Introduction:

- Welcome and opening prayer.

Today We are beginning a New Series

How to Grow your Faith

Humor

Why didn’t Noah’s family play cards on the ark? He was standing on the deck.

Who Is the first orphan mentioned in the Bible? Joshua, son of Nun (“none”).

Why wasn’t Boaz a nice man before he got married? He was Ruth-less.

Who was the world’s first comedian? Samson. He brought the house down.

A man goes out ice fishing one morning. He reaches the ice and is about to cut a hole in it when he hears a voice from above: “There are no fish here.”

The fisherman is shocked but gets up and moves to another spot. As he’s about to cut a hole, he hears a voice from above again, “There are no fish here either.”

He gets up and moves to a third spot. Before he’s even finished walking, the voice says, “I’m telling you, there are no fish here.”

The fisherman says, “God, how can you be so sure there aren’t any fish here?”

The voice replies, “This is the ice rink manager.”

- Briefly introduce the context of 2 Peter and the purpose of the letter.

God highlighted these verse to me as I was doing my Bible reading.

I realized in all my years of Preaching I’ve never preached on this passage

Now is the time

As I began preparing what I thought was a single message, maybe 2. I quickly saw it could become a series. Currently 4 messages

so I hope you brought your lunch!

What passage was I reading when this occured?

allow me to read it to you!

2 Peter 1:3–11 NASB95

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. 4 For by these 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 that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Amen

Some of you see what I mean when I said this will become a series.

Today we will call this the introduction

To give you some background

Peter wrote this letter from Rome soon after he wrote 1 Peter in AD 64–66.

So what would have prompted another letter to the same group so soon after the first?

From the contents of the letter, it appears that Peter had received reports of false teachers in and among the churches in Asia Minor.

The apostle warned them about the insidious presence of those who spread heresies among the people (2 Peter 2:1),

marking such difficulties as a sign of the last days (3:3).

Peter wanted to encourage his people to stand firm and to instruct them on how best to do that.

Why is Second Peter so important?

The churches of Asia Minor were not just struggling with the persecution and suffering addressed in Peter’s first letter;

they also had strife and dissension within their ranks.

In an effort to stem the tide of heresy and false teaching among the Christians,

Peter emphasized the importance of learning and clinging to the proper knowledge of God.

In fact, this concept was so important to him that the word knowledge appears—in one form or another—

some fifteen times in the span of this short, three-chapter letter.

Peter’s theme in his second letter is a simple one:

pursue spiritual maturity through the Word of God as a remedy for false teaching and a right response to heretics in light of Christ’s promised second coming (2 Peter 1:3, 16).

When false teachers begin to whisper their sweet words into the ears of immature Christians, the body of Christ begins to break apart,

to lose what makes it distinctive in the first place

that is....

faith in the unique person and work of Jesus Christ.

Peter repeatedly points to the Word of God as the primary means of growth for the Christian throughout his letter (1:4, 19–21; 3:1–2, 14–16).

- Highlight the importance of spiritual growth and godliness in the life of a believer.

Spiritual growth and godliness are of paramount importance in the life of a believer for several compelling reasons:

1. Alignment with God's Will:

Romans 12:2 NASB95

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 139:23–24 NASB95

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Spiritual growth and godliness bring a believer closer to living in accordance with God's will.

It allows individuals to discern and follow the divine path, leading to a more meaningful and purposeful life.

2. Reflecting Christ's Image

Romans 8:29 NASB95

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

As believers grow spiritually and strive for godliness, they become more like Christ.

This transformation is a fundamental goal of Christian life, and it enables believers to exhibit Christ's love, compassion, and character in their interactions with others.

3. Strengthened Faith:

Luke 8:25 NASB95

25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Spiritual growth deepens one's faith.

As believers gain a better understanding of God's word and His promises, their trust in Him grows stronger.

This faith becomes an anchor in times of adversity and a source of hope and comfort.

4. Effective Service:

Galatians 5:13–14 NASB95

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

A spiritually mature and godly believer is better equipped to serve others effectively.

They can minister to the needs of their community, church, and the world, acting as instruments of God's grace and love.

5. Resisting Temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

A godly life is often a shield against temptation and sin.

As believers grow in godliness, they develop greater self-control, enabling them to resist the allure of sinful behaviors and make choices that honor God.

6. Healthy Relationships:

1 Peter 4:8–10 NASB95

8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Spiritual growth and godliness foster healthier relationships.

Believers who embody godly virtues such as love, patience, and forgiveness are more likely to maintain strong, harmonious relationships with family, friends, and fellow believers.

7. Eternal Perspective:

Hebrews 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A focus on spiritual growth and godliness reminds believers of their eternal destiny.

It encourages them to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly ones, ultimately leading to a perspective that transcends the temporary challenges of this world.

In summary, spiritual growth and godliness are not optional pursuits for believers but essential aspects of a vibrant, fulfilling, and impactful Christian life.

They enable individuals to draw closer to God, become more like Christ, serve others effectively, and navigate life's challenges with faith, hope, and love.

So after that summary of benefits, How many of you think

Spiritual growth and godliness are of paramount importance in the life of a believer?

That’s what Peter was driving at with his letters

so where do we begin

Remember How do you eat a Elephant?

1 bite at a time

What is Faith?

Hebrews 11:1–13 NASB95

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Faith in the Christian tradition is a foundational concept and a central component of the Christian belief system.

It encompasses several key aspects:

An mean a plethoral of things

Belief in God:

Trust and Reliance in God:

Salvation through Christ:

Faith as a Gift:

Living Faith:

Faith in the Word of God:

Personal Relationship with God:

Faith in the Resurrection:

Community of Faith:

Conclusion:

I challenge you to assess you own spiritual growth and commitment.

are you more spiritual mature today than yesterday?

How about 3 years ago before the pandemic

statistically the many Christians are further behind in their spiritual growth than they we’re before the lockdowns

If you want to grow deeper in your faith and godliness plan to be a part of this series

closing prayer for continued growth in faith and godliness.