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2 Peter 1:12-15 Lord, Remind Me – audio
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Text: 2 Peter 1:12-15
Introduction.
1. Recently, at one of the Friday Night Sings, we sang a song that really spoke to me.
2. The title is Remind Me, Dear Lord. By Dottie Rambo.
The things that I love and hold dear to my heart Are just borrowed,
they’re not mine at all; Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life,
So remind me, remind me, dear Lord
(Chorus)
Roll back the curtain of mem’ry now and then,
Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been;
Just Remember I’m a human and humans forget –
so remind me, remind me, dear Lord
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own son,
I’m not worthy of the scars in His hands; Yet he chose the road to
Calv’ry to die in my stead – Why he loved me, I can’t understand
3. We so often need reminded!
4. 2 Peter 1:12-15.
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
5. Thankfully, we have a God who knows us and knows that we need reminded so often!
6. What are some of the things of which we need reminded?
Body
I. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO GIVE UP, REMIND ME THAT YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON ME.
A. At one time or another, all of us have been tempted to hang it up.
1. The parable of the sower teaches us that two out of three who obey the gospel will not remain faithful.
2. What are the causes of their falling away?
3. Matthew 13:20-22.
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
a) Persecution – which comes in many forms.
b) The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.
4. There are other things that make us want to throw in the towel.
a) Disappointment in ourselves.
b) Disappointment in others.
B. When you are tempted to give up, remember that Jesus didn’t give up on you!
1. He endured mocking and ridicule for you. Matthew 27:27-29.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
2. He was beaten for you. Matthew 27:26. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
3. He carried that cross until He couldn’t carry it anymore. Matthew 27:32. Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
4. He was crucified for you.
5. My precious Savior suffered pain and agony, He bore it all, that I might live.
C. Lord, when I am tempted to give up, remind me that what I am going through is NOTHING compared to what you went through for me!
II. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, REMIND ME OF MY BLESSINGS.
A. We all get sad from time to time.
1. Jesus did. John 11:35. Jesus wept.
2. Many things cause us to be sad.
a) Seeing sin in the world.
b) Disappointment in others.
c) Death of a loved one.
d) Troubles at work or school.
e) Troubles in relationships.
f) Financial problems.
g) Health problems.
3. It has been said that all of us are either just getting out of a trial, just getting into a trial, or we are in a trial right now!
B. What happens, though, is we often go from feeling sad to feeling sorry for ourselves.
1. A person who feels sorry for himself is one who starts to think that he has it worse than anyone else.
2. He focuses inward on his pain and sorrow rather than outward.
3. He starts to get a little angry with the world and maybe even God.
C. When we start to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to remember our blessings!
1. I don’t care who you are and what problems your having, if you are in Christ, YOU ARE BLESSED!
2. Spiritually we are blessed. Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
3. Physically we are blessed. Matthew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
a) Are you going hungry? Many in the world are.
b) Do you have a roof over your head. Many in the world don’t.
c) Do you have warm clothes for the cold weather that is coming. Some don’t.
4. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost…Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
D. Lord, remind me of my blessings.
III. LORD, WHEN I GET ANGRY WITH OTHERS, REMIND ME THAT I AM NOT PERFECT EITHER.
A. It is not a sin to get angry.
1. Jesus got angry. Mark 3:1-5.
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
2. We are told to be angry. Ephesians 4:26. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
B. We are to be angry without sin. We are not to let the sun go down on our wrath.
1. It is one thing to be angry about sin and another thing to hold a personal grudge.
2. Maybe it would help us to be more forgiving if we remember, we are not perfect either.
3. Matthew 18:21-35.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
C. Lord, remind me that I am not perfect either.
IV. LORD, WHEN I PUT THINGS OFF, REMIND ME THAT LIFE IS SHORT.
A. Procrastination is a universal problem.
1. We put off things, intending to do them later.
2. We put off…
a) Work around the house.
b) Getting into shape.
c) Working on our relationships.
d) Obedience to the gospel.
e) Talking to others about Jesus.
