July 27th 2025
2 Peter 2 v10 - 22
10-12. Them that walk after the flesh ... and despise government.
The picture is one of fleshly self-indulgence and carnal insolence.
Not afraid to speak evil of dignities. . . . Whereas angels . . . bring not railing accusation. Peter warns against rash and self-confident speech, even as pertaining to evil powers. His reference to the angels is parallel to that of Jude 9, which seems to reflect a contest between Michael and the devil, related in the Assumption of Moses, an apocryphal writing known among the Jews.
Peter’s reference is discreet, causing some critical scholars to think that Peter followed here the more specific reference in Jude.
Speak evil of the things that they understand not.
Their self-assurance was matched by their ignorance.
This recalls the reference in Col 2 v 18. The characteristic of modern 'liberal' critical teachers which amazes us most is their absolute confidence in their own conclusions, based upon evidence however trivial, and involving tremendously important departures from doctrines maintained for centuries by the historic church.
V 13. Sporting themselves with their own deceiving’s.
Peter speaks of an abuse of Christian pleasantness.
Always eager for a good dinner, they make of such events an opportunity for wild mirth and continued false teaching. Jude’s reference to eating together by Christians as "feasts of charity" (lit., "your loves" or "occasions of love," Jude 12) sets a far different standard.
14-16. Having eyes full of adultery. Here is a picture of moral instability which finds too great a confirmation in the church today.
A heart they have exercised in covetous practices …. following the way of Balaam.
It is well known that eagerness for financial remuneration and desire for the large and popular churches have caused many a modern preacher to forsake the right way and to follow the ways of Balaam And even in evangelical circles, an undue concern over financial return, or carelessness in the use of funds, has cancelled the work of some great ministers of the pulpit whose words were irresistibly powerful.
The dumb ass …. forbad the madness. In the light of eternal outcomes, the sad folly of such a distortion of purpose invites the scorn of even the most simple. Remember that the donkey was permitted to see that which evaded the narrow-minded vision of Balaam "the seer" (Num 22:25).
17-19. Wells without water. The basic disapproval of false doctrine is its utter spiritual barrenness.
It is this feature of the movement known as 'religious liberalism' that has caused great numbers of spiritually hungry people to desert coldly formal churches. It has also finally given rise to defection from liberalism,' even by intellectuals and scholars. This defection, known as "neo-orthodoxy," is a medieval movement which, sadly enough, is still unwilling to own the full authority of Scripture.
V 19 Promise them liberty ... servants. (slaves) of corruption. Theologians of 600years ago were drinking deep of the heady wine of freedom from the authority of Scripture and even of God.
Hartshorne says "We no longer derive our ethical standards from established authorities whether of church, state, family, convention, or philosophical system" (Jour. of Ed. see.. Dec., 1930, p. 202).
Today the nation faces a tremendous harvest of increased crime and lawbreaking. The false teachers described by Peter were themselves examples of spiritual bondage (John 8 v 34).
20-22. Better for them not to have known. This is a solemn assessment of the awful responsibility of apostasy, and it constitutes an implicit warning to the believers to remain steadfast.
News from the Church New dates
6th August..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
13th August…. Lullaby Lane soft play Coffee Morning
20th August…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
27th August….. Church Coffee Morning
ANSWERS TO 20th July QUESTIONS
1) John Mark 2) Bar-jesus 3) Festus 4) John 5) Father and Son 6)Son and Mother
7) Brother and Sister 8) Son and Mother 9) Husband and Wife 10) Father and Son 11) Brothers
12) Husband and Wife 13) Brother and Sister 14) Husband and Wife 15) Brothers
16) Husband and Wife
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is RELATIONSHIPS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
What relationship have these with each other
1 Zechariah and John the Baptist?
2 Mary and Martha?
3 Felix and Drusilla?
4 John Mark and Mary?
5 Timothy and Lois?
6 Jumes and Jude?
7 Jonas and Simon ?
8 James and Joses?
Women in the New Testament
9 The mother of Jesus?
10 She made clothes for widows and orphans?
11 She and her husband lied about the price of land?
12 A prophetess in the temple at the birth of Jesus?
13 She had a dream before the trial of Jesus?
14 She had a son in her old age?
15 Sister of Lazarus and Mary?
16 A seller of purple?
2 John v 9 – 10
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
God Bless