June 5, 2025 • 67 mins
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Have you ever wondered what separates cultural Christians from genuine warriors of faith? In this powerful teaching, we dive deep into 2 Peter 1:1-11 to uncover the biblical blueprint for spiritual growth that transforms believers into battle-ready disciples for today's challenges.
The Apostle Peter, writing shortly before his martyrdom, provides a revolutionary framework for understanding what it means to live with a truly biblical worldview. We explore how Peter describes our salvation as a precious gift received through God's righteousness—not something earned or achieved through human effort. This foundation of grace becomes the launchpad for remarkable spiritual development.
At the heart of Peter's message is an astounding promise: God's "divine power has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness." You already possess all you need for spiritual victory! But accessing these resources requires growing in the "full knowledge" of Christ—not just intellectual understanding, but deep, transformative relationship.
Most striking is Peter's revelation that believers actually become "partakers of the divine nature," sharing in God's moral character while escaping the corruption dominating our world. This isn't about becoming gods but about experiencing supernatural transformation from the inside out. The seven virtues Peter lists—moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love—create a comprehensive portrait of Christ-like character that believers must diligently cultivate.
When we develop these qualities, Peter promises two powerful outcomes: we "will never stumble" and we'll receive an "abundant entrance" into Christ's eternal kingdom. By making our "calling and election sure" through godly living, we gain personal assurance while providing compelling evidence of the gospel's power to a watching world.
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Welcome to Christian Warrior Mission: the ministry where Christian warriors are forged, equipped, and united for the battles of life and faith. Our channel is dedicated to empowering you to stand firm, advance the line, and claim victory for Christ’s Kingdom. We offer two powerful streams of content:
Christian Warrior Talk: Join us for a dynamic fellowship show where every episode challenges you to fight three essential battles:
Heart Alignment: Begin with a prayer of gratitude and humility, aligning your heart with the Lord.
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Fellowship & Accountability: Build strong, iron-sharpening relationships as we invest in one another’s growth.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, hello everyone and welcome to
Christian Warrior Mission, ahome, church, community,
ministry and farm that forgesChristian warriors for today's
challenges.
Here we forge disciples whowill faithfully worship, work
and war until every knee bows toKing Jesus.
We lock shields to protect theinnocent and disciple the
nations.
Today we will charge into ourstudy of 2 Peter 1, verses 1
(00:24):
through 11.
I had to break it up into two.
We are not people to hide frombattle.
We are those who stand firm,shoulder to shoulder, shields
locked together, eyes fixed onChrist, hearts ablaze for his
kingdom.
All right, so hold on here.
I got the wrong.
I need one more.
Oh man, I got one more version.
(00:46):
I got to transfer over becauseI didn't do it over here, but
that's all right.
Okay, all right, so let's goahead and get into prayer here.
Technical challenges as usual.
I apologize everyone.
Heavenly Father, lord, we thankyou.
(01:07):
We thank you for today.
We thank you for this amazingweather we're having in
Tennessee.
Lord, we thank you for your sonwho died for our sins.
Lord, we thank you for ourcountless blessings, known and
unknown, your protections, lord.
We thank you for all the peoplein our lives.
We help us to treasure everymoment we have with them.
(01:29):
Lord, I pray that these wordstoday are your words and not
mine, and that you will use themto help somebody somewhere
somehow.
So may we proclaim you withevery breath of our lungs and
serve you with every beat of ourhearts.
In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.
All right, let's get into theLord's Prayer.
(01:49):
Before we proceed deeper intoworship, let us be rooted in the
fundamental prayer for our Lord.
Jesus Christ taught hisdisciples the model prayer for
every Christian warrior In Luke11.1,.
The disciples ask the Lord.
Teach us to pray.
Brothers and sisters, prayer isnot an option for the soldier
of Christ.
(02:10):
It is the essentialcommunication with the commander
of the armies of heaven.
Now let us together read andteach through the Lord's Prayer,
the Lord's Prayer Matthew 6,9-13.
Pray then in this way OurFather, who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth asit is in heaven.
(02:31):
Give us this day our dailybread and forgive us our debts,
as we have also forgiven ourdebtors, and do not lead us in
temptation, but deliver us fromthe evil one, for yours is the
kingdom, the power and the gloryforever.
Amen, alright, our Father, whois in.
God is our sovereign commander,ruling from his throne.
Surrender your plans and trustin his leadership.
(02:52):
Hallowed be your name.
God's holiness must be honoredabove all.
You know too often todaymorning churchianity.
We talk about God's love, god'slove, god's love.
But God is holy, holy, holy.
It is his primary attribute.
So God's holiness must behonored above all.
Live to glorify his name inyour every action.
(03:13):
Your kingdom come May Christ'srule.
Expand our hearts and thisworld.
Pray for the gospel of advanceand courageous witness your will
be done.
We align our lives with Christ'skingdom purpose, not our own
agendas and align dailydecisions with his divine
(03:36):
strategy, not our own.
Give us this day our dailybread.
We live in daily dependence onGod, our provider and sustainer.
We depend on his provision forevery need, day by day.
Forgive our debts, as we havealso forgiven our debtors.
We live out forgiveness becausewe ourselves have been forgiven
(03:59):
much, repent.
Swiftly forgive others.
Restore unity.
That's what we need to do.
Do not lead us into temptation,but deliver us from the evil
one.
We seek god's protection andstrength against temptation and
spiritual attack.
Who recognize and avoid dangers, choose god.
There is almost never a timewhere you're at a fork in the
(04:22):
road in your life and there's adecision and you're like I don't
know what the right thing is todo here.
There's the selfish and thesinful thing to do, and then
there's God's way and far toooften we choose not God's way,
for yours is the kingdom, thepower and the glory forever.
We affirm God's eternaldominion, power and victory.
(04:45):
We must claim Christ's victoryand press on without fear.
So 2 Peter 1, verses 1 through11, again, I had to split this
up because there's so much here.
Dayton author.
This was written around 64 to 68AD by the apostle Peter,
shortly before his martyrdomunder Nero.
(05:06):
That's where he was crucifiedupside down.
He requested to be crucifiedupside down because he said he
was not worthy to be crucifiedlike Lord Jesus.
Okay, and this is for believersscattered throughout the
provinces of Asia Minor,modern-day Turkey, grappling
(05:27):
with false teachers andpersecution, just like we are
today false teachers everywhere.
So imagine receiving a finalletter from a beloved pastor who
knows his time is short.
And 2 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter, nearing the end of his earthly
life, writes to strengthenbelievers.
He reminds them of the preciousfaith they share, urges them to
(05:51):
pursue godly virtues withdiligence and anchors their hope
in the sure truth of Christ'smajesty and Scripture's
inspiration.
Peter's words provide ablueprint for living out a
Christian biblical worldview ina corrupt world, in a reformed
and conservative theologicalframework.
This chapter highlights God'ssovereign grace in salvation and
(06:15):
sanctification, ourresponsibility to grow in
holiness and the absolutereliability of God's word.
And the absolute reliability ofGod's Word All key in confident
, hopeful, even post-millennial,outlook on Christ's advancing
kingdom.
Today we will walk line by linethrough Peter 2, 1 through 11.
(06:36):
We'll explore its rich meaning,from historical context to
Greek terms, cross-referencingscripture along the way.
We will draw on the wisdom fromthe giants of the faith Calvin,
spurgeon, edwards, knox,warfield and others to
illuminate the text.
And we will especially applyverses 4 through 11 to our lives
, seeing how believers can liveout a biblical worldview today.
(07:01):
May this journey through God'sword stir us, as Peter says, to
remember these truths and beestablished in the present truth
.
2 Peter 1.12, which we'll getto next week.
So, first thing, what is abiblical worldview?
A biblical worldview means youapply the Bible to everything
you do In your life.
It is to live this book.
(07:22):
You look at everything throughthis book, you live everything
through this book.
It is called a biblicalworldview.
Contrast that with the secularworldview.
The secular worldview is allabout you, you, you, you, flesh,
flesh, flesh, flesh.
Sin, sin, sin, sin, noconsequences.
(07:44):
Live for the moment, there'snothing else.
It's terrible.
Biblical worldview is to lookat everything the way that the
Bible tells us to, which isGod's way.
Okay.
So are you leaving, lauren?
If you could come get Yaya,that would be great.
(08:07):
Thank you, and close the doorbehind you.
Thank you, where was I?
Okay, okay, so a biblicalworldview, all right.
(08:30):
Far too many today in ChristianChristians say they believe the
Bible but don't live what theBible says.
So they are hypocritical andthey are double-minded.
Okay, so we're going to getinto how 2 Peter 1, verses 1
through 11, help us to walk outand live a biblical worldview.
(08:53):
We're also going to get intosome Calvinism today and
pre-election and all that stuff.
So first let's go to the textand I'm going to read it from
the book no, I don't have myglasses.
The second letter of Peter,precious and magnificent
promises Simon Peter, a slaveand apostle of Jesus Christ.
(09:15):
I find it interesting that it'snot my buddy Jesus.
It's not Jesus bro.
It's.
I am a slave of Jesus Christ.
It's not Jesus, bro, it's.
I am a slave of Jesus Christ.
That's how much reverence hisfriends had for him, the people
who knew him.
But today we wanted to call him.
(09:38):
You know, buddy, okay To thosewho have received the same kind
of faith as ours by therighteousness of our God and
Savior, jesus Christ, are youdone?
Are you done Okay?
Are you leaving or are youstaying?
Okay, by the righteousness ofour God and Savior, jesus Christ
(09:58):
, grace and peace be multipliedto you in the full knowledge of
God and of Jesus.
Our Lord, seeing his divinepower, has granted us, to us,
everything pertaining to lifeand godliness, through the full
knowledge of him, who called ushis own glory and excellence.
(10:19):
By his own glory and excellence, for by these he has granted to
us his precious and magnificentpromise, so that by them you
may become partakers of thedivine nature, having escaped
from the corruption that is inthe world by lust.
Now, for this very reason, alsoapplying all diligence in your
(10:40):
faith, supply, a moralexcellence and in your moral
excellence.
Knowledge and in your knowledge.
Self-control and in yourself-control.
Perseverance and in yourperseverance.
Godliness and in your godliness.
Brotherly kindness and in yourbrotherly kindness, love, for as
(11:01):
these things are yours and areincreasing, they render you
neither useless nor unfruitful,in the full knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ, for in whomthese things are not present,
that one is blind, beingnearsighted, having forgotten
the purification from his formersense.
Therefore, brothers, be all themore diligent to make your
(11:24):
calling and choosing sure, forin doing these things you will
never stumble, for in this way,the entrance into the eternal
kingdom of our Lord and Savior,jesus Christ, will be abundantly
supplied to you.
