Stir Up Growth

INTRODUCTION

In the opening verses of this epistle, the Apostle Peter brings to light the unity of believers through a Like Precious Faith (faith of equal standing - v. 1b)...one that is evident by being a slave of Christ and building up the body of Christ.

This faith, which comes about through the righteousness of...Jesus Christ, brings about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

This indwelling provides everything we need for Life and Godliness, as the Holy Spirit functions as the teacher of all things and the One who brings to remembrance the things we have learned (John 14:26).

He guides us into truth and He will glorify God (John 16:13-14), which is the goal of the believer: whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Thus, the Christian who knows the truth of the Word and is walking obediently in it, is glorifying God in their life.

A few weeks ago, we looked at the instruction for believers for Growing in Christlikeness. The need for believers to take seriously the implementation of 7 qualities that will make one more like Christ.

These qualities are informed by the Word of God and will bring confidence in the life of the believer, helping them to Confirm [Their] Calling and Election.

This week, we get a glimpse at the heart of the Apostle Peter and his desire to Stir Up Growth in the the church.

Read 2 Peter 1:12-15.

There are 3 lessons we can learn and apply from these verses as it relates to how we STIR UP GROWTH in the Church

LESSON 1: MAKE IT A POINT TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST

verse 12

“Stirring Up” Principle: Anytime, Anywhere [stir one another up]

Peter mentions that he desires to remind the people of these qualities, even though they know them.

Teachers/Preachers in the local assembly place undue expectations on themselves to “teach something new.” [“surely they know this...”]

Reality: people need to be reminded of the basics!

People have the tendency to remember what they ought to forget and forget what they ought to remember.

Illustration: Successful athletes perform well because they have mastered the fundamentals of their sport. Kobe Bryant practiced 8-hours a day, taking thousands of shots in the process, so he would not have to think about the shots he took during a game. Ted Williams practiced his swing all the time. He used bats...rolled up newspapers...anything that resembled a bat, to practice his swing. And he knew his strike zone very well. Olympic athletes prepare everyday for several years in order to perform well in a 1-2 minute slot of time.

Michael Griffiths, God’s Forgetful Pilgrims Christians have a strange amnesia. A high proportion of people who go to church have forgotten what it's all for. Week by week they attend services in a special building and go through time-honored routine but give little thought to the purpose of what they're doing.

The Apostle Paul saw it as his duty to remind believers of things that they ought to already know:

Romans 15:14–15 ESV

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God

Philippians 3:1 ESV

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

While we need to MAKE IT A POINT TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST, we must keep in mind that oftentimes it is the simple reminder of the things we ought to know that makes all the difference.

Matthew Henry The great doctrines of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, and all that believe in God must be careful to maintain good works—these are truths the apostles insisted on in their day; these are faithful sayings, and worthy of all acceptation in every age of the Christian church.

LESSON 2: OUR EARTHLY PRESENCE IS MOTIVATION ENOUGH TO STIR UP OTHERS

verses 13-14

Many Christians struggle with this concept of motivating and encouraging one another.

The struggle is not with believing it or knowing they should, but with implementing it.

“Who do I encourage?”

“Where is it appropriate to encourage someone?”

“How do I encourage them?”

The “Who” and “Where” are a pretty settled matter based on the principle found in these verses:

“Stirring Up” Principle: All The Time, Everywhere [stir one another up]

The “How” is also given to us in Scripture, but we have to go digging for it. [NOTE: Quality #2 - supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge]

Romans 14:19 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

There are 59 one another commands in Scripture that help us figure out the “How” of encouraging others.

So dig in!

Genesis 1-3: God has created us in His image, for the purpose of relationship and obedience to His Word.

The basic reality is that we are created with the intention of relating… and it is through our relating that we stir up one another to growth in Christlikeness

It is built into our very existence

Thus, it is not so much about the “Who” or “Where” or “How” as much as it is about the “Why”… “Why should I encourage others?”

I should do it because I am here

Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

LESSON 3: OUR LEGACY SHOULD BE A CATALYST FOR FUTURE MATURITY

verse 15

Peter’s aim was to so stir up the people that they would continue in Christ, even when he was gone.

They would remember his work and words!

In their remembrance of him, they would continue to stir up one another.

“Stirring Up” Principle: When I’m Gone; No Longer Here [stir one another up]

This is the purpose of Communion in the Church!

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

The whole purpose of the Communion table is to remind the saints of the sacrifice of Christ

Stirring up is very important in a church.

We are reminding and encouraging one another to live lives that are honoring to the Lord

A word for the Elders: The goal of our leadership is to prepare the sheep to go and live for Christ.

The preparation must have the gospel at its core and must be driven by the Word of God.

It must be accomplished anytime, anywhere, as long as we are on this Earth, so that when we are gone, the people will continue in it.

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Peter lays out 3 lessons for us to follow as to how to STIR UP GROWTH in the church.

Lesson 1 - Make It A Point To Build Up The Body Of Christ

Lesson 2 - Our Earthly Presence Is Motivation Enough To Stir Up Others

Lesson 3 - Our Legacy Should Be A Catalyst For Future Maturity

Anytime, anywhere, we must be ready to share the gospel and encourage believers in their walk with Christ.

Our ministry is active until we take our last breath and are called to heaven by our Savior.