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James, Lesson 4

James, Lesson 4

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray for Godly and heavenly wisdom from You. We pray that You will help us to control our tongue to pronounce blessing, encouragement, and life to others. Help us be humble and conduct our lives worthy of Your calling, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

James 3: 1-18, the untameable tongue, heavenly wisdom, and earthly wisdom

VV 1-5, 1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

The judgment for a teacher of God’s words is very much stricter than teachers of other trades. Correct theology and doctrines are matters of life and death. Teaching false doctrines leads innocent people to hell. Teaching false doctrines and incorrect theology are serious offences. The tongue is a very small member of the body, yet it is the most difficult part to control. The tongue had a tendency to boast, brag, gossip, and get out of control.

VV 6-12, 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water
and fresh.

The tongue is like a forest fire that can spread rapidly and uncontrollably. Mankind is able to tame every kind of wild beast but is unable to tame the tongue. The tongue has the ability to bless and curse, to bring life and destroy life, to encourage and discourage, to uplift and tear down. We should use our tongue wisely to bless, give life, encourage, and build up.

VV 13-1i, 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Godly and heavenly wisdom results in good conduct and humility. Demonic, earthly, and sensual wisdom results in bitterness, envy, self-seeking, boasting, and lying. Godly and heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle, submissive, merciful, fruitful, impartial, genuine, and devoid of hypocrisy. Godly and heavenly wisdom produces the fruit of the Holy Spirits, Galatians 5:22-23.

Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”.

Application:

The judgment on a teacher of God’s word is very strict. Teaching false doctrines is a serious offense. We must control our tongue and use it wisely to bless, build up, encourage, and give life. We should pray for Godly, heavenly wisdom, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to conduct ourselves above board with wisdom, humility, kindness, and meekness. We pray for Godly and heavenly wisdom which is pure, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit that only You can give to us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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James, Lesson 3

James, Lesson 3

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for ministering to us by of Your Word of eternal life. We pray for receptive hearts, seeing eyes, listening ears, clear minds, and obedient spirits to receive Your Word. May the thoughts and meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

James 2:1-26, the sin of favoritism, the sin of faith without work

VV 1-2, 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

We should not to show favoritism. We should not give special attention to a rich man who wears fine clothing and expensive jewelry while despising a poor man who dressed shabbily to church.

VV 5-7, 5 Listen, my beloved brethren, has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

Poor people were generally richer in faith, trust and love God more than rich people. Rich people tend to trust in their wealth rather than in God. Generally, it is the rich people who oppress and dragged poor people to the courts, blaspheming the God who called them.

VV 8-13, 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

We should love our neighbor as ourselves according to the 10 commandments, Leviticus 19:17. Showing favoritism is a sin because favoritism violates the commandment to love our neighbor. The law must be obeyed in its entirety. To break one law of the commandments is to break every laws of the commandments.

Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am the Lord”.

VV 14-17, 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Justification is by grace through faith in Christ but doing good work is the response of God’s love to save us. If someone has faith but refused to do good works to assist the needy and the marginalized their faith is dead.

VV 18-20, 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe, and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Good work is the demonstration of genuine faith. Faith without works is dead. We are not the only people who believe in God. Even the demons believe in God and trembled on hearing His name.

VV 21-23, 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works, faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

Abraham’s faith was accompanied by work. Abraham’s justification was through faith and his faith was genuine because he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.

VV 24- 26, 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James did not advocate salvation by work righteousness. Good work is our response to justification by grace through faith in Christ. Genuine and living faith results in good work. James alluded to Joshua 2 regarding the faith of Rahab, the prostitute who protected the two spies.

Joshua 2:15-16, Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way.”

Application:

There is no place for favoritism, discrimination, and racism in the kingdom of God. Justification is by grace through faith in Christ but we respond to justification by doing good works out of gratitude to the saving grace of God. Faith without work is dead. Refusing to do good works to assist the needy and the marginalized is a sin.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for justification by faith. Help us to love our neighbor. Help us not to practice favoritism, discrimination, and racism. Help us demonstrate genuine faith by doing good works to help the poor and the marginalized, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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James, Lesson 2

Lesson 2

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We come before You in submission and obedience, to listen to Your Word. We permit You to convict, correct, teach, train, and transform us into Your image, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

James 1: 1-27, salutation, trials, and temptations, be a doer and not a hearer of the Word

V 1, James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, Greetings.

