But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

The question or challenge for you today is , are you growing in Christ? When you look back at your conversion, the day when the Father drew you to Jesus, are you still the same person? Do you have deeper knowledge of your Lord today then you did yesterday? Has the Holy Spirit been producing good fruit within you? Can other people see a change in you? Are you feasting on the meat of the Word of God or are you still drinking the milk of a spiritual infant?

These are alot of questions to ponder about yourself, but it’s a good reflection of where you are at with your relationship with Christ. Many people will say , Yes I’m a Christian, I got baptized at this date, I went to CCD classes, I got to Church periodically, I’m good. Is that enough? Has there been any spiritual growth since you became a “Christian”? 

The Apostle Peter says “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” Grow, not remain stagnant. Is there any desire within you to want to pursue God deeper? If there is, what is stopping you? Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7) Jesus didn’t say don’t ask questions, don’t pursue holiness, don’t read your Bible, ect. Christ is inviting you to pursue him, He has already found you, now learn more about your Great Shepherd

Notice what the Apostle Paul said the Church of Corinth “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ., I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; (1 Corinthians 3:1-2) There was many things Paul wanted to teach the Church of Corinth, but many of them were still just “babes in Christ” they were still not spiritually mature enough to understand what he was teaching them. Therefor he had to feed them spiritual milk instead of meat, just as we would a real infant.

What was the difference with these believers? They didn’t grow in Christ yet, they were still at the infant stage not ready for deeper knowledge of The Lord. If you want to deepen your knowledge of God , you need to grow in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Some might be reading this and wonder what I’m talking about, while others know exactly what I’m talking about, it depends on where you are at with your relationship with Christ

So how do we grow in Christ? We need to be committed to Christ, be obedient to Jesus as your Lord, submitting to his authority and teachings. Be obedient to the Holy Spirit and what he is trying to show and teach you. Read the Word of God daily and meditate on its words, pray without ceasing , belong to a Church community where you can be sanctified and sharpened by your brothers and sisters in Christ, Amen!

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:14-16

Where will you be when Christ returns? This may sound like an odd question , maybe even impossible to answer, but it should be a question that ponders in our minds. Just like the Ten Virgins of Matthew 25, 5 were ready and wise, the other 5 were foolish and with no oil, when The Lord returned those who were not ready, the door was shut! They cried out to him, Lord Lord opened up to us, but he declared I never knew you!

Now look at the words the Apostle Peter “Be diligent or make every effort that you may be found of Him (Christ) in peace, without spot and blameless” The Apostle Peter didn’t tell the Church to live their best life now, he didn’t say just wait for the rapture, no he said “Make A effort” So what effort are you making to be ready for the return of Christ? Are you ready for the return of Christ? 

It’s easy to become a lazy Christian, you stop reading your Bible, you stop spending time in prayer, you stop worshiping and serving at your local Church, it’s easy to get into bad habits and be pulled into the world. Its easy to get pulled into the world, get distracted , spend alot of time on things that have nothing to do with God. But as Jesus comes as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5) will you be ready? Or will you be caught off guard like the foolish virgins and the door will be shut (Matthew 25)

Now I know there will be some who will say “this is legalism” , “this is works based salvation” My response is if you are truly Born Again in Christ, if the Holy Spirit is truly living inside of you, then shouldn’t your life reflect this? How can you say , you have the Holy Spirit, when we don’t see any fruits of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) This is not legalism, this is the reality of being regenerated, as Jesus said “A good tree will bear good fruit”

Again Peter addresses why The Lord hasn’t returned yet, “The Lord patience or long suffering brings salvation” As Peter said previously God wants everyone to become saved, therefore God is being patient before bringing wrath upon the wicked. This is a patient and loving God, as we deserve the judgment to come, yet God wants to provide mercy and atonement. This is why the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is our mission as the Church

Another thing to note here is as the Apostle Peter affirms the Apostles Paul’s writings, for those who like to reject parts of the Bible because it doesn’t fit into their narrative, all scripture is God breathed and profitable for us. 

 Be diligent Church, Be prepared because The Lord is coming as a thief in the night, don’t find out The Lord never knew you when the door is shut, Repent and put your faith in Christ as Lord today!

