Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a blessing to be gathered together in this sacred space, united in our love for the Lord and our desire to grow in our faith. As we come together this morning, we are embarking on a journey, a journey of spiritual growth and maturation in Christ. Our compass for this journey is the Holy Scripture, and our guide is the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the path before us and helps us understand the truths contained in God's Word.

Our journey today takes us to the second letter of Peter, specifically to chapter 1, verses 5 through 11. These verses are not just words on a page, but they are a roadmap, a guide, a blueprint if you will, for our spiritual growth. They outline the qualities that we, as followers of Christ, should strive to develop and cultivate in our lives. These qualities are not just for the super-spiritual or the religious elite, but they are for each and every one of us who professes faith in Christ. They are the benchmarks, the milestones, the markers of maturity in Christ.

Before we embark on this journey, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the gift of life, and for the privilege of gathering together to worship You. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to the truths contained in Your Word. Help us to understand and apply these truths in our lives. Guide us on this journey of spiritual growth and maturation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let us turn our attention to the Word of God. I invite you to open your Bibles to 2 Peter 1:5-11. As you find your place, let me share with you an image. Imagine, if you will, a tree. This is not just any tree, but a tree that is planted by streams of water, a tree that yields its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and whatever it does, prospers. This tree is a picture of a mature Christian. Just as the tree draws nourishment from the water and the soil, so we, as Christians, draw our spiritual nourishment from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Just as the tree grows and matures, bearing fruit in due season, so we, too, are called to grow and mature in our faith, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

This image of the tree is not just a nice picture, but it is a challenge, a call to action. It is a call to grow, to mature, to bear fruit. It is a call to strive for the qualities outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-11. These qualities are not just for the tree, but they are for us. They are the benchmarks for maturing in Christ.

So, let us embark on this journey together. Let us strive for these qualities. Let us grow and mature in our faith. Let us be like the tree planted by streams of water, drawing our nourishment from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, growing, maturing, and bearing fruit in due season. Let us be benchmarks for maturing in Christ.

The First Benchmark for Maturing in Christ: Faith

The first benchmark for maturing in Christ is faith. As Peter writes, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness" (2 Peter 1:5a). Faith is the foundation upon which our spiritual journey begins. It is through faith that we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. However, faith should not remain stagnant; it should be accompanied by goodness. Goodness reflects the transformation that occurs within us as we grow in Christ. Let us strive to cultivate a faith that is active and fruitful.

Now, let's take a closer look at this concept of faith. Faith is not just a belief in something; it's a trust in someone. It's a trust in Jesus Christ. It's a trust in His promises, His teachings, His sacrifice, and His resurrection. It's a trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. This trust is the foundation of our relationship with Christ. Without it, we cannot truly know Him or follow Him.

But faith is not just about trust; it's also about action. James tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). This means that our faith should be evident in our actions. It should be seen in the way we live our lives, in the way we treat others, and in the way we serve God. Our faith should not be a hidden thing; it should be a visible and active part of our lives.

The Greek word for faith used in the New Testament is "pistis." This word carries a sense of conviction or persuasion. It's not just a passive belief; it's a firm and active conviction that influences our thoughts, our words, and our actions. This is the kind of faith that Peter is talking about. It's a faith that is active, that is growing, and that is bearing fruit.

As the great theologian Augustine once said, "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." Our faith in Christ is not blind; it is based on the evidence of His life, His death, and His resurrection. And as we grow in our faith, we begin to see more clearly the truth of who He is and the reality of His kingdom.

Knowledge: The Second Benchmark for Maturing in Christ

The second benchmark on our journey of spiritual growth is knowledge. This isn't just any knowledge, but a knowledge that is rooted in the Word of God and His divine will for us. Peter tells us, "and to goodness, knowledge" (2 Peter 1:5b). This is a call to immerse ourselves in the teachings of our Lord, to understand His character, and to grasp His divine will for our lives.

The first thing we need to understand about this knowledge is that it's not just about information. It's not about memorizing verses or knowing the Bible cover to cover. It's about transformation. It's about letting the Word of God change us from the inside out. It's about letting the teachings of Jesus shape our thoughts, our attitudes, our actions, and our reactions.

The second thing we need to understand is that this knowledge is not just for our benefit. It's for the benefit of others. As we grow in our understanding of God's Word, we become better equipped to share His love and truth with the world. We become better equipped to serve others, to encourage others, to comfort others, and to guide others in their own journey of spiritual growth.

The third thing we need to understand is that this knowledge is not something we can acquire on our own. It's something that comes from God. It's something that comes from spending time with Him, from seeking Him, from listening to Him, and from obeying Him.

Let's look at another New Testament passage that echoes this theme. In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul prays for the believers in Colossae, saying, "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

This passage reminds us that the knowledge we need for spiritual growth is a gift from God. It's something that He gives us through His Spirit. It's something that He gives us so that we can live a life that is pleasing to Him, a life that bears fruit in every good work.