In his opening salutation, James identified himself as the author. He spelled out his credentials, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He identified his recipient as those belonging to the twelve tribes of Israel scattered abroad. These were the messianic Christian Jews of the diaspora. Messianic Jews are Christian Jews who believed Jesus as their Messiah. These diasporic Jews were dispersed out of Jerusalem due to persecution by the hostile unbelieving Jews after the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 8:1.

Acts 8:1, “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

VV 2-8, 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We should rejoice in the face of trials because trials are tests of faith. Faith produces patience, patience produces good works, and good works produce wisdom. If we lacked wisdom, we should pray for wisdom in faith. Greek for double-minded is “dipsychos”, which means wavering between two opinions. Anyone who did not pray with faith is unstable, double-minded, and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

VV 9-11, 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

James exalted the poverty-stricken Christians by glorifying them and admonished the rich Christians for their pride. People are as transient as the grass and flowers of the field that is here today and perishes tomorrow. Even rich people will perish through death. Everyone will be on a level playing field at death.

VV 12-15, 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

We should endure and overcome temptations to receive the crown of life. God sent trials to strengthen our faith. Satan sent temptations to lure and entice us into sin and death. God sent us trials but satan sent us temptations. Greek for temptation and testing is the same word “peirasmos’. We should look at the context of the sentence to determine which word is appropriate.

VV 16-18, 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Every perfect gift comes from God, the Father of lights. He gave us new life by the incorruptible seed of His word through the power of the Holy Spirit.

VV 19-20, 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

We should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The anger of man is incompatible with the righteousness of God.

VV 21-25, 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

We should avoid immorality, wickedness, and hold firmly to the saving word of God with meekness. We should obey God’s words after listening to them. Someone who listened to God’s word and did not do what it says is like a person who looked at his face in the mirror, moved away, and immediately forgets what his face looked like.

VV 26-27, 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

We should control our tongue. Anyone who cannot control his tongue is a deceiver and his religion is useless. Greek for pure is “katharos”, which means purified by fire. We should practice pure religion by visiting orphans, widows and keeping ourselves morally pure.

Application:

We should rejoice when we face trials because trials are God’s tests of faith. We should always be humble because life is so transient, fragile, unpredictable, and uncertain. God will reward us if we endure and overcome trials as Christians. We should be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, avoid immorality, wickedness, and believe in God’s words with meekness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to lay aside all filthiness and wickedness to and receive Your living Word with meekness. Help us control our tongue and speaks words of blessing, kindness, encouragement, and life to others. Help us be doers of Your word, and not hearers of Your Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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James, Lesson 1

James, Lesson 1: introduction

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for journeying with us in our Bible study. Thank You for Godly wisdom and pearls for living the Christian life. We pray for You to speak to us through the writings and words of James, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Author, Date, Recipients, Setting, Occasion, Purpose

Scholars believed that James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, and a leader of the first-century Jerusalem Church, wrote this book between 40 to 45 AD in Jerusalem. His recipients were the diasporic messianic Christian Jews, displaced from Jerusalem into the Mediterranean regions due to persecutions by the hostile unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem. James encouraged the persecuted, poverty-stricken, and worldly Christians to seek Godly wisdom through prayer and faith.

Theme:

Persecutions, afflictions, sufferings, and trials are tests from God, and prayer is the correct response. Beware of the tongue because it has the power to bless and destroy. Obeying God’s words is more important than merely hearing God’s words. Faith without work is dead.

Outline

James 1: 1-27, salutation, trials, and temptations, be a doer and not a hearer of the word

James 2:1-26, the sin of favoritism, the sin of faith without work

James 3: 1-18, the untameable tongue, heavenly wisdom, and earthly wisdom.

James 4:1-17, pray and submit to God’s will, do not boast about tomorrow

James 5:1-20, sins of the rich, patience and perseverance, the prayer of faith, love covers a multitude of sins

Application:

The book of James is a book on wisdom. James encouraged us to seek heavenly wisdom from God. James encouraged us to pray if we lacked wisdom, if we faced trials and challenges, if we are sick, etc. James encouraged us to obey God’s words and do good works in response to God’s saving grace. The book of James gave us pearls and nuggets of wisdom in Christian living.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy, love, grace, kindness, and compassion. Thank You for protecting us and keeping us safe from the dreadful coronavirus. We pray that You will help us stay close to You, walk close to You, and abide in You. We pray for Your word to abide in us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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2 Peter, Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us to the last chapter of 2 Peter. Even though this short epistle was written in antiquity, yet its message is profound, powerful, impactful, and applicable to every generation. We pray for wisdom to understanding, obey, and apply, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

2 Peter 3:1-18, the day of the Lord, the new heaven and the new earth, final encouragement, doxology

VV 1-2, 1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

We should have a high view of the Old Testament, written by the prophets, and the New Testament written by of the apostles including Peter. In the last days, skeptics and false teachers, who walked in the flesh, will deny and scoff at Christ’s second coming.

