Grow in Devotion to Jesus

Intro

In Bible school I learned how to right an effective and persuasive research paper

Introduction (thesis); main points (support or prove thesis); conclusion (recap thesis)

Sermons are much the same

When you hear “in conclusion,” it’s time to wake up! Or elbow the person sleeping next to you...

Many of the letters in the NT are structured the same way

2 Peter is no different, and 2 Peter 3:14-18 gives us his conclusion

Not many “new thoughts,” but a reinforcement of all that he has taught in his letter

Let us be reminded of what is true and valuable, and be refreshed in looking at it from another angle

Read 2 Peter 3:14-18.

The summary has a lot in it, in few verses

Peter has a wonderful shoutout to “our beloved brother Paul”

Great to see them on the same page; shows trustworthy source

Peter also reminds of what his readers are to avoid:

To avoid the teaching of the ignorant and unstable, who twist the words of Scripture

Peter gives us positive steps to take to live according to the truth of Jesus (focus on the verbs/actions)

Be diligent

Take care

Grow

This is my thesis! Now let’s take a look at the main points:

Be Diligent (Make Every Effort)

Re-read 2 Peter 3:14.

“Be diligent” = “make every effort” (NIV)

A good reminder of what we learned at the beginning of the letter: We have a role to play in our spiritual development; we are called to work and work hard

Cf. 2 Peter 1:10.

Roll up your sleeves, and be ready to do your part in your spiritual growth

Action is required!

What were these “confirming qualities?”

Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love

Practice these qualities

Like how Eli and Malachi are SUPPOSED to practice percussion/piano

We practice these qualities, “to be found by [Jesus] without spot or blemish” (v. 14)

Remember the context = Jesus will return

So when he comes unexpectedly (like a thief) He will find us practicing these things

Without spot = pure

Just like a sacrificial lamb was required to be pure

The sacrificial blood of Jesus washes us clean (pure, holy) in God’s sight

Without blemish = blameless

No one can accuse you of wrongdoing

The sacrifice of Jesus grants us forgiveness of sins

This is one instance where Peter and Paul agree (and use similar language)

Cf. Philippians 1:9-11.

Pure and blameless for the day of Christ!

All of it comes through Jesus

We practice to be made perfect

In this specific letter, Peter uses this language to contrast true followers of Jesus with the false teachers

False teachers = “blots and blemishes” (2:13)

True calling in Jesus = Without spot or blemish

To be found at peace (with God)

What type of peace are we talking about? Inner peace? Peace with others? Peace with God?

Given the context, it is likely referring to peace with God

And guess what? Jesus accomplishes this for us, too

Colossians 1:19-20.

Action is required; we practice to be made perfect

Take Care (Be On Your Guard)

Secondly, we must “take care” - “be on your guard”

Re-read 2 Peter 3:17.

You have been warned (“knowing this beforehand”)

So much of 2 Peter is a warning; a head’s up for what is happening and what will continue to happen

It is hard to be on guard for everything; but we now know in advance

Talk about the lack of foresight by the engineers who built Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL

Warning = So you are not carried away with the error of lawless people

What does this look like?

They will call into question the trustworthiness of the holy prophecies (OT) and apostles witness to Jesus

They will be driven by enslavement to thier own desires and deny the authority of Jesus

They will mock those still waiting for Jesus to return, to judge and to usher in the new heaven and new earth

We are “on guard” against these threats by:

Using spiritual discernment

Holding all teaching up to Scripture

Relying on the HS to lead us into truth

Being a discerning community that learns together

We can avoid the danger = Do not lose your (spiritual) stability (v. 17)

Stability is related to “steadfastness” (one of the confirming qualities)

Means to have a solid and immovable foundation

Those who lack a strong spiritual foundation in Jesus are easy to be persuaded by false teaching

Use my analogy of being easy to knock over when I am squatting down

Here Peter warns that even those of us firmly founded can lose our footing if we are not properly on our guard

Don’t take this for granted! Be warned, and be ready by working on your foundation

Cf. Matthew 7:24-27.

Hear the words of Jesus (stay rooted in Scripture)

Do the words of Jesus (importance of obedience)

Remember, these are ALL calls to action

Grow

The best way to avoid falling is to keep growing: Grow.

Like riding a bike

Talk about teaching the boys to ride; goal is always to keep moving foward

Another way of looking at this is avoiding the danger of “downward drift”

Car doesn’t drift into repair, but disrepair; We don’t drift into running 5k, but become couch potatoes; marriage doesn’t drift into intimacy, but loneliness

Our relationship with God is the same; it requires active maintenance, investment and growth

At SBF, we have described this as growing in our devotion to Jesus

“Stony Brook Fellowship is a spiritual family that encourages the under-churched and over-churched to live as devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”

“Devotion” = vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus

Using Peter’s ideas and our own words, this sermon is called “grow in devotion to Jesus”

This is my hope as your pastor; no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, that you are moving closer to Jesus

Peter has his own effective way of describing how this looks:

Grow in grace

Grace = gift of kindness or favour towards someone

In our relationship with God, this is an undeserved gift that comes with forgiveness of sins and an eternal relationship with God

THIS is why we give gifts at Christmas; to remind us of the greatest gift of Jesus

Refer to Karen’s conversation with Silas RE: OCC boxes

To grow in grace is to grow in love, appreciation and experience of God’s unmerited favour towards us

This comes through experience

How have you experienced the love of Jesus in your life? When? Have you written it down? Have you shared it with others?

This comes through relationship

Favour and kindness are experienced up close and personal

Grow in knowledge

Knowledge has been an important theme for Peter this whole letter

Knowing God truly vs. false claims of knowledge

To grow in knowledge is to understand who God is more completely and accurately

This comes through study and prayer

What are you learning about the love of Jesus in your life? What is the Bible teaching you? Are you writing it down? Are you sharing it with others?

This comes through relationship

Knowledge is NOT just head knowledge; knowing someone truly is done up close and personal

Cf. Matthew 7:21-23.

Do you know Jesus? Does He know you? Are you growing closer to Him?

Conclusion

“In conclusion”… wake up! Peter gives us a great action plan for this entire letter

Make every effort

To pursue these “confirming qualities” and be found pure and blameless

Be on your guard

Heed the warnings about the temptation of false teaching; do not mistake a return to slaverly for freedom

Grow in your devotion to Jesus

Always move forward, learning more about Christ in your experience and knowledge of Him

Pray