Okay, and we're going to stopthere before they'll jump into
verse 12.
Now there's a lot to talk aboutin there and there's a lot of
(11:47):
fancy words and a lot of fancylanguage we're going to have to
go over, so I wanted to makethis as plain as I could.
Precious faith and divinepromises verses 1 through 4.
Verse 1, simon Peter, a servantand apostle of Jesus Christ, to
those who obtained likeprecious faith with us by
(12:08):
righteousness of our God andSavior Jesus Christ, peter
introduces himself with humilityand authority, a slave and
apostle right of Christ.
He writes to believers who haveobtained a faith as precious as
the apostles' own.
Now what's interesting here forthose non-Calvinists out there?
(12:28):
The word used for obtained is aGreek word, and I've said I'm
not going to humiliate myselfand even when they look like I
can say them, but I'm not goingto.
So the Greek word obtained forthis actually implies received
by lot, like when you draw lotswhere everybody would have
(12:51):
straws of different lengths andyou draw and he who had the
longest one won Right or bydivine allotment, indicating
that true faith is given by God,not obtained by human effort.
Indeed, as Spurgeon observed,that's the pastor's pastor.
(13:13):
Faith does not grow in men'sheart by nature.
It is a thing which is obtained.
It must be given to us.
And well are we taught inScripture that faith is not of
ourselves, it is a gift from God, a gift of God.
All-saving faith is a sovereigngift of grace.
(13:34):
Peter calls this faith likeprecious, and the Greek word
there means equally honorableand valuable.
So again, as those of us whobelieve that God chose us, here
is like instance 342 of Godsaying or one of the apostles,
(13:55):
or God, or God through theapostles in the Bible, telling
us that we were chosen, wedidn't choose them, and that our
faith and our grace was not achoice.
It was given to us by God.
So, free willers, people whowant to fall and die and worship
at the altar of free willbecause they want to believe
(14:16):
that God needs them to dosomething.
They don't like that.
I am the most reluctantCalvinist on the face of the
earth.
I hate authority, but it iswhat it is.
It's not what I want, it's whatGod says.
It is okay.
So equally honorable andvaluable, showing that every
(14:39):
believer, even new Gentileconverts, share the same
priceless faith as the apostles.
It was no common gift.
Calvin writes that they had allbeen called to one and the same
faith, though the measure isdifferent, all possessed by
faith, the same Christ with hisrighteousness and the same
(15:00):
salvation.
Thus we have real fellowship offaith with Peter and the
apostles.
In Christ there is nosecond-class Christians.
The ground is level at the footof the cross.
This faith is obtained by therighteousness of our God and
Savior, jesus Christ.
Notice Peter unites God andJesus under one phrase.
(15:24):
The grammar and contextindicates that Christ, jesus
Christ is our God and Savior.
Here this is to alleviatepeople who say that Jesus wasn't
God, he was just the Son of God.
Peter here is showing you thatno, in very clear terms Jesus is
our God and Savior Our faithcomes by or in his righteousness
(15:47):
of Jesus, likely not referringto God's justice against us, but
his righteous salvation for us.
In other words, jesus' perfectrighteousness granted to us is
the ground and channel throughwhich we receive faith.
Calvin explains that Peter addsthis phrase in order that they
(16:12):
might know that they did notobtain faith through their own
efforts or strength, but throughGod's favor alone.
Our believing is wholly due toGod's gracious, gracious,
righteous action in Christ onour behalf.
This opening reminds us, asReformed theology teaches,
salvation is of the Lord fromstart to finish.
(16:33):
God is glorified in the work ofredemption, in this that there
appears that it appears in soabsolute and universal, a
dependence on the redeemed onhim, writes John Edwards.
We depend on God, not only forthe gift of Christ, but even for
the gift of faith to embraceChrist.
(16:55):
All praise him.
So God is glorified in the workof redemption, in this that
there appears in it, so absoluteand universal, a dependence of
the redeemed on him, writes JohnEdwards.
Okay, we depend on God, notonly for the gift of Christ, but
even for the gift of faith toembrace Christ.
(17:16):
All praise him.
Verse two grace and peace bemultiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and Jesus.
Our Lord Peter extends thegreeting of grace and peace.
Be multiplied to you in theknowledge of God and Jesus.
Our Lord Peter extends thegreeting of grace and peace,
familiar in New Testamentletters, yet he nuances it with
a key theme these blessingsflourish in the knowledge of God
and of Jesus.
(17:37):
The word for knowledge, hereagain Greek, signifies a deep,
full, personal knowledge.
Christianity is not meremoralism or mysticism, it is
knowing God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said this is eternal life.
(17:59):
That they know you, the onlytrue God, and Jesus Christ whom
you have sent.
John 17.3.
Peter prays that grace andpeace be multiplied, increasing
abundantly as our knowledge ofGod in Christ grows.
That's important.
Peter prays that grace, meaningmore forgiveness and more peace
, be multiplied, so to increaseabundantly as our knowledge of
(18:24):
God in Christ grows.
We never outgrow our need forgrowing in grace.
The more we know of hischaracter and work, the more we
experience his unmerited favorand wholeness.
So unmerited favor, grace andwholeness, peace in our lives.
This knowledge is not merelyhead information.
(18:49):
It is relational andtransformative.
It comes through scripture, asPeter will later emphasize, and
through walking with Christdaily.
How do we find more peace inturbulent times by seeking to
know our Lord more deeply.
As we set our minds on him, hekeeps us in perfect peace.
(19:10):
So Peter's pastoral heartshines.
He wants his flock to richlyenjoy God's grace and peace
through close fellowship withJesus.
In our anxious age, we too needthe multiplying knowledge of
God that puts life challengesinto perspective.
Verse 3,.
(19:30):
His divine power has given usall things that pertain to life
and godliness through theknowledge of him who called us
by glory and virtue.
Here is a staggering assurance.
Christ's divine power, thepower of God himself, has
granted us everything we needfor life and godliness.
Nothing is lacking for thebeliever to live a vibrant
(19:54):
spiritual life.
When God saved us, he didn'tleave us unequipped.
He supplied us a full treasuretrove of resources.
In Christ, all things means allthings Forgiveness, the Holy
Spirit's indwelling, theguidance of scripture, the
fellowship of the church, thehope of glory, everything
(20:16):
necessary to sustain a spirituallife, our relationship with God
and godliness.
With God and godliness,faithful conduct reflecting God.
We are not left to stumble inthe dark or achieve holiness by
our own strength.
It's laughable.
From regeneration onwards, hisdivine power energizes our
(20:37):
growth.
If you ever feel inadequate tolive the Christian life.
Take heart, the omnipotence ofChrist is working in you and he
has provided all the necessarymeans of grace.
So what is regeneration?
Once you become a Christian,once you believe in Jesus Christ
(21:02):
and you're filled with the HolySpirit, the Holy Spirit starts
healing you and convicting youof the things you're doing wrong
.
It is a counselor or a guide inyou that starts your
sanctification process.
Now, your sanctification?
That's another crazy, weirdChristian theology word.
It is the process in which youdie to self and become more
(21:25):
Christ-like.
So you stop becoming you.
You stop being you and youbecome more like Jesus.
You become a new creature, aswe'll cover here in a second.
Things that you used to be okaywith you're not okay with.
You have a complete realignment.
All right, how do we accessthese resources?
(21:52):
Peter says it is through theknowledge of him who called us
Again that same Greek word ofthe knowledge here.
A true, saving knowledge ofChrist is the channel by which
God's power and provision flowinto our lives.
The moment we came to knowChrist by faith, his power began
supplying us regeneration.
The more our knowledge of himdeepens, the more we appropriate
(22:16):
the unsearchable riches ofChrist.
The unsearchable riches ofChrist.
We are like children with atrust fund of infinite value.
As we mature in the knowing ofGod, we increasingly draw upon
what is already ours in him.
Notice that God called usanother term loaded with grace.
(22:36):
This is the effectual call ofGod into salvation, romans 8.30.
Not a mere invitation.
His call is powerful, itcreates life in us.
He called us by or to his ownglory and virtue.
Some translations read by hisglory and goodness, others say
(22:58):
to his glory and excellence.
Both are true.
We were attracted by the gloryand the moral beauty of Christ
when we heard the gospel and weare ultimately called to share
in God's glory and virtueforever.
The term virtue here the Greekterm here means moral excellence
or goodness, in God's case hismoral perfection.
(23:20):
In saving us, god intends tomake us reflect his own
excellence.
He calls us out of darknessinto his marvelous light to
proclaim the excellencies of him.
1 Peter 2.9.
Thus, from the beginning,calling to end glorification,
that's when we die and we areraised up into heaven and glory.
(23:43):
The Christian life is aboutGod's glory and goodness.
We live by his power for hispraise, verse four by which we
have been given, sorry, by whichhave been given to us
exceedingly great and preciouspromises that through these, you
(24:06):
may partake of divine nature,having escaped the corruption
that is the world, through lustFlowing from God's glory and
power, are his promisesdescribed as exceedingly great
and precious?
Indeed, scripture is filledwith magnificent promises to
God's people Promises ofsalvation Joel 2.32, of the Holy
(24:29):
Spirit's presence, john14.16-17, god's provision,
philippians 4.19, andresurrection and eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15.52-57, and somuch more.
These promises are precious, ofinestimable value, because they
(24:50):
come from our faithful God, whocannot lie.
1 Titus 2.
Or Titus 1, 2, I'm sorry andthey convey to us the riches of
Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once preachedthat his promises are precious
because of their source they arethe promises of God.
They are precious because oftheir substance.
(25:13):
They tell of exceedingly greatand glorious things.
And they are precious becauseof their sure fulfillment in
Christ.
Every promise is an assurancebacked by the infinite power and
integrity of God.
It has been well said God'spromises are checks to be cashed
in the bank of heaven.
We honor him by trusting andacting on his promises.
(25:38):
Through these promises, petersays, you may become partakers
of the divine nature.
This is another astoundingphrase.
It does not mean we become godsor merge into deity, like the
Mormons think.
Peter is not teaching pagandeification or New Age pantheism
.
Rather, as the early churchunderstood it means we share in
(26:00):
God's moral nature, his holiness, life and love through union
with Christ.
As the early church understoodit means we share in God's moral
nature, his holiness, life andlove through union with Christ.
By claiming God's gospelpromises, we were born again and
indwelt by the Holy Spirit whoimparts to us God's own life.
We now share, in a creaturelyway, the family likeness of our
(26:24):
Heavenly Father.
That's the Holy Spirit.
We become, as 2 Corinthians5.17 says, new creations in
Christ.
