Striving for Spiritual Growth: A Lifelong Journey
Summary
In the discourse, the central theme revolves around the Christian mission to actively pursue spiritual growth and character development. This mission is not just a New Year's resolution but a lifelong endeavor, encapsulated in the exhortation from 2 Peter chapter 1 to "make every effort to add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love." The emphasis is on the conscious and deliberate effort required to cultivate these virtues, which are not naturally inherent but must be developed through spiritual discipline.
The message begins by contrasting the Christian mission with the behavior of pelicans in St. James's Park, which are seen as passive and lacking initiative. In contrast, Christians are called to be like a climber striving to scale an overhanging rock, symbolizing the strenuous effort needed to grow in faith and virtue. Faith is the foundation upon which other qualities are built, and it is described as precious and equal to that of the apostles and great Christians throughout history. This faith is not only for the present life but also for the life to come, with the ultimate goal being to receive a warm welcome into Jesus' eternal kingdom.
The discourse further explains that Christians have been chosen by God to be holy and to work on their character growth in thought, decision-making, and practical life. It encourages self-examination to identify areas of weakness and to make every effort to improve in those areas. Acknowledging and confessing weaknesses is important, as is seeking forgiveness and the help of the Holy Spirit, who works to change and make individuals more like Jesus.
The message also addresses the importance of being effective and productive in one's faith, which involves participating in the divine nature and living a new life empowered by God. The qualities listed in 2 Peter are not to be added in a sequential order but are to be developed simultaneously as the Holy Spirit prompts. The message underscores the importance of the heart's attitudes, which should reflect God's character and influence everyday behavior.
Christians are reminded that they are called to live godly lives every day of the year, not just at certain times or in certain ways. The message runs through the list of qualities to be added to faith, starting with goodness, which implies moral praiseworthiness, and knowledge, which refers to a deep relationship with God. Self-control is highlighted as a virtue that requires serious attention to restrain sinful desires, while perseverance is commended as a quality that many Christians exhibit by continuing in their faith despite challenges.
The message also touches on godliness, which involves living a God-centered life, and mutual affection, which pertains to the love and care among members of the church family. The discourse concludes with an exhortation to love even the unlovely, as God does, and to make every effort to confirm one's calling and election with God's help.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian mission is a lifelong journey that requires active and deliberate effort to grow in faith and virtue. This growth is not passive but involves striving against complacency and spiritual inertia, much like a climber facing a challenging ascent. [01:10]
- Faith is the foundational quality upon which other virtues are built. It is a precious gift that aligns believers with the faith of the apostles and great Christians throughout history. This faith is not only for the present life but also secures a place in the eternal kingdom, emphasizing the eternal significance of one's relationship with Jesus. [01:48]
- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the transformation of a believer's character. While personal effort is necessary, it is the Spirit who empowers and guides the development of virtues such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. [05:26]
- The qualities to be added to faith are not a checklist to be ticked off but are to be pursued in increasing measure. Christians are called to be effective and productive in their faith, continually growing in character and reflecting God's nature in their lives. [10:02]
- The message of 2 Peter serves as a reminder that Christians are not to live in defeatism or complacency but are empowered to live virtuous lives through the Spirit. The call to "make every effort" is an invitation to a dynamic and transformative faith journey that impacts every aspect of life. [03:39]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Peter 1:5-7
- Romans 8:9-10
- 2 Peter 2:20-22
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Peter 1:5-7, what qualities are Christians encouraged to add to their faith?
2. How does the sermon describe the behavior of pelicans in St. James's Park, and what lesson does it draw from this observation? [00:39]
