Sermons on 2 Peter 1:21

2 Peter 1:21 Interpretation:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) offers a unique and vivid interpretation of 2 Peter 1:21 by emphasizing the agency of the Holy Spirit as the "carrier" of God's word to the prophets. The sermon uses the metaphor of the Holy Spirit as an agent, akin to a sports agent negotiating on behalf of an athlete, to explain how the Spirit negotiates and delivers divine revelation to the prophets, independent of their own thoughts or experiences. The preacher also describes the Spirit as carrying the word of God from heaven to the prophets, who then "regurgitate" or proclaim what has been revealed, making clear that the process is not rooted in human initiative but in divine action. The sermon further highlights that the Holy Spirit uses the language and personality of each prophet, ensuring the message is both divinely sourced and contextually accessible, and even references the original Greek concept of being "carried along" (phero) to reinforce the idea of the prophets being moved by an external, divine force rather than their own will.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) all provide a notable and memorable analogy for interpreting 2 Peter 1:21. They draw on the Greek word for "carried along" (phero), connecting it to the image of a ship driven by the wind in Acts 27. The sermons explain that the prophets were not passive automatons or "word processors," but rather, as they "raised their sails," the Holy Spirit filled them and moved them along, guiding their writing without overriding their personalities or context. This metaphor is used to stress that the process of inspiration was dynamic and organic, not mechanical or dictatorial, and that the resulting Scriptures are both fully divine and fully human in their expression.

Embracing Prophecy: Nurturing Faith and Community (Harmony Church) interprets 2 Peter 1:21 by emphasizing that prophecy is not a product of human initiative but is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The sermon distinguishes between the office of prophet and the gift of prophecy, explaining that while the office is a calling, the gift is available to all believers under the new covenant. The preacher underscores that prophecy must align with Scripture and be confirmed by the community, and that the Holy Spirit's inspiration is the safeguard against prophecy originating from mere human will or emotion.

Anchoring Our Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) offers a vivid and unique interpretation of 2 Peter 1:21 by employing the metaphor of prophets as ships raising their sails, which are then filled and carried along by the wind of the Holy Spirit. Begg emphasizes that the prophets were not passive automatons but active, receptive participants whose personalities and historical contexts were preserved, yet whose words were ultimately directed by the Spirit. He references the Greek verb "pheromenoi" (carried along), highlighting its use in Acts 27 to describe a ship driven by the wind, thus reinforcing the image of divine guidance without mechanical dictation. This analogy distinguishes his interpretation by focusing on the dynamic cooperation between divine agency and human personality in the production of Scripture.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) also provides a notable linguistic and metaphorical insight into 2 Peter 1:21. Begg explains the Greek word "pheromenoi" as being in the present continuous tense, meaning "to be carried along," and draws a direct parallel to Acts 27, where a ship is driven along by the wind. He extends the metaphor, describing the prophets as raising their sails so that the Holy Spirit could fill them, thus driving them forward in their writing. This interpretation underscores the non-mechanical, organic process of inspiration, where human faculties and styles are preserved, yet the ultimate direction is from God.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) interprets 2 Peter 1:21 by stressing the "top-down" nature of revelation, contrasting it with "bottom-up" human philosophies. The sermon highlights the preservation of human authorship and personality, while maintaining that the origin and authority of Scripture are divine. The imagery of the prophets being "carried along" by the Holy Spirit is likened to a ship being moved by wind or waves, emphasizing both the divine initiative and the active participation of the human authors. This interpretation is set apart by its philosophical framing of inspiration as a unique, authoritative act of God in contrast to all other human attempts at meaning-making.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) provides a detailed interpretation of 2 Peter 1:21, focusing on the plenary, verbal inspiration of Scripture. The sermon asserts that every word, down to the smallest detail, is the product of God "driving along" the prophets by the Holy Spirit. The analogy of the prophets being "carried along" is used to stress that Scripture is not the result of private interpretation or human will, but the direct intent and will of God. The sermon also notes that the human authors sometimes wrote beyond their own comprehension, as they were moved by the Spirit, which adds a layer of mystery and depth to the doctrine of inspiration.

