Growing Old, Growing Out, Growing Up

Steve Bowyer

Significant Lessons from Second Letters • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

2 Peter 1:1–11

0 ratings

· 126 views

Notes

Transcript

Significant Lessons from Second Letters

I talked last week about last words the lessons we can learn.

The context and content.

Not just the words said, or written, but the education and experience that goes into them.

An 19-year old says something that is contradicted by a 59-year old. It doesn’t make what the 19-year old says wrong. But, you know the 59-year old has more life experience and education, lessons written in his blood, behind what he says giving depth to the content.

About AD 400 our bible was formally put together in what we call the canon. It had been accepted and circulated from early in the AD 100s, John wrote last around AD 90.

There were several councils, gatherings of church leaders, to finalize what books went into our bible.

It’s not that these books are considered authoritative b/c a group of ppl voted them into our bible. They were already authoritative and this group of leaders recognized them and formalized their collection and inclusion.

That said, 2 Peter was the last book included. It made the cut by a wide margin. There were several books excluded.

The sticking point of 2 Peter? Authorship and it’s message. It is behavior oriented.

Martin Luther did not think James’ letter should be included for this reason.

Context of Luther. Rebelling against an organized church that used guilt and behavior to get what they wanted out of ppl.

Growth

The truest thing I may say today:

We’re all growing old. And, it shows.

Some of us are growing out. And, it shows.

The question is, are we growing up? What about that, shows?

Growing old just happens. There’s nothing we can do.

We can change appearance, but can’t change age.

Growing out happens to most of us. But, there are some things we can do about that.

Growing up is up to us.

Peter addresses the importance of the pursuit of spiritual maturity. That we grow up, not stay the same.

God graciously saves us.

He lovingly disciplines us.

And, He amazingly rewards us.

2 Peter says a lot about how we act. Behavior matters.

We’re not saved by how we act. But, b/c we’re saved we act like it.

It’s a challenge for us to find the right balance between God’s gracious treatment of our sin thru the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and Him holding us accountable for our behavior.

Both are true. Where is the line where we live our lives in that balance?

Peter addresses this balance as well as anyone.

Remember, these are his last words. He was martyred by Nero in AD 65. He wrote this in the early AD 60s.

We have the benefit of all his life experience and education distilling what he considers to be an important message for us.

2 Peter. Second best? Second rate? Second priority? No.

In this case, the content of the second might even be considered a little better b/c of the context of Peter’s life.

What about Peter’s life would make what he wrote worth paying attention?

Peter’s Experience

2 Peter 1:1–2 NIV

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Peter wrote to a region that was largely non-Jewish. Dominated by Pagan religions, not the Jewish law.

The bad teaching he had to address in the church was if God is so gracious then it doesn’t matter how we act, what we.

Sexual immorality, gossip, biting comments and criticism, stealing stuff, taking advantage of ppl, none really matters.

Voltaire was a anti-Christian enlightenment writer who lived in France in the 1700s.

He was a deist, didn’t believe in a personal God.

And, flippantly said, “God forgives, it’s what he does.”

Meaning, it doesn’t matter what you do.

Ironically, his house in Geneva was at one time after his death owned by the President of the Bible society of Geneva and they printed bibles there.

IOW, Voltaire was dead. God, the church and His Word were alive and well, personally involved saving the lives of the French long after he was gone.

Treating sinful behavior too lightly is nothing new. If God is not personal, doesn’t care about behavior, then let’s party!

What about Peter’s life would make what he said about behavior, maturity, growth relevant?

He was the recognized leader of the 12 original disciples.

1 of the inner 3. Jame, Peter, and John.

They were there for the transfiguration where Jesus met with Moses and Elijah.

How long had Moses been dead? Over 1000 years

Proof of life after death.

The 1st to declare Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus replied on faith like this I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not beat it.

He had no idea of the implications for his life at that time.

He was a Ready, FIRE, Aim guy.

He asked Jesus to call him out on the water, too, w/out really thinking it thru.

Rash like that.

When Jesus was arrested, he pulled out a knife and attacked a servant and cut his ear off.

It was a total miss.

He was used to gutting fish, not fighting soldiers.

Soldiers practiced splitting their opponents helmets.

Peter whacked off the ear of a servant.

Jesus went peacefully. Peter tried to start a fight he couldn’t win.

His lowest point was when he denied being a friend of, follower of, believer in Jesus.

