Embracing Transformation: The Journey of Faith and Growth

Today, we gathered to witness and celebrate the powerful symbol of baptism—a public declaration of faith and a vivid reminder of the new life we have in Christ. Baptism is not just a ritual; it’s an outward sign of an inward transformation, a leaving behind of the old self and a rising into newness of life. This is a journey that each of us is called to walk, not in isolation, but together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another as we grow in faith.

We explored the “stair steps” of spiritual growth outlined in 2 Peter: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are not just virtues to admire, but qualities to be cultivated in increasing measure. The Christian life is not about coasting on past experiences or simply being “busy” with religious activity. Instead, it’s about being effective and fruitful, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us, empower us, and transform us from the inside out.

A key part of this journey is learning to embrace suffering, not as a punishment, but as a means by which God perfects us. Even Jesus, the perfect Son of God, was perfected through suffering. In our own struggles, we find Christ, experience His power, and discover forgiveness and mercy that cannot be found elsewhere. Suffering strips us of self-reliance and brings us to a place of true dependence on God.

We must also be vigilant, making our “calling and election sure.” This means examining our lives: Are we growing? Are we producing fruit? Are we living in the light of eternity, or are we content to remain unchanged? The evidence of the Holy Spirit is not just in outward expressions, but in the fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—that is evident in our daily lives.

Sin must be dealt with decisively. We cannot afford to coddle it or make excuses. True repentance means cutting off what leads us astray and seeking help when needed. Our words matter, too—life and death are in the power of the tongue. We are called to speak life, build up those around us, and participate in the work God is doing. Ultimately, our hope is secure in Christ, and we look forward to the day when all things are made new. Until then, we press on, steadfast and unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Baptism and New Life: Baptism is a profound act of obedience and identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. It is not merely symbolic, but a declaration that the old self is left behind and a new creation has emerged. This public step of faith is both a personal milestone and a communal celebration, reminding us that transformation is possible for all who are in Christ. [41:57]
• 2. Spiritual Growth Requires Intentionality: The Christian life is not about passive belief or religious busyness, but about actively adding to our faith the virtues Peter lists: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Growth is measured by increasing fruitfulness and effectiveness, not by activity alone. We must continually examine whether we are truly growing or just going through the motions. [56:16]
• 3. Embracing Suffering as a Pathway to Maturity: Suffering is not something to be avoided at all costs; rather, it is often the very means God uses to refine and perfect us. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering, and in our own hardships, we encounter God’s power, mercy, and forgiveness in unique ways. Learning to suffer well deepens our dependence on Christ and shapes us into His likeness. [47:13]
• 4. The Evidence of the Spirit is in the Fruit: True evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work is not found in outward displays or spiritual gifts alone, but in the fruit that is produced in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are unmistakable and cannot be faked; they are the natural result of abiding in Christ and allowing the Spirit to transform us. [69:42]
• 5. Dealing Decisively with Sin and Speaking Life: Sin must be confronted and cut off without compromise. This may require radical steps and the support of others, but it is essential for spiritual health and effectiveness. Additionally, the words we speak carry immense power; we are called to speak life, encouragement, and truth, building up those around us and refusing to partner with negativity or defeat. [95:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:57] - The Meaning and Power of Baptism
• [47:13] - Suffering: The Doorway to Spiritual Growth
• [49:27] - The Futility of Self-Reliance
• [50:55] - The Need for the Holy Spirit’s Power
• [52:06] - Making Room for the Spirit
• [53:12] - Relationship with Christ, Not Religion
• [56:16] - Effectiveness vs. Busyness in Faith
• [57:33] - The Call to Fruitfulness
• [59:35] - Warnings Against Spiritual Blindness
• [65:00] - Abiding in Christ and Bearing Fruit
• [69:42] - The True Evidence of the Spirit
• [73:04] - Living in the Light of Eternity
• [83:15] - Dealing Decisively with Sin
• [95:52] - The Power of Words: Speaking Life
• [99:18] - Working Out Your Salvation
• [101:07] - Baptism Celebration and Invitation
• [109:00] - Closing Prayer and Fellowship

Bible Reading

1. 2 Peter 1:5-11 (ESV) — > For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 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. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

3. Romans 6:3-4 (ESV) — > Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Peter 1:5-8, what are the “stair steps” or qualities that believers are called to add to their faith? How does Peter say these should be present in our lives?
2. What does the sermon say is the true evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life? ([01:09:42])
3. How does the sermon describe the meaning and significance of baptism? ([41:57])
4. What does Peter warn will happen if we do not possess these qualities in increasing measure? ([59:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter emphasizes “making your calling and election sure”? What does it mean to examine whether we are growing or just going through the motions? ([59:35])
2. The sermon says suffering is a pathway to maturity, not a punishment. How does this perspective change the way we view hardships in our lives? ([47:13])
3. The fruit of the Spirit is described as the real evidence of the Spirit’s work. Why might outward religious activity or spiritual gifts not be enough? ([01:09:42])
4. The pastor says sin must be dealt with decisively, not coddled or excused. What are some practical ways to “cut off” sin in our lives? ([01:23:15])

Application Questions

1. Baptism is described as a public declaration of leaving the old self behind and rising to new life. If you have been baptized, how did that moment impact your faith journey? If you haven’t, what holds you back from taking that step? ([41:57])
2. Looking at the “stair steps” in 2 Peter (faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love), which one do you feel God is calling you to focus on right now? What is one specific action you can take this week to grow in that area? ([56:16])
3. The sermon challenges us to embrace suffering as a way God perfects us. Can you share a time when a difficult season led to spiritual growth or a deeper experience of God’s mercy? ([47:13])
4. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of God’s work in us. Choose one aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you struggle with. What is one practical way you can cultivate it in your daily life this week? ([01:09:42])
5. The pastor warns against being “busy” with religious activity but not effective or fruitful. Are there areas in your life where you are just going through the motions? What would it look like to shift from busyness to fruitfulness? ([56:16])
6. The sermon says we must deal decisively with sin, even if it means taking radical steps or seeking help. Is there a sin or habit in your life that you need to “cut off”? What support or accountability do you need to take that step? ([01:23:15])
7. Our words have the power of life and death. Think about your conversations this past week—were your words building others up or tearing them down? What is one way you can intentionally “speak life” to someone in your family, workplace, or church this week? ([01:35:52])