The Apostle John put it thisway we have fellowship with the
Father and with his Son, and hisseed abides in us.
1 John 1.3.
Over time we grow more and moreinto likeness of Jesus.
(26:46):
This is sanctification,reflecting God's attributes such
as love, righteousness andpurity, grace.
Jonathan Edwards described itlike this God puts his own
beauty.
Jonathan Edwards described itlike this God puts his own
beauty, his beautiful likeness,upon the saint's soul.
We're the saints.
(27:07):
They are made partakers of thedivine nature or moral image of
God.
They are holy by being madepartakers of God's holiness.
What a high calling to beparticipants in God's nature.
This is the foundation of aChristian worldview.
We are regenerate people, nolonger driven by the world's
(27:29):
values, but by God's spiritwithin us.
This is where a womanizer,becoming a Christian, no longer
wants to chase after a woman,but wants to find one woman.
This is where the alcoholic who, before they, were saved, all
they want to do is drink, drink,drink or drug, drug, drug.
They get saved and they wantnone of that anymore.
(27:50):
This is what it is to beregenerate.
This is for the pathologicalliar who has lied every day, so
much that they don't even knowthat they're lying anymore.
They believe their own lies.
They get saved, and their ownlies horrify them.
Okay, this is what it is to beregenerate, or to be
regenerating, okay.
(28:13):
At the same time, beingpartakers of God's nature
entails having escaped thecorruption that is in the world
through lust.
The word corruption means decayor ruin, describing the moral
and spiritual decay in a worldseparated from God.
The world lives by sinful lusts, evil desires and passions, and
(28:37):
thus it is constantly in astate of corruption.
We see this in societalimmorality, injustice, idolatry
and the brokenness of life apartfrom God.
But believers, by God's grace,escaped this corruption.
When we came into Christ, webroke free from the world,
doomed the world's value system.
(28:58):
In Christ, we have escaped thefutile ways inherited from our
forefathers 1 Peter 1 through 18, and the pollutions of the
world.
2 Peter 2.20.
This doesn't mean we've leftthe world physically, but we've
been delivered from itsdominating power of sin.
We now have new desires, havingcrucified the flesh with its
(29:21):
passions and lusts Galatians5.24.
We can live differently.
Our worldview is no longershaped by the lust of the flesh
and the lust of the eyes and thepride of life 1 John 2.16, but
by the character and promises ofGod.
What an encouragement.
(29:42):
God has not only called us andgiven us promises, but also made
us new creatures with a powerto resist worldly corruption.
In summary, verses 1 through 4,peter reminded us of who we are
.
In Christ we have received aprecious faith by God's
righteousness.
We have all we need for lifeand godliness through knowing
(30:03):
him.
We are called by his glory andwe possess great promises that
make us participants in God'slife and able to escape worldly
corruption.
Christian, do you realize howspiritually rich you are in
Christ?
When we grasp this gratitudeand confidence, it should floor
(30:23):
us, should flood our souls withgratitude and confidence.
His divine power, not our ownstrength, equips us as we stand
on his promises.
We can live a godly life in themidst of corrupt culture.
(30:45):
We must stand on the promises.
Reformer John Knox once declaredthe scriptures of God are my
only foundation and substance inall the matters of weight and
importance.
If we build our life on God'sword and promises, we will
partake even more of his natureand shine as lights in this dark
(31:05):
world.
Philippians 2.15.
With that firm foundation laid,peter now turns to our active
response.
What we're supposed to do now?
All right.
So now it's our turn?
Diligent growth and grace Allright.
(31:27):
So now it's our turn.
Diligent growth in grace.
Having established graciousprovisions, peter now exhorts us
to respond by activelycultivating Christlike character
.
In Reformed theology wesometimes call this
sanctification, the process ofgrowth and holiness which flows
from God's prior work ofsalvation.
There is a balance here.
God's grace and power are thefoundation, but our effort is
(31:51):
also required.
Peter's first phrase in verse 5, but also for this very reason,
points back to verses 3 and 4.
Because God has given suchpromises, it made us new and
therefore we must make everyeffort to grow.
We must make every effort togrow.
Pardon me, grace is never anexcuse for laziness.
(32:15):
It is the motive and the energyfor diligence, and this quote
floored me.
As Augustine famously put itwithout God we cannot.
Without us God will not.
God works in us, therefore wework.
Peter's call to give alldiligence, which means spare no
(32:38):
effort, is a stirring reminder.
Growing in godliness is anintentional pursuit, not an
accident and not an automaticdrift.
Yet we must not misunderstandOur effort in sanctification is
dependent effort.
(32:58):
We labor, but it is agrace-fueled labor.
John Calvin, confronting thosewho twist such verses to exalt
human free will, pointed outthat Peter, by requiring these
things, by no means asserts thatthey are in our power, but only
shows what we ought to have anddo.
(33:21):
Scriptures plainly testifiesthat right feelings are formed
in us from God and that all ofour progress and perseverance
are from God.
Therefore, when we see our dutyand find ourselves wanting,
nothing remains for us but toflee to God for aid and help.
In other words, apart fromChrist we can do nothing, john
(33:44):
15.5.
But in Christ's power we canand must do much.
Peter's urgent tone make everyeffort, be diligent shows that
sanctification is not passive.
As one Puritan said we cannotbe idle because we serve a God
who works in you both to willand to work for his good
(34:06):
pleasure.
With this in mind, let us seewhat virtues Peter calls us to
pursue Verses 5 through 7.
Giving all diligence add toyour faith virtue to virtue,
knowledge to knowledge,self-control to self-control,
perseverance to perseverance,godliness to godliness,
(34:30):
brotherly kindness and brotherlykindness, love.
Peter lists seven qualities tosupplement or furnish alongside
our faith.
The idea is not that if weabandon faith for works, that we
abandon faith for works, thatwe abandon faith for works, but
(34:53):
that true faith will producethese virtues.
Faith is the root, these arethe fruit.
As Spurgeon eloquently said,you shall never find true faith
unintended by true godliness.
On the other hand, you shallnever discover a true holy life
which is not, for its root andfoundation, a living faith.
Faith and life go together.
Peter's list here has often beencalled a ladder of virtues,
(35:14):
though we should not overlypress a sequential cause and
effect.
These aren't inescalating,they're in all at once.
A sequential cause and effect.
These aren't an escalating,they're an all at once.
There's not some automaticsprings from previous in strict
order, or it's not a step one,step two, step three.
Rather, it's a holisticportrait of Christ-like
character.
All these should increasinglyadorn a believer's life.
(35:38):
Let's look at these.
So if you don't have these andyou call yourself a Christian,
you've got problems.
Faith the list assumes.
Faith is the starting point.
Add to your faith.
This is the foundational trustin Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior.
Without saving faith, no virtuecan please God.
Hebrews 11.6.
(36:00):
By faith we were grafted intoChrist.
Now we must build on thatfoundation.
So, before all else, examinehave I truly trusted in Jesus?
It's one heck of a question.
If you haven't, then you'rejust doing fire insurance.
(36:21):
You're a cultural Christian.
I'm a Christian because myfamily was a Christian.
I'm a Christian because it'd begreat to be a Christian and
live forever.
I'm a Christian because of this.
But the evidence is if you're aChristian, have you given up
everything else?
If you haven't, you don'tbelieve a word of this.
(36:48):
Peter already addressed our likeprecious faith in verse 1.
Now he says on the platform offaith, supply, virtue, virtue,
moral excellence, goodness.
This word in Greek literatureoften meant valor or excellence
of character.
In a Christian sense it is alife of integrity and goodness.
(37:10):
I would also say courageousness.
That reflects the excellence ofChrist.
Calvin notes here virtue is notmiraculous power, but a life
honest and rightfully formed,essentially moral excellence In
today's terms we might sayintegrity, courage to do what is
(37:31):
right, and holy character.
Our faith must not be naked orempty of moral transformation.
We are called to heroicgoodness in an evil world.
Heroic goodness in an evilworld when the world's culture
normalizes sin.
(37:51):
We strive for virtue, honesty,purity, justice and all things
praiseworthy.
Philippians 4.8.
Knowledge Greek Gnosis, thatone I know Spiritual
understanding or wisdom.
This is a practical knowledgeof God's will and ways.
(38:13):
Gang through what?
Reading this book over and overand over and over, and not just
speed reading it trying tofigure out what it means, but
also prayer Gain throughscripture and experience.
(38:36):
Having zeal virtue withoutknowledge can be dangerous.
We need discernment.
Discernment is a fancy word forgood judgment.
Paul prayed that believers'love may abound more and more in
knowledge and all discernment.
Philippians 1.9.
(38:57):
Peter likely means knowing Godand his truth more deeply,
echoing knowledge in verses 2and 3.
Virtue must be guided by truth,by sound doctrine and
understanding of right fromwrong.
In our era of informationoverload, believers must
continually grow in theknowledge of scripture to
(39:18):
navigate life wisely.
It has been said, everyincrease of knowledge, if
sanctified, produces an increaseof humility.
So add to your passion ofvirtue a robust, bible-informed
mind.
There is nothing you do in yourlife, nothing you do in your
life, nothing you do more inyour life than read this.
(39:41):
It is miraculous.
The first time you read it youmay not get a single thing out
of it other than you sacrificethe time to pursue God.
And then your biblical IQ willrise.
And then you'll read it againand you may understand 3%, and
(40:03):
that 3% will be transformative.
And then you go back throughand then you'll know 10%, and
that'll be even betransformative.
And then you go back throughand then you'll know 10%, and
that'll be even moretransformative.
And then you go back throughand now you understand even more
.
Your biblical IQ rises and nowyou're understanding key
concepts.
And what is it showing you?
(40:23):
Every time you come to a depthof understanding, the mirror
that you stand in front of inthe morning becomes clearer.
It starts.
It's like in the beginning.
Your sin is really blurred outand you can see like something
doesn't look right in the mirror.
Right, but it's so blurry youcan't really tell.
(40:43):
You've got sleep in your eyes,you don't have your glasses,
your contacts in.
It's totally blurry.
The more you read this book andthe more you understand, the
more high definition comes in,the more you see how bad you are
.
Which leads to repentance,right, which is a good thing,
(41:08):
which leads to more grace.
And it's a reciprocal process,or not a reciprocal process, but
a repeating cyclical processOver and over and over.
And old parts of you are goingto die, old sin parts of you are
going to fade away, gone.
They're not going to have agrip on you and you're going to
become more Christ-like, workingthrough your sanctification.
(41:30):
And then you're going to findsomething else you didn't even
know, some major thing that is apart of you, and all of a
sudden you're like, oh man, goddoesn't want me doing that
either.
