2 Peter 1:12-21 Series

1. Peter's admonishment

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

A. Peter's next statement is dependent upon his last.

Remember, add to your faith, virtue, knowledge; temperance; patience; godliness, brotherly, kindness, and charity. Why? vs 9& 10. Because if you don't have these things present and growing in your life, you cannot see the things that will harm you and you are now walking in your own power not God's. Make your salvation sure so you don't fall into this trap.

B. Peter make sure to tell them he is looking out for the best of his flock.

Peter wants his people to know that these truths are eternal and will not die with him.

Paslm 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

He is making the point that he will soon die as a martyr. Tradition says that he died crucified upside down. These people were looking for deliverance from Rome and their only hope was Christ in their life. You and I are 2,000+ years removed and are looking for Christ to return. We must be diligent about making most of our time on this earth as Peter is admonishing here.

2. Peter's witness

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

A. Peter reminds the people that he and many of them were eye witnesses to not only Jesus ministry, Death, but his Resurrection, and Ascension. He establishing the fact once again that he is a trustworth source along with those who were there too.

B. Peter them establishes not only was he and many witnesses of a great thing. But they were witnesses of God in the Flesh. God spoke as he did in the OT audibly, and he spoke directly about Jesus. Then he reminds them that he saw Jesus in his Glory at the Mt. of Transfiguration with Moses and Abraham.

C. So what is this to us? Peter just gave his testimony. When we are given the opportunity to witness to people the Word of God should be presented clearly and understandably. But also it should come with personal testimony. When people hear eyewitness testimony it is very persuasive. How has your life changed since your salvation. If there's not change you have a problem. There has to be change with true regeneration. Peter established his authority by his testimony.

The word witnesses appears 24x in the new testament. The Jews were big on facts. Sounds a whole lot like today. People want to know and see the facts, show me the car facts. What are the visible facts of your salvation? Ask...

3. Peter's Foundation

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

A. Peter firs reminds people about the evidences of salvation, then establishes his authority as an eyewitness of Christ then because he is about to die sets it all up in perspective with the Bible. You don't live this life alone, you don't witness alone. The Word of God has everything we need!

B. The Bible is everything we need as it stands. We don't need to change it or alter it to make us feel better. The Bible is not up for private interpretation. It says was it means and means what is says. We all can take different application from it, but the fact of the matter is the Bible is unchangeable because it came from THE UNCHANGING ONE!