Understanding the Holy Spirit: Power and Presence (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets 2 Peter 1:21 by highlighting the divine capacity of the Holy Spirit to foretell future events with perfect accuracy. Smith emphasizes that prophecy did not originate from human will but from the Holy Spirit moving men to speak, and he uses the phrase "moved by the Holy Spirit" to underscore the Spirit's active role in producing prophecy. This interpretation is distinct in its focus on the prophetic accuracy and divine authority of Scripture as evidence of the Spirit's deity and power.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) offers a vivid and unique interpretation of 2 Peter 1:21 by focusing on the Greek word "pheromenoi" (carried along), drawing a metaphor from Acts 27 where the same verb describes a ship driven by the wind. Begg explains that the prophets were not passive automatons or mere dictation machines, but rather, as they "raised their sails," the Holy Spirit filled them and "carried them along" in their writing. This metaphor emphasizes both the active agency of the human authors and the sovereign direction of the Spirit, highlighting the dynamic, non-mechanical process of inspiration. Begg further illustrates this by comparing the distinct personalities and styles of biblical authors (e.g., Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Paul, James, John, Peter), arguing that the Spirit’s work did not override their individuality but worked through it, ensuring the message was preserved from error without violating their unique voices.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) provides a detailed, layered interpretation of 2 Peter 1:21 by integrating it into a broader theology of revelation and inspiration. The sermon uses the language of "the searching Spirit," "the revealing Spirit," "the inspiring Spirit," and "the enlightening Spirit" to describe the Holy Spirit’s role in both the composition and reception of Scripture. It draws a parallel between the Spirit’s work in the biblical authors and His ongoing work in readers, distinguishing between inspiration (unique to the authors) and illumination (for all believers). The sermon also addresses the Greek context, noting the use of "carried along" as a term for customs officials searching baggage, and possibly as a deliberate counter to Gnostic claims of secret knowledge. The analogy of the Spirit as a "deep-sea diver" or "restlessly inquisitive research worker" searching the depths of God is particularly notable, as is the emphasis on the Spirit’s personal agency and self-consciousness in the process of revelation.

Embracing the Living Word: Theology on Fire (SermonIndex.net) interprets 2 Peter 1:21 by emphasizing the concept of "flawed vessels"—that God places perfect truth into imperfect human authors. The sermon underscores that the closer a person draws to God, the more their character and words reflect His truth, and thus, the more faithfully they transmit divine revelation. While it affirms the Spirit’s role in moving the prophets, the sermon’s unique contribution is its analogy to everyday written communication (e.g., blueprints, constitutions, employee manuals), arguing that just as humans write things down for clarity and consistency, so God ensured His truth was written through inspired people. The sermon also explores the practical implications of this doctrine for the unity and consistency of the Bible across cultures and centuries, using the analogy of a "unifying voice" that resonates wherever God’s Word is truly preached.

2 Peter 1:21 Theological Themes:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) introduces the theme that the Holy Spirit not only imparts revelation but does so in a way that is tailored to the recipient's language, culture, and level of understanding. The sermon asserts that the Spirit will not reveal truths beyond what a person is capable of comprehending, and that the diversity of prophetic voices in Scripture reflects the Spirit's adaptability and intentionality in communication. This adds a nuanced layer to the doctrine of inspiration, suggesting a personalized and relational dynamic in how God communicates through human agents.

Embracing Prophecy: Nurturing Faith and Community (Harmony Church) presents the distinct theological theme that, under the new covenant, the gift of prophecy is democratized and available to all believers, not just a select few. The sermon also stresses the necessity of community accountability and scriptural alignment for prophetic words, warning against "progressive revelation" that contradicts established Scripture. This approach highlights the ongoing, communal, and participatory nature of prophecy in the church, as opposed to a strictly hierarchical or individualistic model.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) all develop the theme of dual authorship in Scripture, but add the specific angle that the Holy Spirit's inspiration does not override or erase the human author's personality, style, or context. Instead, the Spirit works through these human faculties, ensuring the message is both divinely authoritative and authentically human. The sermons also warn against the church's temptation to "rewrite" or supersede Scripture, emphasizing the sufficiency and ongoing authority of the inspired text.

