Hello everyone, House of Truth is no longer a fellowship due to moving to Wi. 
if you would like to hear more teachings, go to OBF.Family 
Olive Branch Fellowship is where Pastor Josh is currently teaching the Word.


House Of Truth Fellowship

Spirit is mentioned 8 times here. Its linked to the previous verse in 3:24-4:1,v.2,v.3, v.3b,v.6b. 
 
Spirit- 388x in NT-Numa- in english it means Numatic, means breath, to blow, speaks of error. 
 
6 things I learn about the Word Spirit: 
1. It refers to the Holy Spirit-3:24b 
2) God has a Spirit-Genesis 6:3 "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." 
3) God is Spirit-John 4:24 "God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 
4) Angels are called Spirits- 
a) Psalm 104:4 "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire." 
b) Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" 
5) There are unclean Spirits-bad angels, 
a) Mark 5:8 Legion was called a unclean spirit. 
b) Acts 19:15 Called evil spirits 
c) Rev 16:14 called demonic spirits 
6) We have a Spirit-you and I have a spirit 
a) Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" 
(1 Thess 5:23) 
 
There are 2 commands in v.1. 
1) Don't believe every spirit-v.1 Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps." 
2) Test every Spirit-v.1 
Test-23x in NT- carries the idea to discern, to examine, to scrutinize. 
 
2 things we are going to look at about testing every spirit. 
• (Notice who should be testing the spirit)? 
 V.1 "Beloved" speaking to believers in general. 
 
 Hebrews 6:11-12 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Spirit is mentioned 8 times here. Its linked to the previous verse in 3:24-4:1,v.2,v.3, v.3b,v.6b.

Spirit- 388x in NT-Numa- in english it means Numatic, means breath, to blow, speaks of error.

6 things I learn about the Word Spirit:
1. It refers to the Holy Spirit-3:24b 
2) God has a Spirit-Genesis 6:3 "My Spirit shall not always strive with man."
3) God is Spirit-John 4:24 "God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
4) Angels are called Spirits-
a) Psalm 104:4 "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire."
b) Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?"
5) There are unclean Spirits-bad angels, 
a) Mark 5:8 Legion was called a unclean spirit.
b) Acts 19:15 Called evil spirits
c) Rev 16:14 called demonic spirits
6) We have a Spirit-you and I have a spirit
a) Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"
(1 Thess 5:23)

Ther

1 John 4:1-6 What Spirit Do You Have?

we will cover 8 things today about God's Love: 
1. God's Love is different-v.1a 
• Behold- Wake up, perceive, look carefully! notice, discern, discover 
• Manner-Lit. of what country! 
1. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
2. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." 
4. Ephesians 3:19 "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" 
2) God's love comes from the Father- (v.1) 
(2) James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." 
3) God's love is given to us-(v.1b) 
a) Romans 8:32 "how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" 
• 1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins." 
4) God's Love has enabled us to called children of God. 
i) John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" 
ii) Romans "our spirit bears witness with His, that we are children of God" 
5) God's love causes the world to not know us. (v.1c) 
ii) Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 
i) John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before [it hated] you. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 
6) God's Love will make us like Him. (v.2) 
• 1 Cor 15:51-53 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality." 
• Phil 3:20-21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." 
7) God's love should move us to purity. (v.3c) 
 
ii) 1 Peter 1:15 
8) God's love shows us the reality of sin. (v.4) 
 
a) V.4-6 John deals with 4 issues as it pertains to the reality of sin: 
i) The definition of sin-v.4 
(2) Lawlessness - meaning opposition to all legal requirement, & in this, the denial of all moral obligation. 
(a) David understood this as king of Israel: Psalm 51:4 "Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done [this] evil in Your sight" 
(b) Joseph understood this with Potiphar's wife, Gen 39:9b "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" 
ii) Deliverance from sin. (v.5) 
(2) John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." 
(3) Romans 4:25 "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised becaus 
e of our justification." 
(b) Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us." 
(c) Hebrews 10:17 they are forgotten "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 
iii) We have a declaration about sin. (v.6a) 
iv) Division because of sin (v.6b) 
(a) Isaiah 59:1-2 "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden [His] face from you, So that He will not hear." 
 
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

we will cover 8 things today about God's Love:
1. God's Love is different-v.1a 
• Behold- Wake up, perceive, look carefully! notice, discern, discover
• Manner-Lit. of what country! 
1. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
2. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
4. Ephesians 3:19 "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge"
2) God's love comes from the Father- (v.1)
(2) James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
3) God's love is given to us-(v.1b) 
a) Romans 8:32 "how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
• 1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins."
4) God's Love has enabled us to called children of God. 
i) John 1:12 "But as 

1 John 3:1-6 Manner of Love

1 John 2:12-14 
R.E.A.L. 
Real- 
Educational- 
Available- 
Loving- 
1. Love and spiritual maturity, 
 
There are 4 levels of Spiritual Maturity: 
1. Involves little Children. V.12 
i) Children- Speaks of a newborn, 
1.2. But there is a danger with New-Believers. (that they don't grow or Mature). 
 
1.3. The Question is Why don't brand new believers grow personally or mature? 
 
(1) 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual [people] but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able [to receive it], and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where [there are] envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like [mere] men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I [am] of Apollos," are you not carnal? 
 
iii) 1 Peter 2:2 "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" 
 
2) The next level of Spiritual maturity involves FATHERS. V.13a, 14a 
 
c) One who is spiritually mature Knows Jesus. V.13b, 14b 
iv) There is a great need for Mature fathers in these days that we are living in. 
3. The third level of Spiritual Maturity involves Young Men. V.13b, 14b, 
 
John speaks about 3 things to them: 
i) They have overcome the wicked one. V.13b, 14c, 
(1) Romans 8:37 "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." 
(2) They understand that satan cannot have victory over them. 
(3) 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 
(4) 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies [under the sway of] the wicked one." 
ii) They are strong. V.14b 
Strong-Firm or sure. 
iii) They have the Word abiding in them. V.14b 
• John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." 
There is a danger in being a young man, and still growing and learning. 
• 1 Timothy 4:12-15 
• The Danger is thinking you don't know enough so you can't speak or do. 
 
4th level of spiritual maturity. Little Children. V.13c 
This word is different from v.12, meaning infant, but this one can walk and talk, but cannot carry on a long intelligent conversation, like a 4 or 5 year old. 
• Hebrews 12:5-11

1 John 2:12-14 
R.E.A.L.
Real- 
Educational-
Available- 
Loving-  
1. Love and spiritual maturity, 

There are 4 levels of Spiritual Maturity:
1. Involves little Children. V.12
i) Children- Speaks of a newborn, 
1.2. But there is a danger with New-Believers. (that they don't grow or Mature). 

