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                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

              Perspectives From An Aged Apostle (1:12-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. When a person faces impending death, their mind usually turns to 
   thinking about things most important to them

2. For example, when Jesus knew His death was imminent, His prayer in 
   John 17 reveals that the unity of believers was a great concern to 
   Him - Jn 17:20-21

3. From our text for this lesson, it is evident that the apostle Peter 
   knew his time on earth was short - 2 Pe 1:12-15 (READ)

4. What sort of things were on the mind of Peter at this time?  What 
   did this apostle of our Lord consider to be of great importance?

5. There are several things we can glean from this passage in answer to
   these questions, that I call "Perspectives From An Aged Apostle"

[For example, consider...]

I. HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEED TO BE REMINDED

   A. PETER'S CONCERN...
      1. He does not want to be negligent in reminding them - 2 Pe 1:12
      2. He thinks it proper to remind them - 2 Pe 1:13
      3. He is even taking steps to ensure that they are reminded after
         his death - 2 Pe 1:15

   B. FREQUENT REMINDING CAN "STIR UP"...
      1. Peter's concern is not a reflection on their present condition
         - 2 Pe 1:13
         a. It is not as though they don't know what they should know
         b. It is not as though they weren't established in what they 
            know
      2. But there is always the need to "stir up"
         a. The Greek word is diegeiro {dee-eg-i'-ro}, and means "to 
            wake fully, i.e. arouse (lit. or fig.):--arise, awake, 
            raise, stir up"
         b. The tendency is for one to become slack in their service to
            God
         c. Somehow we need to be constantly "aroused, awakened"
         d. Being reminded of things that are important is one way to 
            do this!

   C. WAYS TO BE REMINDED (OR "STIRRED UP")...
      1. Through frequent assembling with other Christians - He 10:
         24-25
      2. Through daily Bible reading -- this is how Peter continues to 
         remind us after his death - cf. 2 Pe 1:15

[Do we appreciate the importance of being reminded, especially of 
things pertaining to the Christian life?  May the concerns of an aged 
apostle help us to appreciate this need!

Peter also shares with us...]

II. HIS PERSPECTIVE OF THE BODY AND DEATH

   A. THE BODY IS A "TENT"...
      1. Peter views his body as a "tabernacle" (KJV) or "tent" (NKJV) 
         - 2 Pe 1:13-14
      2. In other words, a temporary housing for his "inner man" which 
         continues after death - cf. Mt 10:28
      3. Does this not contradict the view of the "Jehovah's Witnesses"
         who claim that the body IS the soul, and not a housing for the
         soul?
      4. Paul's concept of the body was the same as Peter's - cf. 2 Co
         5:1-8
   
   B. DEATH IS "PUTTING OFF THE TENT", AND "AN EXODUS"...
      1. Peter speaks of his impending death, which the Lord had showed
         him - 2 Pe 1:14 (a possible reference to Jn 21:18-19?)
      2. He first describes his dying as "I must put off my tent"
         a. Again, this reflects his view of the body
         b. And the differentiation between the soul ("I") and the body
            ("my tent")
      3. In further describing his death, he uses the Greek word exodos
         {ex'-od-os} - 2 Pe 1:15
         a. Which means "an exit, i.e. (fig.) death:--decease, 
            departing"
         b. It is the same word used to describe the Israel's "exodus" 
            from Egyptian bondage
         c. Far from viewing death as an end, Peter sees it as a an 
            exit from one world to the next

[Our apprehension of dying can be lessened if we adopt this aged 
apostle's view of the body and death.  It can certainly help keep 
things in proper perspective!

Finally, let's try to glean from our text...]  
  
III. HIS PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT

   A. TWICE, PETER REFERS TO "THESE THINGS"...
      1. "I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things"
         - 2 Pe 1:12
      2. "I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder 
         of these things" - 2 Pe 2:15
      -- What are "these things" that Peter is so concerned about?

   B. GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST...
      1. "These things" must refer to what Peter had described in 
         previous verses
      2. Which we saw in our previous lesson dealt with "Growing In The
         Knowledge Of Jesus Christ" - 2 Pe 1:5-11
      3. Does this not say something about the importance of our 
         previous study?
         a. Peter knew his time on earth was short, that death was 
            imminent
         b. In what little time he had left, he wanted to remind them 
            of that which was most important
         c. Even his last words in this epistle come back to this theme
            - 2 Pe 3:18
         d. It is evident, then, that "growing in the knowledge of 
            Jesus Christ" as defined by Peter in verses 5-11 should be
            of utmost importance to the Christian!
            1) Other things certainly have their place (e.g., the 
               identity, organization, work, and worship of the church)
            2) But if there is to be a priority for the growing 
               Christian, let it be that which Peter was most concerned
               about during his final days on earth!

CONCLUSION

1. I have often benefited greatly from the time spent visiting with 
   aged saints, who knew that their time on earth was short...
   a. They were often prone to speak of noble themes, such as the 
      meaning of life and death, and what is really important in life
   b. Their perspective on things was sharpened, both by their
      experience and by the realization that life is but a vapor

2. What a privilege it must have been for those Christians in the first
   century who were around Peter as his end drew near!
   a. To be able to sit at his feet, and listen to his words of
      exhortation and warning
   b. To receive counsel from one who knew our Lord intimately, and
      served Him long and faithfully

3. Fortunately for us, Peter was indeed "careful to ensure that you
   always have a reminder of these things" after his decease, and we
   have that reminder in his epistles!

Will we take advantage of the "Perspectives Of An Aged Apostle", and
allow his "reminders" to stir us up?
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The "Executable Outlines" Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 1999


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