ACQUIRED Thru FAITH-II(:1a)[part-2]—2Peter 1:1-4
Attention:
Who Will Provide?
A young woman brings home her fiancé to meet her parents. Since they’ve never met before, after dinner, to find out more about the young man, the father invites the fiancé into a more private area, & he closes the door.
"So what are your plans?" the father asks the young man.
"I am a Bible scholar," he replies.
"A Bible scholar. Hmm," the father says. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a house for the two of you?"
"I will study," the young man replies, "& God will provide for us."
"And how will you buy her a wedding ring?” asks the father.
"I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replies, "& God will provide for us."
"And children?" asks the father. "How will you support children?"
Again the fiancé replies, “Don't worry, sir, God will provide,".
The conversation proceeds like this, & each time the father questions, the young man insists that God will provide. Later the mother asks, her husband, ”How did it go, honey?"
The father answers, "He has no job & no plans, but the good news is he thinks I'm God.”
*The father knew that God would be using HIM to provide most, if not all, for the new family!
*Christian faith provides everything for God’s people, & often in ways that we may not anticipate!
Need:
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.’
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 fully/completely/amply supplied for godly living.
God’s people are fully supplied for godly living thru their faith.
?How does faith equip God’s people?
?What does Christian faith acquire/garner for God’s people?
I will share with you eventually,
9 provisions acquired/obtained thru faith.
*In this series, we are highlighting the fact that God fully provides for His people thru their Christian faith.
We began this series by finding that...
A provision of God, acquired thru faith in Jesus, is...
1. TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES(:1a)[part-1]
So far in 2Peter, we’ve looked at/surveyed/examined some biblical history surrounding the author, “Simon Peter.”
And we’ve looked at what was involved in his introducing himself as “a bondservant” “of Jesus Christ.”
Today we’ll continue that survey of “Simon Peter” by highlighting another aspect of his service, as an “apostle of Jesus Christ.”
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,...”
“Apostle”
?What is an “apostle”?—‘Someone who is sent forth/out/away with specific or particular ‘orders’ from the ‘sender.’
•In “Simon Peter’s” case of being an “apostle”, those ‘orders’ would include previously unknown ‘revelation’ from God.
•So “Peter”, as well as the other apostles, clearly & unquestionably declared what had been previously unknown fully, or that which was considered to be a ‘mystery’(1Cor. 4:1).
•1Cor. 4:1—The apostle Paul writes of the apostolic charge:—“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ & stewards of the mysteries of God.”
“Apostle”—apostolov—Noun Nominative Sing. Masc.—1) A delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders. Strong—A delegate; specially--An ambassador of the Gospel; officially--A commissioner of Christ["apostle"](with miraculous powers).?From—apo—“Off,” i.e. Away(from something near), in various senses(of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative); a primary particle.—&—stellw—1) To set, place, set in order, arrange. Strong—To set fast("stall"), i.e. To repress; Abstain from associating with.
“of Jesus Christ”
The One who ‘sent’ “Simon Peter” as an “apostle”, is the same One to whom “Peter” is “a bondservant.” “Jesus” the “Christ” of God.
“Jesus Christ” is simultaneously ‘God’s Son’, as well as ‘the Son of Man.’ So “Jesus Christ” possesses two natures, yet without having either one being diminished in any way.
“Jesus Christ” is: THE ‘Only-Begotten’ Son of God--God with Us--THE Lamb of God--THE King of kings--THE Lord of all--THE Chief Cornerstone--THE Anchor of Life--THE Author & Finisher of each Christian’s “faith”--THE Bread of Life--THE Living Water--THE Way, THE Truth, & THE Life--THE Good Shepherd!, etc.!
So without “Jesus”, a person’s hope & a person’s dreams are only temporary. Whereas with “Jesus Christ” a person lives within the continual comfort of a never-ending security of a hope that is settled, eternal, & never fleeting!
“Jesus”—Ihsouv— Proper Noun Masc. - Genitive Sing. Masc.—“Jesus” = ‘Jehovah is salvation’[‘Lord’]— Jesus(i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord & two(three) other Israelites. Of Hebrew origin [ewvwhy Yeh-ho-shoo'-ah; or evwhy Yeh-ho-shoo'-ah];?ewvwhy Yeh-how-shoo'-ah; OR--evwhy Yeh-ho-shoo’-ah—Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader.?From—hwhy Yeh-ho-vaw’—(the)Self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.—&—evy yaw-shah’—properly--To be open, wide or free, i.e. by implication--To be safe; causatively--To free or succor; a primitive root.