1.3. The Question is Why don't brand new believers grow personally or mature?

(1) 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual [people] but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able [to receive it], and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where [there are] envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like [mere] men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I [am] of Apollos," are you not carnal?

iii) 1 Peter 2:2 "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby"

2) The next level of Spiritual maturity 

1 John 2:12-14 Be R.E.A.L

(God is light ch 1-2 God is Love 3-4 God is Life 5) 
 
The Test of Knowing Him: 2:1-11 
1-11 we are going to see 3 things: 
1. The topic of sin v.1-2 
2. The topic of obedience v.3-6 
3. The topic of love v.7-11 
1. Dealing with Sin. V.1-2 
• Romans 6:12-14 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 
• Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 
• Hebrews 7:24-25 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 
• 1 Timothy 2:5 For [there is] one God and one Mediator between God and men, [the] Man Christ Jesus, 
• Romans 8:34 Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 
 
1 Peter 3:10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 
 
2. Obedience v.3-6 
This obedience is seen in 2 ways: v.3-6 
 1. as it pertains to His commands. V.3, 4, 5 
• 1 John 5:2,3 
• Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 
 
2. it pertains to His example 1 John 2:6 
• 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 
 
and now he deals with Love, v.-7-11 He talks about 2 things: 
1. Our commandment. V.7-8 
2. Our conduct. V.9-11 
• Darkness brings blindness: 2 Cor 4:4 
• We see this teaching by way of contrast: Light and darkness.

(God is light ch 1-2 God is Love 3-4 God is Life 5)

The Test of Knowing Him: 2:1-11
1-11 we are going to see 3 things:
1. The topic of sin v.1-2
2. The topic of obedience v.3-6
3. The topic of love v.7-11
1. Dealing with Sin. V.1-2 
• Romans 6:12-14 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
• Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
• Hebrews 7:24-25 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
• 1 Timothy 2:5 For [there is] one God and one Mediator between God

1 John 2:1-11 The Test

Fellowship- Koinonia- (Common) speaks of having a unity, a oneness, a communion with each other. Its Contact and Connection, its sharing with others. 
 
This fellowship is manifested in 2 areas with our lives: 
1. With Others. V.3a --with other believers. 
(a) Its not sitting and having a meal with others. (that is far from what the Bible talks about) 
(b) Fellowship speaks of having a Commonality, a unity with each other, a singularity with one another. 
1. There needs to be a commonality a connection: 
 
1. You see there has to be a bond that sticks better, a eternal bond, not something that changes with the circumstances. A bond that is unbreakable, that only God can do in us. 
2. Philippians 2:1-4 "Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." 
 with them? 
(d) When we have entered into this relationship with Christ, we enter into this oneness with other believers that is so close knit, that is more even then our family members. That's the kind of fellowship he is talking about. 
(e) "Consolation in Christ" -Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
(i) (Jesus is our Comforter) 
 
(2) 1 John 1:7 
(a) True Fellowship with Others cannot happen unless you begin fellowship with Jesus. 
(b) Isolating yourself and doing things on your own, and staying away from others and growing on your own, is dangerous, you become weird 
(ii) Its not about meeting your needs but other's needs. You have everything you need in Christ, so look at the interest of others now, (Phil 2) 
(d) Fellowship is a Must! 
 
(ii) Our Church will never be known as The Church but just a Church until we have True Fellowship. 
(3) Ephesians 4:4-6 "[There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. 
(4) ? Why is this Fellowship so important? Jesus said in John 17 that the world may believe. 
 
(a) Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." 
iii) We can shine for Jesus in Fellowship 
(1) Romans 15:25-26 "But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem." 
(2) Paul was giving a gift from the Gentiles, to the Church in Jerusalem. He was moved to the point of compassion, see the need and meet it. 
(a) Matt 14:14 "And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick." 
 
2) With God Himself. V.3b The eternal God wants to enter into fellowship with us. 
i) 1 Cor 1:9 "God [is] faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 
 
(a) Rom 8:11, Acts 5:32, 1 Cor 3:16. 
b) This is the Church's Purity, the Church's unity. If you were living in the days of the Aposotle's you ought to be in fellowship with them, not at difference with them, because of your denominational difference's. 
c) We are to come together and maintain our fellowship. Not our gathering!

Fellowship- Koinonia- (Common) speaks of having a unity, a oneness, a communion with each other. Its Contact and Connection, its sharing with others. 

This fellowship is manifested in 2 areas with our lives:
1. With Others. V.3a --with other believers. 
(a)  Its not sitting and having a meal with others. (that is far from what the Bible talks about)
(b) Fellowship speaks of having a Commonality, a unity with each other, a singularity with one another.
1. There needs to be a commonality a connection: 

1. You see there has to be a bond that sticks better, a eternal bond, not something that changes with the circumstances. A bond that is unbreakable, that only God can do in us.
2. Philippians 2:1-4 "Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.  [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, 

1 John 1:3 DIY Fellowship  1 of 4

Background and Introduction: (7 things we will look at) 
 
Who wrote the book? -John 
1. This is the John that was loved. John 13:23 
2. He is a disciple. Matt 10:1-4 one of 12. 
3. He is a fisherman Luke 5:5-11 
4. He was zealous. Luke 9 
5. He was prideful. Mark 10 
6. He was special to Jesus. Luke 8:48+ 
• also in Matt 17 Transfiguration account. 
• Also in Luke 22 when Jesus was preparing for Passover meal, 
• also in Mark 14 in garden when Jesus was praying Jesus took Peter, James, and John. 
7. He is Spirit filled. Acts 1:13 
8. He was a pillar of the Church. Gal 2:9 
9. He was a writer, wrote Gospel of John, these 3 letters and Revelation. 
 
Warren Wiersbe notes in his Outlines on the NT: 
1. The Gospel: Emphasized salvation; Past history; Christ died for us; 
 The Word made flesh. 
2. The Epistles: Emphasized sanctification; Present experience; Christ lives in us; 
 The Word made real in us. 
3. The Revelation: Emphasized glorification; Future hope; Christ comes for us; 
 The Word conquering. 
 
2. To whom was this book written too? (little Children) 
2:1, 18, 28, 3:7, 18, 5:21 
 
3. What is the key theme of this book? 
1. Some say it involves the manifestation of Christ. 
2. Others think its about abiding in Christ (used 22x in this book) 
3. Others think it involves Knowledge (used 32x in this book) 
• John refutes this in 1:8-10. 1 John 4:2-3. 
• John 1:1, v.14 
As you read 1 John you will realize one word used the most for the key theme is Love, (used 46x in this book). One word that would describe this book is Love. 
John teaches about God's Love in various topics: 
 The Manifestation of Christ 
 The battle of good and evil 
 Abiding in Christ, because of His love for us. 
 
• If the key theme is love, then 1 John 4:11 as key verse. 
 
4. Where was this book written? 2 thoughts: 
 Some say In Ephesus where John ended up Pastoring before his death. John's tomb is there. Some say on the Island of Patomos like Revelation, we don't know exactly where. 
 
