Proclaimer Blog
Notes on 2 Peter 2
[From our Autumn Ministers Conference]
For a midweek Bible lecture it might be feasible to run through this shocking chapter section by section, verse by verse. For a Sunday series on 2 Peter, say, of 7-8 sermons, a selective treatment seems more appropriate (maximum 2 sermons).
Who are these men?
- Their methods are devious, e.g. v1
- Their message is heretical. e.g. v16
- Their moral behaviour is shameless, e.g. verses 2, 7, 10, 14
- Their motives are mercenary, e.g. verse 3, 14, 15
- Their ministry is dissatisfying, e.g. verse 19
- Their manner is arrogant, e.g. verse 11, 18
- Their mission is captivating/bewitching, e.g. verse 2, 14, 18
What an outline such as this demonstrates is not how to prepare a sermon (too many points!) but how applicable all this is to our times. Here is 'liberalism' in its outworking. It is also wearisomely familiar. Another way of thinking about this might be:
A debased currency
- A diminished Christ (or disappearing?)
- A diminished Bible
- A diminished ethic/integrity
- A diminished reverence
- A diminished understanding/tolerance
It is important to see that this chapter is not a fallible human diatribe, characterised by malice and exaggeration. This is a Divine verdict. And chapter 2 does not describe an unprecedented crisis, limited to a restricted area. There was never was, nor will be, a time when 'these men' will not be found as influential teachers among the churches. And these men are almost certainly not regenerate, but now apostates. The proverbial saying in verse 22 suggests that their natures had never been changed or renewed.
Preaching this passage one must always keep in view the tremendous doxology in chapter 13, almost unique in its focus towards Christ. "To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."