06AM October 22 2 Peter 3 14_18
October 22, 2006—Morning Worship
Growing More Godly Every Day – Part 4
Setting Your Inner Compass
Steps on the Pathway of Spiritual Maturity
2 Peter 3:14-18
Intro: 7 words have defined what this church is stretching toward. 7 words that help us & others understand the process of growing spiritually. Those 7 words give us light & hope as we follow Jesus. Those 7 words make the difference in your life & mine. Those 7 words are: “Finding Direction in Life through the Cross.” Look at your bulletin. The inside front page, has our logo at the top. It’s a cross & a compass. Have you ever noticed how much the face of a compass resembles the cross? You know that a compass is used to give direction, to help you find your way. & that’s exactly what the cross of Jesus Christ helps us do; it gives us direction to help us find the way.
Patricia can tell you that before we go anywhere out of town, I get out the map to plot our way. I’m fanatical about that! I’ll study the map, checking out different roads to find the best route, the shortest time, the most scenic way I can find, b/c I’m one of those people who has to know where I’m going. Now if you don’t know where you’re going, any old road will do. & I’m afraid that’s where the world is today! They don’t really know where they are going or where they are headed & so any old road, any old path, any old way is fine w/them!
But if you’re going to grow spiritually, you need to plan the trip carefully, just as you would plan a trip across the country. There are roadside markers that you look for on your trip & there are spiritual markers along the way of your spiritual journey.
So I want to speak to you today on the subject of “Setting Your Inner Compass.” Dallas Willard in his book, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, wrote these words, “A disciple is someone who has decided to be w/another person in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is.” & as Christians, we have come to Christ so that we may be able to do what He has done—in the sense that, we walk in an intimate, personal relationship w/the Father.
But how do we do that? Well, today I hope we can see the Steps on the Pathway of Spiritual Maturity that will lead us to that blessed ability.
Let’s examine these together from 2 Peter 3:14-18 (READ).
The 1st step on the pathway of spiritual maturity is…
1. Understanding what kind of person you should be. (2 Peter 3:1-13)
- Chapter 3 vv. 1-10 sets up the reader for the question Peter asks in v. 11, which basically is this, “How should we live in light of God’s work around us?”
- So that makes the 1st step on the pathway of spiritual maturity understanding what kind of person you should be.
- & Peter says you should be…
A. Separated from the world by your Attitude (READ vv. 1-4).
1. Peter says in vv. 1-2 that we need to be reminded of Biblical truth
2. That we should be carefully following the OT teachings & the NT commands
3. IOW we are to know what God foretold in the OT & see it fulfilled in the NT
4. vv. 3-4 tell us that there will be those who will not believe the Bible record
5. They will scoff or belittle or make fun of what the Bible teaches
6. They say, “He’s not coming! Everything continues as it always has & always will!”
7. Don’t fall into the world’s way of thinking but study the Bible to find the truth!
- Peter also tells you that you should be…
B. Separated from the world by your Appreciation (READ vv. 5-9).
1. IOW the world says that God won’t judge us – everything is as it always was
2. But they willfully forget that God already judged the world one time before
3. They forget about Noah’s world & God’s judgment on it
4. They are just like the people in Noah’s day, just living it up, oblivious to God
5. But make no mistake, God has reserved this world for a fiery judgment day
6. & that day will be for v. 7 says, ungodly men
7. Then the contrast of vv. 8-9, begins “But, beloved” speaking of believers!
8. These vv. tell us that God’s timing is not our timing! He is above time!
9. & v. 9 tells us that God’s patience is designed for the elect to come to faith
10. Christians should appreciate the depth of the world’s sinfulness & the abundance of God’s grace in calling sinners to repentance
- Not only should your attitude & appreciation be separated from the world but you should be…
C. Separated from the world by your Actions (READ vv. 10-11).
1. Everything in this physical world is going to burn in God’s fiery judgment
2. So what are you living for here?
3. Since all this is going to be gone, shouldn’t you live a separated life, seeking God’s will & ways, which are eternal, as opposed to the temporary pleasures of this world?
4. Your conduct should be holy & the simple yet highly accurate definition of holy is, “separated, different, distinct, unique, unlike any thing else.”
5. Your conduct, your actions are to be unlike anything else in this world
6. You are not to follow the crowd you are to follow the Christ
7. Your actions should reflect the nature of God as you live a godly life b/c there’s nothing here worth living & dying for b/c it’s all temporary!
& finally, Peter says that you should be…
D. Separated from the world by your Affections (READ vv. 12-13).
1. Let me just tell you now that you are not longing for the day of the Lord
2. The day of the Lord is a day of judgment for sinners b/c of wickedness
3. But v. 12 tells us of the day of God in which a new heaven & new earth come
4. The day of the Lord destroys the wicked world around us
5. The day of God establishes a new heaven & a new earth in true righteousness
6. Righteousness dwells there b/c God Himself dwells among His people
7. vv. 12-13 tell us we should look for, long for, hasten & desire to see the day of God
8. & then we will know that we are on the pathway of spiritual maturity b/c we understand what kind of person we should be.
The 2nd step on the pathway to spiritual maturity is…
2. Grasping what kind of life you should live. (vv. 14-15)
Now we come to our text for today & the Bible here says that your life should be…
A. A Diligent life (READ v. 14a).
1. We’ve already gotten up to speed in what Peter said in the previous vv.
2. But, notice again, the word ‘beloved’ – again he is speaking to believers
3. We are to be aware of & looking for all these events on the coming horizon
4. We are to be “endeavoring, studying, laboring” to be ready for His coming
5. Endeavoring, studying & laboring are the meanings of the word “diligent”
6. Its written in the Greek in the active voice which means YOU be diligent
7. You are to strive to be at peace w/God & that’s only possible through a personal, loving, ongoing intimate relationship w/Him through Jesus Christ.
