Escaped from Corruption: Never Fail

The Big Picture

1. Four weeks teaching this passage to the summer interns

we took an in depth look at 8 attributes described in 2 Peter 1:1-11

In that I almost wish that I had one more week to give the “over view” message.

I felt we were looking at all the trees in the forest, and never got a chance to admire the landscape.

Photograpy: Life is comprised of moments

Photograph: focus. you can get beautiful pictures focusing on the image on front of you and blurring the background. or the opposite is true. neither one is better than the other, and both are needed to produce the beauty of the image. It depends on what you are trying to look at in that moment.

Our lives are comprised of different moments, and often our prospective on the situation determine how we go through these situations. Or what we are focusing on will determine the picture we are going to get. and that will produce our emotions and actions, and how we handle the situation.

some moments in our lives we can be faced with choice and Defining moments.

Character building moments

some moments are easier than others

2. I want us to keep some thoughts in focus as we look at what Peter does in these first eleven verses.:

create a picture for a Godly life, and how to comprise what we call the “Christian Life”.

the composition of these 8 attributes and their order are not accidental, but a way to get a complete picture.

But Why? What is the reason we are to focus on these attributes this way? Why are they build one upon another. This question is answered with in these 11 verses.

2 Peter 1:4 ESV

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

elaborate on: promises, partakers , Escaped from corruption (liberty)

Vs. 5 starts out with “make every effort.

we are christians. It is our “lifestyle” to do so.

this is written to the saints of God, or as Peter writes, “:a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

It is not written to the unbeliever.

the other reason we are to focus on these attributes this way.

2 Peter 1:12 ESV

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.

2: peter 1:

so we are established in the truth that we have

to stir us up by way of reminder

to stur us up in a w

so we may not fail . v10

think about it, how many people do you know who have fallen to the way side. over the years I have seen a few people become built up in the body of Christ and then fall to the way side for many reasons.

many of these people could be seen to have fallen in one or more of these attributes.

So as we go through this passage together. keep this in your mind. the big picture of it all. try to keep everything in this image in focus, even though we will be looking at some things individually.

Remember why we are looking at this.

we have ben given promises and we have escaped the corruption of this world, so we need to make every effort to hold these 8 attributes so we don’t fail.

essentially, these 8 things that will help you to endure to the End.

The bible says that “He who endures to the end shall be saved”

not he who prays this prayer, not he who says the right thing, not he who wears a tie to church. but he who endures until the end.

2 Peter 1:1–11 ESV

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

similar to the fruits of the spirit. or some of the fruits fall in to these 8 attributes. (Keep in the back of your head)

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The 8 attributes and how they fit together.

We have already talked about the big picture lets look at these 8 attributes and see how they go together.

What is Faith?

Definition:

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Faith FAITH (πίστις, pistis). Reliance upon and trust in God; a central emphasis of Christianity.

or as we know it: The moral conviction of the truthfulness of God

Why would Peter start with Faith?

(v.5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,)

The Substance: The Glue.

The Substance: The Glue.

It holds everything together. Without it everything becomes irrelevant.

Why would Peter start with Faith

i. Without Faith it is impossible to please God.

ii. Without Faith it is impossible to truly believe in God.

Reliance upon and trust in God

The moral conviction of the truthfulness of God

Faith is the substance of all things hoped for and the evidence of the things not seen.

Faith is the glue that bonds everything together.

we know that without faith it is impossible to please God

Our Salvation rests upon the principles of faith

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Faith produces action.

By the grace of God we have been saved, though our faith in Jesus Christ.

It is not our own doing, because we in our selves cannot produce any action to save ourselves.

the actions of the law, or the works of the law cannot save us.

no animal sacrifice

no washing of the hands.

it is only through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith produces action.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:11 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—

Ephesians 2:10–11 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—

Eph 2

Our faith should produce action. We were created for good works. and we should walk in them.

our faith should produce good works. Good works apart from faith, are not counted as faith.