The cock crowed and he was crushed.

Then, just a few weeks later at Pentecost, he stepped up, powerfully and clearly explained what was going on leading to the salvation of thousands.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing after that. Years earlier he had received the vision from God that no animal was off limits to eat. Jews could now eat bacon.

He enjoyed time in a Gentile’s house that night, Cornelius.

But, then years later got into a conflict w/ Paul over keeping Jewish dietary rules and separating himself from Gentiles over their lifestyle and eating habits.

He was there when Jesus calmed 2 storms w/ a word.

He was at the wedding and drank the wine Jesus created out of water.

He was there when Jesus healed thousands regardless of their faith.

He had to explain to a crowd that Jesus had left w/out healing them, even though the night before he had healed a few including Peter’s MIL, b/c that’s not why Jesus came that day. So He had moved on to preach the gospel in another town.

He wrote this letter to a group of Christians 30 years after Jesus death and res to help them understand what was a gift from God and what God expected them to do.

Processing his own educational experience from Jesus and his life experience as an adult led him to this understanding himself.

And, the first thing he tells them is even the faith they have is a gift they had rec’d from Jesus.

An unearned, gracious and precious gift for them to use to get to know Jesus and be saved.

Faith is not mustered up from w/in. It’s given to us by God t/b used by us t/b saved and experience the abundant grace and peace Jesus makes available to those who know Him.

Faith isn’t the only thing Jesus gives us. And everything He gives us that Peter wrote about here is intended t/b used by us to help us mature in that faith that is move valuable than any amount of money.

Everything

2 Peter 1:3–4 NIV

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Everything means everything. There is nothing we don’t have that we will ever need.

Have you ever been into a project, pieces all over the floor, only to realize you don’t have a tool you need to perform the next step?

Ever been stumped by a problem or situation where you just didn’t know what to do next?

Every been in the middle of meal prep only to discover you don’t have one of the ingredients you need in your pantry?

That never happens when we face a difficult situation and the decision before us is whether or not to do the godly thing or the other thing.

We have that muscle that’s necessary to carry that burden.

We have that tool to successfully finish that project.

We have every ingredient we need to bake into whatever cake God leads us into making.

There is nothing we don’t have that we will ever need to live the godly life God calls us into.

Think about Peter and situations he found himself in as an adult that Jesus led him into that he couldn’t fix on his own.

He learned it’s okay to wake Jesus up and ask him for help. What’s not okay is panicking.

We’re all different ppl and we all have different skills and gifts. But what we all have the same is whatever basics we need achieve the destiny that God is calling us to.

God has provided. Past tense. Done deal. We don’t have to do it or figure it out ourselves. It is an equal opportunity.

The main difference here is how well we take advantage of what God provided.

It’s not a case where some have more than others. To say that you don’t have the patience, or self-control necessary or as much as someone else.

Yes you do.

It all came when we realized the faith that we have and the HS came in. He brought it all w/ Him.

All that we need to live a life that pleases God and not be involved in the stuff that doesn’t exists w/in us.

He made His power available to us w/ in the context of our relationship w/ Jesus.

Jesus was sinless and has called us to work to get as close as possible to that as we can. And, He provides the power to do it.

It is impossible for us to get all the way there. But too often we settle. If we can’t be perfectly sinless, why try to eliminate what sin we can?

Why? b/c when we settle we hurt our relationship w/ God and mess up our life and the lives of those close to us.

Our ultimate separation from corruption will come at our own resurrection. In the meantime, we can work to get closer.

We’ve been given divine qualities that allow us to escape much of the corruption and evil activity in the world.

Besides faith, what are some of these divine qualities that we’ve been given, as well as the responsibility to use them, to get as good as we can?

Qualities

2 Peter 1:5–9 NIV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

2 Peter 1:

This is where the work comes in. He just wrote that God provided us everything we need to live a godly life.

Now, he commands that we do it. It doesn’t just happen.

Getting old happens. Maturity is a choice. And, he said, pursue maturity.

That phrase, make every effort. The construction and meaning are it’s a journey and make it as quickly as possible.

There’s no speed limit on this road. It’s the autobahn of spiritual growth. It’s the old speed limit signs in Texas, “Drive friendly.” And invitation and encouragement to go as fast as humanly possible.

Grow up. It’s not an issue Christians can take lightly, or passively. It’s a priority.

