What A Changed Life Looks Like

What A Changed Life Looks Like 2 Peter 1:5-11 May 2, 2021 REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF LETTER: To encourage Christians to grow in their faith through the knowledge of Jesus and stay true to Gospel, rejecting false teaching. Key Verse: 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” The Big Idea: 7 Spiritual Supplements for Your Faith § VIRTUE – “moral excellence” – last used in reference to Jesus (v. 3) § KNOWLEDGE – not simply accumulating information, but the deepening of your relationship with the Lord. § SELF-CONTROL – our desires and passions under Christ’s rule § STEADFASTNESS – perseverance; enduring under difficult circumstances; refusal to give up; ‘to bear up under’ a heavy weight § GODLINESS – piety; devotion; but the direction of the word is outward, not inward; in other words, your life is devoted and aimed in all ways in the direction of the Lord Energized by the power of God who has saved us (“by grace through faith”), the Christian grows in grace and knowledge by the active participation in that salvation. The Holy Spirit empowers inward and outward transformation of our lives as we desire and pursue the development of our faith relationship with God through Christ. § BROTHERLY AFFECTION – philadelphia – kindness; devotion; 2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) § LOVE – agape – God-like love; conscious choice to love 1 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with selfcontrol, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 5 concern that siblings should have for one another; especially now of spiritual brothers and sisters care for each other unselfishly and sacrificially as Christ has loved us 4 Major Benefits of a Living a Godly Life ü You’ll be effective in your life (v. 8) ü You’ll bear fruit in your life (v. 8) ü It’ll keep you from being spiritually nearsighted, blind, and forgetful (v. 9) ü It is a primary way to confirm the reality of your relationship with Christ -- your salvation (v. 10) ü You won’t experience a terrible spiritual crash in this life and you will face eternity with confidence that Jesus is waiting on you. (vv. 10-11) Rather than “Let go and let God,” take as your motto, “Trust God and get going.” - John Stott