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:5-9

Jesus said “As the days of Noah were, so will be coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37) The Apostle Peter also reflects this same message “Whereby the world that then was being overflowed by water (flooded), perished” As Peter is talking about the return of Christ, he references the flood of Noah, why? Because when The Lord returns , there will be judgment upon The Earth for those who are not saved! So while many are eagerly waiting for the Rapture of the Church, lets eagerly share the gospel with the unsaved as many will be perishing!

The Apostle Peter describes the world will be under a judgment “But the heavens and Earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” While we eagerly want our Lord to return, we also have to remember we as the Church have work to be done! If you reference the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) The Master went away and entrusted all his possessions to his servants, when the Master came back , he came to see what the servants did with his possessions and their time? The ones who grew his Kingdom, were told “Well done, good and faithful servant”! , but the one who did nothing, was called a “Wicked and Lazy servant” by The Lord and thrown into Hell. 

Now many scoffers will say “Why hasn’t The Lord returned yet”? The Apostle Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit answers this question from multiple angles. First “one day to The Lord is like 1,000 years for us” Remember God is eternal, He is outside of the realm of time, therefore his timing is not the same as our timing. To expect God to do things on our clock or calendar is not only naive , I think it’s borderline blasphemous. As Jesus said “Nobody will know the day or hour of His return” (Matthew 25:12) 

But secondly there is a reason why The Lord has been delaying his return, as the Apostle Peter states here “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (patient) with us, not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance” Imagine that, God wants everyone to be saved, I know this will anger many “Christians”. The Lord has not returned yet because He wants as many as possible to come to repentance! Did you get the memo Church, it’s time to get busy and share the gospel, The Lord will come like a thief in the night, Are you Ready?

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:1-4

Every now and then the Church needs a reminder, needs some encouragement about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostle Peter is saying here “This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” Even though we know Christ died for our sins, we know Christ rose on the third day, we know Christ is coming back again for His Church, it’s good for us to be reminded and encouraged frequently 

Christianity has had many scoffers and enemies since the very beginning, but yet the gospel message still remains the same, the Tomb is still empty, death is still defeated, and all the enemies of Christ end up in Hades. But yet generation after generation, the world will try to disprove Christianity. It is finished, victory has already been sealed, this should be a constant reminder for the Church

As Peter continues “Be mindful of the words spoken before by the prophets and the apostles” Since the beginning God has foretold about the coming of Christ and the gospel message through the prophets and apostles, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ was not a coincidence or random events, this were plan and foretold by God before the foundations of the world. 

But as the Apostle Peter says “in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying where is the promise of his coming?’ As Jesus said “they will deceive even the elect” (Matthew 24:24) many will fall away from the faith, why? Perhaps they never truly had faith at all?  Perhaps they were interested in Christianity but not interested in Christ? Perhaps their hearts became hardened by the deception of this world? 

So as the Apostle Peter is doing he, keep reminding the Church that Christ has already won the war at the cross and the tomb! Remind the Church that Christ has already fulfilled over 300 foretold prophecies. Remind the Church that Christ is coming back as a thief in the night, at a day or hour when nobody will expect him, so be ready and alert like the 5 Wise Virgins whose lamps were filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25) Stay awake and alert, because when Christ does return for his Church, the door will be shut! Amen! 

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:20-22

I love how the Apostle Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11 here about those who have been freed from their sin yet continue to come back to their sin, they are like a dog going back to its vomit over and over. While we can easy get trapped in a cycle of sin, we need to understand that we have been set free by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit to overcome our fleshly lusts

As the late preacher Leonard Ravenhill had a great sermon on this, he said and I’m paraphrasing “What are you saved from”? Ravenhill  goes on to say we need more than to just be forgiven, we need cleansing, what are you saved from? Hell? Are you saved from bitterness, are you saved from lust? Are you saved from cheating? Are you saved from lying? Are you saved from bad manners? Come on what are you saved from? Ravenhill asks some good questions here, if we claim we are saved in Christ, what are we saved from? If we are saved, then why are people still like dogs going back to their own vomit? Where is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

When you start to look at what the salvation of Christ really means, it becomes very powerful, it’s a supernatural change from taking someone who is spiritually dead and bringing them back to life. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you, recently I had someone arguing with me that Islam was the true religion. Do muslims have the Spirit of God living inside of them? No, Do Hindus or Buddhists have the Holy Spirit living inside of them, No? Christianity is the only religion that God is living inside of you! That God actually died for your sins, can you even comprehend this?

