Growing in God's Unmerited Favor

INTRODUCTION

Last week be gained a greater understand of what grace is - God’s favorable (unmerited) actions towards man

To obtained this Grace is through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Like God’s Grace, this faith exhibits action not just a mere concept.

Thesis Statement: To grow in Grace or Go’s unmerited favor means having a deeper understanding of what God has done for us

Lesson Text

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

We must read this in its context

2 Peter 3:14 NIV

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Don’t Be a C. I. N. O. - Christian in Name Only

Understanding what a Christian should be, but living practically as an atheist.

Are you making every effort to be found spotless and blameless or are you forever more hiding behind the mantra of “I’m a work in process”

2 Peter 3:15 ESV

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

When living as a C.I.N.O. you don’t bare in mind, count, or regard the patience of Lord as salvation

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

If you see your former self or your struggling self in these scriptures, then you will keep in mind the patience of God!

2 Peter 3:17 ESV

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

I’ve said numerous times, there are ungodly influences in the world that are competing for your attention and your very soul!

Galatians 5:4 ESV

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Romans 1:28 ESV

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Because God loves you so much, he will not violate your freewill.

The Lord’s Church should never be a “safe place” for bad ideas. It is a place were people are treated with gentleness and respects and where corrupt thinking goes to die.

2 Peter 3:18 NIV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

As you grow in the knowledge of God, you gain a greater understanding and appreciation of how profound and incredible His grace is.

The seed you plant today may not germinate in your life time

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Hebrews 11:37 ESV

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—

Jesus never keeps you where he found you

CONCLUSION

if you:

Make every effort to be blameless

Count/regard God’s patience

Take care not to be carried away by worldly influences and false doctrine

Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

Then you will truly understand the meaning of growing in God’s unmerited favor.