Possessed And Growing Series

Possessed and Growing

Be Certain of God’s Promises, Part 10

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Text--2 Peter 1:1-11

Introduction

This lesson concludes a series focused on the promises of God and our part in receiving what has been promised.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a promise is a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.

In every promise there is the one who makes the promise and the one who receives. God has made to all who believe in His Son great and precious promises but it remains to us to be in a position to receive what has been promised. rmance or forbearance of a specified act.

1 Be Certain of God’s Promises

A. Know To Whom It Is Promised

1. These words were written to fellow believers.

a. 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

2. 2 Peter 1:4 For by these (His power and our true knowledge of Him v3) He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption of this world by lust.

b. A “partaker” is a participant, partner, or sharer.

c. Romans 8:17 …heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

B. It is God’s Promise:

1. This is not a worldly contract with worldly uncertainty.

a. God sent, God approved, God guaranteed! And God is Faithful to His Promises

Joshua 21:45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

C. We Have a Part in the Promises.

1. “Now for this very reason…” (v5) tells us that there is action required on our part.

2. To become partakers in the divine nature we must have “escaped the corruption that is in the world.”(v4)

a. This is accomplished first (and foremost) by faith

3. To escape the corruption that is in this world we begin in faith but grow our character as a child of God through diligent effort. 2 Peter 1:5a Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith…

4. Peter lists the spiritual characteristics that need to be a part of a believer’s life. The first five virtues pertain to our inner self and how we relate to God. The last two relate to others. V5-7

D. In Your Faith Supply…

1. Supply to your faith.

a. The Greek word translated here as supply or add, (in the imperative) means to provide all that is needed or to supply something in abundance.

b. A believer is to “furnish, supply, or add” to his faith with these qualities.

2. Moral Excellence (aretē)

a. It is derived from the root word Aresko which means to please or be pleasing. It implies intentional, deliberate and continuous conduct that is pleasing to God

3. In your Moral Excellence, Knowledge

a. Remember we are supplying this to our faith.

b. “Knowledge” (gnosis) as used is that knowledge that leads to wisdom and discernment that enables us to live godly lives

c. This is beyond knowing “the book.”

4. In your Knowledge, Self-Control

a. self-control, which literally means “holding oneself in”. It was used of athletes who sought self-discipline and self-restraint, even beating their bodies into submission.

5. In your self-control, Perseverance.

a. This word is often used in the New Testament to refer to steadfastness in the face of adversity but it extends to all aspects of our lives. Perseverance springs from faith in God’s goodness and control over all that happens in our lives.

6. In Your Perseverance, supply Godliness

a. Derived from eu, good and sebo, to worship; literally "good worship" meaning worship (toward God) that is good. It implies a life which promotes reverence and respect towards God.

7. In your Godliness, supply Brotherly Kindness

a. Comes from two words: Philos and Adelphos.

1) “Philos” means friend, to be friendly, a companion.

2) “Adelphos” means a fellow associate united to another by some bond; a brother.

b. Thus Philadelphia means to love our associates bonded to us through Christ, as family.

8. In your Brotherly Kindness, supply Love

a. Love (GR: Agape) refers to self-sacrificial love. It is the kind of love God demonstrated in saving us.

b. Such love among believers allows for weaknesses and imperfections, deals with problems, affirms others, and has a strong commitment and loyalty.

c. Such love sustains the brotherhood, the family of Christ, no matter what persecutions and suffering they may face.

2 If yours and increasing v8

2 Peter 1:8a ( NASB ) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,…