1. Peter began his second letter (1:1-4) by showing that God has provided special blessings for the benefit of His people. a. He has provided what we need to be "partakers of the divine nature." b. Included are "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" and "exceeding great and precious promises." 2. Peter continued (1:5-11) by showing that God has provided special responsibilities [the Christian graces] for the benefit of His people. 3. (1:12-15) Peter emphasized the importance of "always remembering these things." 4. Peter showed in 1:16-21 that the teaching of the apostles is reliable. 5. In this lesson we are studying the information presented in 2:1-11. 6. In these verses Peter issued a strong warning to Christians against false teachers. Discussion: I. (vs.1-3) PETER WARNED THAT CHRISTIANS WOULD BE AFFECTED BY FALSE TEACHERS
A. (vs.1a) Peter's warning is based on false prophets affecting God's people of old. 1. (1:20-21) God revealed His will in the past through the prophets. a. The prophets are described as holy men of God. b. The Holy Spirit led the prophets as they taught. 2. However, Israel was affected by false prophets (Jeremiah 14:13-16; Ezekiel 13:1-3). 3. Just as false prophets affected Israel, . . . B. (vs.1b-2) False teachers would affect Christians. 1. The apostles taught the truth about Christ (1:16-18). a. They did not follow "cunningly devised fables." b. They were present at the Transfiguration when the Father identified Jesus as His beloved Son. 2. False teachers would privately introduce destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Lord (1 John 4:1, 3; 2:22). 3. They would bring swift destruction upon themselves. 4. (vs.2) They would influence many people. 5. Warnings are also given in Matthew 24:4-5, 24; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:1-2. C. (vs.3) The tactics and the fate of false teachers are revealed. D. Peter addressed these matters further in vs.9b-11. II. (vs.4-6) PETER USED 3 ILLUSTRATIONS TO SHOW HOW FALSE TEACHERS AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW THEM WILL BE PUNISHED
A. (vs.4) God punished angels that sinned (Jude 6). B. (vs.5) God punished the world with the flood in Noah's day (Genesis 6-8). C. (vs.6) God punished Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7). D. While false teachers and those who follow them will be punished, . . . III. (vs.7-9a) THE LORD WILL DELIVER THE GODLY
A. (vs.9a) The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of trials (1 Corinthians 10:13). B. Peter used 2 illustrations to show how the Lord will deliver the godly. 1. He showed in vs.5 how God delivered Noah, "a preacher of righteousness," and his family (Genesis 7:23). 2. (vs.7-8) God delivered Lot when Sodom was destroyed (Genesis 19:15-17).
