Faithful Servant
Notes
Transcript
V.1
Peter identifies himself as a servant.
The Greek word "doulos" refers to a permanent relation of servitude.
It's really not surprising that Peter would use that term.
Our service to Christ is not at our leisure, it is a lifelong, day-by-day, hour-by-hour commitment.
It never ends, and it can sometimes be exhausting, but it’s a great place to be.
Peter also refers to himself as an apostle, or one who is sent by Christ.
He was affirming that his calling (and yours) comes from God, not from man.
Your calling is not based upon titles, degrees, experience, desire, or the will of any man.
Man can only confirm the will of God that is already at work in your life.
Your calling is from God!
God; however, will not call you to anything that contradicts His word.
Peter is writing this letter to those who have obtained faith.
This word translated as “obtained” means to receive by divine allotment.
Along with your calling, your faith also comes from God
In fact, your faith is a gift from God, and it is obtained by hearing His word.
Faith is a gift of God through His word.
Faith is a gift of God through His word.
Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 12:3
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Strong faith is not automatic when you get saved. The more you learn the word of God, the stronger your faith grows.
Through obedience and love we study His word, and through our trials we are drawn to His word. In both cases our faith increases.
This faith is precious, because a high price was paid for it, and it is only possible through the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He paid the ultimate price for it.
For that reason, you should desire to obtain as much faith as you possibly can.
V.2
Grace was a Roman greeting, and peace was a Jewish greeting, so Peter was careful to speak to all believers.
It is also important to note that grace always comes before peace.
Until we have experienced God's grace, we can't experience His peace.
Grace and peace are multiplied in our knowledge of Christ.
It all goes back to knowing His word and building a relationship with Him, which in turn, increases faith.
God works in your life in a very intricate way.
All of the parts are interwoven, and all are necessary for each of the others.
For the believer It begins with prayerful Bible study, which will move you to serve Him.
You will desire to be a bondservant, just as Peter was. This, in turn, brings you into a closer, more intimate relationship with Christ.
It is possible to know His word without having a relationship with Him, but you can't build a relationship with Him without knowing His word.
Could you build a relationship with someone you never took he time to get to know?
By the same token, you can know all about someone without ever meeting them or having a relationship with them.
To know Him brings rewards: faith, grace, and peace.
V.3
Along with the aforementioned rewards, knowing God brings other gifts.
He only gives us good gifts, and they will always pertain to life and Godliness.
God gives good things to those who seek Him.
God gives good things to those who seek Him.
Luke 1:53
Luke 1:53
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
Matthew 7:11
Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
These things come through the knowledge of Jesus, who knows what is best for you.
Like the Rolling Stones said, you may not always get what you want, but you'll get what you need.
God doesn't always give you what you want, but through His knowledge and wisdom, He always gives you what's best.
And He gives us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness.
It's a complete package, He doesn't just give us bits and pieces.
He gives and He calls.
When He gives gifts, He means for them to be used, and He calls us to do just that.
He has given to us and called us because of his glory and virtue (honor and goodness).
God, in all He does, is always honorable and good!
V.4
It is because of His attributes of honor and goodness (you might call it love), that He gives us promises.
The promises of God are not just lip service to make us feel good.
They are not mere hopes and expectations.
They are not empty and vain.
The promises of God are a sure thing, you can count on them.
God is not slack concerning His promises.
God is not slack concerning His promises.
2 Peter 3:9
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
These promises allow us to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
They allow us to be justified in His sight.
We are no longer held captive by sin, we have been set free.
We are no longer held captive by sin, we have been set free.
John 8:36
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
This world is corrupted by sin, and it was first brought about by lust.
This world is corrupted by sin, and it was first brought about by lust.
Genesis 3:6
Genesis 3:6
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
From that sin, the entire creation was cursed.
Satan had stolen what God had given.
Our relationship with God, each other, and even the rest of His creation had been drastically changed.
We would no longer have perfect fellowship with God, sin would act as a barrier.
We would no longer live in peaceful harmony with the animals, now there would be dangerous predators and bloodshed.
No longer would the earth provide food without effort, now it requires hard work just to eat.
No longer would we have eternal life, death had entered in.
Lust continues to feed sin today.
Lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes. We want and we take, without regard for anyone else.
The Bible makes it clear that things will only get worse, but all is not hopeless. Jesus came as a ransom for many.
All is not hopeless, Jesus came as a ransom for many.
All is not hopeless, Jesus came as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6
1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
Jesus paid the ransom.
He bought back what Satan stole, and in due time He will restore His creation.
But before that happens, things on earth will continually get worse.
In the mean time we need to pray that we will be counted worthy to escape, as we await the rapture.
We need to be watchful and pray until Jesus returns.
We need to be watchful and pray until Jesus returns.
Luke 21:36
Luke 21:36
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
You can thank God that if you are a born again Christian, that Jesus Christ has delivered you from that bondage of sin.
You can thank God that if you are a born again Christian, you will escape the tribulation.
Are you ready? Are you working to make sure that others are ready?