And then that is going to beanother battle and another
battle and another battle whichis going to require the next
(41:53):
thing self-control.
The Greek term here how can Isay it?
Mastery of one's passions, iswhat it means.
Self-control is a fruit of theSpirit, galatians 5.23.
And highly counter-cultural InPeter's day and ours.
The Greek concept often relatedto restraining sexual lust or
(42:17):
bodily appetites, but it extendsto all desires.
It means having mastery overoneself, one's impulses,
emotions and tongue, rather thanbeing controlled by them.
A believer growing in knowledgeof God will learn to say no to
sin and to self.
This includes temperance infood and drink, chastity,
(42:39):
impurity in sexual matters,control of anger, discipline in
devotions, moderation of lawfulenjoyments and a society
enslaved to instantgratification.
If it feels good, do it.
Mentality.
Christian self-control shinesas a distinct virtue.
By God's grace, we can beself-controlled in all things.
(43:01):
1 Corinthians 9.25.
Keeping our bodies and desiressubmitted to Christ.
Perseverance is next Endurance,steadfastness, patience under
trial.
This is an ability to bear upunder challenges without
quitting or losing faith.
It's not passive resignationbut active endurance, like a
(43:24):
soldier standing firm or arunner pressing on.
Peter's readers were facing, orsoon would face, false teachers
and perhaps persecution.
They needed endurance.
We too need perseverance toremain godly in the long haul,
through temptations, hardshipsor dry seasons.
(43:46):
This virtue builds onself-control.
As we control our immediatereactions, we also develop
long-term endurance.
James 1.4 says Let perseverancehave its perfect work that you
may be mature and complete.
Keep trusting God and doingright even when results are not
(44:11):
immediate.
The Reformers often spoke ofthe perseverance of the saints,
that true believers, by God'spreserving grace, will endure to
the end.
Our part is to cultivate thatsteadfastness day by day.
By your endurance you will gainyour lives, said Jesus, luke 22
, 19.
(44:33):
Six godliness, piety, reverencetowards God.
Godliness means a God-centeredlife, living in a way that
honors God and evidence hisdevotion to him A biblical
worldview, one would say.
It encompasses worship,reverence and dutiful obedience.
(44:55):
A godly person lives with aconstant awareness of God's
presence and a desire to pleasehim in all things.
This term could also berendered piety or devotion.
It's the opposite of thesecular mindset that leaves God
out.
Peter will later contrast truegodliness with the false
teacher's ungodliness.
Add to your perseverance anever-deepening devotion to the
(45:19):
Lord, an attitude like Enoch orNoah who walked with God.
In practice this means constantprayer, delight in God's word,
heartfelt worship and obedienceflowing from love.
Train yourself for godliness,paul urged in verse Timothy 4, 7
through 8, for godliness isprofitable for all things,
(45:41):
having promise of that life thatis now and that which is to
come.
Biblical worldview is, bydefinition, theocentric,
god-centered, and our lifestylemust reflect that.
Seven brotherly kindness Greekword Philadelphia.
There's another brotherly love.
(46:01):
This refers to a warm affectionand care for fellow believers,
literally the love of thebrethren.
In Christ we are made family,so we ought to treat one another
with kindness, compassion andloyalty.
Jesus said by this, all willknow you are my disciples if you
(46:23):
have love for one another.
John 13, 35.
Brotherly kindness meansbearing one another's burdens,
forgiving one another, servingand encouraging the church
family.
It corrects any notion of alone wolf.
Christianity Growth in godliness, necessarily turns us towards
our brothers and sisters.
The early Christians were notedfor their fervent love for one
(46:46):
another.
In a fractured, individualisticsociety, such loving community
is a powerful testimony.
Since COVID, this has been muchharder, because we've all fled
to our isolation and ourself andgot hooked on Netflix and
(47:10):
Grubhub and Instacart.
I mean you don't have to leaveyour house ever and interact
with anybody.
They'll just leave it by thedoor.
Eight love Greek agape selfish,charitable love for others.
Finally, topping the list isthe greatest Christian virtue
love.
This is that divine love whichGod poured into our hearts, a
(47:34):
love that extends beyondbrotherhood to all people, even
enemies.
While brotherly affection islove within the church, agape
love goes further and embracesall mankind.
As Calvin notes, it is the lovethat seeks another's highest
good, that sacrificesself-interest for the welfare of
others.
Paul exalted this love in 1Corinthians 13.
(47:57):
And indeed, jesus taught thatthe entire law hangs on love,
love for God and love forneighbor.
We are to add that this love isan increasing measure.
It completes the picture ofChristlike character, for God is
love.
He's also holy, holy, holy, andwe are never more like God than
(48:19):
when we love.
In a world full of hate,selfishness and division, how
desperately is this agape neededNow.
There's a problem with loveToday.
Societal love is tolerance,tolerance of sin, enablement of
self-destruction, you know allthese horrible, horrible things.
It's not love.
(48:39):
God defines love.
It's self-sacrificial love.
It's loving them enough to tellthem the truth, even if it's
going to make them upset,because an eternity in hell is
waiting for them.
We might picture faith as theroot, love as the ripe fruit,
(49:00):
and other qualities as thegrowth rings in a healthy tree,
or think of them as facets of adiamond.
That's the one I really like.
Like because they all reflectoff of one other and they all
reflect the light of Christ'scharacter.
Peter's point is not to dissectthem into isolation, but to urge
a balanced, diligent pursuit ofall these virtues.
(49:21):
None of us can say we havearrived.
We are all in a process, yet byGod's grace we can grow.
We have all things we need.
The sap of the Spirit is in us,but we must work out what God
is working.
In Verses 8 and 9.
For these things are yours andabound, you will be neither
(49:46):
barren nor unfruitful in theknowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Peter now gives reason forcultivating these virtues.
They ensure a fruitfulknowledge of Christ.
If these qualities are yoursand abound, if they increasingly
(50:09):
fill your life, you will not bebarren or unfruitful.
The word barren here meansinactive or idle, like land
laying fallow.
God saved us not to be idle orineffective but to bear fruit
for his glory.
Bear fruit for his glory.
(50:34):
Jesus chose us to go and bearfruit.
That remains John 15, 16, theknowledge of Christ.
Again, that full personalknowledge is meant to be a
living, growing knowledge thatproduces Christlike character
and good works.
If we truly know him, it willshow in our lives.
Conversely, to stagnate in thesevirtues is to become
ineffective in our knowledge ofChrist, like a tree that has
(50:54):
life but yields no crop.
James would call such faithdead or useless.
Remember what Christ did to thefig tree that bear fruit.
This sobering warning spurs usinto self-examination.
We have grown since last year,oh sorry.
(51:16):
Have we grown in the last yearin these virtues, or have we
stalled and we find ourselvesstagnant or regressing to
remedies?
To go back to the cross,remember afresh that you were
cleansed from former sins.
Preach the gospel to yourselfdaily.
Gratitude for Christ'scleansing will fuel a desire to
honor him with a holy life.
(51:36):
Our worldview must becross-centered, never forgetting
that we are ransomed to people.
When we forget the gospel, webecome blind to why holiness
matters.
But when we keep the gospel inview, our knowledge of Christ
will continually bear fruit.
As Jesus said, whoever abidesin me and I in him, he it is
(52:04):
that bears much fruit.
Verses 10 to 11,.
We're almost done.
Therefore, brethren, be evenmore diligent to make your
calling and election Sure, forif you do these things you will
never stumble For so an entrancewill be supplied to you
abundantly in the everlastingkingdom of our Lord and Savior,
jesus Christ.
(52:25):
Peter concludes this sectionwith an emphatic exhortation and
promise.
And Savior Jesus Christ.
Peter concludes this sectionwith an emphatic exhortation and
promise.
Therefore, in light of thebenefits of growth verse 8, and
the dangers of negligence verse9, be all the more diligent,
spare no effort to confirm yourcalling and election.
(52:51):
Here we touch a profoundtheological truth calling and
election, election is God'seternal choice of a people in
Christ by his grace.
Calling is when that eternalchoice becomes real in time, the
Spirit's effective callbringing us to faith.
Peter is not asking us to causeour calling or election.
We cannot.
God alone saves.
Rather, he urges us to confirmor validate them.
The Greek word for make suremeans to firm up, validate,
(53:14):
certify, in other words, live insuch a way that the reality of
your salvation is unmistakable.
In other words, live in such away that the reality of it,
sorry, is unmistakable both toyou, to yourself and to others.
A tree is sure to be an appletree when it produces apples.
(53:34):
Likewise, our growth in theChristlike qualities in these
you know, verses five throughseven is evidence that we truly
have been called by God andchosen by him.
As Calvin explains, holy livingis not the cause of our election
, but it is evidence and proofof it.
We confirm we are God's electnot by peeking into his secret
(53:56):
decrees, but by seeing his graceactive in our lives.
Good works are the fruit, notthe root, of salvation, but they
are an important fruit thatgive assurances.
Fruit of salvation, but theyare an important fruit.
They give assurances To be sure.
It is ultimately God who keepshis elect from falling.
Jude 24, 1 Peter 1.5.
(54:19):
But God uses means, and ourdiligence and holiness is one
means by which he preserves us.
Peter promises if you do thesethings, you will never stumble.
These things refer us topracticing the virtues just
listed.
Never stumble means you willnot fall away or crash
spiritually.
In an ultimate sense, you willnot stumble into the apostasy or
(54:42):
miss the finish line of faith.
A lifestyle of growing holinesskeeps us on the narrow path and
guards us from many pitfalls.
As Spurgeon admonished, idlemen have no right to assurance.
The scripture says givediligence to make your calling
and election sure.
Indeed, a careless, spiritual,lazy Christian is likely to trip
(55:06):
into doubt, error or sin.
But a diligent Christian, byGod's grace, will be kept steady
.
This is the perseverance ofsaints, god enabling us to
persevere as we actively pursuehim.
And what glorious outcomeawaits.
So the entrance will besupplied to you abundantly in
(55:27):
the everlasting kingdom of ourLord and Savior, jesus Christ.
Here Peter paints the picture ofa triumphant entrance into
Christ's eternal kingdom.
Every true believer will enterChrist's kingdom, but the
imagery here is a rich or lavishentrance, perhaps the
victorious athlete welcomed withfanfare, or a ship arriving
safely full of cargo.
To those who run the race withtheir endurance and finished
(55:49):
well, god will grant a hero'swelcome into heaven.
The everlasting kingdom refersto the final state of salvation,
living under Christ's ruleforever in the new heavens and
new earth.
That kingdom is already inbreaking.
Christ reigns even now, but itwill be fully consummated when
he appears in glory.
