11 Peter – Darkness before Dawning

The once fearful Peter boldly anticipates death. He prepares us to live in the light and handle the “dark ages”.

Key Verse

2 Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Snapshot

  • Objectives
  • Introduction
  • Living in Light – Ch 1
  • Lying Leaders – Ch 2
  • Leaving no Lost – Ch 3
  • Last Days – Ch 3
  • Looking to the Lord – Ch 3
  • Discussion

In this journey...

We:

  • Differentiate between spiritual light and darkness
  • Identify people living in light and darkness
  • Identify areas in our lives still in darkness
  • Patiently strive to draw ourselves and others to the light

Introduction

Peter’s last letter is addressed to all believers unlike the first addressed specifically to the Jews.

As he boldly anticipates death, he prepares us to live in the light and handle the “dark ages”.

He has read Paul’s letters and refers to them in this letter

Divine Power and Diligence

2 Peter:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith

Divine Power and Diligence - Definition

  • Diligence in the bible dictionary is “Conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regard to a relationship with God”.

  • Diligence needs to be coupled with divine power to be effective else can go in vain.

Divine Power and Diligence

Video clip - Diligence

Parable of the dirty well

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flowthe springs of life. Prov 4:23

LIving in the Light - Result

Lying Leaders - Discussion

  • Read 2 Peter ch 2. What are the characteristics of the lying leaders? Discuss
  • What do we learn about Lot in this passage?

Lying Leaders

Lying Leaders -Result – Doom and Destruction

2 Peter 2 v4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;

v3 their destruction is not asleep.

v 12 born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed

v 4-6 Face the fate of fallen angels, ungodly, Sodom and Gomorrah, etc.

v 17  These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 

Protection from lying leaders

2 Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment

Darkness before Dawning - Last Days

2 Peter 3:6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

 

Last Days - Day of the Lord

  • There are many ‘day of the Lord’s covered in the bible or is it that “day” refers to God’s judgement over time because a day for God can even be a thousand years for us..
  • These are prototypes or warnings of the final destruction
  • The one mentioned by Peter seems to be the culmination where heaven and earth the destroyed by fire ushering in the new heavens and earth.

 

Leaving no Lost

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Looking to the Lord

2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless

Discussion

  • How do we live in the light in the midst of darkness?
  • Share new insights you have gained from this book.

References

1.bible.com

Related Posts

Jude – Keep your Position

Whenever we attain a position in any field, we work hard to keep it. Jude, half-brother of Jesus, encourages true believers to keep our position in Christ. He assures that Christ has kept us.Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy...

111 John – Model the Gospel

There is a wild chase for prosperity. The dark horses in this race are those who seek prosperity of soul. We will emerge as winners.Model the Good 3 John v. 5-8 Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers,...

II John – Love in Truth

When hard truth and gentle love come together, there are times when love has to be hard and truth becomes gentle.  2 John 1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth Theme Verses Objectives...

1 John – Enjoy Fellowship

We are created for fellowship – with God and others; for beautiful relationships. While sin has marred this ideal, Christ is restoring it.  Are we enjoying what we are created for?1 John1:3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have...

1 Peter – Dimensions of Suffering

Why suffering? It is never part of God’s original purpose. Both God and Satan use the inevitable to meet their objectives.1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that...

James – All or Nothing

James highlights in a unique manner that when we follow Christ we are all in or all out. This is reflected in our attitude, prayers, pride, listening, faith, wealth, speech, wisdom, friendship, etc. Introduction Theme Verse The Binary Perspective Doers Deceivers...

Hebrews – The Real Deal

The letter to the Hebrews is a wake-up call reminding Jews, (and Christians) that we may be missing it all. The writer challenges the reader to leverage the real deal.Hebrews 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that...