The Apostle Peter says “It would have been better for them to not have known the way of righteousness’ ‘ Those who have heard the gospel and have rejected it, it would have been better if they were atheists, because they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit. They reject the living Son of God, they reject the living Word of God, they reject the Holy Spirit of God, and don’t believe they are guilty of anything, they are guilty of everything, the wrath of their sins will be on their heads, are you ready to stand before The Lord and give an account of your life?

The second part of the Proverb Peter was quoting is often translated “As a washed pig returning to the mud” Again what did Jesus save you from? If you are saved from your sin, then why do you continue in your sin? Jesus Christ will set you free! Amen!

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  2 Peter 2:15-17

The Apostle Peter continues his rebuke against false teachers and their false doctrines. It continually surprises me how many “Christians” are so supportive of false teachers, even when they know they are false. The comments sections are filled with “Well they don’t mean any harm” or “They really are not that bad” Anyone who is knowingly preaching a false gospel is committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. You might say “Well they don’t know any better” well then they shouldn’t be preaching!

The Apostle Peter uses the example of the prophet Balaam from the Old Testament, he tried to curse Israel (doesn’t that sound familiar today?) and God told him you can’t curse Israel because they are his chosen people. Balaam decided he was going to do his own thing anyway, and God rebuked him with a donkey! That should cut him down to size! These false teachers think they can deceive anyone and get away with it, but God is watching them and they are storing up the wrath of God against them

If you listen to the message of false prophets, they are typically driven by carnal things, they want money, they want power, they want , they want, but as the Apostle Peter states “They are wells without water” why? Because they don’t have the Living Water that gives you eternal life. All these things the false teacher promises or provides is temporary and a dead end. The true gospel of Christ, while offensive to the world, will give you eternal life and the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2 Peter 2:18-19

I love how Peter says this “While they promise them liberty (Freedom), they themselves are the servants of corruption or slaves of depravity” These false teachers promise the world but even themselves are slaves to sin and death, they have nothing to offer! This is why these teachers are so dangerous, many who put themselves under their teachings are slaves to depravity also, they are all in bondage to Satan

Jesus Christ is the only one who can set you free! That’s why nothing else in this world matters except Christ, as the late Charles Spurgeon once said “No Christ in your sermon sir?, then go home and never preach again until you have something worth preaching”! Amen!

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 2 Peter 2:12-14

When you turn on the TV or watch on YouTube, these prosperity preachers you wonder how can these people be so far off from what the Bible says? Do they not understand the true gospel? Or are they the most depraved of all people? The Apostle Peter describes the state of false teachers “They are like brute beasts or unreasoning animals, made to be taken and destroyed” Ouch , Peter is not holding back on his view of false teachers

I’ve heard many “Christians” actually defend false teachers, giving them the benefit of the doubt, that maybe they mean well. Look what the Apostle Peter has to say about them “They speak evil of things they don’t understand, and shall utterly perish or be destroyed in their own corruption” We should not take light to false teachers, because they are wolves looking to devour the sheep. Many of them know exactly what they are teaching is false, but they don’t care because of their total depravity

We need to understand the standard for teachers is very high, as the Apostle James said “Not many of you should be teachers, because those who teach shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1) If someone is unsure about what they are teaching or preaching, then they should keep their mouths shut, because you will be held to a higher standard by God, this includes myself, as I would never teach something I don’t sincerely believe is in the Bible

“They shall receive the reward of unrighteousness” Sharing a false gospel may be profitable in todays fallen world, but it will have eternal consequences on their souls, never preach a false gospel. As the Apostle Paul said “ Anyone who preaches a different gospel, let them be accursed” (Galatians 1:8) If you are sharing a false gospel you are bring judgment upon yourself, as Jesus said “What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul” (Mark 8:36) Many false teachers live in mansions, fly in private jets, have millions in the bank, however they have sold their soul to eternal Hell. 

