Sunday, October 30, 2022

Three Sevens in the Christian Life - Part 1 - Seven Things God Left the Saints

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-30-2022

2 Peter 1:1-4

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The Book of 2 Peter is one of the Hebrew or Jewish Christian Epistles and was written to establish the dispersed Jewish believers in the faith.  It is tied with 1 Peter because of its nature and recipients.   

 

1 Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

 

2 Peter 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

 

B.  Any time that you have a 2nd or 3rd epistle with the same name, the first is normally doctrinal in nature while the others are prophetic of the times preceding the Second Coming of Christ.

 

C.  Though written to the “strangers scattered” by interpretation, it was also given to the end-time church by application.

 

D.  The reason for 2 Peter was to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.”  1 Peter, Peter mentioned Satan as a “roaring lion,” seeking whom he may devour.  In 2 Peter, we find Satan as a “serpent,” subtly deceiving God’s children.

 

E.  As we approach Thanksgiving, we reflect upon the many blessings that the Lord has given to us.  And we are blessed!  But most of the time:

 

1.  We tend to only think of our circumstances, both good and bad.

 

2.  We tend to only think of our physical blessings or the lack thereof.

 

3.  Peter reminds us to think beyond these things and in a spiritual realm that bears the eternal.   we tend to think of the temporal blessings instead of the spiritual ones.

 

F.  This morning, I want to take a short look at seven things in these first 4 verses that the Lord has given to us in the spiritual realm.

 

2 Peter 1:3  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:

 

1.  All things the pertain unto life.  We are approaching Thanksgiving (not Turkey Day) and a time for us to reflect upon the goodness of God in the land of the living.

 

2.  All things that pertain unto godliness.  We have His Holy Presence, His Holy Spirit, and His Holy Word.  We can live for God in this present evil world.

 

3.  Through the “knowledge of Him.”  Who He was; who He is; who He will be; what He has done; what He is doing; what He will do; His power; His providence; His purpose; and His pleasure!  “That I may know Him!”

 

Philippians 3:7-11  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

G.  Seven things mentioned in our text that God gives to His children:

 

1.  Verse 1.  A like precious faith. 

 

Romans 1:11-12  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  (12)  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

 

a.  A relationship with Christ. “precious”

 

b.  A fellowship with the saints.  “like”

 

2.  Verse 1.  An unquestionable standing.  “the righteousness of God” 

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

a.  You may question my righteousness and be right.

 

b.  You cannot question His righteousness!

 

3.  Verse 2.  The grace to endure.  “grace … be multiplied”

 

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 

a.  Grace multiplied.  1 Corinthians 10:13

 

b.  Grace sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:9

 

4.  Verse 2.  Peace to trust.  “peace be multiplied”

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

a.  To trust His will.

 

b.  To trust His way.

 

5.  Verse 3.  Power to overcome.  “His divine power”

 

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 

a.  Power to overcome sin.

 

b.  Power to overcome Satan.

 

c.  Power to overcome self.

 

6.  Verse 4.  The promise of a new life.  “Partakers of the divine nature”

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

a.  A new nature.  A new creature.

 

b.  A divine nature.  A new life.

 

7.  Verse 4.  The promise of eternal life.  “having escaped”

 

John 10:27-29  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

 

a.  Escaped the bondage of sin.

 

b.  Escaped the burning of hell.

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