The Great Power of “These Things”

(Only read verses 8–15—Draw the congregations attention to the repeated phrase “these things.”)

2 Peter 1:8–15 NKJV

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

[Pray]

Intro:

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“The Great Power of “These Things”

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I saw a video this of Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador - “I don't want to be remembered in history as a president who stole the nation... I don't want to be remembered as a president who didn't steal, but who surrounded himself with thieves…”

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In other words he was saying – “I don’t want be known as a failure”

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Q: Who among us would like to be known as a failure in the Christian life?

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That's a really stupid question, isn't it? After all, who wants to fail?

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The truth is that each of us here wants to be a successful Christian and we want to bring glory and honor to the name of the Lord.

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Well, you can have it either way you want it!

After all, we read of men in the Bible who failed in their Christian experience.

1. Demas—

Philemon 24 “24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.”

Colossians 4:14“14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”

2 Timothy 4:10 “for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica…

2. Hymenaeus and Alexander—1 Tim. 1:19–20

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Everything leads us to believe that “Demas, Hymeneus and Alexander, the coppersmith”, were Workers in the Church of Christ, but, because they could not withstand the persecutions against the Church, they ended up shipwrecked in faith (they left the Work of the Lord and went astray of the ways of the Lord, to the point that the apostle Paul said: they were handed over to Satan).

These men, after having met Jesus, after having been Workers in the Church of Christ, after possibly having been friends with Ap. Paul, went astray and “spit on the plate from which they ate”,

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Some scholars say that “Alexander, the coppersmith” testified against Paul in court, at the Court of Rome, damaging Ap. Paulo greatly!

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Paul advised Timothy to be careful with this Alexander (2 Tim 4:15)

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In our days it is no different, as there are many “Demas, Hymenaeus and Alexanders” out there.

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People who once belonged to Christ, were once good Workers, were once our friends, but who let themselves be carried away by struggles, by temptations, by the proposals of the flesh, by money, by the proposals of Satan and shipwrecked in faith!

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Many of those who shipwreck in faith abandon the Local Churches, others, however, shipwreck in faith but continue within the Local Churches!

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These are the worst and most dangerous for the flock, because they confuse people with the false appearance of devotion to Christ and His Church, that is, they say they are born again Christian, but in reality they are not, they are false, hypocrites, treacherous liars, envious, quarrelsome, a blasphemers; loud-mouthed and causes harm to True Christians and the Church of Christ!

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When I read about these people I discover that there is a possibility for anyone to shipwreck in faith and I don't want that to happen to me!

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My desire is to be the best I can be for the glory of God.

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And I assume with great conviction that this is what you want too.

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Fortunately, Peter gives us the secret to living godly lives. Let's look at some steps that, if taken, will ensure our success as Christians.

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As we read these verses, notice these 7 Steps to a Victorious Life.

I. WHAT IS AT OUR DISPOSAL - v. 8-11

A. v. 8 “These Things” Guarantee Your Fruitfulness—

2 Peter 1:8 (NKJV)

‌8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful …

This implies that you will be a witness and a soul winner for Jesus.

Whatever “these things” are, they must be pretty great because they promise us that we will always bear fruit.

This, after all, is the goal of our Heavenly Father—John 15:1–2. It is also proof of our faith in Him—Luke 6:43–44.

(Ill. "These things", whatever they may be, will prevent the Christian from being reproached by the Lord, 1 Corinthians 9:27“27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

B. These Things Guarantee Spiritual Discernment— v. 9a

2 Peter 1:9 (NKJV)

9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness…

Many people have absolutely no spiritual discernment.

They are blind and easily lead astray, Eph. 4:14.

But, when “these things” are active in our lives, we will be able to see the tricks, traps and temptations of the Devil.

We will be able to see the needs of others and not be blinded by our own selfish interests.

We won’t ever be blind and in spiritual darkness ever again.

I don’t know about you, but whatever “these things” are, I want to know about them!

C. These Things Guarantee You Absolute Assurance Of Salvation— v. 9b

2 Peter 1:9 (NKJV)

9 For he who lacks these things …has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Who among us hasn’t doubted his/her salvation?

