(AN INTRODUCTION TO 2025 ANNUAL BIBLE STUDY)
TEXT: 2PETER 1:1-4.
INTRODUCTION
God has not left us to struggle through life alone. He has made provision through grace to live victoriously and consistently in Him every single day.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Second Peter is a short but significant book of the New Testament, written to warn believers against the activities of false teachers and combat their heresis.
The first verse opens with the IDENTITY OF THE AUTHOR (2Peter 1:1a).
The author identifies himself in two ways- by “name” and by “title.” Both are very significant.
(i) By Name- Simon Peter
▪︎ Simon is a Greek name given to him at birth, meaning to “hear or obey”.
▪︎ Peter is a Hebrew name given to him by Jesus, meaning “Rock or stone”. Look up Matthew16:16-19.
He needed to add this name for proper identification, to differentiate him from other Simons in the New Testament.
Exercise: Read the following scriptures and identify the Simons mentioned there: Matthew 10:4; 26:6; 27:32; John 6:71; Acts 10:6.
(ii) By Title – Servant And Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Servant:
▪︎ A place of submission to a higher authority.
▪︎ A place of service and obedience, bound by duty to do whatever the Master tells him.
▪︎ A servant has no right of his own (Possessed by the master as he possesses his property).
By implication, all Christians are servants of Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ, and must always be at the Master’s service.
Apostle:
▪︎ An Apostle means “the sent out” (like an Ambassador).
▪︎ He has authority behind his mission.
▪︎ Though he is a servant, he carries spiritual authority.
Spiritual leadership should be a combination of submission, the sacrificial obedience of a servant, and the strength, boldness and courage of an apostle, with no pride or arrogance.
Reflection: (a) Mention some of the characteristics of an ambassador.
(b) Compare and contrast Peter’s identity with that of the contemporary “servants of God.”
THE OPERATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF GRACE IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
1. Grace is God’s Gift in Salvation
“… them that have obtained like precious faith with us…” 2Peter 1:1b.
▪︎ The faith received by the recipients of this letter is the same in value with that of the apostles.
By implication, all believers in Christ have received the same precious faith.
▪︎ No first-class nor second-class Christians.
▪︎ No basis for pride or feeling of inferiority.
This faith is based on the righteousness of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
▪︎ No man is truly good. Look up Isaiah 64:6.
▪︎ We are saved because God imputed the righteousness of His Son Jesus into our lives.
▪︎ Nobody is more worthy than another person. Check Ephesians 2:8-9.
▪︎ We are all saved by grace through this same faith. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”- Titus 2:11.
2. Grace is Not Static- 2Peter 1:2
▪︎It is fuelled and increased through insatiable thirst and diligent seeking to know more of God and of Jesus everyday. Look up Philippians 3:10.
Reflection: How can we acquire the knowledge of God that brings about multiplication of grace?Read Acts 20:32.
3. Grace Empowers For Daily Living- 2Peter 1:3.
▪︎ Grace is not just for salvatian. It’s what carries us on in our daily chistian living. Salvation is the entry point, not the endpoint. See Romans 5:1-2.
▪︎ Grace is not just power but divine enablement. See 2Corinthians 12:9.
“…his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness….”- 2Peter 1:3
▪︎ God has already given us everything we need to live a a life that pleases Him. Check Philippians 2:13.
▪︎ This is possible through our knowledge of Him (Relationship and intimacy is the key). See Galatians 2:20.
▪︎ Knowledge of God and faith in Him are the channel whereby all spiritual supports and comforts are conveyed to us.
4. Grace Conveys Unto Us The Promises That Sustain Us- 2Peter 1:4a.
▪︎ God’s Word is filled with promises to guide, empower, and sustain us.
▪︎ These promises are our spiritual resources that sustain us through life. We must believe, claim and live by them.
5. Grace Leads Us To a Transformed Life- 2Peter 1:4b.
▪︎ Grace doesn’t leave us the same. It transforms us. See 2Corinthians 5:17.
▪︎ We are called to participate in the divine nature- to reflect the character of Christ. Check Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 5:16, 22-25.
Grace enables us to escape the corruption that is in the world.
▪︎ The dominion that sin has over us is according to the desire (lust) and the delight (pleaure) we have in it. But our renewed mind is free from all sinful thoughts and desires.
CONCLUSION
The Christian life is a grace-filled life, from start to finish. Grace saves, empowers, transforms, and sustains us. Let us therefore draw closer to Christ daily, living not in our strength, but in the sufficiency of His grace.
May the Lord help us so to do in Jesus’ name.