This is not an exhaustive list, but he lists 8 virtues to be pursued that characterize maturity.

Some make an issue of the order of the list. There’s not much to the order. But, he begins with the highest priority which is faith.

Each of these 8 virtues are like tools in your tool box, ingredients in your pantry, or muscles in your body. You’ve go them. They are there.

Your muscle might be more developed than another’s. But only b/c you use it more.

Anyway, he begins w/ faith. Not just for salvation, but for survival in tough situations. In dark places and sever storms we don’t have to panic. Jesus was so calm in a storm he fell asleep.

Peter gets this. Faith means, even in a severe storm, when others might panic, we can relax and calmly ask Jesus to bail us out. And, he will. The more faith we have. The less panic we have in more severe storms in life.

Goodness. High moral standards. When we’re all doing it’s easier. But, even when no one around you is maintaining high standards, you can be the one to start everyone on that path.

Your family, your friends, your church, your community will benefit when you don’t let you morals slide.

Knowledge. These aren’t facts. This is relational.

After 35 years of marriage I know Sara better now than in the first few years of marriage.

After 4 years being here, we know each other better. We know facts about each other. But, we know personalities, strengths, weaknesses, desires, and expectations.

You know much more about what to expect of me every Sunday morning now than you did when I first arrived.

What Peter is referring to here is relational expectations of Jesus. Knowing better what to expect of Him and what He expects of us and how He will respond and react to us.

Self-Control. A little connection to the previous. Knowing what Jesus would want you to do. Then, having the self-control to do it.

Act on your own will. Don’t act rashly.

Don’t immediately jump into the water w/out considering the fact that ppl don’t belong in the water. They belong in the boat on the water.

Don’t immediately grab your knife and whack a servants ear off looking for a fight. Jesus may be okay w/ getting arrested w/out a fight.

You think Peter understood this one? Don’t react to others pressures, words, actions and opinions. Act as Jesus would want you to act. Don’t react.

Persevere. Endure under pressure in the storm. Stand up to temptation for the long-haul.

It’s great when you don’t give in to temptation right away. But don’t celebrate too quickly. The pressure will continue.

Just b/c you didn’t lie to you spouse, cheat on your taxes, or steal your friend’s stuff the first time the opportunity presented itself; doesn’t mean the temptation is over.

Peter had 3 opportunities to confess he was w/ Jesus. He failed on the first, second, and third opportunity.

Don’t ever give in. Don’t ever have that affair. Stand strong for as long as it takes.

Godliness. Be like Jesus in every area of your life. Please Him in every phase all the time no matter who you’re hanging out w/.

You may be at a church function, a block party, in the country club, the fire auxiliary, a card group, or golf foursome.

Peter started out acting differently around Jews versus Gentiles. Then, everyone was the same. Maintain high Jewish morality while practicing Gentile eating habits.

But, then, he got caught in an integrity trap, acting differently in different groups of friends.

Always maintain godly behaviors no matter what the ppl your with claim to believe. No matter their vocabulary, gossipy habits, drinking habits, partying ways always represent Jesus in every situation you’re in.

Mutual affection. This is Philadelphia. Not the city in Pennsylvania. But the same root, brotherly love.

Don’t necessarily treat ppl the way Philadelphians treat Cowboy fans, Diamondback fans, or the way the booed Santa Claus years ago at an Eagles’ game.

Always act in unselfish ways toward other ppl. Be nice. Be considerate. Do things for their good, not for your own good.

Don’t use them. Don’t manipulate them. In leadership vernacular, motivate them to things for their own good. Don’t manipulate them to do things for your own good.

Then Peter wraps up the list w/ this: Love.

You might think it’s repetitious. But, this is agape love. It’ broader and deeper than brotherly love.

Be as gracious w/ others as God is w/ you. Of course, this requires a broad and deep understanding of God’s gracious treatment of you.

The work here may be to accept just how much grace is required to save you and give you these qualities.

It’s hard to face just how unholy we are when God calls us to be holy. Jesus died for each one of us while we were still rebellious.

Love ppl like that. Don’t pay them back evil for evil. No matter how good they may be to you, or bad they may be to you, always be good back to them.

We already possess these virtues. We already have the ability to act this way. We get them when the HS comes in.

These are part of the tool box He brings into our garage when He parks himself in it.

