2 Peter 1 01 09

The Knowledge of God

2 Peter 1:1-9

Introduction:

1.      Author:  Peter

1)      A servant:  There are 5 words used of a servant:  different level

                        Peter used the lowest form of servant

                        Interesting that he put this first in order of description

2)      An Apostle:  This gives authority to what he is going to say

2.      Circumstances:  More than likely Peter is in prison 1:13-14

3.  Recipients:  Believers

            1b “like precious faith”

            Made righteous through Christ

4.  Theme:

Chapter 1 = What the Christian life is all about

Chapter 2 = Word’s of warning

                  Detecting, living with, and distinguishing error

Chapter 3 = Word’s of certainty:  Lord’s return

Focus in 2 Peter 1 is the “knowledge of God” vv. 2,3,8

This is not factual knowledge of God

It is experiential knowledge:  First hand heart knowledge of God

This is what many are lacking today

      Have a factual knowledge of who Jesus is but lack the intimate knowledge

I.                   What we have as a result of the Knowledge of God

1.      Grace and peace v. 2

1)      Grace = favor with God, acceptance by God

2)      Peace = tranquility of heart or a calmness

                                    One leads to the other

                                    Because we know God and have been accepted we can have peace

2.      All things pertaining to life and Godliness v. 3

1)      He is the source of life:  physical and spiritual

               Genesis creator

               John 3:36

2)      Manner of life:  Involves diving power to live Christian life

Impossibility of Christian life:

                           Love your enemy

                           Serve others ahead of self

                           Humble yourself

Most think if they physically keep 10 commandments they have done well:  Still fallen far short

He gives us all we need to live for Him in the Spirit

3.      Exceeding Great and Precious Promises v. 4

1)      Stated promises:

   Forgiveness of sin

   Rest for weary

   Comfort for downhearted

   Hope for dying

                                    His imminent return

                                    Inheritance prepared for us 1 Peter 1

2)      Character of:

               Exceeding great:  Beyond what we can achieve ourselves

               Precious:  Can only be explained through knowing them.

3)      Result of:

A.    Partakers of divine nature

      1 Peter 1:23 born again into the family of God

B.     Escape corruption of this world

      1 John 2:17 World passes away, he who does word abides

Herb Hirt, “The purpose of this gift for believers today is that through becoming “partakers of the divine nature” they may escape the corruption that is in the world.  This does not mean that believers are now divine beings or that they are sinless.  It does, however, picture the reality of the new birth.  Believers are now new people in that they have a new nature, born of God, and God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, lives in them.  The result is that believers escape the moral and ultimately the physical corruption of this world.”

II.                 Growth comes as a result of the knowledge of God vv. 5-7

1.      The reason for growth: v. 5 “but also for this very reason”

In other words, “because we have received…”

         Grace and peace

         What we need for life and service

         Great and precious promises

“Then” there will be growth (a change)

         Peter is pointing out the difference between real and counterfeit

2.      The effort for growth:  giving all diligence

I believe that when we are saved the desire to grow is placed in us yet at the same time Peter teaches that we need to work toward growth

This is similar to what Paul said in Phil. 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

3.      The areas of growth:

      Each of these virtues is added to the other

      Just like a choir, each part comes together to make it beautiful

1)      Foundation of these is faith

2)      Add to faith virtue

Virtue = moral excellence or goodness

Believers are to demonstrate a higher moral standard than the world

   -How often do we fail at that?!

3)      Add to virtue knowledge

A.    Learning and growth.  Understanding of God’s word

B.     Wisdom in understand what God’s will is in decisions.  Ability to make them in line with the Word of God.

4)      Add to knowledge self-control

Bible teaches that believers are not to be controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit.

Believers are to be in control of their desires, passions, etc.

5)      Add to self-control perseverance

Endurance, we are to continue to live godly lives regardless of what is taking place around us or what is happening to us.

6)      Add to perseverance godliness

Idea of having a spirit of reverence

Jesus Christ is to be at the center of our lives and all that we do

7)      Add to godliness brotherly kindness

Love and care toward other believers

We are to show love to all men, but especially to those in the household of faith

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

8)      Add to brotherly kindness love

Herb Hirt, “They were to exhibit to everyone the character of God Himself, the self-sacrificing kind of love that comes only from God and was shown to us in Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the world.”

4.      The results of growth v. 8

You will be fruitful

Failure to do so shows that our relationship is not what it should be v. 9