ACQUIRED Thru FAITH-I(:1a)[part-1]—2Peter 1:1-4
Attention:
Acquired By The Bowl:
An antiques appraiser visits a New York City collectibles store.
Just inside the store, He notices a rather disheveled looking street cat drinking out of what he recognized as a genuine Ming Dynasty bowl—Worth many thousands of dollars!
The antiques appraiser assumes that the owner is obviously unaware of his treasure. So he schemes how to get the bowl.
The appraiser offers to buy the cat from the store owner.
The owner tells the ‘customer appraiser’, that he won’t sell his cat for anything less than $100!
The appraiser quickly agrees to buy the cat, & hands him a $100.
The appraiser acting as if on afterthought says, ‘By the way now that I have a new cat, I realized that I don’t have anything to feed her with. I’d like to buy her little saucer there. I’ll give you for $5 for it.
*The owner adamantly says, “Oh, no sir. I’m not getting rid of that bowl!” I started feeding the stray cats around here from that little bowl just two days ago, And it’s real strange, that since then, I’ve sold 12 stray cats for ridiculously high prices!”
*Sometimes a ‘seemingly’ little thing is worth everything, because that ‘little thing’ can gain everything for you!
!Such is the saving, Christian faith of God’s people!
Need:
We live in a culture that prioritizes a worldview that is born of the flesh. Christianity intersects with & ‘bucks’ that flesh-driven worldview. America was founded upon a distinctly Christian influence. And even though our country has such a long history of Christian influence, America at large, is actively engaged in fighting against that ‘current.’
And God’s people who are good citizens in America, may feel somewhat helpless against such an onslaught.
However, Christians are NEVER helpless.! They may appear to be helpless when it comes to change in worldly/secular politics & secular movements in our country....
BUT the reality is, God’s people have everything of REAL importance at their disposal! And because of that, their influence is effectual & necessary even in worldly/secular matters!
The apostle Peter informs the faithful that they are amply supplied for godly living.
God’s people are amply supplied for godly living thru their faith.
?How does faith equip God’s people?
?What does Christian faith acquire for God’s people?
1—A provision acquired thru faith is...
TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES(:1a)
Explanation:(:1a)
:1a—“Simon Peter, a bondservant & apostle of Jesus Christ,...”
“Simon Peter”—
The given name of “Simon Peter” was “Simon” meaning, ‘Harkening’—‘To listen or give respectful attention to.’
“Simon” & his brother, ‘Andrew’ were fishermen(Mat. 4:18). Jesus called them both as part of the original twelve disciples closest to Jesus.
“Jesus” specifically told “Simon” that he would be “called by” the name ‘Cephas’, or more commonly “Peter.”
Jn. 1:42—“And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas”(which is translated, A Stone).”
•“Cephas” is an Aramaic word(akin to Hebrew) meaning: ‘Rock.’ The Greek equivalent of ‘Cephas’, is Petrov(“Peter”) meaning the same thing: “A Stone.” So both Cephas & “Peter” mean: ‘a rock or a stone.’
That new name(‘Cephas’/‘Peter’) was more relevant to the future work of the Holy Spirit in him.
•Mat. 16:13-19—“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, & others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered & said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered & said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, & on this rock I will build My church, & the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, & whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, & whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
•The Roman Catholic Church has perverted that conversation to bolster their doctrine of ‘Papal primacy.’ Establishing “a primacy of authority in the successor of St. Peter.”—‘History of Papal Primacy’ in Wikipedia. “The Catholic Church attributes to the primacy of the pope “full, supreme, & universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered," a power that it attributes also to the entire body of the bishops united with the pope. The power that it attributes to the pope's primatial authority has limitations that are official, legal, dogmatic, & practical.”—‘Papal Primacy’ in Wikipedia
During “Jesus’” earthly ministry “Simon Peter” was known among the 12 disciples of “Jesus”, for being outspoken or ‘brash.’
•“Peter’s” ‘brashness’ being a result of his being very confident in his decisions, even when his decisions may have been ill-founded.
