Peter, Paul and You – II Peter 3:14-18

When some of you talk about your misspent youth, once in a while your old, ungodly music is mentioned. Even though I am not much older than some of you, I often have no idea who you are talking about. I don’t know the lyrics you are mentioning. I can’t picture the...

Universal Destruction: Us or Him? – II Peter 3:11-14

If I was a United States Senator in charge of the right committee and with a huge budget, I’d authorize a study of society’s deliberate USE of FEAR to direct and manage the people of this country. There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of expensive studies to...

A Companion of Them that Fear the Lord – Psalm 119:57-64

Before I get into a report of our visit with the Landmark Missionary B.C., let’s have a short Bible exposition. Verse 57 – “Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.” In Psalm 16:5 David said, “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance...

The Clock is Ticking – II Peter 3:10-12

I remember when I was quite young, visiting my grandmother, who was living with her brother, Uncle Creighton. They lived in a beautiful old house in the Kitsilano district of Vancouver, BC, not far from the beach. I would imagine that today that house would be worth...

The Fourth Dimension – II Peter 3:8

Ephesians 3:17-19 has always blessed my heart. Paul prayed for his Ephesians friends, as I believe the Holy Spirit would have led him to pray for us: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend...

The Coffers of the Scoffers – II Peter 3:5-7

Sometime in nineteenth century Germany, a children’s song was written which involved a silly conversation between “Heinrich und Liese.” Apparently the Pennsylvania Dutch brought it to this country, and it was eventually translated into English. Some of you...

Reiteration – This Second Epistle – II Peter 3:1-2

The famous violinist, with his Stradivarius, stepped onto the stage to a huge applause from the audience. But the acclamation at that point was not in expectation of hearing a great violin masterpiece. When he reached center stage he turned and motioned for a slight,...

Revival Pirates – II Peter 2:17-22

Let’s pretend that Peter was writing to a church that was experiencing, or beginning to experience, revival. Souls were being been saved – adults – some of whom professed earlier to have been believers. The waters of the Sea of Galilee, or some other lake or river,...

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – II Peter 2:9-16

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped” was a conflicted professing Christian. He was raised by a staunch Presbyterian father, but his nanny was much more evangelical. Stevenson, as a child heard the gospel. During university Stevenson...

God Knows, God Can and God Does – II Peter 2:9

A little boy grew up wanting to play professional baseball. As a child he lived baseball; he dreamed baseball, he watched baseball; he studied baseball. He played catch with his dad and his uncle. He played five hundred with the neighboring kids. He played baseball at...

Pseudo-Prophets – II Peter 2:1-3

When this epistle was first read, Peter’s friends they didn’t hear: “Now, let’s move to chapter two.” They simply heard – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:...

The Eternal Word’s Temporary Nature – II Peter 1:19

Peter was one of the most God-blessed of all the children of Adam. No, he wasn’t wealthy, but money is not necessarily a blessing from the Lord. And he wasn’t a powerful political figure. He didn’t become famous in secular history. He didn’t die peacefully in the arms...

Transfigurational Importance – II Peter 1:16-18

Peter was writing to people with whom he had an earlier ministry, and not just through his first epistle. And three times now he has mentioned his “reminding ministry” – “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things.” But in these next...

Enhanced Identification Requirements – II Peter 1:8-11

You’ve probably seen cartoons of Peter at a booth in front of a gate, regulating people’s entrance into heaven. Of course, it is totally unscriptural, and, I hope, it is just for fun. But let’s run with that ridiculous and unbiblical idea this evening. Let’s pretend...

Studying for the Ultimate Knowledge – II Peter 1:5-9

Picture a little boy who is dying of a rare neurological disease called adreno-leuko-dystrophy (ALD). We’ll give this boy name – Lorenzo Odone. When he begins showing symptoms, his parents take him to various experts who eventually are able to diagnose the problem,...