Postmillennial theologyespecially emphasizes the
(56:10):
triumph of Christ's kingdom inhistory leading up to the
consummation.
Here we will see a personalaspect.
The believer who has livedfaithfully will hear well done,
good and faithful servant.
Enter into the joy of your land, lord, matthew 25, 21.
We desire that abundantentrance.
Not that we earn heaven by ourworks never.
(56:33):
But by growing in grace webuild up for ourselves treasures
in heaven and anticipate ajubilant reception.
Consider also the life aboundingin the virtues of Christ Not
only assures us of our salvationbut also magnifies our witness
on earth.
A church full of faith, virtue,knowledge, self-control,
(56:55):
perseverance, godliness,brotherly kindness and love will
profoundly impact thesurrounding culture.
This is how believers live outa biblical worldview by
embodying God's truth and lovein every sphere of life.
Our holy living under theLordship of Christ is a
testimony to the present realityof his kingdom.
It is how transformative effectin families, workplaces and
(57:18):
society happen.
We begin to see even now thewill of God done on earth as it
is in heaven A post-millennialperspective is optimistic and
the gospel and Christian virtue.
God done on earth as it is inheaven A post-millennial
perspective is optimistic andthe gospel and Christian virtue
will spread and influence allover the world over time.
Certainly, if more and moreChristians heed Peter's call to
(57:38):
diligent growth, the fragranceof Christ will permeate
communities and even nations.
Righteousness exalts a nation,proverbs 14.34.
And while we await theeverlasting kingdom, we work to
advance Christ's reign in thehere and now by living as
kingdom citizens.
Our assurance of salvation, mademore sure by consistent life,
(58:01):
gives us boldness to engage theworld rather than shrink back.
As Spurgeon observed, those whoare confident in God's
sovereign calling can be strongto do great and valiant deeds,
giving themselves up to God'swill.
They know God is with them.
So, brothers and sisters, bediligent.
The Christian life is comparedto a race, a fight or a pursuit.
(58:23):
It requires exertion, butungirded by grace.
When you feel weary ordiscouraged in your growth,
remember verses three and four.
His divine power and preciouspromises are yours.
You are not running in your ownstrength.
The same grace that called youwill keep you.
As John Calvin confidentlynotes, god affectionately calls
(58:47):
whom he has preordained to lifeand he carries on the perpetual
course of calling through gracealone.
We confirm our calling by holyliving, but our solid foundation
remains God's free grace inChrist.
Rest in that foundation, eventhough you exert yourself.
Then you will never stumble andyou will finish your course
with joy.
(59:07):
May we each live in such a waythat when our race is done,
heaven's gates will open widefor us in rich welcome.
As one hymn puts it O Jesus, Ihave promised to serve thee to
the end.
O give me grace to follow mymaster and my friend Living out
a Christian worldview.
Today we would do well to pauseand apply Peter's message to our
(59:30):
context.
In today's world, corruptionand lust are not hard to find.
They dominate media, publicmorality and personal ambitions.
What does a Christian, biblicalworldview look like in practice
?
Amid such darkness, peter'sanswer is this Live out the
gospel by displaying these sevenvirtues in all of life.
For example, in a culture ofethical compromise, a Christian
(59:52):
who excels in virtue, moralexcellence and integrity will
stand out like Daniel in Babylon, influencing others by his
honesty and courage.
In a society confused abouttruth, a believer who grows in
the knowledge of God's word willhave a solid framework to
navigate issues like sexuality,justice, gender, theology and
the meaning of life, and tospeak wisdom into confusion when
(01:00:13):
the world is enslaved toaddictions and impulses, from
consumerism to pornography toanger.
A Christian exercise inself-control testifies to the
freeing power of Christ, showingthat we are not slaves to our
appetites but servants of theHoly God.
In an age of instantgratification and burnout,
perseverance shines ashope-filled endurance.
Whether it's a wife patientlyloving an unsaved husband for
(01:00:36):
years, or a young man or womanrefusing to give up their purity
amidst peer pressure, suchperseverance motivated by God's
promises often provokesquestions that allow us to share
our hope and our why.
Godliness or reverent devotionis increasingly countercultural
(01:00:59):
as secularism rises.
When we prioritize worship,prayer and obedience to God
above material success andpopular opinion, we declare with
our lives that Jesus Christ isLord, and not just say it, and
(01:01:21):
that worldview challenges othersto consider eternal realities
over temporal ones.
Brotherly kindness within thechurch, practical love across
lines of race, class orbackground, gives the watching
world a picture of truecommunity that many long for,
see how they love one another.
What's said of the earlyChristians?
Can the same be said of us?
If so, it validates the gospelwe preach.
And, above all, love and action.
(01:01:43):
Caring for the poor, speakingkindly to neighbors, forgiving
those who wrong us, loving ourenemies displays of radical
ethic of Christ's kingdom.
Living out these virtues is noteasy in a hostile culture.
It may invite ridicule or evenpersecution, but it will make a
difference.
(01:02:03):
The early church turned theworld upside down, not by
political power, but by faithfulgospel living by being salt and
light.
A post-millennial vision wouldencourage us that, over time, as
more people, more and morepeople are converted and
discipled in a christian-like orchrist-like way of life,
(01:02:25):
society can be transformed forthe better.
Even if one doesn't hold thateschatology, we know from
Scripture that our labor in theLord is not in vain 1
Corinthians 15.58.
Every act of obedience and loveis a seed that God can use to
bear fruit in his timing.
So do not lose heart.
Examine which of these sevenqualities you most lack and seek
(01:02:49):
God's help this week to grow init.
Discuss with fellow believershow you can encourage one
another in these areas, perhapsfind an accountability partner
for self-control, or studyscripture together to grow in
knowledge.
Above all, keep the gospelcentral.
Remember that you've beencleansed from sin, given a new
nature.
You are not striving to gainGod's acceptance.
(01:03:12):
You already have it in Christ.
Rather, you are cooperatingwith the Holy Spirit to reflect
your Father's nature more andmore.
In doing so, you can prove tobe Christ's disciple and provide
a compelling witness to thetruth.
How many Christians do damage tothe faith and to other people's
walk by saying they'reChristian and not acting like
(01:03:34):
Christians and provide acompelling witness to the truth?
This is how we make our callingand election sure, not in God's
mind he already knows his ownbut in our own conscience and
before the world.
Assured of God's grace, you canbe confident Christian,
unafraid to engage the worldwhen you know you belong to him.
(01:03:56):
You need not fear what men do,as the reformer John Knox found
courage in his election andcalling, stating a man with God
is always in the majority.
And I sought neitherpreeminence, glory nor riches.
My honor was that Jesus Christshould reign.
With such confidence, we toocan labor to see Christ reign in
(01:04:16):
hearts and cultures, as weourselves bow to his reign in
our conduct.
Beloved Peter has effectivelyshown us the spiritual growth
chart.
Let us commit to climbing itstep by step, day by day,
knowing that each step is takenin the strength of God and the
strength of God provides.
As we do, we will find ourworldview not only professed
(01:04:39):
with our lips but practiced withour lives.
The world may debate ourbeliefs, but it cannot deny the
power of transformational life.
So give diligence, gobble onall the fruitfulness and rich
reward.
All right, we've run long.
Today we're not going to do theLord's Supper, so I'll go ahead
(01:05:04):
and bust you out of here.
Go ahead and rise.
Go ahead and rise.
Brothers and sisters, now goforth from this place as
soldiers of Christ, armored withfaith, wrapped in hope, blazing
with love.
May the Lord of hosts go beforeyou and lead you, beside you to
(01:05:28):
guard you, beneath you tosustain you and with you to
strengthen you.
May your shield of faith neverfalter, may your sword of the
spirit never grow dull, may yourfeet never stray from the path
of righteousness, and may theroar of the lion of Judah echo
behind you as you advance hiskingdom.
Wherever your feet tread, standfirm warriors, lock shields,
fight the good fight, finish therace.
Keep the faith until we standbefore the king himself, crowned
(01:05:52):
by his grace, and hear thoseblessed words.
Well done and good and faithfulservants in the mighty name of
jesus christ, amen.
God bless you.
All right, hello everyone and welcome to
Christian Warrior Mission, ahome, church, community,
ministry and farm that forgesChristian warriors for today's
challenges.
Here we forge disciples whowill faithfully worship, work
and war until every knee bows toKing Jesus.
We lock shields to protect theinnocent and disciple the
nations.
Today we will charge into ourstudy of 2 Peter 1, verses 1
(00:24):
through 11.
I had to break it up into two.
We are not people to hide frombattle.
We are those who stand firm,shoulder to shoulder, shields
locked together, eyes fixed onChrist, hearts ablaze for his
kingdom.
All right, so hold on here.
I got the wrong.
I need one more.
Oh man, I got one more version.
(00:46):
I got to transfer over becauseI didn't do it over here, but
that's all right.
Okay, all right, so let's goahead and get into prayer here.
Technical challenges as usual.
I apologize everyone.
Heavenly Father, lord, we thankyou.
(01:07):
We thank you for today.
We thank you for this amazingweather we're having in
Tennessee.
Lord, we thank you for your sonwho died for our sins.
Lord, we thank you for ourcountless blessings, known and
unknown, your protections, lord.
We thank you for all the peoplein our lives.
We help us to treasure everymoment we have with them.
(01:29):
Lord, I pray that these wordstoday are your words and not
mine, and that you will use themto help somebody somewhere
somehow.
So may we proclaim you withevery breath of our lungs and
serve you with every beat of ourhearts.
In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.
All right, let's get into theLord's Prayer.
(01:49):
Before we proceed deeper intoworship, let us be rooted in the
fundamental prayer for our Lord.
Jesus Christ taught hisdisciples the model prayer for
every Christian warrior In Luke11.1,.
The disciples ask the Lord.
Teach us to pray.
Brothers and sisters, prayer isnot an option for the soldier
of Christ.
(02:10):
It is the essentialcommunication with the commander
of the armies of heaven.
Now let us together read andteach through the Lord's Prayer,
the Lord's Prayer Matthew 6,9-13.
Pray then in this way OurFather, who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth asit is in heaven.
(02:31):
Give us this day our dailybread and forgive us our debts,
as we have also forgiven ourdebtors, and do not lead us in
temptation, but deliver us fromthe evil one, for yours is the
kingdom, the power and the gloryforever.
Amen, alright, our Father, whois in.
God is our sovereign commander,ruling from his throne.
Surrender your plans and trustin his leadership.
(02:52):
Hallowed be your name.
God's holiness must be honoredabove all.
You know too often todaymorning churchianity.
We talk about God's love, god'slove, god's love.
But God is holy, holy, holy.
