Second to the subject of faith, the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned most in the Bible. God speaks of His Second Coming 1845 times.
In v.1, Peter literally desires to wake up his hearers. Interesting concept. Like these believers, we need awakening. We have so much truth, we tend to become
After our family recently went through a very difficult time, I found myself much more alert to the presence of God in my life. After that period of difficulty, I have found my awareness of His presence is different. It is the fallen human default mode to be less aware of the presence of God in our lives.
In v.1 Peter uses the word "wholesome" to describe the thinking that he wants them to have. The Greek word used for "wholesome" is "eilikrinē" which means that which being viewed in the sunshine, that which is found clear and pure, spotless, sincere, ingenuous.
This is to say, when we see things through the eyes of God, we will have the fuel to endure any difficulty, understanding that the difficulty is a means to the end which is the truth.
In today's text, Peter confronts the denial of these false teachers about the second coming of Christ. They got the Second Coming wrong due to the fact that they got Jesus wrong (see 2 Peter 2).
In v.3-4 Peter points out these false teachers are part of prophetic fulfillment. He quotes them: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
These false teachers were as they were because they were enslaved to their evil desires or evil lusts. Have you ever noticed that the more you give in to sin, they further you experientially remove yourself from the Lord? In my life, I have seen this principle played out over and over.
This introduces another very important point: we must be very careful to not feed the flesh, the evil desires within. In Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Instead of meditating on our flesh we must meditate on God's Word day and night! Not just on Sundays....but all the time....then we will recognize the wisdom within.
Tomorrow, we will consider Peter's response to this question.
#2Peter #byoungministry #Bible #discipleship #A.C.T. Intl
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1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:1-4)
The great hope of the Christian is: Jesus Christ is coming back. In 2 Peter 3 Peter redirects us back to the theme of 2 Peter 1, namely, that God has given us His promises, so that we will have power to resist temptation and remain in His way. Second to the subject of faith, the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned most in the Bible. God speaks of His Second Coming 1845 times.
In v.1, Peter literally desires to wake up his hearers. Interesting concept. Like these believers, we need awakening. We have so much truth, we tend to become
After our family recently went through a very difficult time, I found myself much more alert to the presence of God in my life. After that period of difficulty, I have found my awareness of His presence is different. It is the fallen human default mode to be less aware of the presence of God in our lives.
The principle that emanates out of 2 Peter 3:1 is:
the cure for spiritual lethargy is biblical prophecy.
In v.1 Peter uses the word "wholesome" to describe the thinking that he wants them to have. The Greek word used for "wholesome" is "eilikrinē" which means that which being viewed in the sunshine, that which is found clear and pure, spotless, sincere, ingenuous.
This is to say, when we see things through the eyes of God, we will have the fuel to endure any difficulty, understanding that the difficulty is a means to the end which is the truth.
In today's text, Peter confronts the denial of these false teachers about the second coming of Christ. They got the Second Coming wrong due to the fact that they got Jesus wrong (see 2 Peter 2).
In v.3-4 Peter points out these false teachers are part of prophetic fulfillment. He quotes them: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
These false teachers were as they were because they were enslaved to their evil desires or evil lusts. Have you ever noticed that the more you give in to sin, they further you experientially remove yourself from the Lord? In my life, I have seen this principle played out over and over.
This introduces another very important point: we must be very careful to not feed the flesh, the evil desires within. In Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Instead of meditating on our flesh we must meditate on God's Word day and night! Not just on Sundays....but all the time....then we will recognize the wisdom within.
Tomorrow, we will consider Peter's response to this question.
#2Peter #byoungministry #Bible #discipleship #A.C.T. Intl
To invest in BYM, click here
3/13/19
2 Peter 2:20-22
2 Peter 2:20-22 Podcast
20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)
In 2 Peter 2:20-21 we discover that if a person "outwardly" starts down the road of the Christian life, escaping from the defilements of the world, and he turns away from the Lord, he probably wasn't a follower of Christ in the first place.
This underscores a very important principle: a sign that we have been born again and come into a personal relationship with God is that we persevere in the faith. On the other hand, the more we know of the reality of Christ, the more severe our judgment.
Now, Peter is not teaching that we could lose our salvation. He is teaching that people who make outward professions of faith and even begin to clean up their lives can turn away from Christ and be lost. In fact, in v.22 he explains we should not be overly surprised at this: dogs characteristically return to their vomit; and no matter how clean you make a pig on the outside, if it is still a pig, it will return to the mud.