VV 5-7, 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

These false teachers deny the creation narrative, Noah’s flood, the final destruction of the world by fire, and the day of judgment for ungodly people.

VV 8-9, 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord’s delay in His second coming is the result of His patience because He is not willing that anyone should perish. His delay is to give time and opportunity for people to repent. God exists outside of the time and space domain. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He can see everything from everywhere from the beginning to the end at any moment in time. One day to the Lord can be as long as one thousand years to us. One thousand years to the Lord can be as short as one day to us.

VV 10-14, 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

No one knows the exact date and time of Christ’s second coming. He will come as suddenly and as unexpectedly as a thief in the night. Heavens will pass away and the earth will be destroyed by fire. After this, God will recreate a new heaven and a new earth, Rev. 21:1. In view of this, we should repent, to lead godly and holy lives.

Rev. 21:1, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea”.

VV 14-16, 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

We should be faithful to Christ, live in peace with others, be above reproach and blameless in conduct, and be patient in outlook. Peter acknowledged the writings of apostle Paul as inspired scripture.

VV 17-18, 17 You, therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

We should be steadfast in our faith and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Peter ended his epistle with a doxology of praise to the Lord.

Application:

We should have a high view of scripture viz. the Old Testament and the New Testament as these are God’s inspired words for us.

We should be faithful to Christ, live in peace with others, be above reproach and blameless in conduct and be patient in outlook.

Since we do not know when Christ will return, we should be prepared by living holy lives.

We should continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by diligent Bible study and devotion.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Your second coming will be sudden, unexpected, and mysterious. The world will be destroyed by fire and You will recreate a new heaven and a new earth. We pray for You to mature us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and lead holy lives in anticipation of His imminent return, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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2 Peter, Lesson 3

Lesson 3

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, may the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You as we come before You today. We offer the living sacrifices of our bodies and the sacrifices of our praises to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

2 Peter 2:1-22, apostate prophets, apostasies, heresies

VVv1-3, 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

There were apostate prophets among the Christians who taught false doctrines and promoted heresies. These apostate prophets denied Christ whom they once knew. They had tasted the Lord’s grace in the past but had abandoned their faith and renounced Christ. Heretic doctrines are deadly, destructive, and blasphemous to God. The apostate prophets covet, exploit, and deceive Christians with lies and deceptive words.

VV 4-8, 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds),

Peter alluded to Genesis 6: 1-2 regarding the fallen angels who had sex with men. Peter alluded to Genesis 6-7 regarding Noah ark and the flood. Peter alluded to Genesis 19 regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the saving of Lot and his two daughters.

Genesis 6:1-2, “Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose”.

Genesis 7:1, The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Genesis 19:29, “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived”.

VV 9-11, 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

In the Genesis narratives, God delivered godly people and their families first, (Noah, Lot, and their families), before bringing judgment to the ungodly.

VV 12-14, 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

The apostate prophets were corrupt, evil, hypocritical, adulterous, sinful, adulterous, cursed, and covetous, like savage beasts destined for destruction,

VV 15-17, 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

The apostate prophets were like Balaam, the unrighteousness and greedy prophet, Numbers 22:1-24:25. The Moabite King, Balak, hired Balaam to curse the Israelites in exchange for money. Balaam initially refused but later agreed. Balak and Balaam positioned themselves on a mountain where they could see the Israelites passing through. When Balaam opened his mouth to curse Israel, God made him bless Israel instead. Balaam blessed Israel on two more occasions in front of Balak. Once, when Balaam was on his way to meet the Balak, God sent an Angel with a sword to block him. When his donkey saw the Angel and stopped, Balaam beat the donkey. God opened the donkey’s mouth and made it spoke to Balaam. God opened Balaam’s eyes and let him see the Angel with the sword.

VV 18-19, 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

The apostate teachers were arrogant, boastful, lustful, immoral, corrupted, and enslaved those who followed them.

VV 20-22, 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

The apostate prophets were once redeemed by Christ and but they had abandoned their faith and renounced Christ. It would have been better if they did not know the Lord in the first instance. They were like a scavenger dog eating their vomit and a swine returning to the mud after being cleaned up.