Anchoring Our Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) introduces the theme of the sufficiency and finality of Scripture, warning against the pursuit of extra-biblical revelations or "voices from heaven." Begg argues that any claim to new prophetic words that add to the "canon of living" undermines the sufficiency of Scripture, and he applies this directly to contemporary charismatic and mystical movements. This theme is nuanced by his insistence that the authority of Scripture is not merely theoretical but is the practical anchor for Christian living and discernment.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) adds the theological theme of dual authorship, where God and man are both fully engaged in the production of Scripture without violation or distortion of human personality. Begg also stresses the church's lack of authority to "rewrite what God has written," grounding the reliability and immutability of Scripture in the work of the Holy Spirit rather than ecclesiastical tradition or authority.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) presents the theme of "top-down" revelation, contrasting it with the "bottom-up" approach of human philosophy and religious texts. The sermon also critiques liberal and neo-orthodox views of inspiration, defending the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture as the only view that preserves both the authority and the reliability of the Bible.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) develops the theme of the self-authenticating nature of Scripture (autopistos), arguing that the Bible is its own highest authority and that its truthfulness is not contingent on external validation. The sermon also explores the implications of inspiration for interpretation, insisting that Scripture has one meaning (rooted in the mind of God) but many applications, and that human authors sometimes wrote beyond their own understanding as they were moved by the Spirit.

Understanding the Holy Spirit: Power and Presence (Pastor Chuck Smith) introduces the theme of the Holy Spirit's deity and creative power, using 2 Peter 1:21 to demonstrate the Spirit's unique role in producing prophecy and foretelling the future. Smith connects the inspiration of Scripture to the broader doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the Spirit's equality with the Father and the Son.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) introduces the theme of dual authorship in a nuanced way, stressing that inspiration is neither mechanical dictation nor mere human creativity. The Spirit’s guidance is likened to wind filling sails, preserving both divine authority and human personality. Begg also develops the theme that the church does not have the authority to rewrite or supersede Scripture, as its reliability is anchored in the Spirit’s inspiration, not ecclesiastical tradition or evolving cultural norms.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) presents a multi-faceted theology of inspiration, distinguishing between revelation (God unveiling His mind), inspiration (the Spirit guiding the authors’ words), and illumination (the Spirit enabling readers to understand). The sermon’s unique angle is its insistence on verbal inspiration—down to the words chosen—while rejecting both literalistic fundamentalism and the idea of dictation. It also introduces the idea that the Spirit’s work is both objective (in the text) and subjective (in the reader), and that the unity of Scripture is maintained through the Spirit’s ongoing activity in the church as a "hermeneutical community."

Embracing the Living Word: Theology on Fire (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme of the Bible’s transformative power, not just as a doctrinal authority but as a living, unifying force that transcends cultural and historical boundaries. The sermon’s fresh angle is its focus on the practical outworking of inspiration: that the Spirit’s work in flawed vessels results in a text that is both consistent and life-changing, and that the true test of Scripture’s authority is its ability to withstand scrutiny and produce spiritual fruit across diverse contexts.