You may have heard Sara and I are grandparents again. Last Sunday night about 9:30 our time Myron Lewis popped out at 8 lbs and 23 inches.

He was born w/ every muscle he will ever have. And, they will naturally, passively grow as he ages. The question is, what will he do to develop them in his lifetime.

He will have the opportunity to have larger biceps than every other person born that day.

What Peter is saying with these virtues, these qualities, these spiritual muscles, tools; don’t be satisfied or content w/ what you can do w/ them in their initial size and state.

He says, have them in increasing measure. This has to be intentional on our part. Use them.

Every time you lift a little more weight than last time, as the muscle recovers it grows.

Every time you exercise a little more self-control, a little more endurance then those muscles grow as they recover and it will be a little easier to lift a little more in a little tough situation next time.

He says if we have them in increasing measure they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive.

We will do more of what we are supposed to do. Behavior will change. Behavior matters. Less of what Jesus does not want us to do and more of what He does.

Ineffective means lazy. A farmer needs to get out and plant in season. He needs to water the plants, pull the weeds, and harvest the crop diligently and on time.

Ineffectiveness is not doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

Unproductive means accomplishing nothing.

Do you know what it’s like to be busy but get nothing done? That’s it.

A salesman friend taught me a lot about the difference between activity and productivity. We can get busy all day being active, taking care of details, checking things off a list and still make no money at the end of the day.

A productive day is busy, but busy taking care of details that lead to commissions, referrals, and a nicer check at the end of the month.

Practicing these qualities will keep us effective and productive, doing what Jesus wants us to do.

Yes, he graciously forgives for not doing these things.

Sara will forgive me for not having a gift for her on her birthday when she returns from Arkansas, visiting Myron, Edris, Jason and Kristen.

But, b/c of the relationship we have I want to make her happy by doing for her what she wants me to do for her.

That’s why we work at these things. B/C we want to make Jesus happy, b/c we love Him. The blindness Peter refers to here is a willful blindness.

It’s denial. Forgetting is not a mental process but a practical failure to take into account the significance of the actions of someone who loves another.

Forgetting what Jesus has already done for me b/c He loves me. Not trying to earn anything. Doing it just b/c we love each other.

B/C I love my wife I will have a gift for her.

B/C I love Jesus I will work at developing these spiritual muscles which are indicative of my relative spiritual maturity.

I will not be satisfied with the same self-control I had as a 19-year old.

There’s another reason why we work so hard at these. Not doing them creates more trouble for us. And, who needs more trouble?

Motivation

2 Peter 1:10–11 NIV

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:

There it is again. Make every effort. Try hard.

The only person I need to confirm anything to is myself. God already knows. And I don’t need to prove anything to any of you.

We all benefit from everyone’s mature behavior.

Acting immaturely, will hurt. It causes unnecessary pain in our own lives and the lives of those closest to us.

Each stumble ends in skinned knees or broken hips. And, we may take out the ppl counting on us be mature.

Behavior is based on belief. How you act is determined by what you believe. So, believe in Jesus first, then act like it.

We do this so that we don’t stumble and fall. It’s not that we won’t sin. But, its possible to get to heaven and not receive all the rewards that were available.

A rich welcome awaits those of us who pursue and achieve spiritual maturity.

I love living in Munds Park b/c no one acts their age. You don’t move here to sit and wait to die. People live here.

We’re growing old. If we stay active we won’t grow out.

And, if we stay active with these qualities then we will grow up and be rewarded for it.

Applications

List

Look at the list of 8 virtues.

Which one do you think God is prompting you to work on?

Keep it in the front of your mind and be aware of situations where you need to use it.

God will stretch you and as you use it a little more each time, that spiritual muscle will grow.

As it does, you will, too.

Excuses

Eliminate excuses.

What excuses do you use to excuse immature behavior?

Have you messed up worse than Peter?

He recovered. Don’t hide behind past behavior, the thought that you don’t have what it takes to do what you need to do.

The ppl who love you are counting on you eliminating excuses and growing up.

What excuse do you need to stop using?

Bad Behavior

What bad behavior do you need to stop doing?

Behavior is based on what you believe. If you say you believe in Jesus, He is your Lord, is there a behavior in your life that is inconsistent w/ you beliefs?

Doctor, doctor, it hurts when I do this.

Well,...

Stop hurting yourself and the people who love and are close to you.

Stop it.