Peter goes on to describe these people “Having eyes full of adultery, they can’t cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, they are experts in greed, and cursed children” One thing I find is most people who fall for these “teachers” are those not part of a local Church community, as Peter says they feast on unstable souls, the lost sheep who don’t have a Shepherd

These false teachers are not harmless, they are depraved wolves looking to devour the sheep (Matthew 7) As Jesus said “You only have One Teacher and that is Christ (Matthew 23:10) Follow the Good Shepherd and be saved! Amen!

(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 2 Peter 2:8-11

One of the common themes we see throughout the history of humanity is the total depravity of humanity. As we see it in Noah’s Flood, we see it in Sodom and Gomorrah, we see it even in today’s world. A culture of people who have no regard for God, they are totally carnal minded, being led by the flesh on a daily basis. As the Apostle Peter says here “For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds”

It’s difficult living in the world today, with the total depravity of humanity, trying to go anywhere, especially with a family is disheartening. Sin is glorified and flaunted by the majority of the world. When you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you, the scales from your eyes have been removed, and you see the depravity of this world. However take heart by the words of the Apostle Peter here “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished”

Even though it may feel like it, you are not alone, God is with you and knows the spiritual battle that you are facing, The Lord knows how to deliver you from temptation. This is also an important reason why you should belong to a Church community, to walk alone in this world, you are an easy target. 

The Apostle Peter then goes on to describe the depraved state of the world, does this sound familiar today? “They walk according to the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority, they are presumptuous, reckless, self-willed” Peter makes a very interesting statement here “they scoff or not afraid to heap abuse on angels/celestial beings” The depraved person has no fear of God, in fact they love to blaspheme God at any chance they get. They love to curse The Lord Jesus at every chance they get!

Remember previously Peter mentioned Sodom and Gomorrah, where the depraved people tried to rape the angels of God. Do you think the people of this world would do the same today? Turn on your news and it’s an obvious answer, and as Peter states here “bringing judgment on them from The Lord ” Everyday the depraved bring more and more wrath upon themselves from God with their wickedness.

If you understand what I’m saying here, if you can discern the times that your living, the good news is justice will be served one day. The Lord Jesus Christ will return, bring justice and judgment upon the Earth, repent and put your faith in Christ, before it’s too late! Amen!

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 2 Peter 2:4-7

The Apostle Peter is dropping some truth bombs here in today’s scriptures, if Peter preached this today, he would be canceled, probably thrown out of most denominations, but Peter is revealing the truth of God’s judgment by the Holy Spirit. And while its not comfortable or popular to talk about the wrath of God, its a reality we must warn people, without Christ you will perish!

Peter first gives us confirmation on the revelation of the Nephilim or the fallen Angels of Genesis 6, “that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” (Genesis 6:2) The Fallen Angels mated with human women on the Earth and created essentially a hybrid race of evil giants. “There were [b]giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” (Genesis 6:4) Now I understand there are some people who have a hard time accepting this, but it’s in your Bible, as Peter says God punished these fallen angels and has them imprisoned until judgment day

Next the Apostle Peter brings up the judgment of Noah’s flood, I think having an understanding of the Nephilim makes the judgment of Noah’s flood more understandable. People will ask “How could God destroy the whole world except Noah’s family in the Ark”?  As the Bible says “Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually.” (Genesis 6:5) The wickedness of the world was so great, not just because of humans but also because there was a living demonic presence on the Earth. 

Let’s be honest, God really had no choice but to start the human race over, the seed of the Nephilim corrupted the human bloodline. Again I know this is to much for most people to comprehend, but then you understand we are not just fighting against flesh and blood, we are battling against demonic forces (Ephesians 6) We also need to remember that God was always going to bring the Christ into the world to save us from our sins. In order for God to do this he needs to have a pure bloodline to bring forth the Christ. 

The Apostle Peter then brings up the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, the more things change, the more they stay the same! Wickedness continues on the Earth, even after God already cleansed it, as Peter states here “making them an example for those who shall live ungodly”

We see a history of God’s judgment upon the world, yet God continually has given us chances to repent and turn our hearts to Christ, heed these warnings, the judgement of God is coming and as Peter said “If God didn’t spare the angels, he won’t spare any of us”! Repent and and put your faith in Jesus Christ! Amen!