Essential Virtues

Fullife Video

Introduction

This morning we are beginning our study in the book of 2 Peter. Let’s begin with a little background, and as we do, turn to 2 Peter 1:1.

2 Peter 1:1 NIV84

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:

1. Written By Peter

A. Servant

This is the Greek word doúlos which means “bondservant” or a person who choose a life of service to their master.

B. Apostle

The designation of Apostle was a word chosen and used by Jesus to denote a person who had a distinct, physical witness to Jesus here on earth—it meant the original 12 disciples.

The actual Greek word means messenger, ambassador, or envoy. As such the messenger was never considered to be greater than the sender.

2. Date

Looking at the time line, most scholars believe that 2 Peter was written somewhere after the writing of his first letter in 64 A.D. and before his death in late 67 or early 68 A.D.

3. Place

Again, most scholars believe Peter was in Rome at the time of his writing.

4. Readers

Based on 1 Peter 1:1 scholars believe the audience was the same as the audience of 1 Peter which would be those elect. . .scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

Peter says he’s writing to “those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours.”

5. The Righteousness of God

What does this phrase really mean? The Greek word translated by this phrase actually means, “To those that through God’s fulfillment of the Law by Jesus, have received a faith as precious as ours.” We receive faith because Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law by dying on the cross for us. Peter says that is a precious faith!

God’s Provision (Part 1)

2 Peter 1:3 NIV84

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Divine Power

Notice that Peter says through God’s divine power He has given us everything we need for:

Life

God has given us everything we need for living, or to be alive.

Godliness

God has everything we need to be like Him—God likeness.

Through Knowledge

We come alive as we gain knowledge about God.

And we become more like God through our knowledge of God.

FACT—we cannot be fully alive in the Lord, and we cannot really know the Lord without gaining knowledge about Him. That is why we need to study God’s Word—so that we can understand what it means to live a godly life!

2 Peter 1:4 NIV84

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

We Are Called

Called by God’s glory

Called by God’s goodness

God’s Great & Precious Promises

Participation in His Divine Nature

Escape the Corruption of the World

Our Part

2 Peter 1:5–7 NIV84

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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Peter says that because God has given us so much, we should make every effort—to build some characteristics in our lives.

Faith

It all begins with faith. As I talk to people, I often realize that we really do not have a good working definition of “faith.” Hebrews 11:1 tells us:

Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Paul tells us that we enter into a relationship with Jesus through faith!

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV84

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Goodness

This is excellent character.

Knowledge

Gaining more and more knowledge.

Self-Control

We need to keep ourselves under control.

Perseverance

The ability to keep on keeping on—or steadfastness, steadiness, endurance.

Godliness

Being like God.

Brotherly Kindness

This is the Greek word, philadelphia—or “brotherly love.”

Love

This is the Greek word, agapēn—or unconditional love.

Verse 8-9 tells us why these qualities are important!

2 Peter 1:8–9 NIV84

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 if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

IF we have these qualities in greater and greater quantities:

Effective

Productive

In our “full” knowledge of the Lord.

But if we don’t have these qualities in a greater and greater quantity:

Nearsighted

Shortsighted, sees poorly.

Blind

Can’t see at all—so he has no understanding!

Forgetful

We will forget that we have been cleansed from our past sins—we will lose sight of all that God has done for us!

Become Confident

We need to make our calling and election sure—this is being confident in our standing with the Lord!

2 Peter 1:10–11 NIV84

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The first question we need to ask is what does it mean to be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure? Well, as followers of Jesus we need to become confident in our standing with God.

Are you confident in your relationship with God?

Are you confident in your relationship with Jesus?

God’s Provisions (Part 2)

Will Never Fall

Will Receive a Rich Welcome

Finish Well

Peter says he wants to finish well, and he tells us what that looks like.

2 Peter 1:12–15 NIV84

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Remind You of These Things

Refresh Your Memory

Make Sure You Remember When I’m Gone

Peter says the same thing in three different ways. When Scripture repeats itself it is important!

Peter tells us that as long as he lives he is going to remind people of the manner in which they should live.

Conclusion

As we begin this study in 2 Peter. I want us to remember that we have access to God’s divine power. The same power that spoke the world into existence! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Today, are you experiencing God’s divine power in your life?

This divine power has given us everything we need to live life! And to live life with godliness!

Today, are you living Life?

Today are you living life with godliness—God likeness?

Finally we need to continually build our FAITH!

To faith add GOODNESS

To goodness add KNOWLEDGE

To knowledge add SELF-CONTROL

To self-control add PERSEVERANCE

To perseverance add BROTHERLY KINDNESS

To brotherly kindness add LOVE!