Application:

Peter’s generation is very similar to our generation. Today, there are false prophets and heretic teachers who taught false doctrines, promoted heresies, and misused the gospel for their financial gain. We should beware of cults, heresies, and apostasies and reject them outright.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to discern cults, apostate prophets, apostasies, and heresies. Help us to reject them outright and not be deceived by them. We pray for the word of knowledge, the spirit of wisdom and discernment, and biblical literacy, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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2 Peter, Lesson 2

Lesson 2

Prayer:

2 Peter 1: 1-21, salutation, Peter’s impending martyrdom, scripture is God’s inspired Words.

V 1, Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

In the opening salutation, Peter, the author of 2 Peter, identified himself as Simon Peter. His original name was Simon son of Jonah, John 21:15, but Christ gave him the name Peter. He spelled out his credentials, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. His audience was the faithful followers of the apostles through the righteousness of God and Christ.

John 21:15, So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

VV 2-4, 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Peter pronounced a blessing of overflowing grace and peace to his audience in the knowledge of God and Christ, who divinely called them to participate in His divine nature with precious promises. Salvation by grace through faith in Christ precedes peace and reconciliation with God. Grace was a common Greek greeting and peace was a common Hebrew greeting.

VV 5-11, 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We should add to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. These virtues enabled Christians to live a fruitful life of growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. These virtues enabled Christians to enter into salvation without stumbling. The absence of these virtues results in shortsightedness, blindness, and sinfulness.

VV 12-15, 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

Peter was aware of his impending martyrdom through a revelation of Christ. Peter referred to his body as a tent, a temporary dwelling place, until he received his permanent resurrected body during Christ’s second coming. He encouraged his audience to carry on the work of the ministry after his death.

VV 16-18, 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Peter attested to the truth of his writings. Scriptures are not man-made fables or not fabricated stories. Peter was an eyewitness, one among the 12 apostles, and one among the three inner circles, Peter, James, and John. He saw the transfiguration of Christ with Moses, and Elijah and heard the voice of God, the Father speaking from heaven in an audible voice, Matthew 17:5.

Matthew 17:5, While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

VV 19-20, 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament prophesies were as light shining out from darkness until the coming of the Lord. We should not interpret scripture according to our whims and fancies because this is God’s inspired Word. The Holy Spirit inspired holy men of God to write holy scriptures according to His script, 2 Timothy 3:16.

2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness”.

Application:

Salvation by grace through faith in Christ precedes peace and reconciliation with God. Justification results in peace with God, access to God, and the promise of heaven, Romans 5:1-2.

Romans 5:1-2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Scripture is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God, not man-made fables or fabricated stories. We should have a high view of scripture.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to add to our faith, virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brother kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. Help us be fruitful in kingdom service and give us the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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2 Peter, Lesson 1

Introduction

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for journeying with us on the epistle of 2 Peter today. We thank the Holy Spirit for inspiring Peter to write such an excellent masterpiece. Thank You for ministering to us by Your enduring Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Author, Date, and Recipients

Scholars believed that Peter wrote 2 Peter from prison in Rome before his execution between 64 to 67 AD. Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ, who witnessed the transfiguration. 2 Peter was his deathbed epistle and swan song. Scholars believed that his recipients were the same as those of 1 Peter, the diasporic messianic Christian Jews in Asia Minor.

Theme

God’s inspiration of scripture. Warning on apostate prophets, apostasies and heresies. Encouragement on the Day of the Lord.

Purpose

Peter attacked, rebuked, and opposed false heretic teachers who taught a false knowledge of Christ and promoted sexual permissiveness to the churches.

Outline

2 Peter 1: 1-21, Salutation, Peter’s impending martyrdom, God’s inspiration of scripture

2 Peter 2:1-22, apostate prophets, apostasies, heresies

2 Peter 3:1-18, the day of the Lord, the new heaven and the new earth, final encouragement, doxology

Application:

Peter’s generation is very similar to ours. Today we have cults that go around houses to promote cult theology and deviant Bible study. We also have heretic preachers and teachers who peddled false theology and misused the gospel for financial gain. The only sure way to prevent deception is to know the word of God for yourself. There is no shortcut to this. A diligent study of the Bible is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. Through Bible study, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray that You will open our eyes to see the truth and open our ears to hear the truth. We pray for discernment of heresy. We pray for wisdom and knowledge to rightly divide Your Word of Truth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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1 Peter, lesson 6

Lesson 6

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the Shepherd and Captain of our souls. We surrender our lives to You and make You the center of our lives. We give You full control of our lives because You are omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Peter 5:1-14, Shepherd the flock, Christian relationships, farewell

VV 1-4, 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Church elders are shepherds of the flock of God. The flock belonged to God. Jesus is the chief shepherd, and elders are under-shepherds who take instructions from Him. A shepherd is a pastor. A pastor’s job is to teach, protect, feed, nurture, guide, role model, and take care of all the needs of his sheep. A pastor should do the job willingly. eagerly, honestly, and above reproach, to receive an eternal crown of glory on His second coming.

