Be In Awe of GOD & Obey His Commands - Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Lanny Lewis

The Word God Said - False Teachers, The Way To Destruction - 2 Peter 2:1-3   pt.1

What do we do concerning false teachers? We are commanded to beware and watchful - Matthew 7:15, warn the family of God - Acts 20:29, expose them - Ephesians 5:11, avoid them - Romans 16:17, and rebuke them - 1 Timothy 5:20. - Romans 16:17-18 - “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” - 2 Peter 2:1-3 - “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in (introduce secretly and craftily) destructive heresies, (opinion meant to bring ruin or destruction by discord and contention) even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow (comply with, yield to) their sensuality, (unbridled lust, excess licentiousness, lascivousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence) and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed (desire for more, covetousness) they will exploit you (to use you for gain) with false (molded, formed, not genuine) words. Their condemnation (penal judgment) from long ago is not idle, (inactive, delayed), and their destruction is not asleep.” (delay, linger) * What is a false teacher? - Pseudo-didaskalos: lying, deceitful, false - teacher) One who purposes to lie, deceive, and speak falsely about God and His Word.

The Word God Said - Being Men of Faith - 2 Peter 1:12-21 pt.2

Since we are partakers of the divine nature, we must always, without fail, and not reluctantly, remind each other of how we must live and whom we represent. Genuine Faith is not seen in how genuinely human you are but in how genuinely Christ-like you are. - 2 Peter 1:5-7 - 2 Peter 1:12-15 - “Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up (awake thoroughly) by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.” Jesus Christ is not a myth devised by man’s imagination; He is the Great I am, worthy of all Glory, Majesty, and Power. - Luke 9:28-36 - 2 Peter 1:16-18 - “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” God’s word is for Him, by Him, and through Him; given for the edification and sanctification of His people, for life and godliness,”...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,..” - Hebrews 1:1-3 - 2 Peter 1:19-21 - “And we have (keep) the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well (practice with propriety) to pay attention (be on guard) as to a lamp shining (Matthew 5:17-20) in a dark (dingy, filthy) place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture (God’s Word) comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy (no inspired message) was ever produced (brought to bear) by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along (led to bear, bring forth, produce) by the Holy Spirit. * Matthew Henry - “He (Apostle Peter) tells us, We do well if we take heed to them; that is, apply our minds to understand the sense, and our hearts to believe the truth, of this sure word, yea, bend ourselves to it, that we may be moulded and fashioned by it. The word is that form of doctrine into which we must be cast, that formulary of knowledge by which we are to regulate our thoughts and sentiments, our words and confessions, our whole life and conversation. If we thus apply ourselves to the word of God, we certainly do well in all respects, what is pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves; and this indeed is but paying that regard which is due to the oracles of God.”

Be In Awe of GOD & Obey His Commands - Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Lanny Lewis

Be In Awe of GOD & Obey His Commands - Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Lanny Lewis

The Word God Said - Confirming Our Calling & Election - 2 Peter 1:1-11 pt.1

Through the gift of Faith, Christ has imputed to us His Righteousness by which we now can grow in the knowledge of Christ.- 2 Peter 1:1-2 - “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained (chosen by divine will) 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 (precise & correct knowledge) of God and of Jesus our Lord.” By the knowledge of Christ, we are given all we need to live holy and obedient, through His great & precious promises. - 2 Peter 1:3-4 - “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, (born as participant of eternal life) having escaped (been freed) from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. Now that you have been given an eternal nature by the knowledge of Him who has called us, add to your faith with all diligence the virtues of Christ.- 2 Peter 1:5-7 - “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement (furnish) your faith with virtue, (uprightness) and virtue with knowledge, (wisdom of God) 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, (endurence in the faith) and steadfastness with godliness, (reverent devotion) 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. To not walk in the knowledge of Christ is to live as a blind man wandering aimlessly. - 2 Peter 1:8-9 - “For if these qualities are yours (already yours) and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge (precise & correct knowledge) of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the knowledge of Christ and His gospel, He has called us and made our election sure through His work of salvation, guaranteeing our entrance into His eternal kingdom. - 2 Peter 1:10-11 - “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling (from which you were found) and election, (God’s act of choosing) for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (become wretched) 11 For in this way there will be richly provided (furnish) for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Word God Said - “The Care and Life of The Flock of God” - 1 Peter 5

The Men whom God has ordained have been called and commanded to the Care of the Flock of God. - Acts 20:26-28 - 1 Peter 5:1-4 - “So I exhort (plead, beg) the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker (participant) in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd (feed, tend, keep, govern) the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, (see to, care for) not under compulsion, (by constraint, force, unwilling) but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; (ready, cheerful, and whole heartly) 3 not domineering (exercise lordship) over those in your charge, (assigned to one’s oversight and care) but being examples (a type or pattern - 1 Corinthians 11:1) to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Because God cares for you, He will exalt those who walk humbly before Him. - Micah 6:8 - 1 Peter 5:5-7 - “Likewise, you who are younger, (lacking experience) be subject (arrange oneself under) to the elders. Clothe (clothes that the servant wears) yourselves, all of you, with humility (deep sense of one’s littleness) toward one another, (Philippians 2:3-4) for “God opposes (set in opposition) the proud (arrogant) but gives grace to the humble.” (lowely) 6 Humble yourselves,(lower oneself) therefore, (by means of) under the mighty (strong, powerful) hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,(lift you up, elevate) 7 casting (throw upon) all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (Matthew 11:28-30) We must be willing to suffer for His glory, knowing He is faithful to do as He promised. - Ephesians 5:15-17 - 1 Peter 5:8-11 - “Be sober-minded; (vigilant, clear-headed) be watchful. Your adversary (enemy) the devil (calminator, accuser, slanderer) prowls around (rove, roam, accompany, follow) like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (swallow greedily) 9 Resist (oppose, withstand) him, firm (steadfast, strong) in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering (affliction) are being experienced (fully undergone, endured) by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered (endure) a little while, (briefly) the God of all grace, who has called (to summon) you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, (complete, prepare, equip, train - Philippians 1:6) confirm, (establish, strengthen, be resolute) strengthen, and establish (foundation - Psalm 40:2) you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. God’s word is given to exhort us and for us to stand firm in it. - Deuteronomy 6:24 - 1 Peter 5:12-14