Do the math—Abraham was born on Monday. King David was born on Tuesday. Jesus was born on Wednesday. The middle ages flashed by yesterday, and our generation will have passed before this morning is over. Another 30 generations will have passed by ...

Over the last century, we have seen evolutionism, which said “There is no Creator!” We are seeing the decline of postmodernism, which said “There is no Truth!” And now we’re seeing the rise of a new atheism, which says “There is no God!”

Pe...

This is what the first Christians experienced; it’s what we experience today; and it will be the experience of the church until Christ comes.

When the New Testament refers to the “last days,” it includes all the days between Jesus’ first a...

There is a great promise here for the Christian. You love the Lord and you grieve over sins—in you and around you. God knows how to rescue you from trials. And He will rescue you. You can count on that.

We learn something ...

The dog goes back and sniffs around. It is intrigued; it loves the vomit. The pig goes back and wallows in the mud. Why? Pigs love mud. And the unrighteous love sin. That’s why they keep going back to it.

The washed pig looks better...

Here is one “hidden” mark of a genuine believer. It cannot be known for sure in others, but you can be sure of it in yourself.

Be careful not to make false judgements about others. Peter writes about those who deny the Lord (2:1). But Peter...

Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come through the doors of the church each year, there will be some who would do the church more harm than good.

They may seem like...

What is the difference between a genuine believer and a counterfeit believer? Here are four more characteristics that Peter gives us.

4. Different Character. (What kind of people are being produced?) The true believer pursues virtue,...

Second Peter 1 describes genuine believers. Second Peter 2 describes counterfeit believers. Put these chapters side by side, and you will see the differences between them.

1. Different Source. (Where does the messa...

There are no ifs, ands, or buts here. It’s a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history.

False prophets were a constant problem in the Old ...

Why would you get up tomorrow morning and read the Bible? It’s more than gathering information, it’s about grasping all that Jesus is for you, savouring all that He has done for you, and receiving all that He holds in Hi...

Being reminded of something you already know gets annoying fast. So, when Peter says, “I intend to always remind you of what you already know and are firmly established in,” it looks like a formula for frustration.

But “remembering” in the ...

The best way to grasp what Peter is saying is through a story.

Paul is under arrest and he is being taken to Rome. Luke describes the journey: “A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was ca...

Peter wants us to know how the Scripture came to be written. Where did the Old Testament come from?

Peter begins by telling us where the Scriptures did not come from: “No prophecy of Scripture…” (1:20). He is distinguishing “prophe...

Peter is talking about the second coming of our Lord Jesus, when He will appear in power and glory, and all His people will be with Him.

Peter says, “This isn’t a cleverly invented myth. I know because I’ve seen His power and glory. I saw ...

In Jesus Christ you will find everything you need for life. But if our knowledge of Jesus comes through the Bible, how do we know that it is reliable? Can we trust the Bible?

Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, identifies four ...

If you pursue virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, you will be fruitful—whatever you try, wherever God calls you.

Peter wants to encourage us to pursue these things, and he tells us what ...

If there isn’t a sense in your heart that “This is what I must pursue,” if there’s no correlation between Peter’s call and the pursuit of your life, there is something wrong with you. That’s what Peter is saying.

If you are a perso...

Here are four more virtues that Peter encourages us to actively pursue in the power of the Holy Spirit:

4. Steadfastness (Pressing on): The impulsive person gives up easily. He is pushed around by what he feels. When the im...

Peter’s emphasis is on our effort to actively pursue these in the power of the Holy Spirit: Make every effort to add these things to your faith. Go after them. Make them your own. God has given you power, now stretch yourself out in the pursuit of...

If God has provided everything we need for a godly life, why is it that some Christians never seem to grow? They never seem to have much joy or make any progress. Peter says that they’re “ineffective or unfruitful” in their knowledge of Christ (1:...

Get this picture in your mind: An old Volkswagen Beetle sitting next to a Boeing 747 aeroplane. Now, imagine the Volkswagen pulling the 747! Believe it or not, a Volkswagen can actually do this. But what the power of a Volkswagen could ne...

If you feel defeated today, take in this promise: By His power, and through Jesus Christ, God’s promise to you in the gospel is that you should escape the corruption caused by evil desires. Sin shall no longer be your master.

You ...

Where does corruption come from? What would need to change in order for our world to become truly free, just, and loving? Some people will tell you that it comes from lack of education, lack of opportunity, or lack of resources.

But Peter ...

What exactly does God promise to those who have faith? The first thing Peter mentions is that “you may become partakers of the divine nature.” What does that mean?

How could you partake or participate in the divine nature? Either you would ...

What would make a 21st century person follow Jesus? There are certainly many answers, but the Bible sums up what causes a person to follow Jesus in two words—glory and excellence.

Jesus’ goodness is put on display by the sheer excellence o...

Faith is a gift to receive and a command to obey. “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). That’s a command! God calls us to do it.

Isn’t it strange that we say to an unbeliever, “Put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”? How can an ...

Peter is writing to people of faith, telling them that in Jesus Christ they have everything they need for life. What does it mean to have faith?

Christian faith is faith in Jesus Christ

Peter affirms that Je...

Doesn’t that sound a bit ambitious, even pretentious?

What do you need for life? Wisdom for raising kids. Courage in the face of opposition. Peace under pressure. Faith in the face of tragedy. Comfort in loss. Love when you feel alone. Hea...

What are you doing with the life God is giving to you? Perhaps you have thought, “Well, I’ve really messed up.”

You may think, “I have said one thing and done another. I have made commitments to the Lord, but I haven’t kept them. I have tau...