We have all doubted from time to time!

Many people are so over come with their doubts that are of no use to the Lord.

Evidently, they lack “these things.” Because, “these things” promise us that we can have assurance of salvation.

They promise us that we can get to the place where we never doubt again!

I tell you, “these things” must really be something! Whatever “these things” are, then I want to know them. I want to be secure in the knowledge that I am saved.

D. These Things Guarantee That You Will Never Fall Again— v. 10

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV)

10 … if you do these things you will never stumble;

This verse says plainly that “these things”, if practiced in our lives, will ever keep us from falling.

How many have fallen as a Christian?

Every single one of us has fallen from time to time.

But, “these things” promise us a fall free life.

If I can get my hands on “these things” then I want them really bad because I never want to fall again.

Whatever “these things” are, they are worth going after if they will do all this.

If “these things” can guarantee:

1. That I will always be fruitful.

2. That I will always have spiritual discernment.

3. That I will never doubt my salvation.

4. That I will never fall as a Christian.

Then I want to know what “these things” are.

They must really be something! They are probably big things, or hard things, or expensive things.

They are probably things that are just out of the reach of the ordinary Christian.

I suppose they are things reserved for the “super saints” like Paul and Peter.

Well, let’s see what they are, even though they are bound to be really great things impossible to the likes of you and me.

II. THE STEPS - v. 5–7

Here are “these things.”

A. Virtue— v. 5

2 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue,

("Virtue is a moral quality")

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Virtues are all the habits that lead man towards good, towards an "excellent life" in the eyes of God.

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We can say that virtue is "Holiness"

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In other words, God is telling you and me that if we live by Bible principles and live morally pure lives, then He will grant those 4 priceless gifts we talked about earlier.

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(Ill. Moral purity refers to all aspects of our lives. Physical, mental and spiritual purity must be maintained if we expect blessings from Him on our lives – 1 Pet. 1:16)

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(Ill. the next one)

B. Knowledge— v. 5

2 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)

…add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

(Literally “an understanding of the truth and how to live it out.”)

The Holy Bible is telling us that we can have all “the things” we mentioned before, if we seek to have a solid knowledge of the doctrines of the Christian faith and apply them to our lives!

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How can we do this:

1. We are to get into the Word—2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2. We are to let the Word get into us—Jer. 15:16; 1 Peter 2:2 “2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”

C. Self-control —v. 6

2 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)

6 to knowledge self-control, …

Oh brother! This word implies that I do not do as I please, I control myself and do as the Lord pleases!

(Ill. Paul—1 Cor. 9:27)

(Ill. This is one of the fruit of the Spirit—Gal. 5:23.)

(Ill. This has application in every area of our lives. Often we lack those four benefits we talked of earlier because we lack self-control.

There are several area where we need to practice sel-control:

1. Our Tongues—

(Gossip and telling another person off) Some people are doubting their salvation, being unfruitful, falling into sin, and have no spiritual discernment because they cannot control their tongues!

(Ill. James 1:26; James 3:1–12; Ill. Pro. 26:20)

2. Our Tempers—

(Flying off the handle, getting mad and getting even.)

Some people lack the blessings because they cannot control their temper.

Temper can get you into big trouble! (Eph. 4:26)

(Never think that holding a grudge, or trying to get even will help you. When you do these things, you have assumed the place of God—Rom. 12:19)

3. Our Temptations—

Ill. Everyone is tempted—1 Cor. 10:13. However, not everyone falls into sin! The difference is self-control!

Many people are experiencing a lack of those four great blessings simply because they have no self-control!

(Well, “these things” are pretty important, but so far they are just common knowledge, if not common practice. ...)

D. Perseverance—(Endurance) - v. 6

2 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)

6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance…

A persevering person is one who does not deviate from the Lord's paths even in the face of the greatest trials.

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Many are grieving the loss of God's great blessings just because they allow the slightest wind of adversity to blow them off the path.

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The persevering person is the one who has endurance.

