Title: Stabilizing Truths, Part 1

Title: Stabilizing Truths, Part 1

Theme: The Goodness of God

Listen as I read 2 Peter 1:2-4, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 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. 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 sin” (2 Peter 1:2-3) Pray!

Introduction: The Apostle Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit wrote this passage of Scripture to those whom God has given a supernatural faith, thus enabling them to live lives that express genuine faith. It must be understood that true saving faith that affects the way mankind lives is a precious grace from God.

This faith comes from God to those who have truly surrendered their hearts and lives over to God’s will for them. This faith procures all the necessary supports and comforts of the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ. (John 10:10)

Proposition: I would propose to you that there are “Stabilizing Truths” for God’s obedient children. The stabilizing truths found in today’s message are for those who have a place of servanthood among the Body of Christ.

Interrogative Sentence: Just what are some Biblical stabilizing truths that a child of God could grasp today?

Transitional Sentence: The first foundational truth the Holy Spirit of God wants to place deep in your mind and heart is that, “Surely God is good… to those who are pure in heart.” (Psalm 73:1) This means that the obedient can trust in a God who is always good and there are five key areas in the Christian life through which the children of God can taste the goodness of God.

One, the Lord will meet genuine needs. The Bible says, “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) This is a powerful promise of God to all His children who will trust in God’s sovereignty in their lives. This passage of Scripture informs us just how much God knows what we need and that He will meet those needs in a way that will cause Christ to be exalted in and through our lives.

The word for “need” (chreia) as it is used in Philippians 4:19 has the application of God meeting every need and want (The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon; Barnes notes) that will enable the child of God to grow in Christ and do service unto Him, his fellow man and to the body of Christ. The Lord will provide all the necessities of life.

If it’s education He will make the way, Christian or secular, as long as it is preparing that child of God for what the Lord has ordained him to do. If it is strength He will give it. Whatever you need in business, work, health care, family, housing, transportation and pleasures of life that will cause you to draw close to Christ, God will provide for it.

It is important to remember to keep both the Apostle Peter’s and the Apostle Paul’s writings within the context of their teachings. Peter referred to himself as a servant (2 Peter 1:1) and Paul was writing to the Philippians for being so faithful to help meet his needs. (Philippians 4:16)

The promise of having all needs and spiritually healthy wants met is for those who are servants to Christ and servants to those of whom they come in contact with. It is for those who have sacrificially met the needs of those who are doing the work of the Lord Jesus. (The Expositors Bible Commentary; Matthew Henry Commentary)

“God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19) is so real to me. I know this truth. The Bible tells me to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone… [for] the reason for the hope [I] have…” (1 Peter 3:15)

I wasted my opportunity to get a good education in high school and refused to go to college. After coming to Christ in repentance He made the way for me to get 83 credits hours with the Assemblies of God out Springfield, MO. debt free. When we as a church family faced battling brain cancer in my wife, Bonnie, we all saw the Lord make the way for her to go to Mayo Clinic and to University of Colorado Hospital which are two of the top ten hospitals in the U.S.A. that specialize in treating her type of cancer. With no real health insurance, through a Christian organization, Christians from all over the United States and through family members we have no hospital bills.