2 Peter 1:21 Historical and Contextual Insights:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) provides historical context by explaining the shift from the apostolic era, where titles such as "apostle" and "prophet" were roles, to the post-resurrection church, where these became gifts to the church for its edification. The sermon also references the cultural and linguistic diversity of the biblical world, noting that the Holy Spirit communicated through the specific languages and dialects of the prophets and apostles, such as Koine Greek or Hebrew, to ensure the message was accessible to its original audience.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) offer a rich historical perspective by discussing the lack of personal Bibles before the Reformation, the significance of Luther's insistence on Scripture in the vernacular, and the impact of the printing press in making the Bible accessible to ordinary Christians. The sermons also highlight the variety of languages (Hebrew, Greek) and the wide temporal and geographical span of the biblical authors, reinforcing the miraculous unity and diversity of Scripture's composition.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) provides historical context by discussing the inaccessibility of the Bible to ordinary people prior to the Reformation. Begg notes that before the advent of the printing press and the translation of Scripture into vernacular languages, no pastor could admonish his congregation to read the Bible daily because they did not possess personal copies. He highlights Martin Luther's role in making the Bible available to the masses and the subsequent shift in church authority from tradition to Scripture.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) offers a historical overview of the development of views on inspiration, tracing the shift from the authority of the church in the Middle Ages to the Reformation's emphasis on sola Scriptura. The sermon also discusses the rise of higher criticism in 19th-century Germany and its impact on the doctrine of inspiration, as well as the modern and postmodern challenges to biblical authority.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) situates 2 Peter 1:21 within the broader context of ancient Near Eastern literary forms, Roman legal enactments, and the diversity of biblical genres. The sermon also references the Reformation doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture, which asserts that the essential truths necessary for salvation are accessible to ordinary believers without specialized knowledge.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) provides significant historical context by discussing the inaccessibility of the Bible to ordinary people before the Reformation, the role of Luther and the printing press in democratizing Scripture, and the original languages and cultural settings of the biblical books. Begg also references the Book of Kells and the historical process by which the Bible became available in the vernacular, emphasizing how the Spirit’s inspiration was preserved through centuries of transmission and translation.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) offers historical context by referencing the Gnostic use of "deep things" language in the second century and suggesting that Paul may have deliberately countered Gnostic claims by asserting that only the Holy Spirit truly knows and reveals the depths of God. The sermon also situates the process of inspiration within the apostolic era, noting the unique role of the apostles as recipients of divine revelation and the subsequent transmission of that revelation to the church.

2 Peter 1:21 Cross-References in the Bible:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) references Ephesians 3:3-5 to illustrate how the Holy Spirit reveals mysteries to apostles and prophets, and 1 Peter 1:12 to show that the revelations given to the prophets were not for themselves but for future generations. The sermon also cites Hebrews 3:7-8 to apply the principle of not hardening one's heart when hearing the Spirit's voice, and 1 Corinthians 2:13 to emphasize that spiritual truths are taught by the Spirit, not by human wisdom. Additionally, it references John 16:12-16 to explain the Spirit's role in guiding believers into all truth, and 2 Samuel 23:2-3 to show the Spirit's activity in the Old Testament prophets.

Embracing Prophecy: Nurturing Faith and Community (Harmony Church) draws on Ephesians 4 (the fivefold ministry), 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 (spiritual gifts and prophecy), and John 10 ("my sheep hear my voice") to support its teaching on prophecy. The sermon also references 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 ("test all prophecies") and various passages in the Old and New Testaments to illustrate the continuity and accountability of prophetic ministry.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) reference 2 Timothy 3:16 ("all Scripture is God-breathed"), Psalm 33:6 ("by the word of the Lord the heavens were made"), and Acts 27 (the ship driven by the wind) to illustrate the process of inspiration. They also mention Romans 3 (the advantage of the Jews in having the words of God) and various Old Testament prophets to demonstrate the diversity of biblical voices and the unity of the Spirit's work.

Anchoring Our Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) references Acts 27 to illustrate the metaphor of being "carried along" by the wind, paralleling the experience of the prophets with the ship driven by the storm. Begg also cites John 17:17 ("Sanctify them in your truth; your word is truth") to support the sanctifying power of Scripture, and 1 Peter 2:2 ("desire pure spiritual milk") to emphasize spiritual growth through the Word. He alludes to Psalm 1 and Romans 10:17 ("faith comes by hearing") to reinforce the formative role of Scripture in the Christian life.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) cross-references Psalm 33:6 ("by the word of the Lord the heavens were made") to draw a parallel between God's creative word and the inspiration of Scripture. He also references Acts 27 for the metaphor of being "driven along" and alludes to various Old and New Testament authors (Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Paul, James, John, Peter) to illustrate the diversity of human personalities used by the Spirit.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references 2 Timothy 3:16 ("all Scripture is breathed out by God") and 1 Thessalonians 2 ("you received it as the word of God") to reinforce the divine origin of Scripture. The sermon also references the Old Testament prophetic formula "Thus says the Lord" and Matthew 5-7, where Jesus asserts unique authority in the Sermon on the Mount.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) references Matthew 28:1, Mark 16, John 20, 2 Samuel 24, and 1 Chronicles to address alleged contradictions and demonstrate the harmony of Scripture. The sermon also cites Philippians 2:12-13 and Acts 2 to illustrate the interplay of divine and human agency, and 1 Peter 3 to discuss interpretive challenges.