B. Lord, remind us that we may not have a tomorrow.
1. James 4:13-14.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will[g] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
2. Life is too short to procrastinate!
3. None of us is guaranteed another day.
Conclusion
1. Lord, remind me…
2. When I am tempted to give up, remind me that you never gave up on me.
3. When I am tempted to feel sorry for myself, remind me of my blessings.
4. When I get angry with others, remind me that I am not perfect either.
5. When I procrastinate, remind me that life is short.
Delivered on: September 16, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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2 Peter 02:20-22 Anatomy of a Backslider
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Text: 2 Peter 2:20-22
(Learning From One Who Knows By Experience)
Introduction
1. We read of the real possibility and serious consequences of backsliding in 2 Peter 2:20-22
2. It is interesting that we find this passage coming from the inspired pen of Peter
a. For if anyone knew “firsthand” the reality and dangers of backsliding, it was Peter!
b. As he discovered the night he denied Jesus!
3. The process of backsliding is a gradual one, often overtaking a person by surprise; and lest we fall from our own steadfastness
a. We shall carefully examine the process that led to Peter’s denial of Christ
b. Followed by noticing how Peter’s own words in his epistles are designed to prevent the same from happening to us!
Body
I. THE ANATOMY OF A BACKSLIDER
A. PRIDE – Mark 14:27-31
1. In a boastful manner, Peter claims he will not fall away or deny Christ!
2. In doing so, Peter takes the first step in backsliding: “pride”! – Proverbs 16:18
3. Why is this the “first” step?
a. Because the first step in entering the kingdom is humility – Matthew 18:3-4
b. So if we lose “humility”, we take that first step backward
4. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is very apropos in this regard – 1 Corinthians 10:11
B. LAZINESS – Mark 14:32-42
1. Told to keep watch, Peter kept falling asleep
2. It was therefore lack of diligent preparation which caused him to be caught off guard for what was to follow
3. The same thing can happen to us!
a. Without diligence, we too can be found unprepared – Luke 21:34-36
b. More often than not, it is a “gradual drifting” that catches us off guard – Hebrews 2:1-3
c. But when we are proud of ourselves, we become lazy, and that easily leads to the next step
C. COWARDICE – Mark 14:54
1. Note that it says “…Peter followed Him at a distance”
2. Now that Jesus had become unpopular…
a. Peter stays far enough away so as not to be identified with Him
b. Peter was unprepared for the challenge of facing ridicule and persecution
3. Without diligent preparation, we too can become guilty of cowardice!
a. Ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible
b. Ashamed to be seen giving thanks
c. Ashamed to be seen with other Christians
d. Perhaps even ashamed to let others know that we are Christians!
4. And yet, Jesus has made it clear what He thinks of “cowardice” – Mark 8:38; Revelation 21:8
5. When we are ashamed of Christ, it is natural for to fall into the next step of backsliding
D. WORLDLINESS – Mark 14:54
1. We now find Peter sitting with the servants of the High Priest and warming himself by the fire
2. Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it becomes easy to mingle with those of the world and enjoy their comforts
3. But one cannot be “comforted by the fire” of the world, and not be “burned”!
a. Close contact with that which can harm has its effects! – Proverbs 6:27-29
b. So it is we cannot “flirt with the world” and walk away untouched! – 1 Corinthians 15:33
4. By the time we become “friends with the world”, it is only a short time before we take the next and final step of backsliding
E. DENIAL – Mark 14:66-71
1. Away from Christ, at comfort with those in the world, Peter finds himself denying His Lord and Savior!
2. In so doing, he has put himself in grave danger – Mark 10:32-33
3. Though we may never actually deny Jesus in “words”, we can easily backslide to the point of denying Him in “action”
a. We are called to worship Him…but make excuses why we cannot
b. We are called to serve Him…but render little or no service
c. We are called to stand by His side and suffer for His name …but stand afar off in the safety of the world’s comfort
[When we deny the Lord, our backsliding is complete; unless we repent, the only thing left is to one day face the Lord, where we will fully realize the error of our ways! For Peter, he fully realized his sin when the Lord turned and looked at him there in the courtyard (cf. Luke 22:60-62). Imagine the feeling in Peter’s heart as those eyes of His Savior pierced his soul! Like Judas, Peter wept bitterly over his sin. Unlike Judas, Peter had “godly sorrow” that results in true repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11). And years later, we find Peter writing the sort of things that would prevent us from making the same mistake he did…]
