2 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:1–11 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

back to basics sermon - what should a new christian be doing? Or how can i help a new christian grow?

Help them drink spiritual milk like a spiritual infant

1 Peter 2:2 ESV

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Peter lays out 3 things for a new christian to be doing (called drinking spiritual milk)

1. To taste the kindness (goodness) of the Lord

Good - chrēstos -adjective - properly, fit for use, useful; virtuous, good, pleasant opposed to bitter or bad taste,

KJV usage - kind, easy, better, goodness, good, gracious

This is based on what? How do you taste the kindness of God?

(Read about Who He is and what he has done (will do) in His word!

Experience what He is doing in Life

Experience peace that passes understanding from Who He Is

May have some kids bring examples

2. Learn to offer spiritual sacrifices, not because you have to, but because you now CAN!

Discuss what this means

3.Find contentment that God accepts you.

No condemnation for those in Christ, no matter how much people say “YOU HAVENT CHANGED. I DONT SEE CHANGE.”

May look at sin guilt cycle here

Jesus was rejected by men but accepted by God.

You will be rejected by men but accepted by God because of Jesus.

4. Find assurance in the final work of Christ

will not be put to shame

Separate getting saved and being saved

If you believe and confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) - You’re saved.

Sin doesnt disqualify you.

Others accusations dont disqualify you. Your doubts don’t disqualify you.

This is what Grace is for. For sin.

Unbelief disqualifies you.

We dont find in the Bible:

-Someone wanting to be have a relationship with Jesus, yet rejected.

-Someone not wanting anything to do with Jesus, and be dragged to heaven.

Jesus doesn’t drag you to heaven if you dont want to go

Jesus doesnt reject you, if you want eternal life.

Salvation-doubt diagnostic chart from Romans 8

Step 1: Romans 10:9 - Do you believe the gospel? Is Jesus Lord? Yes or no?

if yes - go to step 2

if no - believe and confess Jesus as Lord and you will be saved

Step 2: Is the doubt caused by internal or external forces?

Is someone questioning your salvation? See Romans 8:1

Is it in your head? Go to Step 3.

Step 3:

Identify the main hang-up you are having, then go to step 4.

Is it habitual sin?

Kill the sin to live - Romans 8:13

Is it a sensitivity to your “messing up” type sins?

Also, Kill the sin to live (Romans 8:13)BUT...

Take hope because you are exactly where you need to be.

This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

This sensitivity is something to embrace, not cause you to doubt your salvation. Romans 8:6-9

You will continue to have to fight these mess-up sins throughout life because while here on Earth, only your spirit is made new, not your physical body.

Romans 8:10

Our hope is that one day, God will give us a new, sin-free body too.

Romans 8:11

Is it past-trauma related?

Begin to get the medical and counseling help you need to get healthy.

See a doctor first, for a check-up.

You may also need to begin seeing a counselor/specialist to begin sorting through the trauma or possible PTSD.

Remember:

God loves you and will not let you go.

Romans 8:35

Romans 8:38-39

The suffering you have experienced is not meaningless.

Romans 8:18-21 (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Romans 8:28

Is it physical-ailment related?

See a doctor for a check-up.

Do not discount the influence a sick body has on our spirit.

Don’t let feelings created from a sick body deceive you from the truth of Romans 10:9

Is it discipleship related?

Are you teachable?

Are you asking questions about the things you read in God’s word?

Are you living in christian community?

Do you have more mature people mentoring you in being a Christian?

Is it discipline related?

Do you need to create habits of prayer, bible study, worship, tithing, sharing your faith, and fasting?

Is it theology related?

Learn the difference between justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Seek God’s word on what it means to be saved.

Understand God’s part in a person’s salvation.

Step 4:

-Grow in your faith and holiness by attacking the hang-up instead of the salvation event.

-Stop questioning how you said a prayer or how you walked an aisle, and start aggressively sorting through the hang up. WHATEVER IT TAKES: prayer, support, bible study, understanding psychology, doctor’s visits, biblical counseling, mentorship, worship, spiritual disciplines, discipleship.

-By God’s grace, as you shift your focus from “was I really saved” to addressing the hang-up, AND ACTUALLY GROWING AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, Jesus works in our hearts to produce peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).