5. When was this book written? Scholars differ on this, most say around ad95 to ad100. 
 
6. Why was this book written, what's the reason this was written? 9 reasons: 
 
1. That our joy might be full. 1:4 
2. That we may not sin. 2:1, 3:6, v.9. 
3. That we may have a new command. 2:8, interesting in light of v.7. more on that in 2 weeks. 
4. Is for the forgiveness of sins. 2:12 (why did he write this book? That our sins may be forgiven). 1:7 
• We are sinners until we die, it's a seed or a root, but it does not have to bear fruit. 2:1 
• You will not attain sinless perfection as long as you live. We are dead to sin. 
5. That we may know Him (Jesus) 2:13a,13b, 14, 5:20. 
• Paul said in 1 Cor 2:2 " 
6. Because we have overcome the wicked one. 2:13b, 14b, 4:4 
7. That we would know the Truth, 2:21, (we know this truth, what is it? 2:3 (That we know Jesus Christ) 2:18 (we know it's the last hour) 3:2 (we will be like Him) 3:14 (death to life) v.16 (know love) v.19 (of Truth) v.24, 4:6....etc... Look it up there is more. 
8. To warn us about deceivers. 2:26 clearly speaking of false teachers the Gnostics saying Jesus did not come in the flesh. 
9. To assure us of eternal life. 5:13 
 
7. How the book is divided? Everybody does it differently, we will divided it in 3 sections, 
• 1st is dealing with the fact that God is light. Ch.1-2. Light used 8x in 2 chpts. 
• 2nd is dealing with the fact that God is Love (30x in ch 3-4) because He is love we ought to love one another. 
• 3rd deals with the fact that God is Life (7x used in ch. 5) true life only comes through Christ, there is no mystical relationship like Gnostics taught.

Background and Introduction: (7 things we will look at)

Who wrote the book? -John 
1. This is the John that was loved. John 13:23 
2. He is a disciple. Matt 10:1-4 one of 12.
3. He is a fisherman Luke 5:5-11 
4. He was zealous. Luke 9 
5. He was prideful. Mark 10 
6. He was special to Jesus. Luke 8:48+ 
• also in Matt 17 Transfiguration account. 
• Also in Luke 22 when Jesus was preparing for Passover meal, 
• also in Mark 14 in garden when Jesus was praying Jesus took Peter, James, and John.
7. He is Spirit filled. Acts 1:13 
8. He was a pillar of the Church. Gal 2:9 
9. He was a writer, wrote Gospel of John, these 3 letters and Revelation.

Warren Wiersbe notes in his Outlines on the NT: 
1. The Gospel: Emphasized salvation; Past history; Christ died for us; 
 The Word made flesh.
2. The Epistles: Emphasized sanctification; Present experience; Christ lives in us; 
 The Word made real in us.
3. The Revelation: Emphasized glorification; Future hope; Christ comes for us; 
 The Word con

1 John 1:1 The Tangible Word

Matt 13:19 this seed is the Word of the kingdom, given to man to produce salvation but also the fruit of God. If you go through the teaching of the Kingdom of God, you see that: 
• unbelief 
• Greed 
Matt 13:40-41 They offend the nature, and testimony of Christ. 
Not only the outwardly wicked, but the false pretenders, the mock wheat shall be removed. 
1. There fate is fire, the most terrible of punishments; Yet this won't annihilate them for there will be wailing & nashing of teeth! 
2. "Furnace of Fire" - "whose smoke goes up forever & ever! 
3. Rev.14:9-11 
 
Matt 25:1-13 The parable of the bridegroom, 
3. What's going to happen when they stand before God? 
The kingdom of God begins within your heart, (salvation) every morning you can sing and dance you don't have to live under the power of the wicked one. 
Matt 13:31-32 the kingdom is like a small seed, starting with a prayer of repentance, 
Matt 13:33 The kingdom never stops growing, until Christ comes you will continue laying aside everything in your life that does not Glorify God. You ask God to take you further. 
Leaven is found 98 times in scripture & every time it is a symbol or linked w/evil! 
• It had to be removed from the Jewish homes during Passover! 
• It was excluded from almost all Sacrifices! 
• Jesus used it to picture hypocrisy, false teaching, & worldly compromise! 
• Paul used Leaven to picture carnality in the church, also as false doctrine! 
 
Matt 13:23 those who hear, bear fruit. 
Matt 25:14 God gave us all His gifts, to glorify Him. His heart is the treasure. Not mans money! Victory is in Christ not the powerball. 
Matt 13:24 
Matthew 13 we are given 8 parables-to cast down or lay down, to make a comparison, looking at heavenly truths and compare them to earthly illustrations. 
These are the kingdom parables. Kingdom speaks of rule and reign of God. 
v.24 Another", v.31, v.33 these are linked by the word Another-Alas, another of the same kind. 
• These deal with growth, v.22, v.23 (bears fruit) v.30 (growing) v.32 (growing) v.33 leaven grows. 
Second set of parables v.44 "Again" v.45, v.47 --again, means moreover, or furthermore. 
• What makes these different is they deal with value. Look at v.44 treasure, v.45 pearls, v. 48 dragnet being full, into vessals, value in fish. V.52 treasure. 
Matt 13:24-30 "Tares" - (zizania - zizania) "the Darnel", impure, false, counterfeit) 
He seems to counterfeit everything! 
 
Counterfeit Christians! 
2 Cor 11:26 "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers." 
-Church's today teach on books by Christian authors, not even the Bible anymore. How sad. 
 
Counterfeit Gospel! 
Gal.1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." 
 
Counterfeit Righteousness! 
Rom.10:1-3 "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." 
 
Counterfeit Church! 
Rev.2:9 "I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." 
 
Counterfeit Christ! 
2 Thes.2:1-12 "Anti-Christ" 
 
Matt 11:27 - "How then does it have Tares?" - The question is a confession that they had been asleep! 
vs.28 - "An enemy has done this" - We can name a number of people, but the worker behind the scene is the Devil himself! 
 
Notice the Owner had not slept, He knew who did it! 
Ps 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 
"Do you want us to go & gather?" - NO! Our task is not to pull up the False, but to plant the True! 
Now is the time of Growing! Grow on! - Are you? - Is your fruit showing white grain or black? 
 
vs.29 - Where thorns & thistles are clear & open we better deal w/it. 
But when it is questionable, we had better hold are hand. 
"He who does not believe. that God will cast unbeliever's into Hell will not be sure that he will take believer's into Heaven!" (Spurg) 
Daniel 12:3

Matt 13:19 this seed is the Word of the kingdom, given to man to produce salvation but also the fruit of God.  If you go through the teaching of the Kingdom of God, you see that:
• unbelief 
• Greed
Matt 13:40-41  They offend the nature, and testimony of Christ. 
Not only the outwardly wicked, but the false pretenders, the mock wheat shall be removed.
1. There fate is fire, the most terrible of punishments; Yet this won't annihilate them for there will be wailing & nashing of teeth!
2. "Furnace of Fire" - "whose smoke goes up forever & ever!
3. Rev.14:9-11 

Matt 25:1-13 The parable of the bridegroom, 
3. What's going to happen when they stand before God?
The kingdom of God begins within your heart, (salvation) every morning you can sing and dance you don't have to live under the power of the wicked one.
Matt 13:31-32 the kingdom is like a small seed, starting with a prayer of repentance, 
Matt 13:33 The kingdom never stops growing, until Christ comes you will continue laying aside eve

