Step Up For Growth 2 of 4

Step Up for Growth

1 Peter 3:18 NASB95

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

2 Peter 3:17–18 NASB95

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3–4 NASB95

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

2 Peter 1:

Growing would be the opposite of diminishing or backsliding.

1. THE DANGER OF DESCENDING INTO COMPLACENCY (falling from steadfastness.)

When you no longer focus on growing, you will grow complacent and other ideas will fill your mind.

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Peter, Jude 3. Living Righteously because of the Future Day (3:11–18)

The word “fall” (ekpesēte) refers to apostasy (cf. Rom 11:11, 22; 14:4; 1 Cor 10:12; Heb 4:11; Rev 2:5), to departing from the Christian faith.

Romans 11:11 NASB95

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB95

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Peter, Jude 3. Living Righteously because of the Future Day (3:11–18)

Experienced mountain climbers ensure their safety by studying their climb, taking necessary precautions, and knowing their climbing partners. Paying attention to warnings does not quench confidence but is the means to it.

You need to know your equipment does not have flaws and you need to trust your partners to set the crampons or gear properly.

The growth in the knowledge of Jesus does not satiate the appetite, but only whets it. You cannot grow in "degrees" as from an institution where Jesus is concerned as He is God and by nature, eternal and infinite. But you can grow in Grace!

1 corinthians

Be wary of having an example of the one who with the LIPS says, “Amen!”, but with life, Nah Man!

A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers Christian Life

Let it be understood that those who are not found living as He taught are not Christians—even though they profess with the lips the teachings of Christ. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.168.

A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers Christian Life

There is no law forbidding the mere places [i.e., the circus] to us. For the servant of God may enter without any peril of his religion not only the places for the shows, but even the temples—if he has only some honest reason for it, unconnected with their proper business and official duties. Why, even the streets, the market place, the baths, the taverns, and our very dwelling places are not altogether free from idols. Satan and his angels have filled the whole world. It is not by merely being in the world, however, that we lapse from God, but by touching and tainting ourselves with the world’s sins.… The polluted things pollute us. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.83.

1. THE CLIMB OF CONTINUED GROWTH.

CAMP Survey the Mountain Every climb begins at the base of the mountain – base camp. Potential climbers see the mountain, interact with the climbing team, and survey the journey. Questions arise. Interaction with fellow potential climbers and those already climbing becomes a key factor in their choice to embark on the climb or not. Camp is where waters are tested and exploration is celebrated.

SLOPE Embark on the Climb We continue to celebrate exploration as potential climbers choose to embark on the climb. The angle of the climb begins to grow a bit steeper, but our team is with us. Climbers begin to learn to identify and use the basic tools of climbing as we grow accustomed to the life of a climber. The Slope is where new climbers get oriented, and where long-time climbers become reoriented.

CRAG Find the Footholds The crag can get rocky. It’s getting steep and more jagged. Air continues to thin, and climbing takes some hard work. While these obstacles can be tricky, we know it’s time to find those footholds that keep us grounded, and hold on for dear life. We rely more and more on our team and the belay that softly but surely guides our way upward. When we slip, the belay catches us; our teammates pull us up, and we reach back to pull another up with us. We’re still exploring; we’re keeping our climbing tools sharp; we’re pressing onward past obstacles, pushing ourselves to what may seem like our limits.

CREST Reach New Heights The crest goes higher and deeper. Obstacles remain, but climbers on the Crest remain sure-footed and grounded in our footholds and our team; we even become the anchor for those who may not be as far along as we are. The crest is where things start to get even steeper. Exploration and pushing ourselves and others to new heights becomes a joy. We can look back at our journey and identify the difficult times, the easier times, the sorrowful times, and the joyful times. We can see how the belay and our team formed us, and we’re inspired to be that for others along the way. The crest is where we start talking about sacrifice. About sharpening our tools and passing them on. About looking beyond the climb for ourselves, and looking out and around to bring others along the journey of a lifetime.

SUMMIT Ascend the Peak The top of the mountain is a glorious sight. On the summit, there’s perspective. Clarity. A sense of accomplishment, meaning, and gratitude for the climb. It was all worth it: the slips, the falls, the rocky terrain, even the drifts. It will always be worth it. The sun shines on climbers’ faces, and we know what matters. It’s all become clear, and our lives will never be the same.

A Handbook on the Second Letter From Peter 2 Peter 3:18

The verb here is a present imperative, giving the sense of continuous action, as in TEV “continue to grow.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude IV. Letter Closing (3:17–18)

Our author’s chief interest, then, is that they “be on [their] guard.” This is the main verb of the sentence. While this verb can mean things like “keeping” the law (Mark 10:20 par. Matt 19:20 par. Luke 18:21; cf. Acts 7:53; 21:24; Rom 2:26; Gal 6:13), its meaning here is more closely related to that in such passages as Luke 12:15 (“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”); 1 Tim 6:20 (“guard what has been entrusted to your care”); 2 Tim 4:15 (“You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message”); and 1 John 5:21 (“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols”).