“Simon Peter” is always listed first, in the four lists of the 12 disciples(Mat. 10; Mk. 3; Lk. 6; & Acts 1).—MNTC
“Simon Peter” was a disciple who had the ‘audacity’ to speak-out in opposition to prophecy that “Jesus” Himself declared!
•Mat. 16:21-24(Mk. 8:31-33)—“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, & suffer many things from the elders & chief priests & scribes, & be killed, & be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside & began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned & said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan![cf.-Mat. 4:1-11] You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, & take up his cross, & follow Me.”
•Jn. 13:3-11—“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, & that He had come from God & was going to God, rose from supper & laid aside His garments, took a towel & girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin & began to wash the disciples’ feet, & to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered & said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands & my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; & you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.””
•Mat. 26:31-35, 69-75—“Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered & said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.”.....—while Jesus was being interrogated by the high priest—“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him & said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” And a little later those who stood by came up & said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse & swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out & wept bitterly.”
•Jn. 21:3-7, 15-22—After Jesus’ resurrection, but before Jesus’ ascension into heaven:—“Simon Peter said to them[the 11 disciples], “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out & immediately got into the boat, & that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, & you will find some.” So they cast, & now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved[John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), & plunged into the sea.”.....“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself & walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, & another will gird you & carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, & said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.””
•I suppose it can be said that “Peter” was ‘energetically bull-headed’, acting on whatever current understanding he may have had, without comprehending what the facts actually meant.
In fact, one modern author opens his chapter on “Peter” titleing it: ?‘Peter—The Apostle With The Foot-Shaped Mouth’.—John MacArthur in ‘Twelve Ordinary Men’....
*That’s a description of the “Simon Peter” we know, even AFTER Jesus’ had risen from the dead & ascended into heaven, YET BEFORE the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit...
*Whereas, following the arrival & indwelling of the Holy Spirit, “Simon Peter” became a changed, a different man!...
•He preached the first Christian sermon recorded in the Scripture.
Gal. 6:15—“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.”
•2Corinthians 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
*And that’s what will happen to you too, if you place your faith in Jesus the Christ of Almighty God!
*Only AFTER “Simon Peter” had been saved by the blood of Jesus, & the Holy Spirit had taken-up residence in him, as “Peter’s” guarantee of eternal life in Christ,....ONLY THEN do we have the “Simon Peter” who is capable of authoring this letter/epistle!
“A bondservant”
“Simon Peter” was a willing “servant”(KJV/NIV) or “bondservant”(NKJV/NASB) of “Jesus”, the “Christ” of God.
•The Greek word translated in verse :1, as “Bondservant”, is actually an English interpretation based on the context.
•It is as your KJV reads, the word most often translated from Greek as: ‘slave’ or ‘servant’(doulov).
•Doulov is the usual word for slave, one who is permanently in servitude, in subjection to a master.
*Obviously, “Peter” saw himself thru the lens of humility as a “bondservant” / “servant” in “Jesus” service.
*That is, “Simon Peter” consciously, willingly, & intentionally surrendered his life to “Jesus’ ” control!
•“Simon Peter” openly & publicly recognized “Jesus” as his Master!
Mat. 6:21-24—Jesus said of “servants”—“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one & love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one & despise the other. You cannot serve God & mammon.”
Lk. 12:37-38—Jesus again said of “servants”—“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself & have them sit down to eat, & will come & serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, & find them so, blessed are those servants.”
Eph. 6:5-8—“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear & trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, & not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
Gal. 1:10—“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
Php. 2:12-16—“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear & trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will & to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining & disputing, that you may become blameless & harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
1Pet. 2:13-17—“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers & for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
Rev. 1:1-2—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent & signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, & to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.”
Rom. 6:5-7, :10-13, :16, 22-23—“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”..... “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, & your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”.....“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”..... “But now having been set free from sin, & having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, & the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
‘Acquired By The Bowl’—“Since I started feeding strays from that little bowl, I’ve sold 12 stray cats for ridiculously high prices!”
Action:
A provision acquired thru faith is...
1. TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES(:1a)[part-1]
Pt#1[part-1] presented 02/04/2024am to:
Salem Baptist Church
1618 Salem Road
Bennettsville, SC 29512