Matthew 13:24-43 The Kingdom Of God

2 Peter 3:11-18 In His Shoes

We will be looking at 5 Major Events on the timeline of Biblical Events. 
1. The Coming of the Lord-Dan 9:25- Rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem. 
• The Command was given by king Artaxerxes on March 14th, 445 BC, gave to Nehemiah 
•If you count from March 14th, 445BC or (483 years) you come to April 6th 32 AD. 
• The exact day Jesus came in riding on a donkey. (triumphal Entry) fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 
•Psalm 118:24 
2. The Crucifixion of the Lord-Dan 9:26- 
• Romans 5:8 
3. The Church of the Lord- Between Dan 9:26-27 we see the Church Age, beginning at Pentecost going to the Rapture. 
4. The Day of the Lord- (4 things involving the Day of the Lord) 
1. The Rapture of the Church of Christ- 
-1 Thess 4:13-18,5:1-2 
• 1 Cor 15:51-52 
1. Paul talks about this fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25, 
2) Involves the Revealing of the Anti-Christ. This starts back in Daniel 9:27, begins that 70th week of Daniel. This time is called Jacobs Trouble (Jer 30:7), also Great Tribulation (3 ½ years) 
• 2 Thess 2:1-3 "Son of Perdition" is the Anti-Christ 
(1) Paul calls him the "man of sin" 
(2) V.8 the lawless one 
(4) Daniel 7:8 little horn 
(5) 1 John calls him anti-Christ 
v) He will establish a Peace covenant, bringing in a false peace to the world, I believe part of this treaty is giving Israel its own Temple. 
(1) 10 Nation confederacy, UN. 10 regions. 
(2) UN votes for Palestine to have its own land in Israel. 
b) In the Middle of the 7 years 3 ½ years is called the Abomination of desolations" 
i) 2 Thess 2:4 
ii) He will come into the Temple and proclaim himself as God, and force everyone to make a decision to worship the beast or be beheaded. (Rev 13:15-18), Rev 20:7 
i) Zephaniah 1:14-18 
ii) Rev 6 begins with seals, bowls, and trumpets. 
iii) Isaiah 13:6-9... 
(b) This day is of Wrath 
(c) 1 Thess 5:9 "For God did not appoint us to wrath" 
(d) Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." 
(e) Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." 
a) Rev 19:16 "And He has on [His] robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 
b) He comes back with us, Rev 19:14 
c) Jude says with 10,000's x 10,000's of His saints 
i) Jesus will Judge the Nations. This will start in Bozra (modern day Jordan) 
ii) He will travel North known as the valley Armageddon, the armies of the world will try to come against the Lord, and Jesus will destroy them with one word. 
iii) He comes to the Mt of Olives. (Zech 4:4 ) 
d) Jesus will establish the millennium Reign, 1,000 years, we will rule and reign with Christ, 
e) We will have glorified bodies. 
4) Satan is released after these 1,000 years, not sure how long, 
a) He will gather the nations of the earth to go to war with the Lord 
b) God will devour them with fire, Rev 20:8-9 satan gathers Gog and Magog. 
c) God cast them to the lake of fire. 
5. The Removal of the Worlds By Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:10b and v.12 
a) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col.3:1-3 
 
Psalm 46:6 "The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted." 
Psalm 97:5 "The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." 
6. The Restoration of all things by the Lord. V.13

We will be looking at 5 Major Events on the timeline of Biblical Events.
1. The Coming of the Lord-Dan 9:25- Rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem. 
• The Command was given by king Artaxerxes on March 14th, 445 BC, gave to Nehemiah
•If you count from March 14th, 445BC or (483 years) you come to April 6th 32 AD. 
•  The exact day Jesus came in riding on a donkey. (triumphal Entry) fulfilling Zechariah 9:9
•Psalm 118:24 
2. The Crucifixion of the Lord-Dan 9:26- 
•  Romans 5:8 
3. The Church of the Lord- Between Dan 9:26-27 we see the Church Age, beginning at Pentecost going to the Rapture.
4. The Day of the Lord- (4 things involving the Day of the Lord)
1. The Rapture of the Church of Christ-
-1 Thess 4:13-18,5:1-2
• 1 Cor 15:51-52 
1. Paul talks about this fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25, 
2) Involves the Revealing of the Anti-Christ. This starts back in Daniel 9:27, begins that 70th week of Daniel. This time is called Jacobs Trouble (Jer 30:7), also Great Tribulation (3 ½ years) 


2 Peter 3:10 The Day of the Lord

4 things Peter talks about regarding the last days: 
1. The reminder we need. 3:1 
i) Stirred up- 7x in NT to arouse, to awaken from sleep. 2 Peter 1:12-13 
iv) Phil 3:1 
1.1. Pure-Sincere speaking of sun light and judgement. 
Peter reminds them of two things: 
(1) The Words of the prophets: v.2 speaking of the OT (2 Peter 1:19) looking forward when Jesus returns. Speaking of studying the OT scriptures. 
(2) The Words of the Apostles: v.2b refers to the writers of the NT. (2 Peter 3:15-16a) they were filling there minds with OT and NT. 
1. We ought to be pure as we are filling our minds with the Word, the whole counsel of God. Col 3:2 
2.The Scoffers that will come. V.3 Scoffers used 2x. --to ridicule to mock at you who are living in the last days, as we get in the Word, 
c) Whatever is strengthened will dominate us, bring us down its path, flesh or Spirit. 
 
Four things we learn about these Scoffers: 
1. they will come again. V.3 
(a) "Interesting, every time a scoffer opens his mouth to deny the truth, he will help to confirm us in our conviction of the very truth which he denies!" 
(b) A scoffer scoffs...& bible prophecy fulfilled again 
2. They walk in Lust. V.3b 2:10 (speaking of false teacher-being like them) 
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 
3. They won't believe His coming. V.4 
4. They willfully forget. V.5-7 
• Plato said, "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark: the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." 
• 2 things they willfully forget: 
 1. Creation itself. V.5 
 2. They willfully forget the flood. V.6 
• Gen.1:6-10 
 2.Last time by water, this time by fire! 
3. The Timing of the Lord. V.8 
a) Psalm 90 
Here Moses compares God's Eternity to man's frailty! 
 
4. The promise of the Lord. V.9 (v.4a) 
a) 1 Thess 4:16 / 1 Cor 15:51-58 
The Lord is not slack -- "hesitate, linger, delay" (used only here) 
b) John 14:1 
c) Hebrews 9:28 
Why has He not come already? 
1) V.9 because He is longsuffering with us. 
2) V.9b because He is not willing for any to perish. 
a) Does God desire all to come to salvation in Him? Of Course, but a loving God allows us to choose Him, that's true love. Love always gives a choice. 
The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. 
3) "And so," concluded Kierkegaard, "will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators." 
4) The world laughs (scoffs) at the return of Christ

4 things Peter talks about regarding the last days:
1. The reminder we need. 3:1 
i) Stirred up- 7x in NT to arouse, to awaken from sleep. 2 Peter 1:12-13 
iv) Phil 3:1 
1.1. Pure-Sincere speaking of sun light and judgement. 
Peter reminds them of two things:
(1) The Words of the prophets: v.2 speaking of the OT (2 Peter 1:19) looking forward when Jesus returns. Speaking of studying the OT scriptures. 
(2) The Words of the Apostles: v.2b refers to the writers of the NT. (2 Peter 3:15-16a) they were filling there minds with OT and NT. 
1. We ought to be pure as we are filling our minds with the Word, the whole counsel of God. Col 3:2 
2.The Scoffers that will come. V.3 Scoffers used 2x. --to ridicule to mock at you who are living in the last days, as we get in the Word,  
c)   Whatever is strengthened will dominate us, bring us down its path, flesh or Spirit.

