2 Peter 1:3-4

Introduction

2 Peter 1:3-4 “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, 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.”

I want you to imagine a family. They live in a little shack that they inherited on a descent piece of land. Every year, a representative from the largest oil rig in the nation comes to them and says, “You have so much oil under this piece of property that if you allowed us to drill, you would be filthy rich.” Year after year, they turn the company away and live like paupers, because they simply cannot fathom that oil might be on their land. What a tragedy.

However, we are sitting on an oil reserve, and we live like paupers.

We are rich in the grace and power of God, yet our spiritual lives often look poor and paultry.

Peter tells us that we have inherited a rich and glorious grace from our Lord Jesus Christ. We can draw upon Him for power over sin.

Explanation

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”

So often, Christians live fatalistically. We cannot do good, because no one is righteous. However, Peter tell us that we can have victory over our sins.

God, through Jesus, desires for us to walk in victory in Jesus.

Much like a spring or a fountain, when you give your life to Christ, a fountain of God’s power wells up in you.

We believe that we have a sinful nature, but a sinful nature is not an excuse to sin. When are given the Holy Spirit, we can choose not to sin.

Notice that Peter says, “All things.” God did not leave out some special ingredient that is up to you.

“that pertain to life and godliness”

God does not give you the power to shoot fireballs out of your hand or the secrets to the stock market. He gives you the ability to live a godly life… which is infinitely better.”

The Greek word for godliness (eusebia) means “good worship.”

QUESTION: We have been given everything we need to live godly lives. What keeps us from doing that or what stumbling blocks do we have that keeps Christ from living through us?

“through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence”

The standard of our lives is the standard of Christ.

We live with a knowledge that Christ is holy, and as much as we can be like him, we try and exert ourselves, and as much as he will have to make us new… He will.

The strength comes from the knowledge and acceptance of what Christ has done.

“by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises”

Live by the promises of God.

The promises of God are precious (worth much) and very great (large and powerful).

“so that through them you be become partakers of the divine nature”

QUESTION: What does it mean to “share in the divine nature?”

You are given a divine nature in Jesus Christ.

Notice that the divine nature that you have comes THROUGH Christ. Our power in the spiritual life comes from Christ.

“having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire”

We no longer have to walk in sin.

You can repent, and by the power of God, walk in Him.

Application: Three Serious Heart Changes

Peter calls us to holiness. May we deeply pray and yearn for holiness.

Nothing is beyond the work of the Holy Spirit. Have hope that God isn’t finished with you. Truly believe that you don’t have to walk in the shame of that continuous sin.

The power of the gospel is more than just a moment of salvation, but it is an ever growing life inside of you.

Final Note: If you never had victory over sin, you have to ask yourself if you have actually beens saved.

Invitation