WE KNOW: Promises, Progression, Proved
Notes
Transcript
Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
INTRO—
INTRO—
Recap Setting — Map; Timeline; Theme
SO… [2 Peter 1.1-2]
Peter — Simeon, Simon…
To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:1 “Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere understanding by way of reminder,”
FACING CHALLENGES FROM THE OUTSIDE [1 Peter]
FACING CHALLENGES FROM THE INSIDE [2 Peter]
False Teachers—claiming a better knowledge…way…goal…
Well, now you know…AND…Knowing is half the battle! [Thanks, G.I. Joe!]
Just what do we know?? Remember, WE KNOW…
PRECIOUS PROMISES [2 Peter 1.3-4]
PRECIOUS PROMISES [2 Peter 1.3-4]
[We know we have Precious Promises.]
“His divine power has given us everything…” (1.3)
God’s Grace! (All of Grace, C.H. Spurgeon; FOUNDATIONAL!)
Everything we need…for Life & Godliness.
Through the knowledge of Him who called us by his own Glory & Goodness.
“He has given us very great and precious promises…” (1.4)
[[Given to us…Great & Precious promises.]]
Making us God’s children.
Making us able to live godly (holy) lives.
MAKING PROGRESS [2 Peter 1.5-7]
MAKING PROGRESS [2 Peter 1.5-7]
[We know we’re responsible for Making Progress.]
“Make every effort…” (1.5a)
Our Responsibility! (FAITHFULNESS!)
‘Make’ = to apply
‘Every Effort’ = all effort(s)
“Supplement your faith with…” (1.5b-7) [to furnish; [This is not moving on from…it’s bringing together with.]
Faith (πίστις)
Goodness (ἀρετή)**
Moral excellence, vital (vibrant) virtue…practiced with energy
Knowledge (γνῶσις) [1.5b-6a]
Self-Control (ἐγκράτεια)**
Inner Strength,
‘Knowledge’ & ‘Self- Control’ — Keep from sin; Patience with others (believers & non-believers) in relation to the truth [my calling, my college days…]
Endurance (ὑπομονή)
Godliness (εὐσέβεια)
Brotherly Affection (φιλαδελφία)**
Kinship, Affection, Camaraderie…//…love Seeking ultimate good for another, Sacrificial
Love (ἀγάπη)*
[Virtues echoed throughout the New Testament —
Romans 5:3–5 “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
James 1:3–4 “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.”]
PROVED POSSESSION [2 Peter 1.8-9]
PROVED POSSESSION [2 Peter 1.8-9]
[We know we must always live a life of Proved Possession.]
“[You] possess these qualities = not being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord…” (1.8)
Restated positively = being useful and fruitful…
…and increasingly so.
…in the knowledge of our Lord (there is no virtue without knowledge)
“Lacks these things = forgotten the cleansing from his past sins.” (1.9)
[[DANGER! DANGER!]]
Blind & Shortsighted — Legally blind ( = 20/200 or worse in both eyes, &/or a quite narrow field of vision);
Has Forgotten — Can’t remember the past;
CONCL—
CONCL—
WE…WE must be diligent about our lives (& our life together)!
Correctly seeing and responding to the world around us. [1 Peter]
Correctly understanding the truth by which we—together—are called to live. [2 Peter]
INVITATION:
Salvation
Precious Promises
Making Progress
Proved Possession
The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins.
