Equipped for Life: Living Out Our Faith
Summary
Summary:
Today, we explored the profound truth that God has already provided us with everything we need for life and godliness. This is a powerful reminder that from the moment we accept Christ, we are equipped with all the spiritual resources necessary to live a life that pleases Him. These resources include the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the people of God, and the very nature of God within us. The Word of God serves as our guide, teaching, correcting, and training us in righteousness. The Spirit of God empowers and assures us, interceding on our behalf even when we don't know how to pray. The people of God provide accountability and encouragement, helping us to grow in love and good deeds. Lastly, the nature of God within us, the new creation, propels us to live out our faith actively.
Peter emphasizes that while God has granted us these resources, we must make every effort to supplement our faith with virtues such as moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. This effort is not about earning salvation but about living out the faith we profess. Faith is an action word, meant to be demonstrated through our lives. As we pursue these virtues, we grow stronger in the Lord, preparing ourselves for the challenges we face in life.
The expectation of the Christian life is to bear fruit, both internally and externally. Internal fruit reflects the character of God within us, while external fruit shows God's work through us to bless others. As we bear fruit, we confirm our calling and election, providing assurance that we are indeed part of God's family. This journey requires patience and perseverance, but with God's help, we can grow in godliness and bear fruit for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Provision for Life and Godliness: From the moment we accept Christ, God has equipped us with everything we need for life and godliness. This includes the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the people of God, and the nature of God within us. These resources empower us to live a life that pleases Him. [05:32]
2. The Role of the Word and Spirit: The Word of God is our guide, teaching and correcting us, while the Spirit of God empowers and assures us. The Spirit intercedes for us, even when we don't know how to pray, providing comfort and strength in our Christian journey. [12:35]
3. Faith as an Action Word: Faith is not passive; it is meant to be lived out through our actions. We are called to supplement our faith with virtues like moral excellence, knowledge, and love, demonstrating our faith through our lives. [25:25]
4. Bearing Fruit for God's Glory: The expectation of the Christian life is to bear fruit, both internally and externally. Internal fruit reflects God's character within us, while external fruit shows His work through us to bless others. This fruit confirms our calling and election. [36:42]
5. Effort in Spiritual Growth: While salvation is a gift, spiritual growth requires effort. We are called to actively pursue virtues that strengthen our faith and prepare us for life's challenges. This effort is not about earning salvation but about living out the faith we profess. [27:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:32] - God's Provision for Life and Godliness
- [07:26] - Understanding God's Provision
- [08:45] - Spiritual Resources for Godliness
- [09:58] - The Word of God as a Resource
- [10:51] - The Spirit of God as a Resource
- [12:35] - Assurance from the Spirit
- [13:51] - The People of God as a Resource
- [15:19] - The Nature of God Within Us
- [16:40] - The Perfect Tense of God's Provision
- [18:41] - Spiritual Growth from Day One
- [19:46] - Salvation as a Package Deal
- [22:02] - Our Response to God's Provision
- [24:38] - Faith and Effort in Spiritual Life
- [27:45] - Pursuing Spiritual Growth
- [33:01] - Supplementing Faith with Virtues
- [35:30] - Bearing Fruit in the Christian Life
- [41:42] - Confirming Our Calling and Election
- [44:48] - Assurance Through Bearing Fruit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Peter 1:3-11
Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Peter 1:3, what has God's divine power granted to us, and how does this relate to life and godliness? [05:32]
2. What are the spiritual resources mentioned in the sermon that God has provided for us to live a life pleasing to Him? [08:45]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Spirit of God in our lives, especially when we don't know how to pray? [12:35]
4. What does Peter mean by saying we should "supplement" our faith, and what virtues are we encouraged to pursue? [29:49]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's provision in 2 Peter 1:3-4 challenge or affirm your understanding of what it means to live a godly life? [07:26]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is an action word, and how does this align with the teachings in James 2 about faith and works? [25:25]
3. What might be the significance of bearing both internal and external fruit in the Christian life, as discussed in the sermon? [36:42]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between effort in spiritual growth and the assurance of our calling and election? [41:42]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the spiritual resources God has provided you. How can you more actively engage with these resources in your daily life? [08:45]
2. Consider the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Which virtue do you find most challenging to pursue, and what steps can you take to develop it further? [29:49]
3. The sermon emphasizes that faith is meant to be lived out. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you can demonstrate your faith through action this week? [25:25]
4. Think about the internal and external fruit you are currently bearing. What is one practical way you can cultivate more fruit in your life for God's glory? [36:42]
5. How can you ensure that your efforts in spiritual growth are not about earning salvation but about living out the faith you profess? [23:04]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually weak. How can the concept of "supplementing your faith" help you prepare for future challenges? [31:48]
7. What specific steps can you take to confirm your calling and election through your actions and lifestyle? [41:42]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Complete Provision for Our Journey
From the moment we accept Christ, God has equipped us with everything we need for life and godliness. This provision includes the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the people of God, and the nature of God within us. The Word of God serves as our guide, teaching, correcting, and training us in righteousness. The Spirit of God empowers and assures us, interceding on our behalf even when we don't know how to pray. The people of God provide accountability and encouragement, helping us to grow in love and good deeds. Lastly, the nature of God within us, the new creation, propels us to live out our faith actively. These resources empower us to live a life that pleases Him. [05:32]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Identify one of the spiritual resources God has provided you with that you have not fully utilized. How can you begin to incorporate it into your daily life starting today?
