PETER WROTE HIS SECOND LETTER TO STIR UP THE PEOPLE THAT THEY STAND FIRM AGAINST SCOFFING APOSTACY

1. Christians have a habit of becoming segregated from the World- not separated
2. They needed to be stirred up -And we need to be stirred up occasionally-to see the truth
3. Knowing the truth is one thing; but walking in a truthful way in the midst of a world of conflict is another thing.

We need to carry our Christianity through the troubled world II Pet 3:1a

I.- STIR UP YOUR PURE MINDS

The long delay of Christ's coming caused problems for the early Christians,-mocking, doubts, etc.

A.- PETER WROTE TENDERLY "THIS 2nd EPISTLE, BELOVED, I NOW WRITE UNTO YOU!" a.

1. Internal evidence here supports I Peter- so we need to know that no part of Scripture stands alone
2. Go back and read again - esp I Pet 3:15 - Our need to give account of our faith -asked or not
3. Peter wrote it! But the true Author is the Holy Spirit of God! A sure word of prophecy!

B.- THE REASON BEHIND THE WRITING " IN "WHICH I STIR UP YOUR PURE MINDS". b

1. "Pure Minds" means personalities with transparent sincerity - Check Phil 1:10 -excellent
2. Christians are prone to isolationism- building little kingdoms (retreats) - John 17:15, 18
3. Unless we are stirred up- we grow still-& stiff; Hide bound; heavenly minded-no earthly good

C.- THE MEANS PETER USED TO STIR UP THEIR MINDS WAS BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE?

1. We need to remember that "He brought me up out of a miry pit"- Psa 40:2- our salvation!
2. We need to remember our 1st love- Rev. 2:5- and if we have lost it- do first works!
3. We must remember to stir up the gift of God- II Tim 1:6- and exercise that gift-or lose it

We need rest, but not rust! & the temptation is to sleep in grace- need an alarm clock!

II.- BE MINDFUL OF WORDS O F PROPHETS - II Pet 3:2a

Some today would forget the forcefulness of the Old Testament - call it bloodthirsty & cruel

A.- IT WAS THROUGH THE GREATEST PROPHET OF ALL THAT GOD GAVE THE LAW - MOSES!

1. Jesus used the "law, prophets, & Psalms" to witness concerning himself- Luke 24:44-
2. From the Ark, the 0.T. Passover, the Sacrificial laws, the 10 commandments- point to Christ
3. Jesus said "not one jot will pass away" Matt 5:17 - The law-schoolmaster -bring us to Christ

B.- The LATTER PROPHETS INTERPRETED THE LAW, AND CHALLENGED MEN WHEN THEY BECAME FORGETFUL

1. Isa 33:15 is very plain as to the demands of the law & we need to be reminded-fundamental
2. When men forgot heartfelt obedience the Prophets warned them, and called them to repentance
3. When men refused to repent- the prophets pronounced judgement on them- as men, or nations

C. THE PROPHETS ALSO TOLD ABOUT THE COMING OF THE SON OF GOD, THE TWO ADVENTS OF CHRIST!

1. Isa 9:6,7 tells about one who is to come to govern the world,- with justice and equity!
2. Isa 53:3-6, 10 tells about one who is to come to die for the world- that we might be saved
3. And though Judgement will come- so will His Kingdom- Isa 11:9,10,11 Amazing promises!

The things of the past are written for our admonition- that we should not grow weary nor sinful

III. AND THE COMMANDS O F THE APOSTLES II Pet 3:2b

Here is a vital doctrinal point! The Apostles had authority-the same as the OT Prophets!-

A.- THE APOSTLES MUST BE REMEMBERED, FOR THEY BORE WITNESS OF THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The people had to be reminded- II Pet 1:16-the Apostles witnessed of events, not fables!
2. The apostles wrote to people that they had previously contacted*- the importance of personal contact
3. We must remember well if- Acts 2:42- we are to continue in the Apostles doctrine & fellowship

B.- THE APOSTLES TAUGHT THE DOCTRINES FOR THE EARLY CHURCH, AND THESE HAVE NOT CHANGED!

1. Our church is a fundamental, conservative, Baptist Church- Cf. Fundamentals-1919 -believe it
2. As Baptists we believe some distinctives- Baptism, Autonomous Church, -Cf. list in tract rack
3. We believe in the 2nd coming of Christ- premillennial, pre-tribulation, personal, and actual- I Thes 4:16

C.- THE APOSTLES GAVE COMMANDMENTS, AND THEY WERE ACCEPTED BY THE EARLY CHURCH AS FROM JESUS

1. Paul was heard at Athens- until he spoke of a commandment to repent- Acts 17:30, & Resurrection
2. The Apostles commanded little- Acts 15:29- but they commended much! Read and see!
3. Paul wrote "I beseech thee therefore, by the mercies of Christ,-" How can anyone reject that?

Our minds need to be stirred up often, to remind us where we are from-where we are going- and just how we are to behave along the way- our lives ought to be II Pet 3:11

DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT THE APOSTLES HAVE WRITTEN? WILL YOU OBEY THEIR COMMANDMENTS? & PLEAS?

1. Then Receive Jesus Christ as your own personal savior-"Lamb of God" for your sins!
2. Learn about the Lord Jesus- and put into action His Commandments- Baptism, Church members
3. But above all else- live in the light of His soon coming ready to meet Him in the air