Supply Godliness Series

Supply Godliness

Be Certain of God’s Promises, Part 7

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Text--2 Peter 1:1-11

Introduction

This lesson continues 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. It is God’s Promise:

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

2. 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.

B. Know To Whom It Is Promised

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.

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

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

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. In order to become partakers in the divine nature and so inherit His precious and magnificent promises 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. V5-7

a. Each quality is a tile laid on the rock foundation of our faith and serve to help us stand firm in our faith.

b. Diligent effort is needed as we obey the will of God: Hebrews 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

D. In Your Faith Supply…

1. Supply to your faith.

a. The Greek word translated here as supply or add, (in the imperative) is the word from which we get the English words “chorus,” “choreograph,” and “choreography.”

b. In ancient Greece the state established a chorus but the director, the chorēgys, paid the expenses for training the chorus.

c. Then the word came to be used of one who provides for or supports others or supplies something for them in abundance.

d. 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 here does not refer to the knowledge of God that leads to salvation but 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 (analogy used by Paul: 1 Corinthians 9:27).

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.

2 In Your Perseverance, Supply Godliness

A. Godliness (GR: eusebeia - yoo-seb'-i-ah)

1. Eusebeia for was used by ancient pagans to describe a religious individual who kept in close touch with the gods.

2. 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.

B. Godliness requires diligence and growth v5, 8

1. We are to pursue godliness 1 Timothy 6:11

2. Our pursuit of godliness has been resourced richly

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.