It is his primary attribute.
So God's holiness must behonored above all.
Live to glorify his name inyour every action.
(03:13):
Your kingdom come May Christ'srule.
Expand our hearts and thisworld.
Pray for the gospel of advanceand courageous witness your will
be done.
We align our lives with Christ'skingdom purpose, not our own
agendas and align dailydecisions with his divine
(03:36):
strategy, not our own.
Give us this day our dailybread.
We live in daily dependence onGod, our provider and sustainer.
We depend on his provision forevery need, day by day.
Forgive our debts, as we havealso forgiven our debtors.
We live out forgiveness becausewe ourselves have been forgiven
(03:59):
much, repent.
Swiftly forgive others.
Restore unity.
That's what we need to do.
Do not lead us into temptation,but deliver us from the evil
one.
We seek god's protection andstrength against temptation and
spiritual attack.
Who recognize and avoid dangers, choose god.
There is almost never a timewhere you're at a fork in the
(04:22):
road in your life and there's adecision and you're like I don't
know what the right thing is todo here.
There's the selfish and thesinful thing to do, and then
there's God's way and far toooften we choose not God's way,
for yours is the kingdom, thepower and the glory forever.
We affirm God's eternaldominion, power and victory.
(04:45):
We must claim Christ's victoryand press on without fear.
So 2 Peter 1, verses 1 through11, again, I had to split this
up because there's so much here.
Dayton author.
This was written around 64 to 68AD by the apostle Peter,
shortly before his martyrdomunder Nero.
(05:06):
That's where he was crucifiedupside down.
He requested to be crucifiedupside down because he said he
was not worthy to be crucifiedlike Lord Jesus.
Okay, and this is for believersscattered throughout the
provinces of Asia Minor,modern-day Turkey, grappling
(05:27):
with false teachers andpersecution, just like we are
today false teachers everywhere.
So imagine receiving a finalletter from a beloved pastor who
knows his time is short.
And 2 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter, nearing the end of his earthly
life, writes to strengthenbelievers.
He reminds them of the preciousfaith they share, urges them to
(05:51):
pursue godly virtues withdiligence and anchors their hope
in the sure truth of Christ'smajesty and Scripture's
inspiration.
Peter's words provide ablueprint for living out a
Christian biblical worldview ina corrupt world, in a reformed
and conservative theologicalframework.
This chapter highlights God'ssovereign grace in salvation and
(06:15):
sanctification, ourresponsibility to grow in
holiness and the absolutereliability of God's word.
And the absolute reliability ofGod's Word All key in confident
, hopeful, even post-millennial,outlook on Christ's advancing
kingdom.
Today we will walk line by linethrough Peter 2, 1 through 11.
(06:36):
We'll explore its rich meaning,from historical context to
Greek terms, cross-referencingscripture along the way.
We will draw on the wisdom fromthe giants of the faith Calvin,
spurgeon, edwards, knox,warfield and others to
illuminate the text.
And we will especially applyverses 4 through 11 to our lives
, seeing how believers can liveout a biblical worldview today.
(07:01):
May this journey through God'sword stir us, as Peter says, to
remember these truths and beestablished in the present truth
.
2 Peter 1.12, which we'll getto next week.
So, first thing, what is abiblical worldview?
A biblical worldview means youapply the Bible to everything
you do In your life.
It is to live this book.
(07:22):
You look at everything throughthis book, you live everything
through this book.
It is called a biblicalworldview.
Contrast that with the secularworldview.
The secular worldview is allabout you, you, you, you, flesh,
flesh, flesh, flesh.
Sin, sin, sin, sin, noconsequences.
(07:44):
Live for the moment, there'snothing else.
It's terrible.
Biblical worldview is to lookat everything the way that the
Bible tells us to, which isGod's way.
Okay.
So are you leaving, lauren?
If you could come get Yaya,that would be great.
(08:07):
Thank you, and close the doorbehind you.
Thank you, where was I?
Okay, okay, so a biblicalworldview, all right.
(08:30):
Far too many today in ChristianChristians say they believe the
Bible but don't live what theBible says.
So they are hypocritical andthey are double-minded.
Okay, so we're going to getinto how 2 Peter 1, verses 1
through 11, help us to walk outand live a biblical worldview.
(08:53):
We're also going to get intosome Calvinism today and
pre-election and all that stuff.
So first let's go to the textand I'm going to read it from
the book no, I don't have myglasses.
The second letter of Peter,precious and magnificent
promises Simon Peter, a slaveand apostle of Jesus Christ.
(09:15):
I find it interesting that it'snot my buddy Jesus.
It's not Jesus bro.
It's.
I am a slave of Jesus Christ.
It's not Jesus, bro, it's.
I am a slave of Jesus Christ.
That's how much reverence hisfriends had for him, the people
who knew him.
But today we wanted to call him.
(09:38):
You know, buddy, okay To thosewho have received the same kind
of faith as ours by therighteousness of our God and
Savior, jesus Christ, are youdone?
Are you done Okay?
Are you leaving or are youstaying?
Okay, by the righteousness ofour God and Savior, jesus Christ
(09:58):
, grace and peace be multipliedto you in the full knowledge of
God and of Jesus.
Our Lord, seeing his divinepower, has granted us, to us,
everything pertaining to lifeand godliness, through the full
knowledge of him, who called ushis own glory and excellence.
(10:19):
By his own glory and excellence, for by these he has granted to
us his precious and magnificentpromise, so that by them you
may become partakers of thedivine nature, having escaped
from the corruption that is inthe world by lust.
Now, for this very reason, alsoapplying all diligence in your
(10:40):
faith, supply, a moralexcellence and in your moral
excellence.
Knowledge and in your knowledge.
Self-control and in yourself-control.
Perseverance and in yourperseverance.
Godliness and in your godliness.
Brotherly kindness and in yourbrotherly kindness, love, for as
(11:01):
these things are yours and areincreasing, they render you
neither useless nor unfruitful,in the full knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ, for in whomthese things are not present,
that one is blind, beingnearsighted, having forgotten
the purification from his formersense.
Therefore, brothers, be all themore diligent to make your
(11:24):
calling and choosing sure, forin doing these things you will
never stumble, for in this way,the entrance into the eternal
kingdom of our Lord and Savior,jesus Christ, will be abundantly
supplied to you.
Okay, and we're going to stopthere before they'll jump into
verse 12.
Now there's a lot to talk aboutin there and there's a lot of
(11:47):
fancy words and a lot of fancylanguage we're going to have to
go over, so I wanted to makethis as plain as I could.
Precious faith and divinepromises verses 1 through 4.
Verse 1, simon Peter, a servantand apostle of Jesus Christ, to
those who obtained likeprecious faith with us by
(12:08):
righteousness of our God andSavior Jesus Christ, peter
introduces himself with humilityand authority, a slave and
apostle right of Christ.
He writes to believers who haveobtained a faith as precious as
the apostles' own.
Now what's interesting here forthose non-Calvinists out there?
(12:28):
The word used for obtained is aGreek word, and I've said I'm
not going to humiliate myselfand even when they look like I
can say them, but I'm not goingto.
So the Greek word obtained forthis actually implies received
by lot, like when you draw lotswhere everybody would have
(12:51):
straws of different lengths andyou draw and he who had the
longest one won Right or bydivine allotment, indicating
that true faith is given by God,not obtained by human effort.
Indeed, as Spurgeon observed,that's the pastor's pastor.
(13:13):
Faith does not grow in men'sheart by nature.
It is a thing which is obtained.
It must be given to us.
And well are we taught inScripture that faith is not of
ourselves, it is a gift from God, a gift of God.
All-saving faith is a sovereigngift of grace.
(13:34):
Peter calls this faith likeprecious, and the Greek word
there means equally honorableand valuable.
So again, as those of us whobelieve that God chose us, here
is like instance 342 of Godsaying or one of the apostles,
(13:55):
or God, or God through theapostles in the Bible, telling
us that we were chosen, wedidn't choose them, and that our
faith and our grace was not achoice.
It was given to us by God.
So, free willers, people whowant to fall and die and worship
at the altar of free willbecause they want to believe
(14:16):
that God needs them to dosomething.
They don't like that.
I am the most reluctantCalvinist on the face of the
earth.
I hate authority, but it iswhat it is.
It's not what I want, it's whatGod says.
It is okay.
So equally honorable andvaluable, showing that every
(14:39):
believer, even new Gentileconverts, share the same
priceless faith as the apostles.
It was no common gift.
Calvin writes that they had allbeen called to one and the same
faith, though the measure isdifferent, all possessed by
faith, the same Christ with hisrighteousness and the same
(15:00):
salvation.
Thus we have real fellowship offaith with Peter and the
apostles.
In Christ there is nosecond-class Christians.
The ground is level at the footof the cross.
This faith is obtained by therighteousness of our God and
Savior, jesus Christ.
Notice Peter unites God andJesus under one phrase.
(15:24):
The grammar and contextindicates that Christ, jesus
Christ is our God and Savior.
Here this is to alleviatepeople who say that Jesus wasn't
God, he was just the Son of God.
Peter here is showing you thatno, in very clear terms Jesus is
our God and Savior Our faithcomes by or in his righteousness
(15:47):
of Jesus, likely not referringto God's justice against us, but
his righteous salvation for us.
In other words, jesus' perfectrighteousness granted to us is
the ground and channel throughwhich we receive faith.
Calvin explains that Peter addsthis phrase in order that they
(16:12):
might know that they did notobtain faith through their own
efforts or strength, but throughGod's favor alone.
Our believing is wholly due toGod's gracious, gracious,
righteous action in Christ onour behalf.
This opening reminds us, asReformed theology teaches,
salvation is of the Lord fromstart to finish.
(16:33):
God is glorified in the work ofredemption, in this that there
appears that it appears in soabsolute and universal, a
dependence on the redeemed onhim, writes John Edwards.
We depend on God, not only forthe gift of Christ, but even for
the gift of faith to embraceChrist.
(16:55):
All praise him.
So God is glorified in the workof redemption, in this that
there appears in it, so absoluteand universal, a dependence of
the redeemed on him, writes JohnEdwards.
Okay, we depend on God, notonly for the gift of Christ, but
even for the gift of faith toembrace Christ.
(17:16):
All praise him.
Verse two grace and peace bemultiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and Jesus.
Our Lord Peter extends thegreeting of grace and peace.
Be multiplied to you in theknowledge of God and Jesus.
Our Lord Peter extends thegreeting of grace and peace,
familiar in New Testamentletters, yet he nuances it with
a key theme these blessingsflourish in the knowledge of God
and of Jesus.
(17:37):
The word for knowledge, hereagain Greek, signifies a deep,
full, personal knowledge.