The fourth thing we need to understand about this knowledge is that it's not a destination. It's a journey. It's a lifelong process of learning and growing. It's a lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus.

The fifth and final thing we need to understand is that this knowledge is not an optional extra in our spiritual growth. It's a necessity. It's a vital part of our journey. Without it, we will struggle to navigate the challenges and temptations of this world. Without it, we will struggle to fulfill our God-given purpose.

So, let's commit ourselves to this journey of knowledge. Let's commit ourselves to the study of Scripture. Let's commit ourselves to the pursuit of God's will. And as we do, let's remember that this knowledge is not just for us. It's for the world. It's for the glory of God.

The Third Benchmark: Self-Control

The third benchmark for maturing in Christ is self-control. As we journey through the spiritual landscape of 2 Peter 1:5-11, we find ourselves standing at the foot of a towering peak called self-control. This is not a peak to be scaled in a day, but rather a lifelong climb, a journey of constant growth and development.

Self-control, as Peter advises, is to be added to our knowledge. It's not enough to simply know about God, about His love, His grace, His mercy. We must also exercise self-control in our thoughts, words, and actions, aligning them with God's will. This is a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity.

Now, let's take a moment to unpack this idea of self-control. In the original Greek, the term used is "egkrateia," which means having command or mastery over, or a sense of possession. It's about having the reins of your life firmly in your hands but guided by the will of God. It's about not being a slave to your impulses, but rather being a servant of God.

In the context of spiritual growth, self-control could be seen as the rudder of a ship. The ship, in this case, being our life. Without a rudder, a ship is at the mercy of the winds and the waves, directionless, aimless. But with a rudder, the ship can navigate even the stormiest of seas. Similarly, a life without self-control is at the mercy of whims and desires, tossed about by every temptation. But a life with self-control, guided by the Holy Spirit, can navigate through the storms of life and stay on course towards God.

A.W. Tozer, a man of great spiritual insight, once said, "The man who cannot command himself will be commanded by others." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of self-control. If we do not exercise control over our thoughts, words, and actions, we will find ourselves being controlled by them. We will find ourselves being led by our desires rather than leading our desires.

Moving forward, let's consider how self-control plays out in our daily lives. It's about making choices that honor God, even when those choices are hard. It's about resisting temptation, even when that temptation is strong. It's about living a life that reflects the character of Christ, even when the world is watching.

In the realm of scholarly research, studies have shown a positive correlation between self-control and overall life satisfaction. A study published in the Journal of Personality in 2014 found that individuals with higher levels of self-control reported fewer negative emotions and more positive ones. They were also less likely to engage in harmful behaviors and more likely to engage in beneficial ones.

This research underscores the importance of self-control in leading a fulfilling and God-honoring life. It's not just about avoiding sin, but also about pursuing righteousness. It's not just about not doing what's wrong, but also about doing what's right.

In conclusion, self-control is a key benchmark for maturing in Christ. It's about mastering our thoughts, words, and actions, and aligning them with God's will. It's about navigating the storms of life with the rudder of self-control, guided by the Holy Spirit. It's about making choices that honor God, resisting temptation, and living a life that reflects the character of Christ. As we continue to grow in our spiritual journey, let us strive to develop this crucial virtue of self-control.

Conclusion

As we bring this sermon to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the benchmarks for maturing in Christ that we've discussed today, as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-11. These benchmarks are not just a checklist, but a roadmap for our spiritual journey. They are faith, goodness, knowledge, and self-control.

Faith is our starting point. It's the foundation upon which we build our relationship with Christ. It's the belief that Jesus is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. It's trusting in His promises even when we can't see the outcome.

Goodness is the next benchmark. It's not about being good for the sake of being good, but about reflecting the goodness of God in our lives. It's about being kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as God is with us.

Knowledge comes from reading and understanding God's Word. It's about knowing who God is, what He has done, and what He promises to do. It's about understanding His character and His ways.

Self-control is about managing our thoughts, words, and actions in a way that honors God. It's about resisting temptation and choosing God's way instead of our own.

These benchmarks are not achieved in a day, a week, or even a year. They require a lifetime of commitment and effort. They require us to rely on the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to grow and mature in Christ.

As we strive to meet these benchmarks, let's remember that our goal is not perfection, but progress. We won't always get it right, and that's okay. God is not looking for perfect Christians, but for those who are willing to grow and mature in Him.

So, as we go into the coming week, let's make a commitment to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to grow in faith, to reflect God's goodness, to increase in knowledge, and to exercise self-control.

Let's pray:

Dear Lord, we thank you for your Word that guides us in our spiritual journey. We thank you for the benchmarks you've given us for maturing in Christ. We ask for your help as we strive to meet these benchmarks. Help us to grow in faith, to reflect your goodness, to increase in knowledge, and to exercise self-control. We know we can't do it on our own, so we ask for your Holy Spirit to empower us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

And now, receive this benediction:

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Go in peace, knowing that you are loved and empowered to grow and mature in Christ. Amen.

Get the Full Sermon

• Sermon Notes
• Midweek Discussion Questions