Growing in Faith: Embracing God's Promises and Virtues
Summary
### Summary
Today's lesson from 2 Peter 1:1-15 emphasizes the importance of continually reminding ourselves of the core principles of our faith. Peter's letters were written during times of intense persecution to encourage and strengthen the early Christians. The first letter was to assure them of God's unwavering presence, while the second letter addressed internal conflicts and the infiltration of false teachers. Peter's message is clear: the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ is essential for spiritual growth and stability.
Peter outlines a progression of virtues that believers should strive to add to their faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These qualities are not static; they must be actively practiced and developed. The goal is to be fruitful and effective in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, ensuring that we are not barren or unfruitful in our spiritual journey.
The sermon also highlights the importance of understanding and internalizing God's promises. Knowing these promises helps us navigate life's challenges with confidence and faith. Peter's reminder to "make your calling and election sure" is a call to diligence in our spiritual walk, ensuring that we are always growing and maturing in our faith.
Peter's commitment to continually remind the believers of these truths, even as he faced his impending death, underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in the Christian life. The message concludes with a call to self-examination, urging believers to identify areas where they fall short and to strive for holiness and righteousness.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Remembrance: Constantly reminding ourselves of God's Word is crucial because, like any other knowledge, it can fade if not regularly revisited. David's commitment to hiding God's Word in his heart serves as a model for us to internalize Scripture to avoid sin and stay close to God. [07:03]
2. Virtue Progression: Peter outlines a series of virtues—faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity—that believers should actively cultivate. These qualities are dynamic and must be practiced daily to ensure spiritual growth and effectiveness. [22:27]
3. Understanding God's Promises: Knowing and recalling God's promises is essential for navigating life's challenges. These promises provide assurance and guidance, helping us to remain steadfast in our faith. Homework to identify ten promises of God encourages deeper engagement with Scripture. [14:03]
4. Holiness and Self-Examination: God calls us to be holy because He is holy. This requires a continuous effort to align our lives with His standards. Self-examination helps us identify areas where we fall short and need to grow, fostering a deeper relationship with God. [20:16]
5. Perseverance in Trials: Developing the virtues Peter lists enables us to persevere through trials and challenges. Trusting in God's faithfulness and allowing Him to fight our battles strengthens our faith and prepares us for future difficulties. [24:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Opening Prayer
[01:33] - Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-15
[02:50] - Introduction to the Lesson
[03:35] - The Importance of Remembrance
[05:41] - Why We Need Constant Reminders
[07:03] - Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts
[07:56] - Context of Peter's Letters
[08:43] - Dealing with Persecution and False Teachers
[09:14] - The Reality of Christian Suffering
[10:37] - The Authority of Scripture
[11:15] - Understanding God's Promises
[12:41] - The Goal of Salvation
[14:03] - Knowing God's Promises
[15:30] - Partaking in the Divine Nature
[16:23] - Living Out the Christian Life
[17:41] - Faith and Action
[18:36] - The Privilege of Conversing with God
[19:35] - Being Holy as God is Holy
[20:16] - Self-Examination
[21:47] - Adding to Your Faith
[22:27] - Practicing Virtues
[24:54] - Perseverance in Trials
[25:49] - Dedication and Discipline
[27:16] - Practicing Christian Qualities
[28:06] - The Role of Love and Charity
[29:04] - Learning and Growing in Faith
[30:38] - The Importance of Bible Study
[31:26] - Understanding Scripture
[32:12] - Challenges in Practicing Virtues
[33:37] - Commitment to Following God
[34:50] - God Sees the Best in Us
[35:27] - Peter's Commitment to Remind
[36:13] - Facing Death with Contentment
[37:03] - The Danger of False Teachings
[37:38] - The Basics of Faith
[38:21] - Constant Reminders
[39:01] - Practicing and Refining Basics
[40:09] - God's Faithfulness
[41:59] - Life's Distractions
[42:15] - Modern Day Preaching
[43:15] - Understanding and Applying God's Word
[43:50] - The Effect of the Word
[44:17] - Closing Remarks and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Peter 1:1-15
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the virtues Peter lists that believers should add to their faith? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
2. According to Peter, what is the result of possessing and practicing these virtues? (2 Peter 1:8)
3. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of continually reminding believers of these truths? (2 Peter 1:12-15) [04:39]
4. What does Peter mean by "making your calling and election sure"? (2 Peter 1:10)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Peter's list of virtues (faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity) contribute to spiritual growth and stability? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
2. Why is it important to understand and internalize God's promises according to the sermon? [12:41]
3. How does self-examination help in aligning our lives with God's standards of holiness? [20:16]
4. What does Peter's commitment to reminding believers of these truths, even as he faced his impending death, teach us about perseverance and dedication in the Christian life? [36:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Peter emphasizes the importance of remembering God's Word. How can you make a habit of regularly revisiting and internalizing Scripture in your daily life? [05:41]
2. Reflect on the virtues listed by Peter. Which one do you find most challenging to practice, and what steps can you take to actively cultivate it in your life? [22:27]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of understanding God's promises. Can you identify ten promises of God and share how they have impacted your life? [14:03]
4. Self-examination is crucial for spiritual growth. What specific areas in your life do you feel need improvement to align more closely with God's standards of holiness? [20:16]
5. How do you handle trials and challenges in your life? Share an experience where trusting in God's faithfulness helped you persevere through a difficult time. [24:54]
6. Peter's letters were written during times of persecution and internal conflict. How can you apply his teachings to address any current challenges or conflicts within your church community? [07:56]
7. The sermon calls for dedication and discipline in our spiritual walk. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually growing and maturing in your faith? [25:49]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Remembrance
Description: Constantly reminding ourselves of God's Word is crucial because, like any other knowledge, it can fade if not regularly revisited. David's commitment to hiding God's Word in his heart serves as a model for us to internalize Scripture to avoid sin and stay close to God. This practice of remembrance helps us stay grounded in our faith and provides a foundation for spiritual growth. By continually revisiting the core principles of our faith, we ensure that we remain aligned with God's will and are better equipped to face life's challenges. [07:03]
Psalm 119:11 (ESV): "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
Reflection: Think of a specific Bible verse that has been meaningful to you. How can you make a habit of revisiting and meditating on this verse daily to keep it fresh in your heart?