Four things we learn about these Scoffers:
1.  they will come again. V.3 
(a) "Interesting, every time a scoffer opens his mouth

2 Peter 3:1-9 The Hope of the Church

These 11 verses are divided in two, the first is the depravity of false teachers v.12-17 then the deception of false teachers v.18-22. 
The depravity is seen in 9 ways: 
1. They don't understand. V.12 
ii) Peter is writing to believers, the false teachers will not understand. 
iii) They speak evil of spiritual things: they don't understand walking in the spirit, exercising the gifts, being led by the Holy Spirit 
iv)1 Corinthians 2:14 
2)They will utterly perish. V.12b 
a)2:1b, v.9, 14b, 17b, 
3)They carouse in the day time. V.13b 
b Carous-2x in NT here and in Luke 7:25 that is translated "to live in luxury" in other words these false teachers have no problem in having big homes, expensive cars, jets, fancy clothes, and watches. (they are open about there luxurious lifestyles) 
4)They are spots in the feasts. V.13c 
c) Jude 12 refers to it as the love feasts. 
d) 1 Corinthians 11: 17-22, v.33-34 
5)They have eyes full of adultery. V.14 
f) Romans 1:28 
6)They have a heart that is covetousness V.14b 
c) Jer 17:9 
f) These false teachers have taught themselves to be greedy they are experts, they go toward power, prestige. Position. They are in it for themselves. 
g) The heart is the matter, and that's what needs to change. 
h) I understand I can't change anyone from the outside, you can't do rules and regulations, if only you put a fence around them, it does not work. Only the heart is where you see change. 
7) They are accursed children, v. 14b they are doomed for all eternity 
8) They have forsaken the right way. V.15-16 
9). These False teachers have nothing to give, (Waterless Wells!) v.17 
 
III. The Deception of False Teachers! (18-22) 
A. (18) A Tempting fish-Hook! 
B. Great swelling words -- Word's full of hot air. Cotton Candy words! "High sounding nonsense!" 
1. I think this is the best description of them. 
C. Allure -- to trap by using bait. To ensnare. 
D. Lusts of the flesh -- Those who are escaping are new believers. Not just sexual immorality, read Galatians 5:19-21 (natural desires are not wrong, but it can be used to manipulate you) as a trap 
 
E. (19) A Prisoners Promise! 
F. Peter uses a little bit of sarcasm here. How can anyone who is a prisoner themselves, set another prisoner free? Or, How can a drowning man, save another drowning man? 
 
G. Promise liberty -- Q: What kinds of freedom might a new or weak Christian find enticing? 
[cheap grace!] 
1. Remember, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor.6:12) 
2. Rom.6:1 "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" (read whole chapter) freedom from sin, not to sin. 
 a) Q: How might these "freedoms" become another form of slavery? 
 b) A mistaken liberty is one that is free from the restraint of God's moral law. 
 
H. Slaves of corruption - Like Alexander the Great, who conquered the world around him, but could not conquer himself. [i.e. alcohol] 
1. A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him! 
2. Q: What has mastered you? [food, drink, med's, ice cream, chocolate, drugs, coffee, alcohol, gambling, sex, pornography, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a peer group, buying the latest techy gadget? Being judgmental, seeing yourself better than others] 
1. Freedom from God leads only to Sin & Self! 
2. True freedom from sin involves joyful "slavery to God" Rom.6:18 "having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." 
 
K. (20-22) A Pigs-a-Pig! 
L. They have "known" the way, but not "owned" the way! 
1. They had "professing knowledge", "intellectual knowledge". 
2. They were "professors", but not "possessors"! 
3. They seemed to have experienced salvation, but in due time they drifted back to the life that suited their nature! 
 
M. Escaped pollutions -- These professing Christians merely washed off the pollutants on the 
outside (this is religious reformation), but never receive the new nature on the inside. 
1. Their outside pollution was washed away, but there inward corruption was still there. 
 
N. Worse then the beginning -- 
 
R. Lesson: (Persian Proverb) 
1. He who knows not, & knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him. 
2. He who knows not, & knows that he knows not, is a child; teach him. 
3. He who knows, & knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him. 
4. He who knows, & knows that he knows, is wise; follow him. 
 b) We need discernment, which is a mark of maturity -- 
 c) Heb.5:14

These 11 verses are divided in two, the first is the depravity of false teachers v.12-17 then the deception of false teachers v.18-22.
The depravity is seen in 9 ways:
1. They don't understand. V.12
ii) Peter is writing to believers, the false teachers will not understand.
iii) They speak evil of spiritual things: they don't understand walking in the spirit, exercising the gifts, being led by the Holy Spirit
iv)1 Corinthians 2:14 
2)They will utterly perish. V.12b
a)2:1b, v.9, 14b, 17b, 
3)They carouse in the day time. V.13b
b Carous-2x in NT here and in Luke 7:25 that is translated "to live in luxury" in other words these false teachers have no problem in having big homes, expensive cars, jets, fancy clothes, and watches. (they are open about there luxurious lifestyles)
4)They are spots in the feasts. V.13c
c) Jude 12 refers to it as the love feasts.
d) 1 Corinthians 11: 17-22, v.33-34
5)They have eyes full of adultery. V.14
f) Romans 1:28 
6)They have a heart that is covetousness V.1