In biblical times dogs were very rarely kept as household pets. They were used sometimes to herd sheep. They were dirty, greedy, snarling, often diseased and vicious, dangerous and despised. And they were just as likely to eat their own vomit as anything else. The Jews treated dogs with contempt because of their filth. They lived on garbage. They carried disease. They ate the garbage and then returned to eat what the garbage produced in them, filthy creatures, filthy creatures.
These false teachers are now marked by having returned to their old lifestyle without any remorse. Peter says in v.20, "they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning." He then goes on to say in v.21, "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness."
These false teachers had reformation, but not salvation. Their problem was they had turned to Christianity but they had not turned to Jesus! This is the story of Judas and it underscores that being saved and being moral are not one in the same. Judas was probably the most buttoned up of all of the disciples, yet he lacked a personal relationship with the Lord.
20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)
In 2 Peter 2:20-21 we discover that if a person "outwardly" starts down the road of the Christian life, escaping from the defilements of the world, and he turns away from the Lord, he probably wasn't a follower of Christ in the first place.
This underscores a very important principle: a sign that we have been born again and come into a personal relationship with God is that we persevere in the faith. On the other hand, the more we know of the reality of Christ, the more severe our judgment.
Now, Peter is not teaching that we could lose our salvation. He is teaching that people who make outward professions of faith and even begin to clean up their lives can turn away from Christ and be lost. In fact, in v.22 he explains we should not be overly surprised at this: dogs characteristically return to their vomit; and no matter how clean you make a pig on the outside, if it is still a pig, it will return to the mud.
In biblical times dogs were very rarely kept as household pets. They were used sometimes to herd sheep. They were dirty, greedy, snarling, often diseased and vicious, dangerous and despised. And they were just as likely to eat their own vomit as anything else. The Jews treated dogs with contempt because of their filth. They lived on garbage. They carried disease. They ate the garbage and then returned to eat what the garbage produced in them, filthy creatures, filthy creatures.
These false teachers had reformation, but not salvation. Their problem was they had turned to Christianity but they had not turned to Jesus! This is the story of Judas and it underscores that being saved and being moral are not one in the same. Judas was probably the most buttoned up of all of the disciples, yet he lacked a personal relationship with the Lord.
3/12/19
2 Peter 2:17-19
2 Peter 2:17-19 Podcast
17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” (2 Peter 2:17-19)
In today's text, the Apostle Peter describes in more detail these false teachers. He writes in v.17 that they were "springs without water and mists driven by a storm", which means there was no substance to their message or ministry. Instead of the words of God, they spewed out the words of the flesh, which were empty, arrogant, lustful, and enticing.
Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." These false teachers had never experienced the living water springing up from within, therefore their appetite was for something that is far less substantive and fulfilling.
Part of the problem in the church at that time the people did not have enough spiritual depth to ward off these false teachers. The church fold were guilty of "outward change." When we have outward change without inward change we will be trapped in a prison of the false.
In 2 Peter 2:18, Peter describes these false teachers as arrogant and boastful. In Galatians 6, we discover that lives which are described by these words are lives that are destroyed in the end. When we have a false illusion of ourselves, when we are arrogant, we think more of ourselves than we should.
Peter is addressing a group of people who did not have good theology and they therefore did not understand who they really were in Christ. And, these arrogant and boastful false teachers were taking advantage of this situation by making these immature believers think that they were inferior to them.
As a result, these false teachers held out a promise of freedom, all the while they themselves had no freedom of their own. They were slaves to their own depravity.
As believers in Christ, we understand that everything that happens to us does not happen because of some impersonal, unknowable fate. It happens because there is a loving Father in heaven who is seeking to bring forth His purpose in our lives. Years ago, I heard Ron Dunn preach about "the ministry of temptation."
You see these young believers who Peter is addressing in this letter were tempted to walk the way of these false teachers. And for some time they did. And, God allows us to be tempted with the goal to teach us His ways in comparison to the emptiness of the false.
Finally, temptation itself is not sin. Giving into temptation, allowing it to master us is when it mutates into sin. But, God allows us to be tempted in order to enlarge our capacity for Him.
When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land God did not drive out all of their enemies, so that Israel would be prepared in battle. The same is true for us, but we must stay near to Him by daily soaking in His word, listening to Him throughout our day and hanging out with people who are pursuing Him for themselves.
Some time ago I heard a great quote from Henri Nouwen that is appropriate to end this blog.
"Spiritual life is a life in which you gradually learn to listen to a voice that says something else, that says, "You are the beloved and on you my favor rests."... I want you to hear that voice. It is not a very loud voice because it is an intimate voice. It comes from a very deep place. It is soft and gentle. I want you to gradually hear that voice. We both have to hear that voice and to claim for ourselves that that voice speaks the truth. It tells us who we truly are."
