Standing on the Promises - A Study of 2 Peter Lesson 3 - Standing Solidly on Divine Revelation Recap from last time: Based on the incredible promises of God’s grace, our lives of humbly following Jesus could be described as “training in reigning.” Such constant spiritual growth is consistent with the cleansing from sin we have received, and are continually receiving. 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, brothers, be more eager to make your calling and election sure for yourselves. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 In fact, in this way you will be richly supplied with an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1. When a company calls you and says they want to hire you, how do you make that calling sure? When a President is elected, how does he make that election sure? 2. God calls you and elects you to be his own, now and forever. How do you make that calling and election sure? 3. Remember that the previous verses speak of adding things like knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, love. These good qualities will produce good works. Which of the following would you agree with most: a. Good works are not necessary for salvation. b. Good works are necessary for salvation. c. Good works are necessary. 4. “If you do these things, you will never stumble.” So how much adding of things like faith, patience, self control, love, etc do you need before you can be sure that you will never stumble? 5. A promise to never stumble, who wouldn’t want that? So why then do we still stumble? 6. “In this way you will be richly supplied with an entrance into the eternal kingdom …” What is the entrance to the eternal kingdom of Jesus? Have you entered?
7. What’s it like in Jesus’ eternal kingdom? 2 Peter 1:12-15 That is why I intend always to keep reminding you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to keep you wide awake by reminding you, 14 because I know that the putting off of my tent is going to happen soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 I will also make every effort so that after my departure you always have a reminder of these things. 8. What are some things you need to be reminded of, or you’ll forget them? 9. When you think of your own “putting off your tent” being near, what are some items on your bucket list items? 10. So, how would you say Peter did in his goal of reminding people of Jesus before he died? 2 Peter 1:16-18 To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when the voice came to him from within the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 11. A coach might remind, remind, remind his players of a concept that’s important in his mind, but perhaps not theirs. Eventually the reminders become less and less welcomed and received. Why should you care about the reminds that Peter thinks are so important? 12. Why did Peter get to experience the powerful appearance of Jesus, and not you? Why did Peter get to experience the voice from heaven on the mountain of transfiguration, but not others? 13. Out of all the possible ‘events with Jesus’ he could have chosen to talk about, why bring up Jesus’ transfiguration at this point?
14. Someone says, “Everything you believe about God comes from the Bible. That’s just a book of cleverly devised fables.” How would you respond? 2 Peter 1:19-21 We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, 20 since we know this above all else: No prophecy of Scripture comes about from someone’s own interpretation. 21 In fact, no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit. 15. Someone says, “If I had seen Jesus’ transfiguration, my faith would be so much stronger than it is. Peter had an advantage that I don’t get.” How would you respond? 16. A lamp at night is a valuable thing. When do you experience God’s Word as a lamp shining in a dark place? 17. Will there be bibles in the future life of glory? 18. “Men spoke from God as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit.” How does that work? Evaluate and comment on the following options: a. People felt compelled to say things that did not come from their own minds, but from the Holy Spirit, so they said them. b. The Holy Spirit took recruits who were interested in writing for him, he trained them, and they did their best to write his words. c. People in real life situations and real life challenges felt compelled to communicate messages from God about the life situations and challenges they were experiencing, and the Holy Spirit guided the process so that the words they spoke or wrote on specific occasions also were his words with value for people of all times and situations. 19. So, how do you know that what’s in the Bible is Holy Spirit worked; while what’s not in the Bible is not Holy Spirit worked in quite the same way? How can you tell what’s God’s Word and what’s not?