2 Peter 2:12-22 When Animals Attack!

1. The power of God 
2. The promises of God 
3. And the people that live for God 
• If we are the people that rely on God's power and promises we will be the people that live for Him. 
Peter continues to remind us about 5 things: 
1.He reminds them regarding the things they know. V.12a 
•2 Peter 3:1, 
•Philippians 3:1 
(Paul understood that we should hear things repeatedly, that's how we learn) (Children need to be told over and over again) that's why we go to Church always. 
•Paul ministering in Acts 20 didn't not stop reminding them day and night with tears. 
•"For This Reason" --speaking about v.11 'entrance into Heaven. 
2)He reminds them about the strength they have. V.12b 
He wants to remind them that they are established in the present truth. 
a)Establish- 13x in NT- Steroids, to be made strong, strengthened. 
b)What is this present truth they had? The power of God, and the promises of God. 
c)Our strength is not something you work for, it is being received from the Lord. 
•Eph 6:10 
•Col 1:11 
•Eph 3:16 
•2 Tim 2:1 
•If we are trying to be strengthen by anything or anyone else then God, we are in the flesh, you cannot please God or do any ministry apart from faith. 
3) He reminds us of the stirring they need. V.13-15 
a) Peter understood he was at the end of his life, Church history says he died after this letter, he was crucified upside down. In ad 68. 
b)James 4:14 
c)Stir- 7x in NT- means to activate, to wake up, to flip a switch, to arouse from sleep. 
1.4.Peter hoped that his letter would continue to stir and motivate the believers after his death, when he wouldn't be able to encourage them in person. 
4) Peter reminds them about the voice they hear. V.16-18 
1.1. Peter reminds us of his experience, when on the mt. of Transfiguration, they heard a voice from heaven, seeing Moses and Elijah. (Peter, James, and John) 
3.Peter is speaking about Jesus coming back with power and glory, some say this will not happen. 
3.1.2 Thess 1:7-10 "and to [give] you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed." 
• Matt 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." 
• Is Jesus coming back with power and glory? Yes. 
• Watch out for those who say Jesus will not come back. I am amazed how people buy right into these lies, the voices of men. 
Peter also reminds them of the voice of God. V.17-18 
• Matthew 17:5 "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" 
• The Voice of God speaks of Jesus Christ 
• The voice of man speaks of Cunning fables 
Three things I learned from this passage about Jesus is: 
1) Jesus is the Son of God- Peter told Jesus He is God. Jesus said the Holy Spirit has revealed this to him. 
• Some say Jesus is: a Archangel, satan's brother, a good teacher. 
2) Jesus is pleasing to God. Matt 17:5 our lives need to be lived in pleasing God. How do we please God? 
• It involves faith. Apart from faith you cannot please God. 
• Faith is a gift. 
• Putting your faith in God pleases God. 
3) Hear Him' Jesus is the Word of God 1 John 1:14, we are to search the scripture daily not weekly! 
• John 17:17 "Your Word is Truth" 
• 1 Thess 5:21 "Test all things; hold fast what is good." 
• How do we test all things? Not on how we feel or think. But in light of the Word of God, cause our feelings and thoughts change. (that's why mormans are in trouble) 
5 ) He reminds them about the prophecy they received. V.19-21 
The prophecy was from the old testament. I learn 3 things about the Word of God. 
1. The Word of God is Sure-v.19a 
i) The experience on the Mt. of Transfiguration did not validate the Word of God. 
ii) It is Sure not because of us, but because of Christ. 
• Truth never comes from experience, truth was there before the experience. But our experience must come from faith through His Truth. 
2. The Word of God shines -19b 
i) "morning Star" speaking of Jesus 
ii) Psalm 119:105 
iii) Proverbs 6:23 
iv) John 8:12 
• Revelation 22:16 Jesus is the Morning Star 
3. The Word of God is given by the Spirit. V.20-21 (we know this but it's a reminder) 
i) 2 Timothy 3:13-17 
ii) The Word of God did not come from men, but through the Spirit of God, that the Word of God came. 
iii) Heb 4:12 
iv) His Word does not only complete us but equips us.

1. The power of God
2. The promises of God
3. And the people that live for God
• If we are the people that rely on God's power and promises we will be the people that live for Him.
Peter continues to remind us about 5 things:
1.He reminds them regarding the things they know. V.12a
•2 Peter 3:1, 
•Philippians 3:1 
(Paul understood that we should hear things repeatedly, that's how we learn) (Children need to be told over and over again) that's why we go to Church always.
•Paul ministering in Acts 20 didn't not stop reminding them day and night with tears.
•"For This Reason" --speaking about v.11 'entrance into Heaven.
2)He reminds them about the strength they have. V.12b
He wants to remind them that they are established in the present truth.
a)Establish- 13x in NT- Steroids, to be made strong, strengthened. 
b)What is this present truth they had? The power of God, and the promises of God. 
c)Our strength is not something you work for, it is being received from the Lord.
•Eph 6:10 
•Col 1

2 Peter 1:12-21 The Perfect Storm!

D. Book Overview: 2nd Peter is almost Peters "last will & testament" (see 1:14) 
1.Written right after his 1st epistle(see 3:1). Date: approx. 66 ad. 
a)Eusebius places Peter's death (1 yr. after 2nd Pet) in the 14th year of Nero's reign. 
there will be 6 things we want to look at as a Introduction to 2 Peter. 
V.1 Who wrote the book? Peter Yes, but Simon Bar Jonah (Simon-Hearkening) Peter-little rock or little stone, Cephas (Aramaic) Jesus gave him this name. 
Matt 16:13 Peter made the proclamation that Jesus is Lord. Then he got his name changed, after proclaiming who the Lord is. 
Five things about Peter: 
1. Peter was a fisherman-Matt 4, Luke 5 Peter was fishing. 
2. He had a Spouse- 1 Cor 9:5, Luke 4:38 (Peter's wife mother was sick) 
3. He was a pillar in the Church- Gal 2:9 
4. Peter was a servant (servant-a bondslave of Jesus Christ)- 2 Peter 1:1 
5. He is an Apostle- 2 Peter 1:1 not just any Apostle but a Apostle of Jesus Christ, Means-a messenger, a sent out one. Not just any message or sent out by anybody, but by Christ Jesus. 
Interesting! There are four list of all the 12 Apostles and in all four, Simon Peter is mentioned first. 
 
What is the book all about? The knowledge of the Lord. V.2-3, 8, 2:20, 3:18. 
Knowledge- 21x in NT. Upon, and to know. A close intimate relationship, to fully comprehend, or understand divinity, speaking of Jesus Christ. 
What does Peter want us to know? 
It involves the day of the Lord-3:10, 3, 1:16 (the last days, End Times) 
• The Day of the Lord is a period of time. From Pentecost all the way past the Tribulation period. 
• Acts 2:14-21 Peter stood up and begin by talking about the day of the Lord. 
Where was this book written? 2 Peter 3:1 so this is Peter's second letter 
• 1 Peter 5:13 this letter was written in Babylon (could be a code name for Rome) 
How is this book divided? It is outlined in three sections each a chapter. 
• Peter deals with knowing the Lord in the context on last days. 
• Ch1 is a reminder for the Church, about the knowledge of the power of God 
• Ch2 is a warning to the Church, about the knowledge about false teachers 
• Ch3 is the hope of the Church, the knowledge of the return of Christ. 
Who was this letter written to? 3:1 (the same people who received 1 Peter) 
• 1 Peter 1:1-2 
• They are pilgrims-3x in NT. A traveler 
C. (1a) Bondservant/Humility & Apostle/Dignity. 
D. (1b) Like precious faith -- "faith of equal value". 
E. (2,3) In knowing Christ we have everything we need for the spiritual life! 
1. (2) Knowledge of God -- The Christian faith is based on historical, objective, revealed truth! 
(3) His divine power -- Christ's power is the source of the believers sufficiency & perseverance. 
(3) Given -- As a gift, to grant, to bestow. [perfect tense emphasizes the continuing nature of that which is given] 
5. Godliness --to be holy, true religion. To live reverently, loyally, & obediently toward God. 
6.Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ' -- speaks of a relationship with Christ. 
Exceedingly great & precious promises -- 
a) Promises -- There are many promises in the Bible. Some we do not like. (suffering) 
c) when we lose sight of these we drop out, and burn out! 
(1) Partake of the Divine nature --partake in His glory that shall be revealed to us. 
b) Partake-fellowship, unity, to have in common. Coming along side with. 
(2) Having Escaped the corruption that is in the world -- We have been delievered from this body of sin and body of death, we are not under the power of sin. Romans 6:7-14: 
C) we are victorious over sin and death because of this gift. 
 