Christianity is not meremoralism or mysticism, it is
knowing God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said this is eternal life.
(17:59):
That they know you, the onlytrue God, and Jesus Christ whom
you have sent.
John 17.3.
Peter prays that grace andpeace be multiplied, increasing
abundantly as our knowledge ofGod in Christ grows.
That's important.
Peter prays that grace, meaningmore forgiveness and more peace
, be multiplied, so to increaseabundantly as our knowledge of
(18:24):
God in Christ grows.
We never outgrow our need forgrowing in grace.
The more we know of hischaracter and work, the more we
experience his unmerited favorand wholeness.
So unmerited favor, grace andwholeness, peace in our lives.
This knowledge is not merelyhead information.
(18:49):
It is relational andtransformative.
It comes through scripture, asPeter will later emphasize, and
through walking with Christdaily.
How do we find more peace inturbulent times by seeking to
know our Lord more deeply.
As we set our minds on him, hekeeps us in perfect peace.
(19:10):
So Peter's pastoral heartshines.
He wants his flock to richlyenjoy God's grace and peace
through close fellowship withJesus.
In our anxious age, we too needthe multiplying knowledge of
God that puts life challengesinto perspective.
Verse 3,.
(19:30):
His divine power has given usall things that pertain to life
and godliness through theknowledge of him who called us
by glory and virtue.
Here is a staggering assurance.
Christ's divine power, thepower of God himself, has
granted us everything we needfor life and godliness.
Nothing is lacking for thebeliever to live a vibrant
(19:54):
spiritual life.
When God saved us, he didn'tleave us unequipped.
He supplied us a full treasuretrove of resources.
In Christ, all things means allthings Forgiveness, the Holy
Spirit's indwelling, theguidance of scripture, the
fellowship of the church, thehope of glory, everything
(20:16):
necessary to sustain a spirituallife, our relationship with God
and godliness.
With God and godliness,faithful conduct reflecting God.
We are not left to stumble inthe dark or achieve holiness by
our own strength.
It's laughable.
From regeneration onwards, hisdivine power energizes our
(20:37):
growth.
If you ever feel inadequate tolive the Christian life.
Take heart, the omnipotence ofChrist is working in you and he
has provided all the necessarymeans of grace.
So what is regeneration?
Once you become a Christian,once you believe in Jesus Christ
(21:02):
and you're filled with the HolySpirit, the Holy Spirit starts
healing you and convicting youof the things you're doing wrong
.
It is a counselor or a guide inyou that starts your
sanctification process.
Now, your sanctification?
That's another crazy, weirdChristian theology word.
It is the process in which youdie to self and become more
(21:25):
Christ-like.
So you stop becoming you.
You stop being you and youbecome more like Jesus.
You become a new creature, aswe'll cover here in a second.
Things that you used to be okaywith you're not okay with.
You have a complete realignment.
All right, how do we accessthese resources?
(21:52):
Peter says it is through theknowledge of him who called us
Again that same Greek word ofthe knowledge here.
A true, saving knowledge ofChrist is the channel by which
God's power and provision flowinto our lives.
The moment we came to knowChrist by faith, his power began
supplying us regeneration.
The more our knowledge of himdeepens, the more we appropriate
(22:16):
the unsearchable riches ofChrist.
The unsearchable riches ofChrist.
We are like children with atrust fund of infinite value.
As we mature in the knowing ofGod, we increasingly draw upon
what is already ours in him.
Notice that God called usanother term loaded with grace.
(22:36):
This is the effectual call ofGod into salvation, romans 8.30.
Not a mere invitation.
His call is powerful, itcreates life in us.
He called us by or to his ownglory and virtue.
Some translations read by hisglory and goodness, others say
(22:58):
to his glory and excellence.
Both are true.
We were attracted by the gloryand the moral beauty of Christ
when we heard the gospel and weare ultimately called to share
in God's glory and virtueforever.
The term virtue here the Greekterm here means moral excellence
or goodness, in God's case hismoral perfection.
(23:20):
In saving us, god intends tomake us reflect his own
excellence.
He calls us out of darknessinto his marvelous light to
proclaim the excellencies of him.
1 Peter 2.9.
Thus, from the beginning,calling to end glorification,
that's when we die and we areraised up into heaven and glory.
(23:43):
The Christian life is aboutGod's glory and goodness.
We live by his power for hispraise, verse four by which we
have been given, sorry, by whichhave been given to us
exceedingly great and preciouspromises that through these, you
(24:06):
may partake of divine nature,having escaped the corruption
that is the world, through lustFlowing from God's glory and
power, are his promisesdescribed as exceedingly great
and precious?
Indeed, scripture is filledwith magnificent promises to
God's people Promises ofsalvation Joel 2.32, of the Holy
(24:29):
Spirit's presence, john14.16-17, god's provision,
philippians 4.19, andresurrection and eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15.52-57, and somuch more.
These promises are precious, ofinestimable value, because they
(24:50):
come from our faithful God, whocannot lie.
1 Titus 2.
Or Titus 1, 2, I'm sorry andthey convey to us the riches of
Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once preachedthat his promises are precious
because of their source they arethe promises of God.
They are precious because oftheir substance.
(25:13):
They tell of exceedingly greatand glorious things.
And they are precious becauseof their sure fulfillment in
Christ.
Every promise is an assurancebacked by the infinite power and
integrity of God.
It has been well said God'spromises are checks to be cashed
in the bank of heaven.
We honor him by trusting andacting on his promises.
(25:38):
Through these promises, petersays, you may become partakers
of the divine nature.
This is another astoundingphrase.
It does not mean we become godsor merge into deity, like the
Mormons think.
Peter is not teaching pagandeification or New Age pantheism
.
Rather, as the early churchunderstood it means we share in
(26:00):
God's moral nature, his holiness, life and love through union
with Christ.
As the early church understoodit means we share in God's moral
nature, his holiness, life andlove through union with Christ.
By claiming God's gospelpromises, we were born again and
indwelt by the Holy Spirit whoimparts to us God's own life.
We now share, in a creaturelyway, the family likeness of our
(26:24):
Heavenly Father.
That's the Holy Spirit.
We become, as 2 Corinthians5.17 says, new creations in
Christ.
The Apostle John put it thisway we have fellowship with the
Father and with his Son, and hisseed abides in us.
1 John 1.3.
Over time we grow more and moreinto likeness of Jesus.
(26:46):
This is sanctification,reflecting God's attributes such
as love, righteousness andpurity, grace.
Jonathan Edwards described itlike this God puts his own
beauty.
Jonathan Edwards described itlike this God puts his own
beauty, his beautiful likeness,upon the saint's soul.
We're the saints.
(27:07):
They are made partakers of thedivine nature or moral image of
God.
They are holy by being madepartakers of God's holiness.
What a high calling to beparticipants in God's nature.
This is the foundation of aChristian worldview.
We are regenerate people, nolonger driven by the world's
(27:29):
values, but by God's spiritwithin us.
This is where a womanizer,becoming a Christian, no longer
wants to chase after a woman,but wants to find one woman.
This is where the alcoholic who, before they, were saved, all
they want to do is drink, drink,drink or drug, drug, drug.
They get saved and they wantnone of that anymore.
(27:50):
This is what it is to beregenerate.
This is for the pathologicalliar who has lied every day, so
much that they don't even knowthat they're lying anymore.
They believe their own lies.
They get saved, and their ownlies horrify them.
Okay, this is what it is to beregenerate, or to be
regenerating, okay.
(28:13):
At the same time, beingpartakers of God's nature
entails having escaped thecorruption that is in the world
through lust.
The word corruption means decayor ruin, describing the moral
and spiritual decay in a worldseparated from God.
The world lives by sinful lusts, evil desires and passions, and
(28:37):
thus it is constantly in astate of corruption.
We see this in societalimmorality, injustice, idolatry
and the brokenness of life apartfrom God.
But believers, by God's grace,escaped this corruption.
When we came into Christ, webroke free from the world,
doomed the world's value system.
(28:58):
In Christ, we have escaped thefutile ways inherited from our
forefathers 1 Peter 1 through 18, and the pollutions of the
world.
2 Peter 2.20.
This doesn't mean we've leftthe world physically, but we've
been delivered from itsdominating power of sin.
We now have new desires, havingcrucified the flesh with its
(29:21):
passions and lusts Galatians5.24.
We can live differently.
Our worldview is no longershaped by the lust of the flesh
and the lust of the eyes and thepride of life 1 John 2.16, but
by the character and promises ofGod.
What an encouragement.
(29:42):
God has not only called us andgiven us promises, but also made
us new creatures with a powerto resist worldly corruption.
In summary, verses 1 through 4,peter reminded us of who we are
.
In Christ we have received aprecious faith by God's
righteousness.
We have all we need for lifeand godliness through knowing
(30:03):
him.
We are called by his glory andwe possess great promises that
make us participants in God'slife and able to escape worldly
corruption.
Christian, do you realize howspiritually rich you are in
Christ?
When we grasp this gratitudeand confidence, it should floor
(30:23):
us, should flood our souls withgratitude and confidence.
His divine power, not our ownstrength, equips us as we stand
on his promises.
We can live a godly life in themidst of corrupt culture.
(30:45):
We must stand on the promises.
Reformer John Knox once declaredthe scriptures of God are my
only foundation and substance inall the matters of weight and
importance.
If we build our life on God'sword and promises, we will
partake even more of his natureand shine as lights in this dark
(31:05):
world.
Philippians 2.15.
With that firm foundation laid,peter now turns to our active
response.
What we're supposed to do now?
All right.
So now it's our turn?
Diligent growth and grace Allright.
(31:27):
So now it's our turn.
Diligent growth in grace.
Having established graciousprovisions, peter now exhorts us
to respond by activelycultivating Christlike character
.
In Reformed theology wesometimes call this
sanctification, the process ofgrowth and holiness which flows
from God's prior work ofsalvation.
There is a balance here.
God's grace and power are thefoundation, but our effort is
(31:51):
also required.
Peter's first phrase in verse 5, but also for this very reason,
points back to verses 3 and 4.
Because God has given suchpromises, it made us new and
therefore we must make everyeffort to grow.
We must make every effort togrow.
Pardon me, grace is never anexcuse for laziness.
(32:15):
It is the motive and the energyfor diligence, and this quote
floored me.
As Augustine famously put itwithout God we cannot.
Without us God will not.
God works in us, therefore wework.
Peter's call to give alldiligence, which means spare no
(32:38):
effort, is a stirring reminder.
Growing in godliness is anintentional pursuit, not an
accident and not an automaticdrift.
Yet we must not misunderstandOur effort in sanctification is
dependent effort.