3/11/19
2 Peter 2:13-16
2 Peter 2:13-16
13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. (2 Peter 2:13-16)
In our text today, Peter reminds us these false teachers will experience the law of reciprocity for their behavior which included the desire to harm others, openly displaying irresponsible partying, adultery, seduction of the vulnerable, and greed. Such is life, what we sow is what we reap.
Can you imagine there were "teachers" like this in the church in Peter's day. My question is why did they have a following? We shall see why as we work through today's text.
Peter is about to die and these are his last words. He is warning the believers to not follow these so called teachers. In v.15, Peter tells us that these "false teachers" followed the way of Balaam, not the examples of the afore mentioned Noah and Lot.
This brings up a very important point: God always gives us good examples to follow. Now, Noah and Lot were not perfect, by they believed in the God of the Bible and they were defined by Him at times. And, even though they had their own problems, this life is about emulating their faith. This merely underscores that it is not the amount of our faith that makes us right with God, it is the object of our faith.
Note the words they, these and them. These words describe the false teachers. It is healthy to distinguish those who are not defined by God from those who are. Conclusion: we must be careful who we walk with and are influenced by in a given day.
These "false teachers" went to way of Balaam. The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22. The Israelites had left Egypt and were approaching the land of Moab, Balak, the king, was afraid of them and sent for Balaam, a prophet, and offered him money (Numbers 22:7) to come and curse the Israelites.
The story of Balaam illustrates that he loved gain from someone willing to pay for his prophetic services. These false teachers were charging the believers of their day for their special teaching. Having paid for their teaching, these believers took their teaching more seriously!
According to 2 Peter 2:15 these false teachers "had left the straight way and wandered off." I find it instructive that throughout the New Testament God warns us about the things that would derail us from following Him. In today's text, we are warned about "leaving the straight way." There will always be those who challenge God's narrow truth. The people of Noah's day said that.
We leave the straight way when we forget the God who placed the knowledge of Himself in us. We leave the straight way when we are not careful to evaluate, to think deeply, to be guided by the word of God.
To help us to stay on the straight way, each day we must be careful to be framed up by the definitions of God on a given subject. In addition, it is a good practice to find people who are defined by God's culture and learn from them.
In order to lead the orchestra, we must turn our backs to the crowd.
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13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. (2 Peter 2:13-16)
In our text today, Peter reminds us these false teachers will experience the law of reciprocity for their behavior which included the desire to harm others, openly displaying irresponsible partying, adultery, seduction of the vulnerable, and greed. Such is life, what we sow is what we reap.
Can you imagine there were "teachers" like this in the church in Peter's day. My question is why did they have a following? We shall see why as we work through today's text.
Peter is about to die and these are his last words. He is warning the believers to not follow these so called teachers. In v.15, Peter tells us that these "false teachers" followed the way of Balaam, not the examples of the afore mentioned Noah and Lot.
This brings up a very important point: God always gives us good examples to follow. Now, Noah and Lot were not perfect, by they believed in the God of the Bible and they were defined by Him at times. And, even though they had their own problems, this life is about emulating their faith. This merely underscores that it is not the amount of our faith that makes us right with God, it is the object of our faith.
Note the words they, these and them. These words describe the false teachers. It is healthy to distinguish those who are not defined by God from those who are. Conclusion: we must be careful who we walk with and are influenced by in a given day.
These "false teachers" went to way of Balaam. The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22. The Israelites had left Egypt and were approaching the land of Moab, Balak, the king, was afraid of them and sent for Balaam, a prophet, and offered him money (Numbers 22:7) to come and curse the Israelites.
The story of Balaam illustrates that he loved gain from someone willing to pay for his prophetic services. These false teachers were charging the believers of their day for their special teaching. Having paid for their teaching, these believers took their teaching more seriously!
According to 2 Peter 2:15 these false teachers "had left the straight way and wandered off." I find it instructive that throughout the New Testament God warns us about the things that would derail us from following Him. In today's text, we are warned about "leaving the straight way." There will always be those who challenge God's narrow truth. The people of Noah's day said that.
We leave the straight way when we forget the God who placed the knowledge of Himself in us. We leave the straight way when we are not careful to evaluate, to think deeply, to be guided by the word of God.
To help us to stay on the straight way, each day we must be careful to be framed up by the definitions of God on a given subject. In addition, it is a good practice to find people who are defined by God's culture and learn from them.
In order to lead the orchestra, we must turn our backs to the crowd.
To invest in BYM, click here
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