(Ill. He is like the vine clinging to the tree during a severe storm. When the wind is to his back, he is merely pressed more tightly against the tree. When the wind is in his face, he is sheltered from the storm by the bulk of the tree. Whatever the circumstance he finds himself in, he always has the tree! Ill. Heb. 13:5)

(Ill. What I am saying is this: If you want to have the four great blessings we mentioned earlier, then you must have endurance and stop allowing every little thing knock you down.)

(Alright, we’re down to just 3 more. .…)

E. Godliness— v. 6

2 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)

… to perseverance godliness,

Godliness means having a deep Respect for the things of the Lord and a spirit of DEVOTION.

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The person who has this attitude takes God seriously in all areas of their life.

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His actions and attitudes reflect his beliefs.

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He spends his days serving God and serving men without expecting anything in return.

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(Ill. Many are fallen into sin, without the assurance of salvation and in a lot of trouble because they simply reached a point in their walk with God where they simply no longer cared what God thought about anything.

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They started to do whatever they wanted with the church, with the Bible, with their tithes, with prayer, testimony, sin, etc. (they change church/house/city/without even asking the Lord’s opinion …)

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The ego became motivation and no longer the fear and glory of the Lord.

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These people have forgotten that God speaks out loud and carries a stick in his hand! -

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Revelation 3:19 “I rebuke and discipline those I love. So be diligent and repent.)

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(Ill. The person who practices godliness is one who understands that God is truly a wonderful God. He fears the Lord, and strives to please Him and Him alone in all things, Ill. Ecclesiastes 12:13 “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”

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He understands that it doesn't matter what others think as long as God is satisfied and receives the glory. This person enjoys those four great blessings we discussed earlier.)

(Only 2 to go, these have got to be the biggies!)

F. Brotherly Kindness— v.7

2 Peter 1:7 (NKJV)

7 to godliness brotherly kindness,

(filadelfia—Literally, just plain old brotherly love.)

If Christians would practice the second Great Commandment, Matt. 22:39, then they would experience those four great blessings that we all want so badly.

(No wonder why some people are in the ACU with their faith, they doubt their salvation and are in trouble in their walk with the Lord….

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After all, all they do is fight with others.

This is not the way of the Lord!

Remember 1 John 4:20-21 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar, for whoever does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has seen. does not see.[a] 21 He gave us this commandment: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

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(OK, let's go for the last one! Here comes the big challenge! If we do it, it will guarantee us the 4 great blessings mentioned before.)

G. Love— (agaph—Love!) v. 7

2 Peter 1:7 NKJV

7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

He is referring to that self-sacrificing, never-ending, all-encompassing love that Jesus exhibited when He came to the earth to die for sin.

It is that very same love that God desires to see lived out in our lives today.

It is also for the lack of this love that many do not have the peace and assurance they desire—1 Cor. 13:1–3.

(Ill. When a life is lived in pure agaph love, God will be first, others second and self will be relegated to last place. The single motivation of life will be to manifest the love of Christ to everyone.)

(Are you disappointed with these things? Were you hoping for that something big that you could do that would make you stand out as a big-time Christian?

Well, when you get right down to it, these things are pretty big. In fact, they are so big that they cannot be produced in the life of an unbeliever!

The lost person just cannot fake “these things!” So, if they are present in your life then rejoice!)

H. v. 5 Notice the word “Add.”

2 Peter 1:5 “5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,”

This little word “add” means “to supply generously.”

It does not teach here that we are to first get faith, perfect that then add virtue, then add knowledge, etc. What it means is, that “these things” are to be practiced as a whole and every one of them is to be active all the time.

So, don’t pat yourself on the back if you have 3 or 4 out of the seven! God wants us to have them all operating in our lives all the time.

Conc:

Now, we know what “these things” are and what they can do for us. The final question of today is this, “Are ALL of them present in you life tonight?” If you found yourself lacking in 1 or 2, or in all 7, then the place to deal with that is right here in this altar. As for me, I want:

1. To always be fruitful.

2. To always have spiritual discernment.

3. To never doubt my salvation.

4. To never fall as a Christian.

Therefore, I am going to seek the Lord for all of “these things.” How about you?