VV 5-7, 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Younger Christians should submit to elders of the church, and submit to other Christians in humility. We should humble themselves to God and He will exalt us in due time. We should cast our cares on Christ because He cares for us.

James 4:6, But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

VV 8-11, 8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We should be clear-minded and watchful because the devil is out to harm us as a roaring lion. We should resist the devil with unshakable faith in Christ, James 4:7. Christians suffering in the name of Christ is universal. God who called us into His glory in Christ will establish, strengthen, and stabilize us in due time. Verse 11 is another doxology. Glory and dominion belonged to Christ eternally.

James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”.

VV 12-14, 12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The amanuensis or secretary who wrote on behalf of Peter was Silvanus. Peter dictated and Silvanus wrote. Babylon was the code name for Rome. Peter acknowledged John Mark, the author of Mark, his protege and spiritual god-son in the faith. Peter pronounced a blessing of peace to his audience. Hebrew for peace is “shalom”, which means tranquility.

Application:

Elders of the church teach, protect, feed, nurture, guide, role model, and take care of the sheep. They should do their job willingly. eagerly, honestly, and above reproach.

We should submit to church elders, other Christians, and God with humility. We should cast all our cares upon Christ because He cares for us. We should be vigilant, clear-minded, watchful, and resist the devil.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to be vigilant, clear-minded, and watchful because the devil is a roaring lion out to harm us. Help us resist the devil with unshakeable faith in Christ. We pray for Your grace to establish, strengthen, and stabilize us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Chapter two: 2 Peter, prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

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1 Peter, Lesson 5

Lesson 5

Prayer:

1 Peter 4:1-19, Christian conduct, Christian service, suffering, judgment

VV 1-2, 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Therefore, connects to 1 Peter chapter 3. In view of Christ’s substitutionary atonement, we should protect ourselves in the spirit of unanimity, seeking God’s will, and staying away from sexual immorality.

VV 3-4, 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

We should stay away from immoral works of the flesh, lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. We should stay away from pagans unbelievers who indulged in these things and slander us with evil words.

VV 5-6, 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

The preaching of the gospel is universal. Christ, the judge of the living and the dead, will judge everyone according to whether they live in the flesh or in the spirit.

VV 7-11, 7 But the end of all things is at hand, therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In anticipation of Christ’s imminent second coming, we should be vigilant and watchful in prayers and fervent in love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins. Love enables people to overlook each other’s weaknesses and forgive each other’s wrongdoings. We should be generous and not grumpy to one another. We should minister to one another with spiritual gifts and the Word of God as stewards of God’s grace to glorify Christ. The last phrase of verse 11 is a doxology. Glory and dominion belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ eternally.

VV 12-13, 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

We should expect trials and suffering because Christ Himself suffered when He was on earth. We rejoice with Christ in His suffering now, but we will rejoice with Him in glory on His second coming,

VV 14-16, 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part, He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Persecution in the name of Christ is a blessing. The persecuted ones are blessed and glorified. The persecutors are blasphemers of God. We should not be ashamed to suffer as Christians but give glory to God, Matthew 5:10.

Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

VV 17-19, 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Judgment begins with Christians in the kingdom of God and ends with non-christians outside the kingdom of God. The souls of those who suffered for the gospel’s sake according to God’s are secured in heaven.

Application:

Paul’s encouragements, warnings, admonitions, and instructions to his audience also apply to us. We should stay away from immorality and pagans unbelievers. We should be vigilant and watchful in prayers, love one another overlooking each other’s weaknesses, and forgive each other’s shortcomings. We should minister to one another as stewards of God’s grace, speaking the truth in love, giving glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in anticipation of Christ’s imminent second coming, help us be vigilant and watchful in our prayers and fervent in our love for one another. Help us overlook each other’s weaknesses and forgive each other’s wrongdoing. Help us be generous to one another. Help us minister to one another as stewards of Your grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.