2 Peter 2 - Blind Faith

Hello Project Ezra!  This week we will be reading 2 Peter 2.  It’s a great chapter, and a very strong condemnation against those who choose their own sensual desires over the truth of God’s word.  As I was reading, I noticed that a number of times it talks of those who are led astray, follow their instincts like animals, and blaspheme in their ignorance.  And I thought of how frequently Christians are accused of blind faith.  In reality, as this passage states and as I’m sure many of you have seen, it is often the non-believer who is blinded to the truth by their own sin and their desire to continue in that sin.  They choose to follow personal beliefs and thoughts shaped by their own desires, with no foundation to them at all.  And sadly, in today’s world of post-modernism this is completely acceptable.

But thankfully we also know that it is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation! (Rom 1:16)  The best, most logical arguments in the world can not convert somebody, although God certainly uses good arguments in the conversion process for many people.  Logic is unlikely to pull them out of a belief when it had nothing to do with bringing them into that belief in the first place.  But the truth of the gospel is powerful, and it is through that truth that the Holy Spirit will work.  So this week we want to point out this truth to people, and encourage them to re-examine themselves and their motives for belief.  Let’s pray that by God’s grace He uses that self-examination to draw people to Him.

All for His glory,

Dan 

INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND PROJECT EZRA

READ 2 PETER 2

Would like to talk about blind faith

Many accuse Christians of blind faith

This passage points to blind faith of non-believers

Examine yourself to see if you are living on blind faith

Many of those outside true Christianity actually have blind faith

Blind to truth because of love of sin

Blind faith in God’s love over His wrath

Blind faith in God’s mercy over His justice

Blind faith in a contradictory God who will punish those you don’t like, but let you go

Blind faith in a Bible you never read, and Biblical truths that don’t exist

Blind faith that the God some professing Christians describe is different than your god, the “real” god

Would argue that not only are you wrong, you know you are wrong

Choosing to suppress the truth, or follow those who suppress the truth.

2 Peter 2 talks about those who suppress the truth

False prophets, who secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them

Many will follow these prophets’ sensuality, and the way of truth will be blasphemed

That is responsible for much claimed hypocrisy in the church.

Not really hypocrisy, since not true Christians.

Those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. 

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as the blaspheme

Like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant

Reveling in their deceptions

Eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin

Hearts trained in greed.

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray

Entice unsteady souls

Speaking loud boasts of folly, entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

In their greed they will exploit you with false words, make merchandise of you.

Those who promote sin publically

They don’t care about you, your good, or your freedom. 

Just want your money, and to use your bad behavior to justify their own.

We know our bad behavior, our sin

Law of God written on our hearts (Rom 2:15)

Law was given to show us what sin is (Rom 7:7)

Look at the law as you would in a mirror

See your true reflection in light of God’s holiness

GO THROUGH THE LAW TO BRING CONVICTION OF SIN

Sinful behavior in not without cost

God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell

In chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.

Did not spare the ancient world, but Noah, a herald of righteousness and seven others

Turned Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, making them an example of what will happen to the ungodly.

Rescued righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed be the sensual conduct of the wicked.

Knows how to keep the unrighteous under punishment

They promise them freedom when they themselves are slaves of corruption

By ignoring God an reveling in sin, you are not truly free

But there is good news!  The word gospel means good news.

You can be set free from your slavery to sin and made to be slaves of righteousness (Rom 6:18)

True escape through Jesus Christ

Through Jesus Christ you are set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2)

Set free through Christ’s work on the cross.

Legal demands of the law have been satisfied (Col 2:14)

Isaiah 53:5-6 -    But he was pierced for our transgressions;

                                 he was crushed for our iniquities;

                                upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

                                and with his wounds we are healed.

                                All we like sheep have gone astray;

                                we have turned—every one—to his own way;

                                and the LORD has laid on him

                                the iniquity of us all.

God able to save people, able to hold others in judgment.

So today, turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you

Whoever comes to Him he will never cast out (Jn 6:37)

He is mighty to save!

Only Christ is true God and true man (John 1)

Only Christ lived a perfect life, and became the perfect sacrifice.

Only Christ lives forever as our high priest before the Father (Heb 7:23-25)

So only through Him, and His blood, can we be made right with God

The only name under heaven by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

So come to Christ, and to this great salvation, today!