F. OUR PART! (v.5-11) 
2.Giving all diligence -- The Christian must be totally dedicated & make a maximum effort to live for God! 
3.Add to your faith -- we get our word choreography from this word 
 a) It means, "to equip the chorus w/additional supplies". To supply lavishly! 
 b) So Peter urges his people to equip their lives w/every virtue. 
 
8 Steps of the Virtue Ladder! 
1. Faith -- saving faith in God. A gift from God 
2. Virtue -- Moral excellence. Standing up for what is Biblically correct. 
3. Knowledge -- Practical understanding of the truth. 
4. Self-Control -- Self-Mastering, self-restraint, self-discipline, control of one' appetites. "The ability to take a grip of oneself." 
5. Perseverance/Patience -- Christian steadfastness. Patient endurance in doing right. 
6. Godliness -- Devotion to God. The Quality of being like God in daily life. 
7. Brotherly kindness -- Brotherly love. Love for fellow believers. 
8. Love -- Christian love(Agape) giving up yourself for the good of others. 
 a) The ladder of Christian virtue must end in Christian love! 
 b) The Christian must show to all men the love which God has shown to him! 
K. (v.10) The genuineness of your profession of faith will be demonstrated as we express these virtues.

D. Book Overview: 2nd Peter is almost Peters "last will & testament" (see 1:14)
1.Written right after his 1st epistle(see 3:1). Date: approx. 66 ad.
a)Eusebius places Peter's death (1 yr. after 2nd Pet) in the 14th year of Nero's reign.
there will be 6 things we want to look at as a Introduction to 2 Peter.
V.1 Who wrote the book? Peter Yes, but Simon Bar Jonah (Simon-Hearkening) Peter-little rock or little stone, Cephas (Aramaic) Jesus gave him this name. 
Matt 16:13 Peter made the proclamation that Jesus is Lord. Then he got his name changed, after proclaiming who the Lord is. 
Five things about Peter:
1. Peter was a fisherman-Matt 4, Luke 5 Peter was fishing.
2. He had a Spouse- 1 Cor 9:5, Luke 4:38 (Peter's wife mother was sick)
3. He was a pillar in the Church- Gal 2:9
4. Peter was a servant (servant-a bondslave of Jesus Christ)- 2 Peter 1:1
5. He is an Apostle- 2 Peter 1:1 not just any Apostle but a Apostle of Jesus Christ, Means-a messenger, a sent out one. Not just any message 

2 Peter 1:1-11 Usefulness & Fruitfulness

Submission: v.5-7 
This is not the first time Peter talks about submission: 
• 2:13 Submit to Authorities 
• 2:18 Servants be submissive 
• 3:1 wives be submissive 3:5 
• 3:7 husbands submit to wives according to there needs 
Peter deals with two more groups: 
1. 5:5 the Younger are to submit. (likewise-speaking of context in the area of submission) 
-who are these younger people he is talking about? 
 b). I think its talking about those younger in the faith, are to be submissive to those in Leadership in the Church. 
2. Peter deals with all people. V.5b be submissive. 
i) All of us are commanded to be submissive 
2 things about this command: 
• Be submissive to one another, in the Church 
• Philippians 2:1-4 (how are we to submit to others when they are not in leadership above me?) Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, putting us first. 
• Secondly: it involves humility v.5c 
• Humility- carries the idea of lowliness of mind. 
• Clothed- is to wrap yourself around in. 
(4 reasons why we should be clothed in Humility): 
1) 'God resist the proud' v.5d 
2) 'God gives grace to the humble' 
Humility is opposite of pride. 
Grace-156x in NT --getting what we don't deserve, unmerited favor. -Secondly we need God's grace temporal life, for everyday of our life, we need His grace to sustain us to live a life that pleases Him. 
Acts 20:32 "God's Grace will build you up" 
• Romans 1:5 the only way we can obey God is through the grace of God. 
• Romans 5:2 His grace enables us to stand. 
• 2 Timothy 2:1 His grace makes you strong 
• 2 Cor 4:15 His grace causes us to be thankful to His glory. 
• Titus 2:11-12 His grace teaches us to live godly. 
• Zech 4:6 
-third reason is because of exaltation, v.6 Exalt-to elevate, to lift up. Three things: 
1) we are to humble yourselves. If you don't God will. God will not play around if He does. Luke 18:9-14 
 2) we are to be humble before God. V6b 
3) we are to wait for our exaltation. V.6c 
4) anxiety- v.7 it is linked to the command of v.6 dealing with humility. 
'care' --to divide or separate. 
Ps.55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will 
never allow the righteous to be shaken. 
v.8 dealing with the Spiritual suffering / Spiritual Warfare. 
• There is a battle going on, that you and I cannot even fathom. Ephesians 6:12 
C. The devil(term refers to slander of Gods people); Satan(adversary); Abbadon/(Heb. Term means destruction); Apollyon(gk. term means destroyer). 
 1. Put these labels together & it describes him as a dangerous, destructive deceiver who slanders & accuses us at every opportunity. 
• Ephesians 2:2 'satan is the prince of the power of the air' 
• 2 Cor 4:4 satan is the god of this age. 
Since satan is like this, what do we do? 3 Commands. 
1. We are to be sober. V.8 --a clarity of mind, 
2. Vigilance v.8-10 -23x in NT. Stay alert, pay attention. 1 Thess 5:5 
3. It involves resistance. V.9a 
Resist-means stand against! The devil, and how do we do this? 
1. It involves the grace of God: James 4:6-7 
2. It involves the Word of God. Matt 4:1-11 
 
3. by Faith in God. V.9 you are not the only one who experiences this spiritual warfare, others have faith and are getting through it, Notice don't fall back on your faith! But The Faith. Speaking of Jesus Christ who is our Faith. Who allowed us to enter His kingdom. 
1. It was Jesus who disarmed all principalities and powers, over all demonic authority. 
 
