The Devil's Ambassadors in God's Domain

Scripture: II Peter 1:1-4

C.I.: The Value of “True Knowledge”

Last month in I Peter …. – Yet in the 2 nd half of the first century – Satan began sending false teachers into the Lord's church.
So Peter wrote II Peter to warn God's people. – Our Scripture Reading tells us about “true knowledge.” – Today we learn its value!!!

•  How “True Knowledge” Impacts a True Christian, (II Peter 1)

A. The Qualities of a True Christian, (vs. 5-11)

1. ( vs. 5-7 ) – The Christian Virtues/qualities…
a. “Now for this reason also applying all diligence ” – Needed to avoid falling back into the “corruption of….”
b. “...in your faith supply moral excellence ” - Morality is how faith is displayed, ( cf. 2:14 ), “…having eyes full
of adultery that never cease from sin . ”
c. “…and in your moral excellence knowledge ” – of the person, work, significance of Jesus, ( cf. 3:18 ).
d. “…and in your knowledge self control ” – to keep us from becoming arrogant, ( I Cor. 8:1 ), “Knowledge puffs
e. “…an in your self control perseverance ” – Hangs tough ( upomonh - remains resolute, even under fire)!
f. “…and in your perseverance add godliness ” – “Christ-likeness,” not becoming hardened by our trials.
g. “…and in you godliness brotherly kindness ” – Being a good friend; caring, compassionate, patient, etc.
h. “…and in your brotherly kindness love ” – “Doing what is in someone else's best interest…” – ( Jn. 3:16 ).

2. ( vs. 8-11 ) – The value of these qualities are seen by their practical results…
a. These qualities not an end in themselves – but are a means unto that end!
1) ( v. 8 ), “For if these qualities are your and are increasing, they will render you neither useless nor
unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2) Use-FULL vs. Use-LESS ! – Do we want God to use us to the FULLEST, or…??!
3) They bear fruit for Him, ( Jn. 15:8 ), “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit….”

b. You can tell when a believer is not diligent in these areas…
1) ( vs. 9 ), “For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification
from former sins.” – These are the ones who have not “attitude of gratitude” towards God!!!
2) The believers in Laodicea were guilty of this, ( Rev. 3:17 ), “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have
become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' you do not know that you are wretched & miserable….”
3) If you find yourself lacking the diligence to grow in these qualities – Jesus says, ( Rev. 3:19 )!

3. Spiritual growth is not something that “happens to us,” – it is something we “make happen!”
a. ( v. 10 ), “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain of His calling and choosing you.”
1) This in now the second time Peter mentions the importance of “diligence” for the believer…
2) God's part = “Calling & Choosing” , ( II Thess. 2:14; Col. 3:12 ), “It was for this that God
called you through our gospel….” “So as those who have been chosen by God….”

b. ( v. 11 ), “… for as long as you practice these things , you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the
eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
1) Our part = “Practice these things” – ( I Jn. 3:7 ), “Let no one deceive you, the one who practices
righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous.”
2) Result = “The entrance….” – no one “squeaks by” either abundantly supplied or the door is
slammed shut in their face!!!

B. The Importance and Proofs of “True Knowledge,” (vs. 12-21)

1. Three things Peter is going to do with the “true knowledge” he has of God…, ( vs. 12-15 )
a. #1. He is going to reminding the believers of things he has already told them.
1) ( v. 12 ), “I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and
have been established in the truth which is present in you.”
2) We always need to be reminded of things that are true!
3) Remember how the Athenians wanted new things, “…used to spend their time in nothing other
than telling or hearing something new,” Acts 17:21 – Sad today when disciples do the same things!!

b. #2. He is going to keep on reminding them…
1) ( v. 13 ), “I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder.”
2) Remember v. 9 , “He who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his
purification from his former sins.”
3) God uses our minds to help us grow – Satan uses our forgetfulness to bring about out death!!!

c. #3. Peter (through this letter) was going to keep reminding them even after he is gone…
1) ( v. 15 ), “And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these
things to mind.”
2) This is now the 3 rd time Peter speaks of the need for diligence – this time, however, his own!
3) Teachers/parents need to be diligent in teaching - so their students/kids remember the lessons.

2. Proof #1 of the value of “True Knowledge” = Eye - Witness Testimony , ( vs. 16-18 )
a. ( v. 16 ), “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of His majesty.”
1) John also helps us, ( Jn. 1:1, 14), “In the beginning was the Word … And the Word became flesh and
we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace & truth.”
2) So Peter & John are saying, “We didn't need to make up something – We saw Jesus as He is!”


3. Proof #2 of the value of “true Knowledge” = “ Ear - Witness Testimony ,” ( vs. 17-18 ), “For … such an utterance as
this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased' – and we
ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”
1) When Peter, James & John were with Jesus ( Matt. 17:1-9 ) – they saw Him transfigured
before them – and heard His Father say these words of Him!!!

4. Proof #3 of the value of “True Knowledge” = Scripture , ( vs. 19-21 )
a. ( v. 19 ), “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention….”
1) “Prophetic” = Foretelling (speaking about the future), Forth-telling (speaking of the present).
2) Which of these two definitions is being used here? Ans. = Forth-telling; God about His Son.
3) False teachers want us to pay attention to them – Peter says pay attention to God, ( I Tim. 4:1f )

b. ( vs. 20-21 ), “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for
no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
1) “God's word can say one thing to you and another to me – and both be right!” IS WRONG!
2) If it was the word of men – then it would be up to man to interpret it
3) But since it is God's word – then only God's interpretation is acceptable to Him!!

CONCLUSIONS:

•  REVIEW

•  Have you been “called” by God, (II Thessalonians 2:14)? - Have you answered the call, (Mark 16:15-16)?!