• Focus On Christ

  Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 6, 2010 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  2 Peter 1:1-2

  Tags:  Growth In Christ

FOCUS ON CHRIST

This bit of strange news was released by the Associated Press this past week:

RIVERTON, Wyo. -- Officials say a magnifying glass set on a stand in a sunny room started a small blaze in a Wyoming home. UPS worker Buddy Armstrong was delivering a package to 84-year-old Thomas Guthrie's Dubois home on Tuesday when he heard an alarm inside. Armstrong, also a volunteer firefighter, called emergency workers and went inside the home, along with a sheriff's deputy.

Sgt. Jerry Evagelatos says they found a lot of smoke, but couldn't find the source until Dubois firefighters arrived. Evagelatos says the sun was shining at just the right angle to hit a magnifying glass on a stand. The glass magnified the sunbeam, which set a nearby pile of mail on fire. Evagelatos says the fire was extinguished before it damaged the home. Guthrie wasn't at home during the fire."

2. Sometimes we underestimate the power of God's creation. Even a meager sunbeam, when focused through a lens, can pack quite a punch.

3. We, likewise, underestimate what growing in the knowledge of God can do; when a Christian focuses on God's Word, another type of power is released. Some of you read 2 Peter through 7 times this week--or the first chapter. Did you notice a difference?

4. It is just about knowledge, but the process of gaining and rehearsing knowledge of the Word that is so transforming. And that is one of the themes of 2 Peter, "Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(From a sermon by Ed Vasicek, Pursued and Pursuing, 1/18/2010)