Stairway to Godliness
Notes
Transcript
V.5
Because of our faith in Christ and His work of salvation, we should desire to add to our faith.
Peter here gives us a list of attributes (a stairway, if you will. One step leads to another) that will define your faith, and that we should all aspire to.
>The list begins with faith, because that is the necessary starting point. We must first place our faith in Christ if we are to become more like Him.
It is impossible to be acceptable to God, without placing your faith in Him.
It is impossible to be acceptable to God without placing your faith in Him.
It is impossible to be acceptable to God without placing your faith in Him.
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
>From faith comes virtue (moral excellency, goodness, to be acceptable to God. In short, it is righteousness).
Righteousness is not obtainable on our own. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we have no righteousness of our own.
The Bible makes it clear that we have no righteousness of our own.
The Bible makes it clear that we have no righteousness of our own.
Isaiah 64:6
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Romans 3:23
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Righteousness cannot be earned. It is revealed in faith and given by God.
Righteousness cannot be earned. It is revealed in faith and given by God.
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
This righteousness doesn't mean that you are sinless, it means that you are forgiven, and are acceptable to God.
>Notice that knowledge comes next.
If we have indeed received the gift of righteousness from Jesus Christ, then we will desire to get to know the gift giver even better.
It is more motivation to pray and study the Word of God.
V.6
Now, we build on that knowledge.
Greek philosophers saw philosophical knowledge as the key to changing people's behavior.
Peter; however, intended knowledge to include the sense of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Knowledge is important, but it isn't the basis of our changed life… Jesus Christ is.
Remember, our list started with faith.
The closer our relationship with Christ, the more we should become like Him.
So, as knowledge leads to a deeper relationship, self control is the obvious next step.
>Self-control:
This seems pretty self explanatory, but self control is a virtue that is not often promoted or practiced in our society.
This is evidenced by the rampant alcohol and drug abuse, sexual immorality, greed, and over indulgence of every sort.
In fact, whenever we allow something (anything) to occupy a larger part of our life than Jesus, we have failed to exercise self control, and have created an idol.
>Add to self control, perseverance.
Perseverance is learned through our trials.
We are to keep on going, despite the circumstances.
Paul talked often about running AND finishing the race.
We are told to lay aside our burdens and sins, and endure the race.
To carry a load only slows you down and causes you to quit.
Shed the extra weight.
If you were running a marathon, would you strap a piano to your back?
We need to shed the excess baggage to effectively run the race.
We need to shed the excess baggage to effectively run the race.
Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Notice now that you are becoming more like Christ, and the next step is Godliness.
>Godliness:
We should endeavor to walk like He walked, talk like He talked, and to act the way He acted.
When we do this, perseverance will come in handy.
The more we become like Christ, the more we will be despised and persecuted.
Notice, though, by the time we get to that point, He has prepared us to handle it. We will be able to persevere and finish the race.
Do you see the perfect order of how God works all things together?
One step leads to the next (remember the staircase).
V.7
As you continue to become more Christ-like, you will develop a brotherly kindness.
>Brotherly kindness:
You will learn that the world doesn't revolve around you.
You will learn that life revolves around serving God.
You will learn to put others first.
The Bible teaches us to put others first, which will result in love.
The Bible teaches us to put others first, which will result in love.
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
When that becomes a reality in your life, you will develop the next step, love.
>Love:
John 13:34-35
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Can people look at you and tell that you are a disciple of Christ?
V.8
If you possess the aforementioned attributes, your lives will show it.
You will bear fruit, in fact, you will do great work for Jesus.
Not because you are great, but because of the greatness of God, who works His will in you.
You will also be knowledgeable about Jesus Christ.
You will be able to rightly divide the word of truth, and will have a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
V.9
Those who don't possess these attributes are short sighted.
They have no vision, they are blind and self-focused.
They forget the work of Christ, and the sacrifice of His blood.
They pursue their own worldly lusts, and will return to their old lives.
That is the way of death.
Man’s way is the way of death.
Man’s way is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12
Proverbs 14:12
Pro 14.12
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
V.10
We are admonished to be sure that we have given our lives to Christ.
If you don't possess those attributes, you need to re-evaluate your salvation.
If you do possess those attributes, then you are walking with God, and He won't let you fall.
When you walk with God, He will not let you fall. You are preserved in Christ.
When you walk with God, He will not let you fall. You are preserved in Christ.
Jude 24
Jude 24
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Jesus keeps us from stumbling (KJV falling). This is a beautiful picture of the assuredness of your salvation.
Jude 1
Jude 1
Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
That literally means kept, and no one can snatch you from the Father's hand.
No one can snatch you from the Father's hand.
No one can snatch you from the Father's hand.
John 10:28-29
John 10:28-29
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
V.11
God's kingdom is opened for His faithful, and it is opened abundantly.
As a believer, you can't miss the door!
Jesus is the door to salvation.
Jesus is the door to salvation.
John 10:9
John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
Once you are in, you are in forever!