“Christ”—Cristov—Adj./Noun - Genitive Sing. Masc.—Christ = “Anointed”—1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God; 2) Anointed. Strong—Anointed, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
•“Simon Peter” & the “apostles of Jesus Christ”, including Paul, were the sole ‘offerers’ of God’s truth in a prophetic sense. They were God’s chosen means of establishing the Church, which is “the ground & pillar of the truth”(1Tim. 3:15).
•The collection of “apostolic” prophetic writings, (including those of “Peter”), would eventually become vital to the overall body of Scripture, & especially of the New Testament Scriptures.
“Peter” presents himself as a “bondservant”, YET he ALSO represents his AUTHORITY as an “apostle of Jesus Christ”
*Of Peter’s Apostolic Authority:*
Acts 4:33--5:10—“And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, & brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, & laid them at the apostles’ feet; & they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, & brought the money & laid it at the apostles’ feet. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, & brought a certain part & laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit & keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down & breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose & wrapped him up, carried him out, & buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, & they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet & breathed her last. And the young men came in & found her dead, & carrying her out, buried her by her husband.”
*Of Paul’s Apostolic Authority:*
•1Thes. 2:2-7—“But even after we had suffered before & were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
•1Cor. 4:16-21—“Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved & faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, & I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love & a spirit of gentleness?”
•2Cor. 10:1-10—“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness & gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, & being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification & not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- lest I seem to terrify you by letters. For his letters,” they say, “are weighty & powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, & his speech contemptible.”
•2Cor. 13:2-3, 7-10—“I have told you before, & foretell as if I were present the second time, & now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, & to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare-- since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.”.....“Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak & you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification & not for destruction.”
*NOW, Because “Peter” represents himself as both a “bondservant” & as an “apostle”, he “sets a pattern for anyone in spiritual leadership: the submissive, sacrificial anonymity of a “slave”,” coupled “with the dignity, significance, & authority of an “apostle”.”—MNTC
*So nowadays, we also see—OR SHOULD see—the attitude of a “bondservant” coupled with the ‘authority’ of God’s call in ‘pastors,’ as well as in other servants of Christ Jesus, as they work within the gathered operations of God’s people known as the Church!
*And IF you are one of God’s people, YOU ALSO are to be a ‘Trustworthy Representative’ of God’s truth.
•And NEITHER YOU NOR I, NOR any other Christian is an “apostle” in a ‘Pentecostal Prophetic Capacity.’ That capacity died with the original apostles! Pentecost was about the establishment of the Church on earth!
Illustration:
*Suppose you are traveling thru Charlotte, NC when unannounced, your car sputters & stops! It leaves you stranded on the side of the road in an unfamiliar part of town. You have no idea why it quit running. You have no means of repairing it. You are anxious because you know that there are daily reports of shootings, & theft, & vandalism, & shady characters, etc. You call a wrecker service but you don’t really know if they are trustworthy. At the recommendation of the wrecker driver, your car gets towed to a garage/repair shop, which you know nothing about, because you’re from out of town. You catch a ride back home. Days later you arrive back at the repair shop to find that your car has been impounded by the police after having been completely stripped down & disassembled for parts by criminals! The Wrecker Driver & Repair Shop were NOT TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES!—NOT Sent-out by God, but sent-out by themselves!
*CONSIDER the utter relief that comes to your life from BEING IN THE SAME ROADSIDE SITUATION, BUT having a TRUSTWORTHY Wrecker service run by HONEST people...AND a repair shop that is run by people who are SEEKING YOUR BEST INTEREST! Those who help to make you successful in all your endeavors! They are like TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES!
Application:
?Has YOUR faith acquired for YOU, TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES of God’s truth?
?Are YOU one of those Trustworthy Representatives?
?What provisions are acquired thru YOUR Faith in Jesus?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
The fiancé’s insistence that God will provide...
*The father knew that God would be using HIM to provide most, if not all, for the new family!
*Christian faith provides everything for God’s people, & often in ways that we may not anticipate!
Action:
A provision acquired thru faith is...
1. TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES(:1a)[part-2]
1. TRUSTWORTHY APOSTLES(:1a)[part-1]
Pt#1[part-2] only! presented 02/11/2024am to:
Salem Baptist Church
1618 Salem Road
Bennettsville, SC 29512
