1 Peter 1:3-11

A Christian lifestyle that is appropriate to

the great spiritual provisions God bestowed on us when we were born again.

“exceedingly great and precious promises”

The means by which we may escape “the corruption that is in the world

through lust.”

The “promises” Peter has especially in mind are

eschatological ones, i.e.

the promises focus on our potential future.

“exceedingly great and precious promises”

These promises have, and will, come under attack from “scoffers”.

Peter's purpose in writing 1:12-15

Reinforce what we know!

The lifestyle Peter just praised produces

fruit (v. 8), stability (v. 10), and a special entrance into the Kingdom (v. 11);

a heroes welcome!

"remind you"

Exactly what he is doing in 2 Peter and planned on doing as long as he lived and beyond!

"you know them"

They knew about the truths he mentioned and are established in them.

So, why write?

One of the greatest unspoken issues of the Christian life is functionally remembering

critical Christian truth!

We might be able to answer questions about our faith...

but that's not the issue.

repetitio est mater studiorum

(“repetition is the mother of studies”)

Ask any parent.

Ask any child.

Ask Bill Cosby!

2 Peter 1:15

"Moreover I will be diligent that, after my decease, you may always have something to

hold these things in remembrance."

The Gospel of Mark?

BODY OF THE EPISTLE: HOLD FAST THE

HOPE OF CHRIST’S COMING (1:15-3:13)

This Hope is a Certainty (1:16-21)

"fable" = "myths"

The second coming is often attacked as just that; a cleverly invented myth.

2 Peter 3:3-4

Peter saw the reality of the prophecies when he saw Christ transfigured.

"His powerful coming"!

1:16

A "preview" of the Kingdom or a reality?

Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste

death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

(The Transfiguration follows in 17:1-8.)

Mark 9:1 And He said to them, “Assuredly I say to you that there are some standing here

who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power. “

(The Transfiguration follows in 9:2-8.)

Luke 9:27 “But 1 tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till

they see the kingdom of God.”

(The Transfiguration follows in 9:28-36.)

"the Son of Man coming in His

kingdom — the kingdom of God present with power — or simply, the kingdom of God!"

Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God

would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with

observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed the kingdom of God is

among (Greek = entos) you.”

Colossians 1:13

God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of

the Son of His love.”

(Parables of Mt. 13)

At the present time a restricted and invisible form of God’s kingdom is already in this world.

"restricted" = all men not yet its subjects

If the present Kingdom is a reality, the future Kingdom is a certainty!

We still look for the future, universal Kingdom of our Lord.

Makes sense of the contexts of the Transfiguration.

•Matt. 16:1-12 Feeding of the thousands•vv. 12-20 The reality of the Christ and the establishment of His church on that reality•vv. 21-23 Suffering predicted and prioritized•vv. 24-28 Losing to save; glory or shame?

2 Peter 1:17 - "glory and honor"

A particular glory and honor.

Voice didn't "come from heaven".

In a sense, God "came down".

2 Peter 1:17 - "glory and honor"

"bright cloud" (Mt. 17:5)= the Shekinah glory.

Represents the glorious presence of God.

"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus obtained His rule because He was well-pleasing to God.

Heb. 1:9

When believers also live lives well-pleasing to God, they obtain an abundant entrance to glory.

2 Pet. 1:7, 12; Rev. 2:25-27

When we lose our lives, we save them.

Jesus becomes our example for how to live both now and in eternity.

2 Peter 1:19

What we already believe is true is confirmed.

When this is denied, we lose powerful motivation for living.

"Dark"

"dry, dirty, dark"; used of a "dark funeral color"

"dismal" may be the best here.

Stay focused on the light! Rev. 22:16

2 Pet. 1:20-21

No passage of

prophetic Scripture has its own, peculiar interpretation so that it can be treated in

isolation from other prophetic passages.

The transfiguration of our Lord should forever remind us that there is more, that it starts now, will be fully realized soon, and will

never end.

The problem isn't that we are unaware of it.

The problem is that we often forget reality.

The problem is that on a day-to-day level,

we simply forget.