How to Grow your Faith II. The Divine Foundation

Today we will take a look a 2 Peter 1:3-4

I. The Divine Foundation (2 Peter 1:3-4)

2 Peter 1:3–4 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.

A. God's Divine Power

1. God's role in providing everything necessary for life and godliness.

God gives us everything we need to live the life He has called us too

Its given to us through His amazing power

God's role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe showcases His divine power.

He is omnipotent, possessing unlimited strength and authority.

This divine power is the source from which everything necessary for life and godliness flows.

It includes the resources, wisdom, and abilities required to live a life that honors Him.

2. Knowledge of God

The verse in 2 Peter highlights that this provision comes "through the true knowledge of him."

Knowing God intimately is essential because it leads to a deeper relationship and understanding of His character, purpose, and will.

This knowledge is acquired through prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, and personal encounters with God.

If you missed it we just completed a series on the knowing God

3. God’s Calling

God's calling plays a vital role in this provision.

He calls us into a relationship with Him, and through that calling,

He equips us for a life of godliness.

It is a calling based on His "own glory and excellence,"

not on our own efforts

emphasizing His grace and benevolence.

4. Our faith is rooted in God's power, not our own.

Our faith is rooted in God's power, not our own, is a foundational truth and a critical aspect of understanding the nature of faith.

Here are several key points to drive home this important concept:

Human Limitations:

As humans, we are inherently limited in our abilities and understanding.

Our finite nature means that we cannot fully comprehend or control the complexities of life and the universe.

Any attempt to rely solely on our own power and understanding falls short.

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 NASB95

1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Dependence on God:

Faith acknowledges our dependence on God's infinite power and wisdom.

It recognizes that we are not self-sufficient but rely on the Creator of the universe for guidance, provision, and purpose.

Our faith journey begins when we place our trust in God rather than in our own strength.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NASB95

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Salvation by Grace:

The core of Christianity is the belief that salvation is a gift of God's grace, not something we can earn through our efforts

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It's a recognition that our righteousness is as "filthy rags" compared to God's holiness

Isaiah 64:6 NASB95

6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

We cannot save ourselves; it is only through faith in Christ that we are justified.

Faith as a Gift:

Even the faith we exercise is a gift from God

Romans 12:3 NASB95

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

It is not a product of our own strength or intelligence but is infused into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Our faith is a response to God's initiative.

God's Faithfulness:

Our trust in God is based on His unwavering faithfulness and character.

Throughout the Bible, God has shown His power by fulfilling His promises and delivering His people.

Our faith is anchored in the trustworthiness of God, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever"

Hebrews 13:8 NASB95

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

If He was faithful then…He will be faithfull now.

Yet another reason to refresh yourself with the word of God

Deuteronomy 6:5–9 NASB95

5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Humility and Surrender:

Recognizing that our faith is rooted in God's power cultivates humility.

We acknowledge our limitations and submit to His divine authority.

It's a surrender of our self-reliance and an admission that we need His guidance and strength in every aspect of our lives.

Colossians 3:12–13 NASB95

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

our faith is a response to the recognition that God's power and sovereignty far surpass our own.

Emphasizing this truth helps us approach our faith journey with humility, gratitude, and a deep trust in God's provision, knowing that it is His power that sustains us and empowers us to live a life that honors Him.

B. Precious Promises

1. The role of God's promises in our faith journey.

The role of God's promises in our faith journey is profound and multifaceted.

God's promises serve as a foundation, a source of hope, and a guiding light throughout our spiritual walk.

Here are several key aspects of the role of God's promises in our faith journey:

Foundation of Faith

God's promises are the bedrock upon which our faith is built.

They provide us with assurance and certainty in an often uncertain world.

When we anchor our faith in God's promises, we have a solid foundation that withstands the storms of doubt and adversity.

Source of Hope:

God's promises offer hope in times of despair.

They remind us that even in the darkest moments, God remains faithful to His word.

This hope sustains us, enabling us to persevere through trials and tribulations with the knowledge that God's promises will be fulfilled.

Guidance and Direction:

God's promises often come with guidance and direction for our lives.

For example, in the Bible, we find promises that instruct us on how to live a righteous and fulfilling life.

These promises serve as a moral compass, helping us make choices that align with God's will.

Comfort in Grief:

In times of sorrow and grief, God's promises provide comfort and solace.

The promise of God's presence

Matthew 28:20 NASB95

20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

His peace

Philippians 4:7 NASB95

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

His comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Brings healing to wounded hearts.

Motivation for Obedience:

God's promises inspire us to obey His commands and live a life that pleases Him.

For example, the promise of eternal life

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

motivates believers to follow Christ and share His love with others.

Strength in Weakness:

God's promises remind us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

When we feel inadequate or overwhelmed, we can rely on His promises to provide the strength and courage we need to overcome obstacles.

Confidence in Prayer:

God's promises give us confidence in prayer.

When we pray in alignment with His promises, we can trust that He hears and answers our petitions.

This deepens our prayer life and strengthens our relationship with God.

pray His promises

Assurance of Salvation:

The promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith

Romans 10:9–10 NASB95

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

It assures us of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life.

Discuss some of these promises and how they impact our lives.