1. Never forget you are his prey. That is why we MUST remain alert & sober. 
2. His one purpose is to destroy us: our testimony, our hope, our holiness, & if possible our lives. 
E. What are we to do when standing nose to nose w/the adversary? Panic? Run? Surrender? 
 1. Nope! Resist him, stand firm in your faith. (not in your own ability, but w/the unshakeable faith in our all-powerful God!) 
 
v.10 The results of Spiritual suffering: (4 of them) 
1) Its ment to perfect you. Perfect-13x in NT speaks of a broken net being joining back together or made complete (suffering makes us complete or whole) 
2) To establish you' --establish-steroids to make strong, to make firm, to strengthen. Don't get down, when the enemy comes, be strengthen. 
3) To Strengthen you' --only used here in all NT. 
4) It will settle you. Settle-to lay a foundation. Something very strong to build upon. 
LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM TRUE GRACE! (12-14) 
A. Big hand writing change in vs.12-14 now. 
From Silas the cultured composer to the rugged fisherman Peters pen. 
B. (13) A few statements: the lady, the city, & the sun. 
1. The lady (she) - possibly the church in Rome. (Could be to his own wife) 
2. The city (Babylon) - modern day Iraq (Peters ministry never extended here); or figure of speech, referring symbolically to Rome (his later ministry centered in Rome). 
 a) This name was code language for Rome in both Jewish & Christian circles in the 1st & 2nd cent's AD. 
3. The son (Mark my son) - most likely John Mark, a son in the faith.

Submission: v.5-7 
This is not the first time Peter talks about submission: 
• 2:13 Submit to Authorities
• 2:18 Servants be submissive
• 3:1 wives be submissive 3:5
• 3:7 husbands submit to wives according to there needs
Peter deals with two more groups:
1. 5:5 the Younger are to submit. (likewise-speaking of context in the area of submission)
-who are these younger people he is talking about?
 b). I think its talking about those younger in the faith, are to be submissive to those in Leadership in the Church.
2. Peter deals with all people. V.5b be submissive.
i) All of us are commanded to be submissive
2 things about this command:
• Be submissive to one another, in the Church
• Philippians 2:1-4 (how are we to submit to others when they are not in leadership above me?) Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, putting us first.
• Secondly: it involves humility v.5c
• Humility- carries the idea of lowliness of mind. 
• Clothed- is to wrap yourself around in.
(4 reasons why we should 

1 Peter 5:5-14 Submit to God! Resist the Devil

There is 5 things we are going to go over today, that Peter outlines in our text: 
1. Who Peter Exhorts? (v.1) the Elders 
i) Exhort- Para-come along side Kaleo-to call (so Peter was called to come along side the Elders of the Church. (the Leadership of the Body of Christ) 
1.1.1.1. Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" 
1.1.1.2. (There are Four offices in the Church Leadership) note the word "Some" --it is not before the word Teacher, so we believe the Pastor / Teacher has one office. 
1.1.1.3. Others disagree with that view they say that there are 5 offices the Pastor and the Teacher are separate offices, and I understand the thought behind that, because I know there are some Pastors that are not good teachers. And some teachers that are not good Pastors. 
(i) But grammatically speaking, there are four offices: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor / Teacher. 
(ii) There are Three separate people that hold these four offices, one of them is in 1 Peter 5:1 it's the word Elder-(presbyteros)-Presbyterian, means older mature, in the Church 
(b) The Bishop- (the Second Person mentioned) in light of these three offices. 
(i) 1 Timothy 3:1-7 
(ii) Paul gives an outline to this position 
(iii) Bishop-(episkopeo) Episcope, or Episkipellions. They get there word from this word bishop. 
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. This word simply means an Overseer, an Inspector, one who watches over, or oversees the well being of the Church. We often refer to them as Pastors. 
1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Elder is who they are (Spiritually Mature) 
1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Bishop-speaks of what they do (they oversee) 
1.1.2. Look at 1 Peter 5:2, "as overseers" same word for Bishop (Elder, bishop, overseer, we would say Pastor) often times can be used interchangeably. 
1.1.3. They can be referred to sometimes as these same names, they oversee the spiritual needs of the flock of God. 
1.2. Deacon- (the 3rd person we are talking about regarding these offices) 
means-Diaconos --means waiter or servant, found in 1 Timothy 3:8 talks about the qualifications of the Deacon. 
1.2.1.1. We call him usher, servant or waiter. Cares for the physical needs of the body of Christ. women help out in this area as well. 
1.2.1.2. Jesus was a example of this in John 13 as He girded Himself and washed the feet of the disciples. As a servant. 
2nd thing we are going to look at is the Why! Why can Peter exhort these Shepard's /Pastors? He gives us three reasons in verse 1. 
1. Peter according to Galatians 2:9 was one of the pillars of the Church, one of the go to guys. And yet with that Peter did not think himself over them, he was a fellow brother, elder. Equal. 
2. Peter is a witness of the sufferings of Christ v.1b 
2.1. Peter saw it all, in the garden, at the court yard, at the cross. 
2.2. Witness- Martyr. Means more then just witnessing visually, which Peter did. but willing to die for Christ. 
3. Peter was a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. (v.1c) Peter understood he would see Jesus one day face to face. 1 Peter 4:13 
a) Peter can exhort these pastors because he had a close intimate relationship • 3rd thing is what Peter exhorts them to do. V.2 (He exhorts them and commands them) to shepherd the flock of God, he talks about 2 things: 
1. The Shepherd-(John 21:15 ) when we say Shepherd it means to feed, to nourish, to tend, to oversee. Goes along the Bishop which means to oversee. 
 
2. "more than these" (John 21:15-17)--could be speaking about the fish, or the men. Jesus is saying do you love ME more than anything or anyone? Tend My sheep (feed) 
3. Being a shepherd means feeding, nourishing, and tending the sheep. Why? 
f) No wonder we are told in Isaiah 53:6 "......." 
g) We are referred to as sheep. As dumb lost sheep before the Great Shepherd saved us. 
• The main purpose of the Shepherd is to feed the sheep. 2x Jesus says feed My sheep 
• In the Church shepherds are to teach the sheep corporately. Verse by verse! 
 
V.2b 'The Flock of God' Among you. 
1. Speaks of Equality, we are all on the same page, the Pastor is not above everyone else. 
3. We are God's Church not "My Church" 
 4th thing to look at, is how Peter Exhorts them to shepherd. 
 (v.2-3 he gives us three contrast on how to shepherd the flock of God) 
• if you want to be rich, don't become a Pastor. 
• Its more like you can't wait to get up and get into God's Word every moment of the day 
3. V.3 Not to lord it over them' 
• some pastors say its my way or the highway. 
• We are all equal 
Be an example to the flock. 
 
• 5th and final thing is the Reason behind the Exhortation 
v.4 Shepherd the flock of God, it involves a reward. "Crown of glory" --eternal life. 
Jesus Christ is coming back for His sheep

There is 5 things we are going to go over today, that Peter outlines in our text:
1. Who Peter Exhorts? (v.1) the Elders
i) Exhort- Para-come along side Kaleo-to call (so Peter was called to come along side the Elders of the Church. (the Leadership of the Body of Christ)
1.1.1.1. Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
1.1.1.2. (There are Four offices in the Church Leadership) note the word "Some" --it is not before the word Teacher, so we believe the Pastor / Teacher has one office. 
1.1.1.3. Others disagree with that view they say that there are 5 offices the Pastor and the Teacher are separate offices, and I understand the thought behind that, because I know there are some Pastors that are not good teachers. And some teachers that are not good Pastors.
(i) But grammatically speaking, there are four off

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