1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. (NIV)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (KJV)
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Illustration: Robby Zaccarius, Christian apologist and founder of the radio show Let My People Think, relates a story of his days in college in England. It is the story told every semester by a professor of philosophy to his class of first-year students. It goes something like this.
One day a man woke convinced that he must be dead. He turned to his wife and told her of his fears. She grumbled something under her breathe and rolled over to go back to sleep. Later that morning he again approached his wife with the news that believed he was dead. This time she replied that she understood and that he needed to go off to work and make a living.
This went on for weeks. His wife and children were simply unable to convince him that he was alive. Now fear began to grip this man’s wife and she sought the help of the medical field. He went to a series of psychologists and psychiatrists with no luck in convincing the man he was not dead. With little else they could do they sent the man to his family doctor to a physical and routine check up.
This doctor experienced the same sort of block with the man. He simply refused to believe that he was not dead. Finally the physician decided the best approach was to educate the man concerning the living. He explained how the lungs breathe in fresh oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. The heart pumps the blood throughout the body to provide fresh oxygen to the cells. He explained that this flow of blood was basic to the human body and without a person would be dead. He went further into forensic medicine and explained that doctors can determine whether a person was cut before or after death by whether the corpse shows signs of bleeding. In short, living people bleed. Dead people cannot and do not bleed!
“Do you understand this?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, doc I do understand and believe that living people bleed and dead people don’t!” the man respond emphatically.
With that declaration the doctor revealed a needle that he has hidden in pocket and without warning plunged it deep into the man’s arm. He quickly removed the needle and watched as his plan unfolded before their eyes. Sure enough, blood began to seep out of the hole in his arm and then trickled onto the floor.
With such powerful evidence to support the doctor’s lesson, he asked the man, “So what do you say to that?”
The man looked down at his arm. He seemed mesmerized by the steady flow of blood from his arm. As a small pool of blood began to form on the floor the man said, “Imagine that doc, dead people bleed too!”
It is hard to convince a person of any truth if they have shut down their minds and choose to ignore what is obvious. However, that is the challenge of the believer every time he or she picks up God’s Word.
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (KJV)
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (NIV)
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ILLUSTRATION: Howard Hendricks said, “I’ve never met a Christian who planned to have a mediocre life…."
-never known anyone who planned to build with wood, hay and stubble...
-never known a Christian who meant to have nothing to show for his life…
-“I’ve never met a Christian who planned to have a mediocre life but I’ve met plenty of mediocre Christians.”
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I. The Christian life begins with faith (1:1-4).
II. Faith results in spiritual growth (1:5-7).
1. Faith (Faith) - Trusting and or confidence in God that leads to commitment.
A. Webster’s New World Dictionary - unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence.
B. Hebrews 11:1
a. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)
b. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)
2. Virtue (Goodness) - excellence. The fulfillment of a thing. When anything in nature fulfills its purpose, that is virtue - moral excellence. The land that produces a crop is excellent because it is fulfilling its purpose. The Christian life is not the “polishing” of human qualities, but producing divine qualities that make a person more like Jesus Christ.
A. Virtue in Webster’s New World Dictionary - general moral excellence; right action and thinking.
B. Goodness in Webster’s New World Dictionary - the state or quality of being good; a euphemism for God.
3. Knowledge (Knowledge) - full knowledge or knowledge that is growing. The word here suggests practical knowledge or discernment. It refers to the ability to handle life successfully.
A. Webster’s New World Dictionary - a) acquaintance or familiarity b) awareness c) understanding.
B. John 7:17
1. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. (NIV)
2. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (KJV)
4. Temperance (Self-control) - the ability to handle the pleasures of life.
A. Temperance in Webster’s New World Dictionary - self-restraint in conduct, expression, indulgence of appetite, etc.
B. Self-control in Webster’s New World Dictionary - control of oneself , or of one’s own emotions, desires, actions, etc.
C. Other important verses:
1. Proverbs 16:32
2. Proverbs 25:28
3. I Corinthians 9:24-27
4. Philippians 3:12-16
5. I Timothy 4:7-8
5. Patience (Perseverance) - the ability to handle the pressures and problems of life. It is the ability to endure when circumstances are difficult.
