Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

2 Peter 1:1-15 ESV

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

I. WAZZUP?!
A. Peter is a slave to Jesus and his readers are his equals.
B. The theme of growing in grace bookends the letter.

II. GROWTH SPURTS OF GRACE
A. We grow because the Holy Spirit teaches us.
B. We grow because the Holy Spirit transforms us.

III. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
A. Peter does just give a list but a ladder that helps us measure how high we have climbed (our maturity.)
B. Sanctification, growing to maturity in Jesus, is a joint work between us and God.

IV. THE SANCTIFICATION LADDER
A. The first step is faith. Everything else blossoms out of faith.
B. The next step is virtue or moral excellence.
C. Next step is knowledge of God by reading His Word.
D. Next is dealing with inner person by exercising self-control.
E. Next is consistency. Becoming a person who can be counted on no matter what.
F. After that is holiness, really pursuing the life of Jesus.
G. Finally, we end at love for our fellow siblings of Jesus and for the world in general.

V. KEEP BRINGING UP OLD STUFF
A. Only 2 reasons we are not climbing ladder of sanctification: either forgot who we are in Christ or not in Christ at all.
B. Peter wants to stir up maturity in us by reminding of us of all the same old stuff.

NEXT STEPS:
1. Sanctification takes a lifetime.
2. Sanctification is a combo of grace & knowledge.
3. Your most intimate relationship is the best place to measure your maturity.