Learning on the way
Sermon Summary:
In this sermon, Peter summarizes his previous teachings on how Christians should wait for Christ’s return. He emphasizes three main sections: how we should wait (being found without spot or blemish), a warning while waiting (against false teachers who twist Scripture), and a final charge to keep growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The sermon particularly focuses on the importance of living godly lives while understanding that moral perfection isn’t required for salvation, but rather a continuous pattern of confession and repentance.
Key Points:
- Living a godly life doesn’t require moral perfection but rather regular confession and repentance
- God’s patience in Christ’s return is an opportunity for salvation
- We must be careful not to twist Scripture to justify sinful behavior
- Growth in both grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ is essential for spiritual stability
- True spiritual growth is evidenced by the fruit in our lives
Small Group Questions:
The sermon mentions that when we stop fighting sin and start “coddling” it, we lose our peace with God. Share about a time when you experienced this in your own spiritual journey.
What role does peace play in our relationship with God, and how does unconfessed sin affect that peace?
The sermon mentioned that the false teachers had a “target market” of unstable people. What areas in your life do you feel most vulnerable to being led astray, and what practices help you maintain stability?
What are some ways Scripture can be twisted, and how can we guard against misinterpreting it?
The sermon emphasizes that growing in grace happens not by living perfect lives but through the cycle of confession and repentance. How comfortable are you with this ongoing process, and how has your perspective on this changed throughout your Christian journey?
Peter concludes his letter with “To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.” In what specific area of your life do you find it most challenging to give God glory right now?
Key Verses
2 Peter 3:14, Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 4:16, 2 Peter 3:18
Application On The Way
This week, establish a daily practice of self-examination, confession, and repentance. Each morning, ask God to reveal areas where you need His grace, confess specific sins rather than general ones, and actively turn away from those sins while pursuing godly living.
Verses to Go Deeper:
Being without spot or blemish:
- Ephesians 5:25-27 (Christ presenting the church without spot or wrinkle)
- Philippians 2:14-16 (being blameless and innocent in a crooked generation)
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (Christ as a lamb without blemish)
God’s patience as salvation:
- Romans 2:4 (God’s kindness leads to repentance)
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (Paul as an example of Christ’s patience)
- Psalm 103:8-14 (God’s compassion and patience)
Warning against false teaching:
- Matthew 7:15-20 (recognizing false prophets by their fruit)
- 1 John 4:1-6 (testing the spirits)
- Galatians 1:6-9 (warning against different gospels)
Scripture interpretation:
- Acts 17:10-12 (Bereans examining scriptures daily)
- 2 Timothy 2:15 (rightly handling the word of truth)
- Psalm 119:97-104 (meditation on God’s word brings understanding)
Growing in grace and knowledge:
- Colossians 1:9-14 (growing in knowledge of God)
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (being transformed from glory to glory)
- Philippians 3:12-16 (pressing on toward the goal)
Confession and repentance:
- 1 John 1:5-10 (walking in the light includes confession)
- Psalm 51 (David’s model of confession)
- James 5:16 (confessing sins to one another)
Peace with God:
- Romans 5:1-5 (justified by faith, we have peace with God)
- Philippians 4:6-7 (peace that surpasses understanding)
- Isaiah 26:3-4 (perfect peace for minds fixed on God)
Christian stability:
- James 1:5-8 (asking for wisdom without doubting)
- Colossians 2:6-8 (being rooted and built up in Christ)
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (standing firm, immovable)