What are these people to be on their guard about? The answer is, “so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” “Error” for our author is the situation of those who are outside the community of the followers of Jesus (2 Pet 2:18; cf. Jude 11, where it characterizes Balaam, and 2 Pet 2:15, where the verbal form of our word is used for Balaam), and “lawless people” for him were the people of Sodom (2 Pet 2:7); in both passages he is implying that error or lawlessness is also the situation of the false teachers, whose lack of morality he is unmasking

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude IV. Letter Closing (3:17–18)

The fact is that most people do not set about to err or to give themselves over to lawlessness. However, group pressure, the spirit of the age, plausible arguments, and the like can lead to one’s being carried away by error, perhaps because one is ignorant of or ignoring the fact that the proponents of the error are in fact lawless. Before they notice, they are themselves involved in lawlessness, and then, perhaps, either caught in a web of rationalization or else feeling trapped because they feel too guilty to return.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 3

How do we keep from falling? By growing and building ourselves up in the Lord (Jude 24–25). “Baby Christians” who will not feed on the Word (1 Peter 2:2) and grow in the Lord are unstable. In this wicked world, Christians must take time to feed on the Word, pray, and exercise their spiritual muscles.

a. COMMITMENT

b. CONSISTENCY

c. CHALLENGE

1. Building Strength

2. Increasing Stamina

Bodyweight training is a great place to begin if you're not already fit, including exercises such as pushups, pullups, dips, squats, and lunges. Once your body becomes comfortable with those exercises, it's time to add some extra weight, via a weighted vest or a loaded pack on your back. In addition, getting into the gym for some classic weight training is going to net your body the strength it needs to get up (and down) that mountain. Some suggested strength training exercises for mountain climbing are dead lifts, front squats, bench press, power cleans, and military presses.

But weight training alone isn't going to translate perfectly into strength on the mountain, so emulating some real-world conditions is a must. Training with your mountaineering clothing, boots, and gear on, including that loaded pack, will help you to bring your strength with you from the flatlands to the cliffs.

📷Credit:andy_c

2. Increasing Stamina

Some methods which are easily accessible for increasing aerobic stamina might include running, distance cycling, and the obvious, aerobics classes of any flavor (as offered in gyms across America). To increase anaerobic endurance, workout routines should include regular doses of interval training, such as Fartlek or high intensity interval training (HIIT).

Because climbing mountains depends on moving your body upwards, activities such as stair climbing (with a pack) and hiking steep terrain are great for working those lower body parts which will bear the brunt of the work when you're actually out on the mountain.

📷Credit:MinutesAlone

3. Altitude Training

Unfortunately, the only way that most of use can increase our efficiency at altitude is to actually train at altitude, which may not be an easy option. In addition, it can take days for a body to acclimate to high altitude, so it's not enough to simply head for the hills and start training. But the good news is that for shorter duration climbs, the efficiency of your body can be increased through your stamina training, and a body which uses oxygen more efficiently tends to do better at altitude.

There are methods which can be used by serious climbers for altitude training, such as a hypoxic tent, but most of these methods are not easily implemented by amateurs or hobby climbers.

4. Climb, Climb, Climb

For more adrenaline-pumping content, check out The Adrenalinist.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament A. The Word Group in Greek.

1. στηρίζω is found in the main sense “to support,” “to fix something so that it stands upright and immovable,” λίθον … στήριξε κατὰ χθονός, Hes. Theog., 497 f., λίθον … στηριχθῆναι ἐκέλευσαν, Ditt. Or., II, 612, 6 ff. and 769, 8 ff., cf. Callim. Hymn., II, 23, “to support a vine by a stake and an aging man by a stick,” ἄμπελος ὣς ἤδη κάμακι στηρίζομαι αὐτῷ σκηπανίῳ, Anth. Graec., 7, 731, “to support oneself with the feet,” Hom. Od., 12, 434; Il., 21, 241 f.; Tyrtaeus Fr., 8, 21 f. (Diehl8, I, 14), of the support of the body, Aristot. Hist. An., II, 1, p. 499a, 17 f., “to support oneself on something,” Philostr. Vit. Ap., V, 35 (194, 21), “to lean against,” Soranus Gynaecia, IV, 9, 2 (CMG, IV, 140, 14); of a tree which soars into the sky, Eur. Ba., 1073; of the flame which rages up to heaven, Plut. De Sulla, 6 (I, 454e). Fig. “to confirm,” Soranus Gynaecia, IV, 5, 4 (CMG, IV, 135, 2), “to commit oneself to something,”

3. THE CORE TRAINING FOR GROWTH.

CONSISTENT TIME WITH CHRIST.

Psalm 42:1 NASB95

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.

1. Building Strength

2. Increasing Stamina

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2. ONGOING FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD’S FAMILY.

3. Finding Strength in your team. Your church, your lifegroup. These people keep you connected when you hit the crags, the technical parts of the climb. When we sent out RAAT backpackers, each pack carried 70 pounds. While each pack had some of the same elements, we had to distribute pots, burners and staple items. No one pack could make it on its own during the week. .They needed the gifts and talents of the others.

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3. RADICAL GENEROSITY.

Proverbs 22:9 NASB95

He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.

3. Altitude Training.

It takes a new level to really trust God with your :

TIME, TALENT, TITHE.

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4. EVANGELIZING THE LOST.

Proverbs 11:30 NASB95

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.

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You want others to reach the top as well. The message is simply, the journey takes a lifetime.

Opening Up 2 Peter Be Ready for Jesus

In the eighteenth century, English preacher John Fletcher drew up lists so that people might examine themselves daily, enabling them to be ready for Jesus.

• Did I awake spiritual, and did I keep my mind from wandering?

• Have I got nearer God this day in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy idle spirit?

• Has my faith been weakened or strengthened this day?

• Have I this day walked by faith?

• Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts?

• Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I was able to?

• Have I kept my heart pure?

• What have I done for God’s people?

• Have I spent money on myself when I might have used it for the cause of God?

• Have I governed well my tongue this day?

• In how many instances have I denied myself?

• Do my life and conversation adorn the gospel of Jesus Christ?