We Are Leaky People

In one paragraph

Pastor Mark opened in Second Peter 1:12-21, but spent the first half of the sermon reviewing verses 1-11 from three weeks prior, explaining that Peter himself modeled this kind of repetition: we are leaky people who need to be reminded of things we already know. The review of verses 1-11 traced Peter's opening argument: God's divine power, working through the Holy Spirit, has given believers...

Read together

1. 2 Peter 1:1-21 primary text for the sermon, reviewed in full
2. Romans 14 cited to support that all decisions not born of faith are sin
3. James (unspecified verse) cited alongside Romans 14, to know to do good and do it not is sin
4. Ephesians 2:8-10 grace through faith, not of ourselves, created in Christ Jesus to do good works
5. John 21:18-19 Jesus foretelling the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God, stretching out his hands
6. Matthew 17 the transfiguration, Peter James and John on the mountain, voice from the cloud
7. Matthew 16:28 some standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom
8. Psalm 119 thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
9. Malachi 4:5 I will send the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord
10. Revelation 22:16 Jesus identifies himself as the root and offspring of David and the bright morning star
11. 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness
12. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 words of institution for the Lord's Supper, read aloud during communion
13. Colossians 3:16 let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, closing benediction

Talk about it

1. Pastor Mark walked through the list of qualities Peter tells believers to add to their faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Which of these do you find hardest to pursue right now, and what do you think gets in the way?
2. Peter says it is possible for a saved person to be 'ineffective and unproductive' in their knowledge of Christ. What does that look like in everyday life, and what has helped you avoid it?
3. Pastor Mark described us as 'leaky people' who need to be reminded of the same truths over and over. Where in your own life have you seen that to be true, and what habits or practices have helped you keep those truths from leaking away?
4. Peter appealed to the transfiguration as his personal eyewitness evidence that Jesus is who He claimed to be. Why do you think Peter chose that moment rather than a post-resurrection appearance to anchor his readers' confidence?
5. Peter wrote this letter knowing he would soon be put to death, and his stated goal was that believers would still be able to remember these things after he was gone. What do you most want the people closest to you to remember about your faith after you are gone?