May 19, 2013
Morning Service

We will continue our study on the second coming of Christ this morning.  We are building our faith through the teachings of Peter as he wrote on this subject.  Last week we learned that as we are partakers in suffering for Christ, we also will be partakers in His coming glory.

1Pe 4:13  but rejoice according as you are partakers of Christ's suffering, so that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

Peter concluded his first letter with an admonition to the church leadership to shepherd and serve the church willingly and eagerly, being examples to them and:

1Pe 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.

 

  Today we will see Peter inviting us also to be partakers in His divine nature.

 

2Pe 1:1-4  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ,  (2)  Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,  (3)  according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue,  (4)  through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

·         We have been equipped with everything we need pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him and His call to us to a life of virtue (a voluntary obedience to truth).  Our faith in His promises inspires us to live a life that brings glory to Him.  We strive to grow in Him by becoming like Him.

2Co 7:1 Then having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

·         What does that life (growth process) look like?

2Pe 1:5-7  But also in this very thing, bringing in all diligence, filling out your faith with virtue, and with virtue, knowledge;  (6)  and with knowledge self-control, and with self-control, patience, and with patience, godliness,  (7)  and with godliness, brotherly kindness, and with brotherly kindness, love.

·         Look at the progression he outlines for us.

·         Diligence-constant effort to accomplish the task at hand, due attention.

·         Virtue-the strength needed to voluntarily obey His commands

·         Knowledge- A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact.

·         Self-control-Control of one's emotions, desires, or actions by one's own will.

·         Patience-The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness.  Perseverance.

·         Godliness-A careful observance of the laws of God.  Walking the walk.

·         Brotherly kindness (love)-Acting in benevolence towards fellow followers of Christ.

·         Love-The deep felt affection which defines who God is.  As we love we imitate our God.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

·         These attributes will come to us only through the yielding of ourselves to the Spirits control.  “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

 

2Pe 1:8-11 For if these things are in you and abound, they make you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (9)  For he who lacks these things is short-sighted even to blindness and has forgotten that he was purged from his sins in the past.  (10)  Therefore, brothers, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things, you shall never stumble.  (11)  For so an entrance shall be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

·         Be diligent to put these things into practice and He promises us to never stumble, be fruitful, and granted entrance into His everlasting kingdom.  If we choose to ignore it we are short-sighted and forgetful.  Never forget.

 

2Pe 1:12-15 Therefore I will not neglect to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.  (13)  But I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by a reminder,  (14)  knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 

·         Peter knows we are forgetful people.  He states he will continue to preach until his dying day.  God has set up His church to fill Peter’s shoes and remind His people.

 

2Pe 1:16-18  For not having followed fables having been cunningly devised, but becoming eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ, we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord.  (17)  For He received honor and glory from God the Father, when was borne to Him a voice from the excellent glory, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  (18)  And we heard this voice being borne from Heaven, being with Him in the holy mountain.

·         Peter assures us that these are not stories or fables passed on by others; rather he witnessed Jesus with his own eyes.  He saw Him in His full glory and eventually gave his life for Him.  The life he lived and his death empower his testimony.

·         Because all of that is true, there is no reason not to believe it when Peter tells us of the “coming of the Lord.”

·         What about the power of our testimony?  Do we live a life that empowers our words or deflates them?

 

Col 1:10-12 that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God, (11) being empowered with all power, according to the might of His glory, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness,  (12)  giving thanks to the Father, who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

 

We are called to live a life that reflects what we believe.  We have been all things we need to succeed; it is up to us to do it.

 

Grant us the vision to live today for You so that we may live tomorrow with You.