<“A Higher Authority” II Peter 1:16-18
Click Above to Listen!
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. AUTHORITY OF MAN
A. MAN’S RELIGIOUS NATURE
II Pet 1:16a For we didn’t follow cleverly devised myths
1. PHILOSOPHY OPPOSES GOD
2. CULTURE OPPOSES GOD (I Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7; Titus 1:13-14; II Tim. 4:3-4)
B. MAN’S RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS
1. RELIGION OPPOSES GOD (Polytheistic 2 billion; Monotheistic 1.25 billion; No God 2 billion)
2. CHRISTIANITY OPPOSES GOD (Liturgical Christian 2 billion; Born Again Christian .15 billion)
II. AUTHORITY OF GOD THE SON
A. JESUS’ COMING
II Pet 1:16b when we declared the authority and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ to you;
1. FIRST ADVENT (Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:11)
2. SECOND ADVENT (II Pet 3:4; Heb. 9:28; Titus 2:13; II Tim. 4:8)
B. JESUS’ AUTHORITY
1. MESSAGE SYNTHESIZED (Mt 28:18; 7:28; Mk 1:27; Jn1:12)
2. MESSAGE FOR US (Jn 1:14, 17; 10:18)
III. AUTHORITY OF GOD THE FATHER
A. GOD’S ACTION
II Pet 1:17a For when He received honor and glory from God the Father,
1. GAVE JESUS HONOR (Is 42:1)
2. GAVE JESUS GLORY (Mt 17:2)
B. GOD’S TESTIMONY
II Pet 1:17b such an utterance was borne to Him from the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I find good pleasure.”
1. GAVE JESUS THE MESSAGE (Ps 2:6-7; Rev. 19:15; Mk 9:5-6; Jude 9; II Kg 2:11)
2. GAVE JESUS APPROVAL (Mt 16:28; John 17:5)
IV. AUTHORITY OF APOSTOLIC WITNESSES
A. APOSTLE’S ‘EYE’ WITNESS
II Pet 1:16c On the contrary, we were eyewitnesses of His magnificence;
1. FIRST-HAND OBSERVATION (Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:1-9; Lk 9:28-36; Acts 7:55-56; 9:3-8; II Cor. 12:4; Rev. 1:12-20; 19:11-16)
2. FIRST-HAND REVIEW (Mt 17:9)
B. APOSTLE’S ‘EAR’ WITNESS
II Pet 1:18 we ourselves heard this utterance from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
1. FIRST-HAND TESTIMONY (Mk 8:31-38)
2. FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE