Growing in Grace and Knowledge

INTRO:

This morning we continue our series entitled “Get Ready”

I’ve said it the past two weeks, and I’ll say it again - God is wanting to do awesome things in your life and in the life of this church, if we would only prepare ourselves, get ready, for what God wants to do.

I’ve got some awesome things from scripture I want to share with you, so let’s not delay and jump right into today’s message “Growing in Grace and Knowledge” by turning to 2 Peter. 3:14-18.

Get Ready - God is watching

Let’s focus on vs. 14 - “since you are waiting for these things.” What are these things? The end times. The return of Christ. The day you stand before Him in judgement.

Knowing that day is coming, you are called to “be diligent to be found by Him w/o spot or blemish.” What does that mean?

To “be diligent” mean to make every effort. Not occasional effort. Not every now and again effort. Every effort. Another way to say this is - GET READY

“To be found…w/o spot or blemish” means simply to have you life cleaned up; your house in order.

Illus - Penny going home to see parents and me having to clean up during her two hour drive home. The boss was on her way, and I didn’t want to be found with any spot or blemish on her house!

When we realize “the master of the house cometh” we get a little more motivated to “get ready” for His appearing. We don’t want to be found with our lives a mess.

TRANS

But how do we do this? How do we get our lives ready for God’s inspection?

Let’s turn our attention to the last verse, verse 18. “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

We’ve been called to “grow,” to increase, to become greater and stronger in two specific areas. This is the main focus of this letter. Understanding and applying these principles will have profound impact on your ability to get ready.

Let’s look at each one.

Grow in Knowledge

Illus. - I love to learn new things. The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is left to learn.

While it’s valuable to learn about anything, as a Christian, I am called to have a primary focus as I increase my knowledge. I am to always be learning more about Jesus Christ.

There is always more to learn about Him. This is why we are called to discipleship. This is why we offer Sunday school classes and small groups Bible studies and tell you to have personal quiet times. There’s always more to learn about Him!!!

Although, it won’t always be easy. Even Peter said “Sometimes God’s Word is hard to understand!” That should make you feel better when you sometimes struggle with comprehending the Bible.

But why is it so important that we are always learning more about Him? There are those who desire to pull us off firm ground and lead us astray with false teaching.

I’m not, but I could stand up here and teach heresy, and unless you are diligently seeking to growth in the knowledge of Christ, you won’t recognize that I’m leading you down a dangerous path.

Illus - the false teachings of Jonestown and Branch Dividian cults

When you grow in your knowledge of Christ, you have STABILITY.

Grow in Grace

What is grace? God’s unmerited favor. Grace is when God gives us what we do not deserve and have not earned.

Illus - my topical study of Scriptures on the subject of grace. I was overwhelmed by how much God’s grace is so pervasive in His Word.

As you seek to “get you house in order” and live without blemish or spot, you will sometimes fail. That’s when understanding more about grace will be so valuable. You’ll know that God still loves you, that He has not forsaken you, and the overwhelming truth of His grace will move you back to obedience and worship.

CONCLUSION & INVITATION

How’s your growth going?

If the trumpet was to sound right now, would Christ be happy with how he found the condition of you life?