II. ADVICE FROM ONE WHO LEARNED THE HARD WAY
A. TO GUARD AGAINST “PRIDE”
1. Peter enjoins “humility” – 1 Peter 5:5-6
2. Indeed, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”
B. TO WARD AGAINST “LAZINESS”.
1. Peter commands “diligence” – 1 Peter 5:8-9
2. Note especially his words in his second epistle – 2 Peter 1:5,10; 3:14
C. INSTEAD OF “COWARDICE”.
1. Peter charges us to “glorify God” – 1 Peter 4:16
2. Think not of what it means to you, but what it means to God!
D. INSTEAD OF “WORLDLINESS”
1. Peter tells us to “abstain” – 1 Peter 2:11-12
2. Remember that we are “sojourners and pilgrims”, destined for a better place than the things of this world have to offer!
E. INSTEAD OF “DENIAL”
1. Peter exhorts us to ever be ready to “give a defense” – 1 Peter 3:15
2. By careful preparation, we will “defend” Christ, and not “deny” Christ!
Conclusion
1. From one who learned by the hard road of experience, let’s heed his advice lest we one day backslide ourselves, and in so doing deny the Lord! – 2 Peter 3:17-18
2. Remember too that when Peter saw the eyes of his Lord, he realized the error of his way
a. Fortunately for him, there was still time to repent
b. But for us, when we see Jesus “face to face”, the time to repent will be gone…it will be the time for judgment!
3. If we realize that we are guilty of backsliding
a. Repent now; do not wait until you stand before Jesus
b. Do it now, so that your “face to face” encounter with Jesus will be terrific, not terrifying!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Peter 01:10-11 Weighed in the Balance and Found Wanting?
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Text: 2 Peter 1:10-11
Introduction
- A balance is a weighing device with a beam poised with its center on a neutral pivot. An item to be weighed is placed at one end of the beam, and a weight supposed to be equal to it is placed at the other end. If the item is equal, the beam will remain level or perfectly horizontal. If the item is found wanting, it will be discovered.
- Figuratively this means that a man is weighed or compared with what is required of him (God’s standard the Word of God) and if he stands the test the beam will be level, if not the balance will be uneven which indicates condemnation by God.
- In Daniel 5, Belshazzar King of Babylon (the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar) had a great feast (party) for 1000 of his lords. He commanded to bring the golden & silver vessels Nebuchadnezzar had take from the temple in Jerusalem, and they drank wine and praise all their false gods of various materials. He saw something that blew his mind a fingers of a man’s hand writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5-9; Daniel 5:25-31).
Are You Zealous for the Lord or Lukewarm?
- Are you a positive asset in the Lords church? Are you actively functioning/working as a member of the body of Jesus? I Corinthians 12:12-20 Have you made the decision as a Christian to abide in the true vine and bear much fruit? (John 15:5-6).
- Did you know that the Lord our God needs His servants to work in the vineyard of the Lord, to accomplish His work of spreading the good news of the gospel, to the world that the dead might be made alive through Jesus (Matthew 9:37-38)? A part of our faith to God is to maintain good works (Hebrews 10:24; Matthew 5:16).
- If you are not a zealous worker for the Lord, you are a liability for the cause of Christ and will be in jeopardy of being cast into the fire. In Revelation 3:14-21, the church of the Laodiceans was warned about being lukewarm and being spewed out of God mouth. You and I do not want to be weighed in the balance and found wanting.
Are you a Faithful Servant or a “Flaky Forsaker”?
- The faithful servant is rewarded with blessing from his lord, but the unfaithful and disobedient worker is punished. Let us consider the benefits and consequences of being a faithful servant verses a “flaky forsaker” (parable of talents Matthew 25:20-30).
- A faithful servant will not allow things to go undone (Ecclesiastes 9:10). A faithful laborer of God will do and teach that which is in accordance with God’s will and help their family and the church to grow (Genesis 18:19).
- The wisdom of the Word of God teaches us to have a just weight (Proverbs 11:1). Make sure you’re weights are just and balanced when God weighs us in His balances on the Day of Judgment (2 Peter 1:10-11).
HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page