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Peter warns that scoffers and mockers will come in the last days, denying the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their mocking is rooted in their sinful desires. They appeal to the idea of "uniformitarianism", the concept that all things continue in the universe without interruption.  The evolutionist has promoted the idea of "billions of years" for the earth's creation and yet God said that He made it in six days and rested on the seventh. Peter also reminds the readers that God is outside of time and space. It may seem like it's been a very long time to us, but to God time is no obstacle. In His mercy, the Lord has refrained from coming yet, but the day of the Lord WILL come!

Peter continues his description of the false teachers. They operate by instinct rather than holiness.  They promise their followers "liberty" but it's really slavery (to sin).  He compares them to the Old Testament figure named Balaam. Just as Balaam deceived through idolatry and sexual immorality, these false teachers follow suit. Their prey find themselves also in jeopardy. If they merely make a profession of faith without inward transformation, they are in danger of returning to their old lives.  Peter warns it would be better to be ignorant of the truth than to turn your back on it.  (Audio begins at the 4:10 mark)

Peter begins this next section of the letter dealing with the false teachers. He warns that they will come in with deception and introduce destructive false teachings. Doctrine is no small or laughing matter- it is an issue of Heaven or Hell! The false teachers promoted the idea that God will not judge sin in the future. Peter reminds them of three historic events that already prove that God can (and will) judge sin! His three examples are the angelic rebellion, the Flood in Noah's day, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Before Peter addresses the issue of the false teachers in chapter 2, he reminds his readers that he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses to the glory of Jesus Christ. He and two other disciples were on the Mount of Transfiguration and saw the glory of Christ (along with Moses and Elijah!!).  Besides this, Peter reminds them that the inerrant and infallible Word of God is sufficient for all their needs. This Word did not originate from man, but was inspired by the Holy Spirit!

Peter addresses his readers and tells them the importance of reminder.  Human beings have a tendency to forget, and God's people have a tendency to forget His goodness.  The false teachers will soon arrive and seek to unsettle these believers. Peter wants to remind them again before he leaves the world as Jesus Christ had predicted. He uses the analogy of a tent to remind us that we are stranger and pilgrims on this journey of faith!

Peter writes his final letter and exhorts the professing believers to make their election and calling sure. He urges them to add to their faith. They are to grow in virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, brotherly love, and charity. If they have these qualities in increasing measure, they will be fruitful.  If they lack these things, they will become blind, short-sighted, and forgetful. Additionally, they will lose assurance of salvation.  There is a warning to make one's calling and election sure. To do so, will ensure an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of Christ!

In today's passage we look at two tragic events.  Pilate brutally murdered a group of pilgrims on the temple mount. In another event, a tower accidentally fell and killed 18 people. Were these people especially "bad" that such things happened to them? Christ says no, and that a much worse fate awaits those who refuse to repent. He then tells a parable to show what true repentance looks like.

Paul writes to Titus about the grace of God.  This grace has appeared to all men (in the person of Jesus Christ!). This grace brings salvation.  We are not saved by good works. But grace also teaches us that we must deny ungodliness and worldly passions.  As we live lives marked by godliness, we "adorn" the doctrine of God for others.  This Christian life should also be marked by expectancy of the Lord's imminent return.

We conclude this discourse that took place after the healing at the pool of Bethesda. Here, Christ mentions several witnesses to authenticate His ministry. There is the witness of the Father, the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of His wonderful miracles/works, and finally the witness of the Old Testament scriptures!

Christ assures all who hear and believe in Him that they have (present tense) eternal life and will not come under condemnation.  The Son has the ability to give life and raise the dead.  He gives life to the spiritually dead, and one day will raise every person who has ever lived from their grave. All will experience resurrection, but not all will have the same outcome.  Some will be raised to eternal life.  Some will be raised to condemnation in the Lake of Fire.  Anyone whose name isn't written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

After healing the man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus Christ is persecuted by the Jewish leaders. They accuse Him of violating their sabbath laws. He does not debate with them.  Rather, He states that God is working on the Sabbath and as the Son of God, He's working too! This was an explicit claim to deity. This was not an attack on the Jewish view of monotheism (one God). It was an explanation of the Son and the Father's equality in the Godhead.  All judgment has been committed to the Son.  Anyone who does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father.

Pastor Donnie Helms from the North Wadesboro Baptist Church preached our first night of revival. He preached from I Peter chapter one.

Homecoming service 2026, former pastor Jim Phillips brought us a message about the 10 Virgins from Matthew 25.

During one of the Jewish festivals, the Lord Jesus meets a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. Gathered with other invalids at the Pool of Bethesda, he hoped to be healed.  When Jesus found him and realized he had been a long time in that condition, He asked him a question that carried many implications.  Did the man really want to be made whole? The story has an interesting turn of events.  We aren't told whether the man ever followed Jesus or not.

After the festivities of the feast of Tabernacles, the Lord Jesus explained that He was the Light of the world. One of the seven great "I AM" statements in the gospel of John.  Those who follow Him will not walk in darkness.