3. What does Romans 8:9-10 say about the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life?
4. In 2 Peter 2:20-22, what warning does Peter give about those who turn back to their old ways after knowing Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the need for Christians to make a conscious and deliberate effort to grow in virtues like goodness, knowledge, and self-control? [01:10]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between passive faith and active spiritual growth using the example of the pelicans and the climber? [01:10]
3. What does it mean to "participate in the divine nature" as mentioned in the sermon, and how does this relate to living a new life empowered by God? [15:02]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of self-examination and acknowledging one's weaknesses in the process of spiritual growth? [32:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Which one do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life, and why? [01:10]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of not being passive in our faith. What are some practical steps you can take this week to actively pursue spiritual growth? [01:10]
3. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to help you develop the virtues mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-7? Are there specific areas where you need to seek His guidance and strength? [05:26]
4. The sermon talks about the danger of spiritual complacency. Have you ever experienced a period of complacency in your faith? What helped you overcome it? [10:02]
5. Think about a time when you had to exercise self-control in a difficult situation. How did your faith influence your actions, and what was the outcome? [25:16]
6. The sermon encourages mutual affection and love, even for the unlovely. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love? How can you show them God's love this week? [24:39]
7. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to make every effort to confirm one's calling and election. What specific actions can you take to ensure that your life reflects your faith in Jesus? [30:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Growth in Faith and Virtue
Spiritual growth requires intentional effort, much like a climber scaling a challenging peak. Believers are encouraged to actively develop virtues that reflect the character of Christ, rather than remaining passive or complacent in their faith journey. This pursuit is a continuous process, demanding dedication and the willingness to overcome spiritual inertia. [01:10]
James 1:22-25 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
Reflection: What is one specific virtue you feel called to develop more intentionally, and what is one practical step you can take today to cultivate it?
Day 2: Faith as the Foundation
Faith is not a static possession but a dynamic foundation for building a life of virtue. It is a precious gift that connects believers with the legacy of the apostles and the faithful throughout history. This faith has eternal implications, guiding one's present life and securing a place in Jesus' eternal kingdom. [01:48]
Hebrews 11:1-3 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
Reflection: How does your faith shape your daily decisions, and in what ways can you strengthen your trust in God's promises for both this life and the next?
Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Transformative Work
The Holy Spirit is the divine agent of change in a believer's life, empowering and guiding the development of Christ-like virtues. While personal effort is essential, it is through the Spirit's work that one can truly grow in goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. [05:26]
Galatians 5:22-25 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit, and how can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit to cultivate this virtue in your life?
Day 4: Pursuing Virtues in Increasing Measure
The journey of faith is marked by a continual pursuit of virtues in increasing measure, not as a checklist but as a way of life. Believers are called to be effective and productive, reflecting God's nature and growing in character. This pursuit is an ongoing process that requires diligence and a heart willing to be shaped by God. [10:02]
2 Peter 1:5-8 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual life; in what ways can you be more effective and productive in your faith, and what might be your next step in pursuing these virtues?
Day 5: Empowered for a Virtuous Life
Christians are not called to live in defeatism or complacency but are empowered by the Spirit to live virtuous lives. The exhortation to "make every effort" invites believers to a dynamic faith journey that impacts every aspect of life, from thoughts and decisions to actions and relationships. [03:39]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to "make every effort" to live out your calling, and how can you begin to take action on this today?
Quotes
1) "Every Christian has a mission not just for the new year but for life and we really do need to be bothered about it. We need to take action in pursuit of that mission." [00:39] (Download)
2) "Faith comes first in that list... Peter speaks of a faith as precious as ours... that their faith is the same as his. Isn't that wonderful?" [01:48] (Download)
3) "Defeatism is a terrible thing... but some of us are very prone to it. 'Oh, it's too hard... it's not going to work.'... You need to think again." [03:39] (Download)
4) "Peter sees these things as spiritual qualities that depend on the spirit, the Holy Spirit of God... who will change our moral attitudes, the heart attitudes within us." [05:26] (Download)
5) "If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." [08:09] (Download)
6) "We Christians are not to be like that; we're to make every effort and we're to make every effort so that we possess these qualities Peter says in increasing measure." [10:02] (Download)
7) "Peter is teaching us as Jesus taught that it's the heart that we begin with. We need to develop attitudes that reflect God's character and then come out in our ordinary everyday behavior." [16:50] (Download)
8) "We are often dominated by our desires... Peter's challenging us to take our sinful heart seriously to deal with them... we need to control ourselves with God's help by his Spirit." [25:16] (Download)
9) "Joseph was a model in all sorts of other ways too... he did it because of God because he knew God because he served God because he was faithful to God." [29:43] (Download)
10) "Our lives should be like thank you letters... but what have I done for you, how have I done it? We need to be much more focused, don't we, in our gratitude to God." [31:31] (Download)
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