Sure Hope
Aka
Equipped with Hope
2 Peter 1:2-15, 20, 21 or 1:4-14
International Sunday School Lesson
May 12, 2013
Commentary
by
Jed Greenough
When I used to read the verses found in today’s scripture I used to think things, that though appreciative of what it was saying, it didn’t dawn on me how vital they are to the Christian as well as the yet to be saved.
If you study verse 2 just a little you see that grace and peace will not abound if yours is just a surface awareness of “God and Jesus our Lord.” With knowledge comes protection from false teaching, more good works and charity and ultimately more glory to God.
Though we are still in the world we are told in verse 4 we can participate in the divine before we are in the “eternal kingdom”.
In order to do that I believe the words of verse 7-8 are a literal step 1, 2, 3 and so on in consecutive order process we should attempt to follow to end up at the final one.
I believe that the final one of love is the hardest for us to accomplish because of our selfish natures. We are told by Jesus the following in Matthew 22:
“…the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
And the following about the signs of the end in Matthew 24:12a:
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…”
We have already seen in the scripture from recent classes where this lack of love and the lack of wanting and actually not truly following God’s word are the sign of the falling away, the rebellion or apostasy. That as we see is the main sign of the end of the age and precedes the appearance of the antichrist.
We have to work on the scripture as given for today not just for God, not just for making our “calling and election sure”, but for our neighbor who we need to love enough to share the gospel.
Steps 1, 2, 3 and so on don’t seem to happen overnight and we must have a sense of urgency as it seems the rebellion is picking up steam. We must want for them to participate in the divine nature and bring all the more glory to God.
Like last week Peter is reminding us, in fact he told the recipients in verse 12 that he would always remind them of these things and in verse 15 that even after he was gone that it would be remembered. He did a pretty good job and it worked for a long time but it will cease one day when sound doctrine finally ceases to matter to enough within the church. But I know “you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
For Discussion:
1. Discuss knowledge of God
2. Discuss the word everything found in verse 3
3. Discuss that the answers to the most trying issues of today of any day can be found in God’s word just as they always have
4. If you believe that each of these steps leads to the other discuss why
5. Discuss why without these you will be ineffective and unproductive
6. Discuss verse 9 in depth
7. Discuss verse 10 in depth
8. Some will have verses 20 and 21 also. Please include in your discussion. These were not Peter’s words but God’s. The cool thing is, if you likewise remind others of this it is likewise not your words but God’s
5-19-13: Active Hope aka Hope through Stewardship 1 Peter 4:1-11
5-26-13: Patient Hope aka Hope in the Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:3-15a, 18 or 3:1-15a
6-2-13: Worship and Respond aka Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:1-8
6-9-13: Worship with Thanksgiving aka Give Thanks Isaiah 12
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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