• II Peter 3:9-18
• II Peter 3:12 – Compare Philippians 1:21-23. Paul earnestly desired the coming of the Lord, but he was torn knowing that he was doing good for others with his teaching. See Matthew 25:31-46.
• II Peter 3:13 – Note that heavens is plural, and earth is singular. The Bible speaks of multiple “heavens,” the highest of which is the abode of God.
• II Peter 3:16 – Paul’s writings were already being included in the canon at this point. It did not take the Catholic church to decide that Paul’s letters were canonical.
• I John
  • Written about AD 90 by Paul. Authored by the Holy Spirit.
  • Purpose of writing:
    • May have fellowship with us
    • Joy may be full
    • Guard against sin
    • Guard against false teachers
    • To strengthen their faith in Christ

• Foundations, continued:
  • The foundation of all behavior toward others
    • Romans 13:7-10
      • Side point: Is it wrong to be in debt? No. Financial debt is not in the context. Also, other passages advise us to lend to others, implying that it is okay to borrow.
    • I John 3:16-18
    • Our default mindset should always be love for others. That love should be the foundation for all our behavior.
• Visitors
  • Luke 19:1-10 – The story of Zaccheus
    • Jesus noticed
    • Jesus did not prejudge Zaccheus because he was rich.
  • Luke 13:34
  • Luke 22:31-32
  • Luke 23:33-34 – Jesus shows love for even those who are killing Him.
  • Matthew 5:16; 7:28
  • Mark 10:13-16
  • John 4:27
  • Luke 7:39
  • Thom S. Rainer – Becoming a Welcoming Church

• The greatest battle ever fought, shall I tell you where or when? One the maps of the world you will find it not. It was fought by the mothers of men.
• Psalms 118:22
• Acts 4:11
• Revelation 1:10
• Hannah
  • I Samuel 1:1-11
  • When a woman serves God, her greatest function is to raise godly children.
  • Hannah was a praying woman.
  • Hannah was a wise woman.
• We should all want our children to serve God in whatever way they are capable.
• I Timothy 5:14
• We must teach our children integrity.
• II Timothy 2:5
• Proverbs 31:28, 31, 30
• Ephesians 6:5 – Fathers also have a great responsibility in raising children.

[Sorry, no audio recording due to technical difficulties. -MRW]

• I Peter 5:12 – “this is the true grace of God”
• Let’s see what this letter about grace contains:
  • I Peter 1:17 – impartially judges according to each one’s work
  • I Peter 3:7 – you husbands … so that your prayers will not be hindered
  • I Peter 3:10-13 – Lord is against those who do evil
  • I Peter 4:4-6 – they will give account to Him who is ready to judge
    • Hebrews 9:27
  • I Peter 5:5 – God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble
  • I Peter 3:21 – baptism now saves you
• It’s always important to look at the bigger context and not just focus on certain phrases.
  • I Peter 1:1-2 – God knew ahead of time who would obey, thus becoming the type of people God had chosen to save.
  • I Peter 2:6-8 – Either people would accept or reject Christ (the stone) – those are the only two options. And the results are appointed. If you accept Him, you won’t be disappointed. If you reject Him, He’ll be a stone of stumbling and rock of offense to you. Those results are what’s predetermined.
• So, what does this mean for me?
  • Get into God’s Word!
    • I Peter 1:10-13, 22-25; 2:1-3
  • Obey!
    • I Peter 2:13, 17-18, 24; 3:8-9; 4:1-2; 5:2, 8-10
  • Influence others!
    • I Peter 2:11-12; 3:1; 3:15-16

• II Peter 2:20-3:9
• II Peter 2:20 – This verse by itself disproves the doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy (once saved, always saved). It is possible to fall away once you have obeyed God.
• II Peter 2:21 – How will it be better for one who had never known truth? Better at Judgment? Better on earth? We are not specifically told.
• II Peter 3:8 – Time has no effect on God. He is not bounded by time.