Understanding the Holy Spirit: Power and Presence (Pastor Chuck Smith) references Hebrews 9:14, Psalm 139:7, Luke 1:35, Job 33:4, Psalm 104:30, Isaiah, Jeremiah 31:31, and Hebrews 10:15 to demonstrate the deity and creative power of the Holy Spirit, as well as the Spirit's role in prophecy and inspiration.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) cross-references Acts 27 (the ship driven by the wind) to illustrate the meaning of "carried along" in 2 Peter 1:21, and also references 2 Timothy 3:16 ("all Scripture is God-breathed") to reinforce the doctrine of inspiration. Begg draws on Psalm 33:6 to show the parallel between God’s creative word and His revelatory word, and mentions Romans 3 (the Jews entrusted with the words of God) to highlight the continuity of revelation. He also references various prophets and apostles to demonstrate the diversity of human authorship under divine guidance.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) references 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 as the primary text, integrating 2 Peter 1:21 as a supporting passage. The sermon also cites Isaiah 64:4 and Isaiah 55:8-9 to illustrate the necessity of revelation, Ephesians 3:5 and 2:20 to explain the apostolic foundation of the church, and Job (the speeches of Job’s comforters) to discuss the importance of context in inspiration. Additional references include Psalm 19 (figurative language), Luke 1:1-4 (historical research in inspiration), and John 3 (Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus) to illustrate the dangers of literalism.

Embracing the Living Word: Theology on Fire (SermonIndex.net) references John 1 (Jesus as the Word), Psalm 1 (the blessedness of meditating on God’s law), Jeremiah 29:11 and 2 Chronicles 7:14 (contextual application of Old Testament promises), and Hebrews 4:12 (the Word as a double-edged sword). The sermon also alludes to passages about the unity of the Spirit (e.g., Ephesians 4) and the consistency of biblical teaching across different authors and eras.

2 Peter 1:21 Christian References outside the Bible:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) explicitly references R.A. Torrey, a noted apologist, to support the claim that the Holy Spirit chooses both the thoughts and the words used by the biblical authors, ensuring that the message is both divinely inspired and contextually appropriate. The sermon also alludes to Dr. Anderson (presumably a contemporary or local scholar) for insights on the revealing ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) explicitly reference B.B. Warfield, quoting his assertion that "if God wishes to give the people a series of letters like Paul's, he prepares a Paul to write them," emphasizing the providential preparation of the human authors. The sermons also reference Martin Luther, particularly his stance at the Reformation on the authority and accessibility of Scripture, and Alec Motyer, who likens the Bible to an Agatha Christie novel in its unfolding narrative unity.

Anchoring Our Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) explicitly references John Calvin, quoting him on the authority of the Word of God and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit with human authors. Begg also cites Dick Lucas on the natural craving for a "voice from heaven" and B.B. Warfield on the preparation of human authors for their unique contributions to Scripture. He references Isaac Watts' hymn to illustrate the centrality of Christ and the Word.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) quotes B.B. Warfield's statement: "If God wishes to give the people a series of letters like Paul's, he prepares a Paul to write them and the Paul he brought to the task was a Paul who could spontaneously write such letters." Begg also references Martin Luther's insistence on the authority of Scripture over church tradition and Alec Motyer's analogy of the Bible as an Agatha Christie novel.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) references Joseph Henry Thayer's critique of Warfield's doctrine of inspiration, as well as Warfield himself ("the Lion of Old Princeton") and Harry Emerson Fosdick's liberal view of inspiration. The sermon also mentions Karl Barth's neo-orthodox position that God inspires His Word when it is proclaimed, not in the text itself.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) cites John Wesley on the inerrancy of Scripture, John Calvin's Institutes (specifically the concept of autopistos, or self-authentication), and the Westminster Confession of Faith on the principles of interpretation. The sermon also references the Reformation Study Bible and the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) explicitly references B.B. Warfield, quoting his statement that "if God wishes to give the people a series of letters like Paul’s, he prepares a Paul to write them and the Paul he brought to the task was a Paul who could spontaneously write such letters." Begg also cites Martin Luther’s stand at the Reformation and his insistence on the authority of Scripture in the vernacular, as well as Alec Motyer’s analogy of the Bible as an Agatha Christie novel, where the plot gradually comes together. These references are used to reinforce the doctrine of inspiration and the importance of the Bible’s accessibility and clarity.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) references F.F. Bruce’s commentary on 1 Corinthians, using his insights to clarify the distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. The sermon also quotes Charles Kingsley on the importance of words, and Charles Simeon’s sundial illustration to explain the Spirit’s illuminating work. Additionally, the sermon mentions the lexicon of Moulton and Milligan to explain the Greek vocabulary, and alludes to William Grimshaw’s testimony about the Bible becoming a "new book" after conversion.