Day 2: The Guiding and Empowering Presence of God
The Word of God is our guide, teaching and correcting us, while the Spirit of God empowers and assures us. The Spirit intercedes for us, even when we don't know how to pray, providing comfort and strength in our Christian journey. These divine resources are not passive; they actively work within us to transform our hearts and minds, aligning us with God's will. As we engage with the Word and rely on the Spirit, we find ourselves equipped to face life's challenges with wisdom and courage. [12:35]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Spirit's guidance and empowerment today? How can you intentionally seek His help in this area?
Day 3: Faith in Action
Faith is not passive; it is meant to be lived out through our actions. We are called to supplement our faith with virtues like moral excellence, knowledge, and love, demonstrating our faith through our lives. This effort is not about earning salvation but about living out the faith we profess. As we pursue these virtues, we grow stronger in the Lord, preparing ourselves for the challenges we face in life. Faith is an action word, meant to be demonstrated through our lives. [25:25]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate your faith in a tangible way? How can this action reflect the virtues you are called to pursue?
Day 4: Bearing Fruit for God's Glory
The expectation of the Christian life is to bear fruit, both internally and externally. Internal fruit reflects God's character within us, while external fruit shows His work through us to bless others. As we bear fruit, we confirm our calling and election, providing assurance that we are indeed part of God's family. This journey requires patience and perseverance, but with God's help, we can grow in godliness and bear fruit for His glory. [36:42]
John 15:8 (ESV): "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
Reflection: Reflect on the internal and external fruits you are currently bearing. How can you cultivate these fruits further to glorify God and bless others?
Day 5: The Effort of Spiritual Growth
While salvation is a gift, spiritual growth requires effort. We are called to actively pursue virtues that strengthen our faith and prepare us for life's challenges. This effort is not about earning salvation but about living out the faith we profess. As we diligently seek to grow in godliness, we become more effective in our Christian walk, ready to face whatever comes our way with confidence and grace. [27:45]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to put in more effort? What practical steps can you take this week to actively pursue growth in this area?
Quotes
"My brothers and sisters, write this down. Peter tells us that God has given us every spiritual resource we need in order to live a life that's pleasing to him. God has given you. God has given me every resource that we need. In order to live a life that's pleasing to God." [00:08:45] (23 seconds)
"See, my brothers and sisters, in 2 Timothy chapter 3, the Bible says that the word of God is profitable for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness. See, my brothers and sisters, teaching is showing you the right way. Reproof is showing you when you're wrong. Correction is putting you back on the right path." [00:09:36] (24 seconds)
"Peter says God has given us all things that pertain to life and to godliness. But there's one more. There's one more thing that Peter adds as a spiritual resource that God has given us. For you look back at verse 4 of our text. Peter says, by which he has given, he has granted to us precious and very great promises." [00:14:26] (23 seconds)
"On day one of your Christian life, God has given you everything you need. For the rest of your Christian journey. He has already given you. He has already granted. Day one, minute one, second one, when you confess Jesus. God has given us all things that pertain to life and to godliness." [00:19:35] (24 seconds)
"So my brothers and sisters, what Peter is trying to reveal to us, to help us understand, is that having faith doesn't release us from putting forth effort in your spiritual life. Having faith doesn't release you from putting forth effort in your spiritual life. In fact, we can put it this way, and you can write this down. You live out your faith by putting in the work." [00:24:38] (26 seconds)
"Peter says, if you pursue these qualities, if you pursue these virtues, if you get your weight up spiritually, you will not be unfruitful in your Christian life. Unfruitful. It reminds me of a passage. It reminds me of a story in the Gospels. We find it towards the tail end of the Gospel of Mark." [00:34:25] (21 seconds)
"My brothers and sisters, God expects the Christian to eventually bear fruit. So Peter says, if you pursue these virtues, if you pursue growing in Godliness, if you pursue getting stronger in the Lord, you will never be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. But Peter goes on, in verse 8, sorry, verses 9 and 10." [00:41:16] (26 seconds)
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