Precious Promises

Good morning, church. Today we are going to look at a passage from the second letter of Peter, one of the closest disciples of Jesus and a leader of the early church.

Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians who were facing persecution and false teachings, and to remind them of the precious promises that God has given us in Christ.

Let’s read together 2 Peter 1:3-8

2 Peter 1:3–8 NKJV

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this passage, Peter tells us three important things about God’s promises:

they are based on his divine power and glory,

they require our diligent response, and

they result in our fruitful effectiveness.

Let’s explore each of these points in more detail.

Point 1:

God’s promises are based on his divine power and glory (verses 3-4).

Peter begins by praising God for his power and glory, which he has revealed to us through Jesus Christ.

He says that God has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

This means that God has not only saved us from our sins, but also equipped us with his Spirit, his Word, and his gifts to live for him and serve him.

One of the ways that God has shown us his power and glory is by giving us his very great and precious promises.

God has shown us His power and glory by giving us His great and precious promises

These promises are not like human promises, which can be broken or forgotten.

These promises are guaranteed by God himself, who cannot lie or change.

These promises are also not like worldly promises, which can be corrupted or disappointed.

These promises are eternal and satisfying, because they are based on God’s character and purpose.

What are some of these promises?

Well, there are many in the Bible, but let me mention a few that Peter refers to in this letter.

For example, in verse 4, he says that through these promises we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

This means that God has promised to make us more like him, to share his holiness and love with us, and to free us from the bondage of sin and death.

This is what Paul calls being conformed to the image of his Son in Romans 8:29

Romans 8:29 NKJV

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Another promise that Peter mentions in this letter is the promise of Christ’s return and the new heaven and new earth.

In chapter 3, he says that we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells in 2 Peter 3:13

2 Peter 3:13 NKJV

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

This means that God has promised to renew his creation, to wipe away every tear and pain, and to establish his kingdom of justice and peace forever.

This is what John saw in his vision in Revelation 21:1-5

Revelation 21:1–5 NKJV

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

These are just some examples of God’s very great and precious promises.

Point 2:

God’s promises require our diligent response (verses 5-7).

Peter does not stop at telling us what God has done for us, but also tells us what we should do for him.

He says that we are to make every effort to add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

These qualities are not only fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), but also means of grace that help us grow in our knowledge of God and his promises.

Why do we need to make every effort to add these qualities?

Well, first of all, because God commands us to do so.

He wants us to be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).

He expects us to obey him out of love and gratitude for what he has done for us.

Secondly, because these qualities are not automatic or easy.

They require discipline and diligence. They require prayer and study. They require practice and perseverance. They require cooperation and community. They are not something that we can achieve on our own, but only with God’s help and with each other’s support.

Thirdly, because these qualities are beneficial and rewarding.

They are not only good for us, but also good for others. They make us more effective and productive in our service to God and to his people. They make us more attractive and winsome in our witness to the world. They make us more joyful and content in our relationship with God and with ourselves.

Point 3:

God’s promises result in our fruitful effectiveness (verse 8).

Peter concludes by telling us the outcome of adding these qualities to our faith.

He says that if we possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This means that God’s promises are not only for our benefit, but also for his glory and his purposes in the world.

How do we measure our effectiveness and productivity?

Well, not by worldly standards, such as fame, wealth, or power.

But by godly standards, such as faithfulness, fruitfulness, and love. Jesus said that by their fruit you will recognize them in Matthew 7:16.

He also said that this is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples in John 15:8.

He also said that a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another in John 13:34-35.

What kind of fruit are we talking about?

Well, again, there are many kinds of fruit that God produces in us and through us, but let me mention a few that Peter refers to in this letter.

For example, in verse 9, he says that whoever does not have these qualities is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

This means that one of the fruits of God’s promises is assurance of salvation, knowing that we belong to him and that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Another fruit that Peter mentions in this letter is the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (verse 11).

This means that another fruit of God’s promises is inheritance of glory, looking forward to the day when we will see him face to face and share in his joy and honor (1 Peter 1:3-9).

These are just some examples of the fruit that God produces in us and through us as we grow in his promises.

They are not only for our enjoyment, but also for his praise. They are not only for our present, but also for our future. They are not only for ourselves, but also for others.

In conclusion, we have seen that God has given us very great and precious promises through his power and glory.

These promises are precious because they show us his love and grace, they give us hope and joy, and they reveal his plan and will for our lives.

These promises also require our diligent response, adding to our faith various qualities that reflect his character and purpose.

These qualities are not only fruits of the Spirit, but also means of grace that help us grow in our knowledge of God and his promises.

These promises also result in our fruitful effectiveness, producing in us and through us various fruits that glorify him and bless others.

So what does this mean for us today?

Well, it means that we need to treasure God’s promises more than anything else in this world.

We need to study them, meditate on them, memorize them, pray over them, claim them, and share them with others.

We need to make every effort to live according to them, by his grace and power.

We need to bear much fruit for him, by his Spirit and love.

Let me ask you a few questions as we close:

Do you know God’s promises for your life?

Have you accepted his promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?

Have you experienced his promise of transformation by the Holy Spirit?

Have you embraced his promise of eternal life with him?

Are you growing in God’s promises for your life?

Are you adding to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love?

Are you using the means of grace that he has provided for you, such as his Word, prayer, fellowship, service, worship?

Are you fruitful in God’s promises for your life?

Are you assured of your salvation and your identity in Christ?

Are you looking forward to his return and his kingdom?

Are you loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

Are you loving your neighbor as yourself?

Are you loving one another as Christ has loved you?

These are some of the questions that we need to ask ourselves as we examine our lives in light of God’s promises.

These are some of the challenges that we need to face as we respond to God’s promises.

These are some of the opportunities that we need to seize as we share God’s promises with others.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your very great and precious promises. We thank you for your power and glory, your grace and mercy, your love and faithfulness. We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. We thank you for your Holy Spirit, who lives in us and guides us into all truth.

Lord, we confess that we often fail to appreciate your promises. We often neglect to study them, meditate on them, memorize them, pray over them, claim them, and share them with others. We often fail to live according to them, by your grace and power. We often fail to bear much fruit for you, by your Spirit and love.

Lord, we ask for your forgiveness and cleansing. We ask for your renewal and transformation. We ask for your help and strength. We ask for your wisdom and direction. We ask for your joy and peace.

Lord, we commit ourselves to you and to your promises. We commit ourselves to grow in our knowledge of you and of your promises. We commit ourselves to add to our faith various qualities that reflect your character and purpose. We commit ourselves to be fruitful in our service to you and to your people.

Lord, we praise you and worship you. We glorify you and honor you. We love you and adore you. You are our God, and we are your people. You are our Father, and we are your children. You are our Savior, and we are your disciples. You are our Lord, and we are your servants.