Posted 5 years ago by Anonymous

Summary

The question Pontius Pilate asked Jesus is still being posed today: “What is truth?”

The world’s answer: Truth is relative; your truth/my truth

Jesus (John 14:6): “I am…the truth…”

2012 Theme: “Until He Comes” - looking for Jesus to come and living according to that perspective.

Until He comes, stick to the truth! Peter’s concern: That we know and stand upon the truth. He has emphasized knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ (vs2, 3). He has reminded them of the truth of what God has done for them, of who they are in Christ and of their sure hope (vs3-11). He has reminded them that they are established in the truth (vs12). Now he urges them to stick to the truth, whether he is alive or not. II Peter 1:16-21 Vs16 - The Gospel that Peter preached and the Biblical record is no myth! He had been an eyewitness! Peter witnessed firsthand the power of Jesus Christ - “inherent power, residing in a person or thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person/thing exerts or puts forth” (Strong’s). “parousia” - “presence, coming, arrival, advent” (Strong’s) - Peter learned of Christ’s coming at His birth and personally heard (from Jesus Himself) the promise of Christ’s coming again.

The 1st advent of Christ was divine intervention; so shall His 2nd advent be!

Majesty - “megaleiotes” - “greatness, magnificence - of the visible splendor of the divine majesty…” Vs17-18 - Peter witnessed firsthand many miracles of Jesus - displays of His power and majesty, but none greater than the Transfiguration. Matthew 17:1-8 “Transfigured” - “metamorphoo” - “transformed” Gudzik - “The effect was extremely striking; Jesus became so bright in appearance that it was hard to look at Him. The shining glory was not a new miracle, but a ‘pause’ in an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time [in His humanity, wrapped in flesh] kept from displaying His glory.” Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets, held in most high regard by the Jews.

Those words from God the Father were very important: Jesus needed the conformation of His Sonship and calling, and the encouragement of His Father’s pleasure in Him, for what He was about to endure on the cross.

Jesus was raised to a higher level than the Law and Prophets. Peter heard this firsthand and didn’t make it up, like the false teaching that was beginning to infiltrate the Church.

Vs19 - Even more sure than Peter’s experience was (and is!) the testimony of God’s word (the prophets) is surer still. Gudzik - “There are at least 322 distinct Old Testament predictions regarding the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled perfectly.”

Professor Peter Stone: “Probability of one man fulfilling 8 of these prophecies - 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000!” “48 prophecies fulfilled - 1 in 10 to the 157th power.” The sureness of prophecies about Jesus extends to all Scripture.

We would do well to pay attention to the truth of Scripture - “a lamp shining in a dark place” “Day dawns” - the day of Christ’s coming “Morning Star” - Jesus - He has risen in our hearts now, by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is a guarantee of eternity, when we will dwell with our Lord Jesus Christ forever, enjoying His majestic light.

We are to hold fast to the truth we have been given, have heard and experienced until the promise of Christ’s coming is fulfilled.

Vs20 - Important understanding: There is only one correct interpretation of Scripture. Let the hearer beware! Vs21 - All the prophecies of Scripture and all of Scripture came not from any man/men, but from God the Holy Spirit. “Carried along” - Like the wind moving a ship on the sea. We need the Holy Spirit to carry us along to a correct understanding of the truth of Scripture. He is the Spirit of truth.

Until He comes, let us hold fast to the truth of Scripture, prayerfully studying the Bible and humbly living by the truth we have received, by the power and direction of the blessed Spirit of truth.