Day 2: Cultivating Virtue Progression
Description: Peter outlines a series of virtues—faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity—that believers should actively cultivate. These qualities are dynamic and must be practiced daily to ensure spiritual growth and effectiveness. Each virtue builds upon the previous one, creating a strong foundation for a fruitful Christian life. By actively working on these virtues, we become more effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ, ensuring that our faith is not barren or unfruitful. [22:27]
2 Peter 1:5-7 (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."
Reflection: Identify one virtue from Peter's list that you find challenging to practice. What specific steps can you take today to begin cultivating this virtue in your life?
Day 3: Embracing God's Promises
Description: Knowing and recalling God's promises is essential for navigating life's challenges. These promises provide assurance and guidance, helping us to remain steadfast in our faith. By understanding and internalizing God's promises, we can face difficulties with confidence, knowing that God is faithful and His Word is true. This deeper engagement with Scripture not only strengthens our faith but also equips us to encourage others who may be struggling. [14:03]
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."
Reflection: Take a moment to identify one of God's promises that you need to hold onto today. How can this promise provide you with the assurance and strength to face a current challenge in your life?
Day 4: Pursuing Holiness through Self-Examination
Description: God calls us to be holy because He is holy. This requires a continuous effort to align our lives with His standards. Self-examination helps us identify areas where we fall short and need to grow, fostering a deeper relationship with God. By regularly evaluating our actions, thoughts, and motives, we can make necessary adjustments to live a life that reflects God's holiness. This process of self-examination is not about condemnation but about growth and transformation. [20:16]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits and actions. Is there an area in your life that does not align with God's standards of holiness? What practical steps can you take to bring this area into alignment with His will?
Day 5: Persevering through Trials
Description: Developing the virtues Peter lists enables us to persevere through trials and challenges. Trusting in God's faithfulness and allowing Him to fight our battles strengthens our faith and prepares us for future difficulties. By relying on God's strength and promises, we can endure hardships with a sense of peace and assurance. This perseverance not only builds our character but also serves as a testimony to others of God's sustaining power. [24:54]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced or are currently facing. How can you trust God more deeply in this situation and allow Him to strengthen your faith through it?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Have you ever heard this question? When you're going through something and you're supposed to be a Christian, they act like Christians don't suffer. They act like Christians don't have problems. We're just like everybody else in the world. We're dealing with the same devil you're dealing with. The attacks just become more intense sometimes." [08:43] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You have to be so secure in your relationship, with your personal relationship with God, you don't allow outside people to bring negativity into your life because you understand, it's okay for me to suffer. That's right. It's okay for me to go through hard times because I have someone who's going to bail me out, going to get me out every time." [08:43] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Faith in Christ unites us to God in ways you can only imagine. It is in all of that reality that we live out the imperatives of the Christian life, not to earn God's favor, but as a result of our living in his grace causes me to live, to want to get closer to God, to want to understand God better, to understand what God really requires of me." [17:41] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We spend too much time trying to do God's job and never enough doing our own. We have to learn that these actions. Do not come automatically. That's what I wanted to get to right there. People think it's easy. It ain't easy. But it's doable. Because I told you, I made the statement, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." [24:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you truly live up to being still and letting God fight, people are going to look at you like you done lost your mind. But they don't have to. They need to understand you have found the key to success. Let God be God. And you quit trying to be God." [27:16] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we look at the two letters that Peter wrote to the church, we can see that the first letter was written just before the Roman Emperor Nero began persecuting Christians. So he was writing to them. So the second letter. He wrote, which we're in today, 2 Peter, was written about three years after that, after the persecution had become so intense." [07:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Peter focuses on the problems in the church, especially on false teachers who were causing people to doubt their faith and turn from Christianity. It bugs me to no end when somebody say to me they know someone who's going through, so they don't believe in God. They've been to church. If they truly had a relationship with God and not just believed, they would understand that what we're going through is to make us better." [09:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A lot of believers want the abundance of God's grace and his mercy, his peace. They want it and they want it in bunches. But they are unwilling to put forth the effort to get to know him better through Bible study and prayer. That's why I asked the question. Can you name ten promises? God has made to you and kept them because he never broke his promise. Do you know what they are?" [14:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Modern day preaching wants us to apply the Word of God in everything we do. But they don't tell us. They don't tell us what it means so we can apply it correctly. They don't teach us when God says get wisdom. But who is described as wisdom and providence? Jesus. Jesus. My answer for you. That's Jesus. Get wisdom. So you get Jesus. Get knowledge. Knowledge of whom? God. He said, my people perish, brother. Lack of knowledge. But above all of that, get what? Understanding." [42:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Christians need constant reminders of the fundamentals of our faith. How can we come to believe the gospel in the first place? Don't allow yourself to be bored or impatient with messages on the basics of the Christian life. Instead, take the attitude of an athlete who continues to practice and refine the basics. And refine the basics so that they become, and the basics become not just knowing, but second nature." [39:01] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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