“Danger, deep water” read the sign. Warnings are good for us, pointing out imminent danger and reminding us to be cautious and alert. Peter’s second letter warns believers against the internal onslaught of heresy and false teaching, and was written 3 years after his first letter, which warned against the external onslaught of persecution. Before describing the counterfeits, Peter describes the true believer and identifies three important characteristics of genuine Christian faith:
1 – Power (v 3.)
Key phrase = “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”
The God who called us, and caused us to respond to the glory of his person and his moral excellence, has given us all the power that we need to live a godly life. No extras; no supplements are required; for the one who saves is also able to sanctify (Colossians 2 v 10.) Such power for godliness comes not from our selves but from God by his Spirit.
Challenge = Are you availing yourself of that power which is already yours?
2 – Participation (v 4.)
Key phrase = “He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.”
God assures us that our knowledge of him results in our nature being transformed from the inside out so that we are now holy and pleasing to him. As we believe and act upon his “great” and “precious” promises, we are enabled to “escape” the world’s corruption and conquer our own carnal desires as we walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5 v 16.)
Challenge = Are you believing and acting upon the promises found in God’s word?
3 – Productivity (v 5 – 9.)
Key phrase = “Add to your faith.”
Faith is the foundation stone of the Christian life, but we cannot just be content with simply having faith, it needs to be added to by way of character growth. God’s primary concern is not what we do, but who we are (2 Corinthians 3 v 17 – 18) and those who fail in the area of character growth are “short sighted,” “blind” and have often “forgotten” who they are in Christ. Here 7 characteristics of a godly life are mentioned, which we are called to co-operate with God in producing – goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. The effective Christian will cultivate such character traits in “increasing measure” becoming more and more Christ like.
Challenge = Are you becoming more Christ-like in your character?
Sermon Details
Theme: “What a Goal”
Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-9
Preacher: Chris Hughes
Led By: Chris Hughes