What I mean by that the atheist Philanthropist cannot do enough good actions, or help to “save humanity” and stand before God, and then be saved because of those good actions.

What is Virtue?

Definition:

“Moral goodness” or Moral excellence

Morality does not require Faith

Faith in Christ will produce moral living

We are to be a morally excellent people and walk out our Faith in Christ virtuously.

What is Virtue

What is Virtue?

Definition :

​The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Virtue:In its ordinary modern meaning of “moral goodness” it occurs

Or Moral Excellence

Or Moral Excellence

​The Lexham Cultural Ontology Glossary Virtue.: In Greek thought, the notion of virtue was tied to the pursuit of excellence in all things becoming an effective member of society

Definition: In Greek thought, the notion of virtue was tied to the pursuit of excellence in all things becoming an effective member of society

Morality does not require Faith

Definition:

“Moral goodness” or Moral excellence

Morality does not require Faith

Morality does not require Faith

In this case becoming a more Effective member of the body of Christ

1. It makes sense that Peter would make this the next part of this equation.

Start with Faith

believing in God, the finished work on the cross

So we can have Liberty

And Walk In virtue.

2. Walking Virtuously

We Should want to be and walk moral. We are a moral people under christ. Built as a new Creation.

3. Where does our Desire for virtue or morality come from?

Our Faith IN CHRIST.

We Have the Liberty TO be moral, The freedom to Do So.

We don’t have to be tangled with sin. So Don’t.

Be A morally excellent people.

What is Knowledge?

Definition: acts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject

acts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject

The pursuit of Knowledge apart form God is flawed

Human knowledge opposed to God’s Knowledge is foolishness, and therefore not knowledge but foolishness

What is Self-Control?

Knowledge is power, with great power comes great responsibility.

What Is Self-Control?

Definition: Restraint exercised over one’s own impulse, emotions or desires

Restraint exercised over one’s own impulse, emotions or desires

, A man without Self-control is like a city broken into and left with out walls.

ITS A BIG DEAL

So big it’s a qualification for leadership.

It’s learned over time, trials, and patience.

Partnered with the Holy Spirit

Not spiritual osmosis

What is Steadfastness?

Definition:

Literally means endurance, perseverance, patience.

Literally means endurance, perseverance, patience.

It is more than Just perseverance (overcoming) or perseverance endurance.

Its all of those things wrapped into one.

He who endures until the end shall be saved, its a marathon not a sprint.

If you walked with Christ all your life but fell in your last year, all the things you did for Christ, people you led to the Lord, homes you build, mission trips you went on. They all mean nothing if you do not remain patient and steadfast.

What is Godliness?

Definition:

Reverence for God and a life of holiness in the world.

A devotion to God that produces a life that is pleasing to him.

Godliness is more than just outward actions, such as a good parent, hard worker, or even a speaker on behalf of Christ.

Upon this devotion to God Character is build within usFrom this devotion we are to walk, Holy, upright, and pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

Not what is pleasing in our sight.

Godliness is not optional for the believer.

You can’t have the actions of Godliness apart from the inwards heart of Godliness because , it produces what is pleasing unto self, not what is pleasing onto God.

Brotherly affection

Don’t have to like them but have to love them story.

- This kids annoying. But I just have to love him I don’t really have to like him.

- This kids annoying. But I just have to love him I don’t really have to like him.

what would it look like if i said, I love my wife, but never showed any affection?

What would it look like if I said, I love my wife, but never showed any affection?

what is brotherly affection? KJV, NIV Brotherly KindnessESV, NLT Brotherly affection NIV Mutual affection

What is brotherly affection? KJV, NIV Brotherly Kindness ESV, NLT Brotherly affection NIV Mutual affection

1 John 4:20 ESV

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Brotherly LoveBROTHERLY LOVE Concept that appears throughout the Bible, but the specific word for this type of love appears only in the NT. The word which is usually rendered “brotherly love” in the NT is the Greek philadelphia and is used only five times (; ; ; ; ). A similar word, philadelphos, appears in , and means “loving one’s brother.” However, the idea of brotherly love is much more extensive than these few occurrences.

​Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Brotherly LoveNew Testament Brotherly love in the ancient Christian literature means to treat others as if they were a part of one’s family. This kind of love means “to like” another person and to want what is best for that individual. The basic word used for the brotherly type of love, phileo, sometimes means “to kiss,” which was to show close friendship (). This kind of love is never used for the love of God nor for erotic love.

ESV If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

We are all members of one body. If we get into the I have to love them but don’t have to like them mentality, its really the hand saying to the foot I have no need of you.

this mentality can cripple the body.

So for us as a body it is important to walk as a body. Growing together, walking together, and treating each other with kindness and affection, and Love

What is Love

The Bible use 4 different greek words for love. (Not getting in to them all in this message)

Agapē is not kindled by the merit or worth of it’s object, but it originates in it’s own God-given nature. God is love.

Agapē is called out of one’s heart by the preciousness of the object loved. It is a love of esteem, of evaluation. It has the idea of prizing. It is the noblest word for love in the Greek language.2

It delights in giving.

Agapē is not kindled by the merit or worth of it’s object, but it originates in it’s own God-given nature. God is love.

This love keeps on loving even when the loved one is unresponsive, unkind, unlovable, and unworthy. It is unconditional love.

It delights in giving.

Agapē desires only the good of the one loved. It is a consuming passion for the well-being of others.

This love keeps on loving even when the loved one is unresponsive, unkind, unlovable, and unworthy. It is unconditional love.

Consider the context of the church in Corinth.

Agapē desires only the good of the one loved. It is a consuming passion for the well-being of others.

a church where Paul gave a great deal of correction because of sin

Consider the context of the church in Corinth.

-divisions in the church

a church where Paul gave a great deal of correction because of sin

-sexual immorality

-divisions in the church

deals with issues in spiritual gifts

-sexual immorality

marriage

deals with issues in spiritual gifts

food offered to idols

marriage

and the resurrection

food offered to idols

He sums up that what ever you do, if it is not out of love it is nothing.

and the resurrection

But it is out of a Godly love. An Agape Love.

He sums up that what ever you do, if it is not out of love it is nothing.

But it is out of a Godly love. An Agape Love.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Common Traits

Look at self-control, its a fruit of the spirt.

Does that mean that just because we are saved we now have self control? like a spiritual osmosis. go to sleep one night and all of the sudden you have it?

No each one of these attributes must be excersided.

if you thin that they will just happen.. well then you are just going to happen to fail.

when you are lacking in one area, it will take prayer and a conscience effort to overcome these things.

OUr Faith must Grow, We must conciouysly walk in Biblical morality or Virtue, we must disipin our selves to learn and excersie self control. We must put effort in to keep doing these things so we can remain steadfast in the faith, and to be kind to thsose whom normaly you would not, and love when it is not easy.

Tying it all together:

We know that we have been given precious promises in Christ.

We have been baptised with Christ, becoming partakers of his divine nature.

We have escaped the corruption of this world. We have the liberty to walk in lock step with Jesus Christ in a way that is pleasing unto him.

It is for this reason we are to walk with faith, virtue, knowledge, self control, steadfastness, godliness and brotherly affection and love.

2 Peter 1:8 ESV

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We want to be effective in our walk with Christ.

​ ESV For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

we want a fruit full life with christ, an effective witness and testimony.

We want to be effective in our walk with Christ.

Ineffectiveness is annoying. sub par. we want our best!

Gator socket tool is sub par when trying to work on a car.

​ ESVFor whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

If you lack these qualities chances are something is wrong.

Just like these steps are built one upon another, our walk with Christ should continue to build upward.

​ ESVTherefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

practice or exercise these qualities (attributes)

Look at self-control, its a fruit of the spirit.

Does that mean that just because we are saved we now have self-control? Like a spiritual osmosis? Go to sleep one night and all of the sudden you have it?

No each one of these attributes must be exercised.

If you think that they will just happen... well then you are just going to happen to fail.

All of these qualities take practice and exercising. Its not spiritual osmosis.

When you are lacking in one area, it will take prayer and a conscience effort to overcome these things.

Our Faith must grow, We must consciously walk in Biblical morality or virtue, we must discipline ourselves to learn and exercise self-control. We must put effort in to keep doing these things so we can remain steadfast in the faith, and to be kind to those whom normally you would not, and love when it is not easy. All of these qualities take practice and exercising. It’s not spiritual osmosis.

As Christians we are all to adhere to these attributes. It’s nothing new. and it will help you grow in your walk with Christ.

2. Building Blocks

They are built one upon the other, take a look at the steps, if you are having an issue walking out in love like 1 Cor. 13 says, start a step down and build back up.

a. Love is built on brotherly affection.

1 John 4:20 ESV

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

b. Brotherly affection is built upon Godliness or a desire for God.

c. And Godliness is built upon steadfastness, (endurance, perseverance and patience in the faith)

d.Steadfastness is built on self-control, so if you can’t endure, preserver or be patient. Learn some self-control

e. If you don’t know how to get self-control, well start to learn through the Knowledge in Christ. Get back in the Word.

F. If you find yourself getting swayed by the world, or the knowledge of the world is getting to you, Walk virtuously.

G. And if you are having trouble remember what your morals are based on, or you start adhering to subjective morality,

H. Take it back to the Cross of Christ, what your FAITH is built upon. This is your foundation.....

For if you can walk with Christ, and in him.....

​ ESV For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The final prize. When it is all said and done at the end of the day we will have to stand before Christ.

The foundation and start is Faith, with faith we must live righteously and virtuously towards Christ, with knowledge and self-control. Life is a marathon not a sprint, we must endure with patience and overcome. We must be kind to brothers and sisters in the body, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all long-suffering and with love. For if we do any of this without love we are a clanging symbol, we have nothing and have gained nothing.

All men are appointed to die, and then comes the judgment.

On that day, I want him to say well done my good and faithful servant.

If we walk in faith with Christ and exercise these 8 attributes I am confident that on that great and powerfull day, he will say, well done my good and faithful servant.

we know that we have been given precious promises in Christ.we have been baptised with Christ, becoming partakers of his divine naturewe have escaped the corruption of this world. We have the liberty to walk in lock step with Jesus christ in a way that is pleasing unto him. it is for this reason we are to walk with faith, virtue knowledge, self control, steadfastness godliness and brotherly affection and love.

​ ESVFor if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

we want to be effective in our walk with Christ. ineffective ness is annoying. sub par. we want our best!

​ ESVFor whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

if you lack these qualities chances are something is wrong. just like these steps are built one upon another our walk with Christ should continue to build upward.

​ ESVTherefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

all of these qualities take practice and exercising. its not spiritual osmosis.as christians we are all to adhere to these attributes. its nothing new. and it will help you grow in your walk with christ

​ ESVFor in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

the final prize. when it is all said in done at the end of the day we will have to stand before christThe foundation and start is Faith, with faith we must live righteously and virtuously towards christ, with knowledge and self control. This is a marathon in life, not a sprint, we must endure, with patience and overcome. We must be kind to brothers in sisters in the body, reproving rebuking and exhorting with all long-suffering and with love. For if we do any of this with out love we are a clanging symbol, we have nothing and have gained nothing.all men are appointed to die, and then comes the judgment. on that day, i want him to say well done my good and faith full servant. if we walk in faith with christ and exercise these 8 attributes i am confident that on that great and powerfull day, he will say, well done my good and faithful servant.