A. Patience in Webster’s New World Dictionary - the will or ability to wait or endure without complaint.
B. Perseverance in Webster’s New World Dictionary - continued, patient effort.
C. James 1:2-8
6. Godliness (Godliness) - it means “God-likeness.” The origin of the word meant “to worship well.”
A. It described the man who was right in his relationship with God and right with his fellow man.
B. It is the one who seeks to do the will of God and, as he does, he seeks the welfare of others.
C. Webster’s New World Dictionary - of or from God; divine; devoted to God.
7. Brotherly kindness (Brotherly kindness) - The steadfast love that maintains relationships through gracious aid in times of need. If we love Christ, we must also love the brotherhood.
A. It is based on our likenesses to others.
B. Webster’s New World Dictionary - maintaining of a relationship in times of need.
C. Other key verses:
1) Hebrews 13:1
2) Romans 12:10
3) I John 5:1-2
8. Charity (Love) - It is the unconditional love described in I Corinthians 13.
A. We love in spite of the differences we have.
B. Charity in Webster’s New World Dictionary - an act of good will or affection; kindness or leniency in judging others.
C. Love in Webster’s New World Dictionary - a deep and tender feeling of affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons.
D. Other key verses:
1) Romans 5:5
2) Galatians 5:22
III. Spiritual growth brings practical results (1:8-11).
A. Fruitfulness.
B. Vision.
C. Security
IV. Practical results destroy false teachings (1:12).
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Illustration: On December 11, 2005 Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was asked about his plans for the remainder of the regular season. His team had just won it’s 13th game in a row to start the season and had clinched its division and home field advantage throughout the playoff, by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville.
The challenge was play your starters and risk injury, leading to scrutiny by the media if something did happen. Or, give then some time off to both protect them from injury and give them time to recover in time for the playoffs. This had its pitfalls as well as a break in continuity (especially the offense) could cost them a game and a shot at the Superbowl.
Tony Dungy, a born again believer, told the media that he would have to pray about it and then make a decision. Overnight he was ridiculed by the national media. ESPN’s Dan Patrick went as far as to say that God has more important things to do than to discuss football strategy with Tony Dungy!
On December 22, 2005, just three days before Christmas the world awoke to the news that Tony’s eldest son, James, who was 18 years-old, was dead. In short order we discovered that he had taken his own life by hanging. And what would Tony’s response to this tragedy? Grace... He once again used his faith to determine the decisions he would make. The result? The one who should have been ministered to was ministering to others. He thanked the people who came and then explained that James had placed his faith in Christ and that one day Tony and his wife and family would again see his son: alive!
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Illustration: On January 2, 2006 in a small West Virginian town of Talmanville disaster struck.The Sago Mine disaster was a coal mine explosion on January 2, 2006 in the Sago Mine (pronounced /ˈ’seɪ?goʊ?/) that trapped 13 miners for nearly two days. One miner survived. It was the worst mining disaster in the U.S. since a 2001 disaster in Alabama killed 13, and the worst in West Virginia since a 1968 disaster that took 78 lives.
For 41 hours the townspeople gathered at the tiny Sago Baptist Church to pray, sing, cry, and encourage one another while they awaited the fate of these 13 men. Finally word leaked out that 12 miners were found alive and one miner was dead. The church erupted with celebration and joy. Phrases like, “Isn’t God good,” and “Thank God they are all safe,” could be heard throughout the masses. Volunteers began to make fresh coffee and heat up some desserts. These men had been underground for nearly two full days! They were going to be hungry!
Nearly three hours had pasted since the good news came in when the pastor of Sago Baptist Church received a cell phone call. The message was something to the effect of this. “Preacher, I don’t know where the lines got crossed but the news is bad. There are twelve dead miners and one survivor. I’m letting you know this because they are on their way down to the church now to make a formal announcement to the families. Preacher, you need to prepare yourself... things are going to get real bad quick... I’m sorry to have to tell you this. But, you needed to know.”
In seconds the audience would change from an atmosphere of celebration to one of anger and hatred. The original news was wrong. There would be no twelve miners walking out of that shaft. Instead of twelve living and one dead, it was twelve dead and one clinging to life.
Now the crowd was angry with the mine owners, the reporters, outsiders and even God Himself. “To hell with God,” one man said as he had to be restrained from attacking a mine spokesman. Threats ruminated from the room. It was as if they were saying, “If God doesn’t do things my way what do I need with Him?”
Imagine anybody saying such a thing! “If God is willing to do things my way... what do I need with Him?”
