Everything We Need Series

Two old friends met one day after many years. One attended college, and

now was very successful. The other had not attended college and never had

much ambition.

The successful one said, "How has everything been going with you?"

"Well, one day I opened the Bible at random, and dropped my finger on a

word and it was oil. So, I invested in oil, and boy, did the oil wells gush.

Then another day I dropped my finger on another word and it was gold. So,

I invested in gold and those mines really produced. Now, I’m as rich as

Rockefeller."

The successful friend was so impressed that he rushed to his hotel, grabbed

a Gideon Bible, flipped it open, and dropped his finger on a page.

He opened his eyes and his finger rested on the words, "Chapter Eleven."

Sufficient. It’s such a strange word. It’s a word that carries a variety of meanings. Let me give you the textbook definition according to Miriam-Webster:

1 enough to meet the needs of a situation or a proposed end

2 QUALIFIED, COMPETENT

It is the hallmark of our faith—the sacrifice of Jesus Christ dying on the cross was sufficient to cover our sins. Hebrews 9:28 Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Peter would proudly proclaim this about Jesus Christ--Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

We claim sufficiency in our salvation—it is a work that has been done and completed—there is nothing we can do. But yet we approach life as though nothing has been done, nothing is complete, and we can get so caught up in the pressures of this world that we forget the simple truths of the gospel.

For example, Jesus has told us this simple truth--I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Yet we often reject that life, in return for the life that this world has to offer. The pressures of jobs, the pressures of bills, the pressures of relationships with our co-workers, family members. We turn to society to fix our ills, to psychology, to science, to talk radio, and when things get really bad, we turn to Oprah to fix our ills. Dr. Phil, Dr. Laura—the best wisdom this world has to offer. We turn to them first, and yet Jesus still calls out, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

I have good news for you this morning. Jesus didn’t just come to forgive sins, he came to give us life—abundant life. Starting today, we are going to look at how we can enjoy this abundant life, and we will be looking at 2 Peter 1, the first 4 verses.

This particular letter is written by Peter, but he introduces himself as Simon Peter, a reference to the fact that he was once Simon, but after he met the master, Jesus Christ, he became Peter. Matthew 16: 13-14, "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Simon was timid; Peter was bold. Simon would deny Christ when confronted; Peter would proclaim Christ when confronted. Simon Peter—a reminder that when Christ comes and touches our lives, we are forever changed.

Again, he introduces himself as a servant first, then an apostle. He does not wave his authority or position. He proudly proclaims, I serve Christ. The letter is written to those who have received the faith as precious as ours, which we have if we have accepted Christ. He prays for Grace and peace to be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Notice how that statement is worded. Grace and peace be ours in abundance. Who wouldn’t want grace (GOD’S RICHES AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE)? Who wouldn’t want peace? Who wouldn’t want these in abundance? Remember what Christ said? “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”