Sermons
Sermons from Bay Vista Baptist ChurchIntentional Ungodliness
Peter explains that these false teachers are not just misguided; they are arrogant predators who reject the very truth that could save them. We must, rather, embrace teachers who mirror humility, discipleship, and a willingness to live for the Lord.
Our Protector
After discussing those who would destroy the Church from within, Peter presents a long if/then statement. In it, he assures his readers that the ungodly are judged, even if it doesn’t seem like judgment is coming; and that God consistently rescues His people in their time of need.
False Prophets and Teachers
If the theme of 2 Peter is “the Church under fire from within,” this is the place where Peter describes the threat. These wolves among the sheep are something for which we should be alert, while understanding their motivation and acknowledging the judgment waiting for those who would try to destroy the Body of Christ from within.
The Prophetic Word
Before Peter starts in on the false teachers, he gives the believers encouragement, to strengthen their faith. Our faith in Christ s is a faith that is based on the witness of God the Father, recorded in the written Word, and continues through the work of the Holy Spirit.
A Confirmed Calling
Peter encourages the church to continue to assure themselves of their position in Christ. By testing and confirming our faith, know that we can rely on it when we need it.
A Growing Faith
Since God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, and also given us His exceeding great and precious promises - we need to use them! Peter uses an immediate command in this passage to remind them that their faith, and a host of other qualities, should be continually increasing, so they do not become ineffective for the kingdom of God.
The Promises of God
Peter continues emphasizing the knowledge of God as the key for power and success in the Christian life. We cannot tap into this power, which we already have, if we do not know about it!
An Equal Faith
As Peter begins his second letter to the first-century church under fire, he focuses on the equal faith that all believers have, and the powerful knowledge of the Lord that this faith enables. These words are still true today, and should cause us to celebrate our equality of faith and the possibility of a deeper knowledge of God.
Pray for One Another
The key to many of the other “one another"s we’ve seen is prayer. When we offer vigilant and specific intercessory prayer for fellow believers, we not only help them with their needs, we grow closer to them and to God.
Grow with One Another
Christians are not designed to go it alone; rather we are to be grown in community with other believers. Within this community, every believer is called to teach and admonish the other believers, and Paul identifies music as one area where this should be regularly done.