Sermon: Assurance of Salvation Gained and Maintained 2 Peter 1:5-11
Assurance of Salvation Gained and Maintained 2 Peter 1:5-11
Truth Taught- Assurance is maintained as we apply all diligence to our faith.
Introduction
There is a difference between Salvation and Assurance of Salvation. A person can possess genuine salvation and struggle with assurance. Peter writes for the purpose of adding assurance to our faith.
The first way we can possess biblical assurance is in Christian service.
If a Christian has assurance of their salvation, they are better servants of Christ because their focus can be taken off of themselves and placed on others…and yet as we will learn today it is in service that we gain assurance. This wonderful doctrine is one that builds upon the foundation of Christ and then multiplies.
Another way we can possess biblical assurance is from trials.
Peter understood what it was to have your faith tested. In fact, Peter’s faith had been tested by Satan, himself. Peter’s faith was so completely tested that his faith wavered to the point that he even denied knowing Jesus, His Lord.
Peter was no less a child of God at his denial of Jesus than he was at his proclamation of Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the living God. The way we know this, is found in the words of Jesus… And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31–34 (ESV)
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
What was Jesus’ response to Satan demanding to sift or to test Peter? Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. His faith was severely tested and tried, stretched and stricken but because of Jesus praying, it did not fail. Faith that does not fall under trial is a genuine, tested faith. It is the trial that proves faith to be genuine. Faith proven is then worthy of assurance.
Exodus 21:12–36 Crime and Punishment in Society (Part 2)
Exodus 21:12–36 Crime and Punishment in Society
As we continue through the section of Exodus known as the Book of the Covenant we look today at crime and punishment in Israel. Before we get started and possibly bogged down in details, we must remember that in God’s system of society set to bring Him glory there are punishments for crime. We will see that the more severe the crime, the more severe the punishment. We realize all crime is sin and yet there are certain crimes God requires a greater punishment for than others. So, we must keep a sense of proportion as we look at what God tells His people.
God gave the Ten Commandments and now in the Book of the Covenant we are told how the Ten Commandments fit in everyday life. We might say, here are the Ten Commandments applied.
1. Cases Requiring the Death Penalty (21:12-17)
12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. 13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. 14 But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.
16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
17 “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.
Here, God is showing us what the penalty is for breaking the 6th Commandment…
Exodus 20:13 (ESV)
13 “You shall not murder.
This did not start with the Ten Commandments.
Genesis 9:5–6 (ESV)
5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.
Death for murder is one penalty that still applies today. The reason for a death for a death is because man is made in God’s image.
Because we live in a sinful world, it is impossible for this to be carried out perfectly every time. God did however, place safeguards so that guilt would be certain before the death penalty was administered.
The Great Gifts of God (Part 2) 2 Peter 1:3-4
The Great Gifts of God (Part 2)
2 Peter 1:3-4
Truth Taught- Christ has given us everything we need to live a life pleasing to Him.
Introduction
The Apostles wrote the New Testament. Peter has already told us that he was a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was called to write his portion of the NT. At the heart of Peter’s calling, along with writing, he was a preacher. Peter could preach. His sermons were extremely well ordered, logical and easily followed. The Holy Spirit worked when Peter preached and souls were saved.
A great example of one of his sermons is found in Acts. Here’s how an Apostle preached. Here’s why signs and wonders were being done among the Apostles. I’d like to take a few minutes today to walk down through Peter’s Pentecost Sermon and show what an amazing and powerful preacher Peter was.
Acts 2:14–41 (ESV)
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
Those in Jerusalem are seeing something that they cannot figure out or explain. The apostles are speaking in different languages. To those who spoke the language they were speaking, they could understand them but to those who spoke another language their assessment was that they were just drunk ramblers.
Peter takes this event that they are witnessing but can’t explain and gives meaning to it. How does he give meaning to the event? As an apostle, he had the authority to connect what they were witnessing to OT prophecy…
16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
He takes Joel’s prophecy and explains that what they are witnessing is a last day’s marker.
He also explains that this is powered by God. The Holy Spirit is being poured out and they
are speaking in other languages prophetically.
They had already been witnesses of cosmic events because many were around Jerusalem
When Jesus was crucified. They witnessed the darkness, the earthquake, the moon turning to blood. Joel explains this as wonders in the heavens (the sky) and signs on earth. They saw this while in Jerusalem.
Then he finishes this section by telling them that while they are experiencing last-days events there is still time to call upon the Lord for salvation.
Exodus 21:12–36
Exodus 21:12–36
Crime and Punishment in Society
As we continue through the section of Exodus known as the Book of the Covenant we look today at crime and punishment in Israel. Before we get started and possibly bogged down in details, we must remember that in God’s system of society set to bring Him glory there are punishments for crime. We will see that the more severe the crime, the more severe the punishment. We realize all crime is sin and yet there are certain crimes God requires a greater punishment for than others. So, we must keep a sense of proportion as we look at what God tells His people.
God gave the Ten Commandments and now in the Book of the Covenant we are told how the Ten Commandments fit in everyday life. We might say, here are the Ten Commandments applied.
1. Cases Requiring the Death Penalty (21:12-17)
12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. 13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. 14 But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.
16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
17 “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.
Here, God is showing us what the penalty is for breaking the 6th Commandment…
Exodus 20:13 (ESV)
13 “You shall not murder.
This did not start with the Ten Commandments.
Genesis 9:5–6 (ESV)
5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.
Death for murder is one penalty that still applies today. The reason for a death for a death is because man is made in God’s image.
Because we live in a sinful world, it is impossible for this to be carried out perfectly every time. God did however, place safeguards so that guilt would be certain before the death penalty was administered.
The Great Gifts of God 2 Peter 1:1-2
The Great Gifts of God
2 Peter 1:1-2
Truth Taught- All who have received the gift of saving faith have also receive grace and peace in abundance.
Introduction
As we begin this opening section of 2 Peter, we will learn who Peter is and what he was called to do. We will learn that he wrote his letter to a specific group, namely all who have obtained the same saving faith as he received. We will also learn that as believers God’s great favor has been given to all who share in saving faith.
Please Stand
2 Peter 1:1–2 (ESV)
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
1. Peter’s Identity (1:1a)
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
A. He Used to be Simeon
As we begin, we notice that Peter uses and alternate spelling for his name. Rather than Simon as is the spelling in almost every case, here he uses the spelling that is his Jewish name. He was often called Simon but in reality, his name is Simeon. Simeon is the Jewish spelling and Simon is the Greek spelling. He is highlighting something here. Why would he use his Hebrew spelling? Peter is Jewish and has been called for a specific task. Simeon is his old name, his name before he met Jesus. He was a Jewish fisherman name Simeon.
Beloved never forget where you once were prior to becoming a follower of Jesus. Remember your hopeless state. Don’t forget where you once were without Jesus. Don’t dwell there too long, because that’s not who you are now but don’t forget either.
–You were once spiritually dead…
As harsh as this sounds, the Bible says it’s true. Before Christ, you were dead in your sin. Obviously, you weren’t dead in a physical sense, but spiritually speaking…. you were. But here’s the truth: The spiritually dead are unfortunately heading towards physical death and separation from God. But those who are spiritually alive will experience life everlasting with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1–2 (ESV)
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
–You were once a slave to sin…
John 8:34 (ESV)
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
–You were once an orphan…
A child of God is one who has received Christ.