8. So we are to work at that relationship constantly to be sure we are current
But not only that, but you should be living…
B. A Dedicated life (READ v. 14b).
1. Now this does not mean that the only way we go to heaven is if we are perfect
2. But it does mean that we should live our lives as closely to God as possible
3. Which also means, we should live our lives as far away from sin as possible
4. Note v. 14 says that we “be found by Him” & that means in His sight, spotless
5. We will never be w/o spot & blameless in this world, but He sees us that way
6. The blood of Christ has not covered our sins but taken them away & He sees them no more
7. That in no way relinquishes our responsibility to live godly lives – in fact, it makes us want to live godly lives all the more b/c of what God has done for us & in us!
Therefore, your life should be an example of…
C. A Devoted life (READ v. 15a).
1. Our devotion should be to the God of patience!
2. He is patient & kind – not harsh & quick tempered
3. God does not act in punishment & judgment as we would – we’d be instant!
4. But God waits & patiently brings us to the place of repentance
5. He does it to bring glory to Himself by the expression of His grace
6. Ephesians 2:4-7 IOW you are a trophy to God’s grace!
7. & shouldn’t your life be devoted to the One who granted you the gifts of repentance & faith ensuring your salvation?
Peter also encourages you to live…
D. A Determined life (READ v. 15b).
1. Peter is about to say that Paul’s writings are the inspired word of God (v. 16)
2. So by mentioning Paul’s letters, Peter is drawing on Paul’s wisdom & emphasizing that believers, must live by the Scriptures
3. A determined life is a life that follows the written word of God
4. Its a life that follows the instructions of God, the commands of God & the will of God
5. A determined life is a life that desires to move & have its being in the Lord & only in the Lord
6. So if you are on the pathway to spiritual maturity, then words like diligent, dedicated, devoted & determined should be words people use to describe your spiritual growth.
The 3rd step on the pathway to spiritual maturity is…
3. Solidifying what kind of stand you will take. (vv. 16-18)
That stand needs to be one…
A. Of Wisdom (READ v. 16a).
1. Peter says here that Paul’s letters to you confirm the things I’ve written to you
2. Peter also says that there are some things in Paul’s letters that are hard to understand.
3. Please notice that he did not say they were impossible to understand or that they were unknowable
4. Some people say, “Well I can’t know that, the Bible is not clear on these issues.”
5. There are some things that are hard to understand in the Bible, but a person on the pathway of spiritual maturity will desire to dig them out
6. These precious truths are often called “gold nuggets” by Bible students & scholars
7. God has not called us to ignorance nor has He hidden His will & ways from us
8. But the serious Bible student, a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ, can know as he asks God to reveal & give him wisdom as he studies
9. Take that stand; seek the wisdom of God from the word of God for the glory of God!
The stand you take must be one of wisdom &…
B. Of Watchfulness (READ vv. 16b-17).
1. Be alert! Be focused! Be attentive! Beware! Be on guard!
2. There have always been & there always will be people who twist the Bible
3. Satan did it to Eve in the Garden of Eden & he still does it today through vessels of his choosing
4. Rock stars do it; Movie stars do it; Politicians do it; even some preachers do it!
5. But Peter says you must be watchful b/c if you’re not you could be deceived!
6. That’s why it’s so vitally important that YOU study the word of God & know it!
7. So that you cannot be drawn away from your steadfastness
8. That word means the “firm condition of your mind” IOW what you know you believe
9. You can be led away from your firm beliefs by erroneous teaching & that word “error” means to be led to waver or fluctuate or vacillate between 2 or more ways.
10. Elijah on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18 asked Israel in v. 21, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”
So take the stand of wisdom & the stand of watchfulness & that stand, w/o question, is one…
C. Of Worship (READ v. 18).
1. Peter says we are to “grow” & that word means to increase, to become greater
2. IOW through our close personal fellowship w/God we’re able to fend off spiritual attacks & false teachings
3. & the way that’s worded in the original it means we are to “keep on growing”
4. It’s a continuous process that is required for the child of God
5. IOW we have been commanded to grow, to increase, to become greater & we do so “in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.”
6. We experience His grace & exercise the privileges of it & learn how to do that w/the help of the Lord
7. & through humble submission of our lives we worship the One to whom belongs all the praise & all the glory & all the honor forever & ever – Amen!
Conclusion: So the whole point of Peter’s 3rd chapter of his 2nd letter is to encourage believers to live out their faith by steadily growing in the grace of God. Peter wanted his readers to abound, to be spiritual giants, to be spiritually maturing for the glory of God.
& I can tell you my desire for you this morning is, that each one of you would grow spiritually mature for the glory of God. It’s my desire that whatever we do as a church, we do it for the glory of God! & that’s Peter’s whole point! He asks, “How shall we live then, in light of the power & majesty & glory & activity of God?” & then he answers that each of us should live, “in holy conduct & godliness, looking for & hastening the coming of the day of God…according to His promise…for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (vv. 11-13).
Invitation: Have you begun the step on the pathway of spiritual maturity? God is calling you today to follow Him. Would you come in repentance & by faith take the steps that will allow you to honor God w/your life?
Hymn 447 Trust and Obey