July 1, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church

Introduction

        This week we as Americans will be celebrating and remembering our country’s independence and this morning as Christians we will be celebrating the Lord’s Table and remembering our freedom from the penalty of sin through and by the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. See Luke 22:19 and 1st Cor. 11:24.

        In a subtle, but yet profound manner, the way Peter identifies himself here in 2nd Peter 1:1 serves as a reminder to his readers and future Christians of what Jesus Christ accomplished in his life.

I. Notice how Peter identifies himself.

        In this letter, unlike 1st Peter, Peter refers to himself as “Simon Peter.”

        A. Do you remember Simon – Peter’s name before He met Jesus         Christ – Simon the simple fisherman with foot-in-the-mouth disease?         See Mark 1:14-18.

                1. Names were very significant in Jewish culture and also that                 God placed a big significance on a person’s name: Abraham.                 Sarah, Paul. See John 1:40ff.

                2. Jesus often referred to Peter as “Simon” but only when He                 was correcting or rebuking him.

        B. “Simon Peter” serves as a reminder that Peter, by the gracious         work of Jesus Christ, was transformed by the true knowledge of         Jesus Christ from a simple fisherman into a “fisher of men” and a         leader among men.

II. Peter classifies himself as a “bondservant.”

        A. By referring to himself as a “bondservant” Peter is putting himself         with all other believers – something every Christian is commanded to         be.

                1. At least 5 Greek words that are translated “servant or slave”                 in the NT, but the particular one Peter uses here is the word                 “doulos” the word used in Peter’s day to denote the most abject                 form of slavery.

                2. A “doulos” is someone whose will is completely surrendered                 and subjected to their master. Jesus is not just our Savior –                 He’s also to be our “Lord” and a true Christian understands that                 they are nothing more than a “doulos.”

        B. I’m Simon – the one that denied my Lord. But I’m also Peter         living out my new life in Christ. And I’m also a “doulos” – a         bondservant.

III. Peter establishes his authority: he’s an apostle.

        A. Apostles were not garden variety Christians – they were specially         chosen and specially gifted.

        B. Peter is part of that unique group of men that Christ called out         from among all of His disciples to have an important and authoritative         role in the early church.

                1. An apostle followed Christ during His earthly ministry and                 also saw Him after His resurrection from the dead.

                2. Apostles were entrusted with the truth of God.

Conclusion

        We easily forget – that’s our tendency. See Deut. 8:11; Ps 103:2 and countless other passages.