2 Peter 3:15-18
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

Second Peter 3:15-18


I. Introduction:

A. There was a time when God had not revealed so much about His reasoning (Deuteronomy 29:29).

  1. Over time, He revealed more through His prophets (Amos 3:7).
  2. Then He opened the floodgates of knowledge (Romans 16:25-26).
  3. Now, He has revealed all we need to know (II Peter 1:3-4), including why Jesus has not yet returned.
B. With all the revelation we have now, there still has to be the right approach to understand it (I Corinthians 2:14-16).

  1. Think about what Paul wrote to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:17-19).
  2. Also, think about how learning is a continual process (Proverbs 9:9).

II. Body: II Peter 3:15-18

A. The world still stands, as we have previously talked about in the context we are studying, because God is longsuffering (II Peter 3:9).

  1. This being the second letter Peter wrote to the same audience (II Peter 3:1-2), we know some of them were certainly taught by Paul (I Peter 1:1).
  2. Paul had written to churches in Asia about things relative the coming salvation (Ephesians 1:1-12 and Colossians 1:1-14).
  3. Paul had also taught people in Galatia (I Corinthians 16:1-2 and Galatians 1:1-2).
  4. The wisdom given to Paul (I Corinthians 2:1-13).

B. Some things are difficult to understand (i.e. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 which was clarified more in the second letter; II Thessalonians 2:1-5).

  1. Understanding is not impossible (Luke 1:1-4 and I John 5:13).
  2. The Scriptures show us information about the unlearned [ignorant] (Jeremiah 10:11-14, Romans 10:1-3, II Corinthians 2:11, and II Timothy 2:23).
  3. The Scriptures also show us information about the unstable (James 1:8; cf. II Peter 2:14).
  4. The unlearned and unstable twist those things that are hard to understand for them (Acts 21:27-29; cf. Acts 26:19-23).
  5. The unlearned and unstable twist other Scriptures too (Exodus 23:12, Matthew 12:9-14, and Mark 2:23-28).
  6. To their own destruction (Galatians 1:6-9).
C. Those Peter addressed already knew the things he is writing (II Peter 1:12-13).

  1. Beware not to be led astray with the error of the wicked (Proverbs 19:27 and Colossians 2:6-8), which he already covered to a large degree (II Peter 2:1-22).
  2. Saints have to be careful not to lose our relationship with God through erring in doctrine (II John 1:8-9).
  3. Handle the word aright (II Timothy 2:14-18).
D. Grow (II Thessalonians 1:3, I Peter 2:1-2, and II Peter 1:3-11)!

  1. Grow in grace; understanding what grace teaches (Titus 2:11-14).
  2. Grow in the knowledge of our Savior (Colossians 1:9-10; cf. Proverbs 12:1 and Proverbs 15:14).
  3. Most often, we see that we are to glorify our Father (Philippians 4:20). Herein Peter writes, through inspiration, a statement about Jesus and the glory to “him.” One does not err in glorifying Christ (John 5:23).
  4. In general, grow in understanding (I Corinthians 14:20 and Hebrews 5:9-14).

III. Conclusion: Remember these things (Psalms 103:17-18).