2 Peter 1:21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

The Holy Spirit: Empowering Prophets, Apostles, and Jesus (Pittsboro Church of God) uses the analogy of sports agents negotiating contracts for athletes like Simone Biles to illustrate the Holy Spirit's role as the "agent" of revelation, negotiating and delivering God's message to the prophets. This metaphor helps demystify the process of inspiration and makes it relatable to a contemporary audience.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Faith (Alistair Begg), "The Transformative Power and Authority of Scripture" (Alistair Begg), and "The Authority and Centrality of Scripture in Faith" (Alistair Begg) employ the metaphor of a ship driven by the wind (from Acts 27) to explain the Greek word for "carried along" in 2 Peter 1:21, making the process of inspiration vivid and memorable. They also reference Agatha Christie novels to illustrate the unfolding and interconnected narrative of Scripture, likening the Bible to a mystery where the full picture only emerges as the story progresses. Additionally, the sermons use the illustration of a pickup football game without a ball to humorously critique church services that neglect the centrality of Scripture, reinforcing the necessity of the Bible in Christian worship and teaching.

The Authority and Relevance of Scripture in Our Lives (Alistair Begg, Parkside Church) uses the illustration of the Book of Kells at Trinity College, Dublin, to highlight the historical inaccessibility of the Bible to ordinary people before the Reformation. He also references Agatha Christie novels to explain the unfolding unity and mystery of the biblical narrative, likening the process of reading Scripture to piecing together a complex detective story where the connections become clear only as the story progresses.

The Authority of Scripture: Divine Inspiration Explained (Ligonier Ministries) references the Greek philosopher Thales and the mythological age of Homer to contrast human attempts at meaning-making with the divine revelation of Scripture. The sermon also mentions the American evangelist Billy Sunday, who used the phrase "Turn hell upside down and you know what's stamped on the bottom? Made in Germany" to critique the rise of higher criticism in Germany, illustrating the cultural and intellectual challenges to biblical authority in the modern era.

The Transformative Power and Purpose of Scripture (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) uses the analogy of an Agatha Christie novel (via Alec Motyer) to describe how the Bible’s narrative threads come together in a grand denouement, helping listeners grasp the unity and complexity of Scripture. Begg also references the Book of Kells and his visit to Trinity College Library in Dublin as a way to illustrate the historical transmission and preservation of the biblical text, making the point that ordinary people were once unable to access the Scriptures directly.

The Holy Spirit: Revealer of Divine Wisdom (SermonIndex.net) employs the analogy of customs officials searching baggage (from a third-century papyrus) to explain the Greek verb for "searching" in relation to the Spirit’s work. The sermon also uses the image of a deep-sea diver to illustrate the Spirit’s exploration of the "deep things of God," and the unveiling of a portrait at a ceremony (with a blindfolded guest) to distinguish between revelation and illumination. The sundial illustration from Charles Simeon, while from a Christian source, is presented in a way that draws on the common experience of observing sunlight and shadows to make the point about spiritual illumination.

Embracing the Living Word: Theology on Fire (SermonIndex.net) draws on everyday examples such as blueprints, constitutions, employee manuals, and building a house without plans to illustrate the necessity of written standards and the logic of God providing a written revelation. The sermon also references NASCAR, Doritos, and popular culture (e.g., YouTube, Minecraft, Disney) to highlight the sources of counsel people turn to, contrasting them with the authority of Scripture. The analogy of a "unifying voice" in churches across different regions is used to illustrate the consistency of the Spirit’s message wherever the Bible is faithfully preached.