The theme of 2nd Peter is the great need for personal spiritual growth in a time when false teachers and teachings were infiltrating the early church (2Pe 1:5 with 2Pe 3:18). Key words/phrases relevant to spiritual growth are “grace and peace,” which can be “multiplied” as we grow in the “knowledge” of our Lord, and exercise due “diligence” in the practice of spiritual “love.” As a method of instruction, Peter emphasizes the necessity of reminder and repetition (2Pe 1:12-13, 2Pe 1:15, 2Pe 3:1-2).
Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2003
Profiles in Providence #5
Timothy came from a home with a Jewish mother and unbeliever father (Phi 2:19-24). Timothy had "proven character" - refined through testing. Epharoditus "a brother.... a fellow worker.... fellow soldier ... a messenger (courier) ... a minister" (Phi 2:25-30). Similarly, Abraham,, Moses, David have summaries (Ecc 7:1, Ecc 7:8) of their life (Heb 3:5, Gen 15:6, Act 13:22). The "end of the matter": the providence is necessary for a good name; no one is born with a proven reputation; the only way to gain a proven reputation is to seek the things of Christ; the only way to make us whole is by breaking us; God uses the crooked things of life for our humility; as we submit to God's refining process, we begin to "lay hold of that which Christ has layed hold of us" (Phi 3:12, Luk 19:10). Circumcision is separation from our flesh. Paul had to let go of his reputation in the law to gain the reputation of faith in Christ (Phi 3:9).
Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]
Scripture References: Genesis 15:6, Hebrews 3:5, Ecclesiastes 7:8, Philippians 3:9, Ecclesiastes 7:1, Luke 19:10, Philippians 2:25-30, Philippians 3:12, Philippians 2:19-24, Acts 13:22
From Series: "Philippians - Profiles in Providence - Florida 2008"
Philippians 1:12 starts out "Now I want you to know brethren that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel". It's a key verse in the letter Paul wrote to those faithful believers while he was in chains.