(32:58):
We labor, but it is agrace-fueled labor.
John Calvin, confronting thosewho twist such verses to exalt
human free will, pointed outthat Peter, by requiring these
things, by no means asserts thatthey are in our power, but only
shows what we ought to have anddo.
(33:21):
Scriptures plainly testifiesthat right feelings are formed
in us from God and that all ofour progress and perseverance
are from God.
Therefore, when we see our dutyand find ourselves wanting,
nothing remains for us but toflee to God for aid and help.
In other words, apart fromChrist we can do nothing, john
(33:44):
15.5.
But in Christ's power we canand must do much.
Peter's urgent tone make everyeffort, be diligent shows that
sanctification is not passive.
As one Puritan said we cannotbe idle because we serve a God
who works in you both to willand to work for his good
(34:06):
pleasure.
With this in mind, let us seewhat virtues Peter calls us to
pursue Verses 5 through 7.
Giving all diligence add toyour faith virtue to virtue,
knowledge to knowledge,self-control to self-control,
perseverance to perseverance,godliness to godliness,
(34:30):
brotherly kindness and brotherlykindness, love.
Peter lists seven qualities tosupplement or furnish alongside
our faith.
The idea is not that if weabandon faith for works, that we
abandon faith for works, thatwe abandon faith for works, but
(34:53):
that true faith will producethese virtues.
Faith is the root, these arethe fruit.
As Spurgeon eloquently said,you shall never find true faith
unintended by true godliness.
On the other hand, you shallnever discover a true holy life
which is not, for its root andfoundation, a living faith.
Faith and life go together.
Peter's list here has often beencalled a ladder of virtues,
(35:14):
though we should not overlypress a sequential cause and
effect.
These aren't inescalating,they're in all at once.
A sequential cause and effect.
These aren't an escalating,they're an all at once.
There's not some automaticsprings from previous in strict
order, or it's not a step one,step two, step three.
Rather, it's a holisticportrait of Christ-like
character.
All these should increasinglyadorn a believer's life.
(35:38):
Let's look at these.
So if you don't have these andyou call yourself a Christian,
you've got problems.
Faith the list assumes.
Faith is the starting point.
Add to your faith.
This is the foundational trustin Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior.
Without saving faith, no virtuecan please God.
Hebrews 11.6.
(36:00):
By faith we were grafted intoChrist.
Now we must build on thatfoundation.
So, before all else, examinehave I truly trusted in Jesus?
It's one heck of a question.
If you haven't, then you'rejust doing fire insurance.
(36:21):
You're a cultural Christian.
I'm a Christian because myfamily was a Christian.
I'm a Christian because it'd begreat to be a Christian and
live forever.
I'm a Christian because of this.
But the evidence is if you're aChristian, have you given up
everything else?
If you haven't, you don'tbelieve a word of this.
(36:48):
Peter already addressed our likeprecious faith in verse 1.
Now he says on the platform offaith, supply, virtue, virtue,
moral excellence, goodness.
This word in Greek literatureoften meant valor or excellence
of character.
In a Christian sense it is alife of integrity and goodness.
(37:10):
I would also say courageousness.
That reflects the excellence ofChrist.
Calvin notes here virtue is notmiraculous power, but a life
honest and rightfully formed,essentially moral excellence In
today's terms we might sayintegrity, courage to do what is
(37:31):
right, and holy character.
Our faith must not be naked orempty of moral transformation.
We are called to heroicgoodness in an evil world.
Heroic goodness in an evilworld when the world's culture
normalizes sin.
(37:51):
We strive for virtue, honesty,purity, justice and all things
praiseworthy.
Philippians 4.8.
Knowledge Greek Gnosis, thatone I know Spiritual
understanding or wisdom.
This is a practical knowledgeof God's will and ways.
(38:13):
Gang through what?
Reading this book over and overand over and over, and not just
speed reading it trying tofigure out what it means, but
also prayer Gain throughscripture and experience.
(38:36):
Having zeal virtue withoutknowledge can be dangerous.
We need discernment.
Discernment is a fancy word forgood judgment.
Paul prayed that believers'love may abound more and more in
knowledge and all discernment.
Philippians 1.9.
(38:57):
Peter likely means knowing Godand his truth more deeply,
echoing knowledge in verses 2and 3.
Virtue must be guided by truth,by sound doctrine and
understanding of right fromwrong.
In our era of informationoverload, believers must
continually grow in theknowledge of scripture to
(39:18):
navigate life wisely.
It has been said, everyincrease of knowledge, if
sanctified, produces an increaseof humility.
So add to your passion ofvirtue a robust, bible-informed
mind.
There is nothing you do in yourlife, nothing you do in your
life, nothing you do more inyour life than read this.
(39:41):
It is miraculous.
The first time you read it youmay not get a single thing out
of it other than you sacrificethe time to pursue God.
And then your biblical IQ willrise.
And then you'll read it againand you may understand 3%, and
(40:03):
that 3% will be transformative.
And then you go back throughand then you'll know 10%, and
that'll be even betransformative.
And then you go back throughand then you'll know 10%, and
that'll be even moretransformative.
And then you go back throughand now you understand even more
.
Your biblical IQ rises and nowyou're understanding key
concepts.
And what is it showing you?
(40:23):
Every time you come to a depthof understanding, the mirror
that you stand in front of inthe morning becomes clearer.
It starts.
It's like in the beginning.
Your sin is really blurred outand you can see like something
doesn't look right in the mirror.
Right, but it's so blurry youcan't really tell.
(40:43):
You've got sleep in your eyes,you don't have your glasses,
your contacts in.
It's totally blurry.
The more you read this book andthe more you understand, the
more high definition comes in,the more you see how bad you are
.
Which leads to repentance,right, which is a good thing,
(41:08):
which leads to more grace.
And it's a reciprocal process,or not a reciprocal process, but
a repeating cyclical processOver and over and over.
And old parts of you are goingto die, old sin parts of you are
going to fade away, gone.
They're not going to have agrip on you and you're going to
become more Christ-like, workingthrough your sanctification.
(41:30):
And then you're going to findsomething else you didn't even
know, some major thing that is apart of you, and all of a
sudden you're like, oh man, goddoesn't want me doing that
either.
And then that is going to beanother battle and another
battle and another battle whichis going to require the next
(41:53):
thing self-control.
The Greek term here how can Isay it?
Mastery of one's passions, iswhat it means.
Self-control is a fruit of theSpirit, galatians 5.23.
And highly counter-cultural InPeter's day and ours.
The Greek concept often relatedto restraining sexual lust or
(42:17):
bodily appetites, but it extendsto all desires.
It means having mastery overoneself, one's impulses,
emotions and tongue, rather thanbeing controlled by them.
A believer growing in knowledgeof God will learn to say no to
sin and to self.
This includes temperance infood and drink, chastity,
(42:39):
impurity in sexual matters,control of anger, discipline in
devotions, moderation of lawfulenjoyments and a society
enslaved to instantgratification.
If it feels good, do it.
Mentality.
Christian self-control shinesas a distinct virtue.
By God's grace, we can beself-controlled in all things.
(43:01):
1 Corinthians 9.25.
Keeping our bodies and desiressubmitted to Christ.
Perseverance is next Endurance,steadfastness, patience under
trial.
This is an ability to bear upunder challenges without
quitting or losing faith.
It's not passive resignationbut active endurance, like a
(43:24):
soldier standing firm or arunner pressing on.
Peter's readers were facing, orsoon would face, false teachers
and perhaps persecution.
They needed endurance.
We too need perseverance toremain godly in the long haul,
through temptations, hardshipsor dry seasons.
(43:46):
This virtue builds onself-control.
As we control our immediatereactions, we also develop
long-term endurance.
James 1.4 says Let perseverancehave its perfect work that you
may be mature and complete.
Keep trusting God and doingright even when results are not
(44:11):
immediate.
The Reformers often spoke ofthe perseverance of the saints,
that true believers, by God'spreserving grace, will endure to
the end.
Our part is to cultivate thatsteadfastness day by day.
By your endurance you will gainyour lives, said Jesus, luke 22
, 19.
(44:33):
Six godliness, piety, reverencetowards God.
Godliness means a God-centeredlife, living in a way that
honors God and evidence hisdevotion to him A biblical
worldview, one would say.
It encompasses worship,reverence and dutiful obedience.
(44:55):
A godly person lives with aconstant awareness of God's
presence and a desire to pleasehim in all things.
This term could also berendered piety or devotion.
It's the opposite of thesecular mindset that leaves God
out.
Peter will later contrast truegodliness with the false
teacher's ungodliness.
Add to your perseverance anever-deepening devotion to the
(45:19):
Lord, an attitude like Enoch orNoah who walked with God.
In practice this means constantprayer, delight in God's word,
heartfelt worship and obedienceflowing from love.
Train yourself for godliness,paul urged in verse Timothy 4, 7
through 8, for godliness isprofitable for all things,
(45:41):
having promise of that life thatis now and that which is to
come.
Biblical worldview is, bydefinition, theocentric,
god-centered, and our lifestylemust reflect that.
Seven brotherly kindness Greekword Philadelphia.
There's another brotherly love.
(46:01):
This refers to a warm affectionand care for fellow believers,
literally the love of thebrethren.
In Christ we are made family,so we ought to treat one another
with kindness, compassion andloyalty.
Jesus said by this, all willknow you are my disciples if you
(46:23):
have love for one another.
John 13, 35.
Brotherly kindness meansbearing one another's burdens,
forgiving one another, servingand encouraging the church
family.
It corrects any notion of alone wolf.
Christianity Growth in godliness, necessarily turns us towards
our brothers and sisters.
The early Christians were notedfor their fervent love for one
(46:46):
another.
In a fractured, individualisticsociety, such loving community
is a powerful testimony.
Since COVID, this has been muchharder, because we've all fled
to our isolation and ourself andgot hooked on Netflix and
(47:10):
Grubhub and Instacart.
I mean you don't have to leaveyour house ever and interact
with anybody.
They'll just leave it by thedoor.
Eight love Greek agape selfish,charitable love for others.
Finally, topping the list isthe greatest Christian virtue
love.
This is that divine love whichGod poured into our hearts, a
(47:34):
love that extends beyondbrotherhood to all people, even
enemies.
While brotherly affection islove within the church, agape
love goes further and embracesall mankind.
As Calvin notes, it is the lovethat seeks another's highest
good, that sacrificesself-interest for the welfare of
others.
Paul exalted this love in 1Corinthians 13.
(47:57):
And indeed, jesus taught thatthe entire law hangs on love,
love for God and love forneighbor.
We are to add that this love isan increasing measure.
It completes the picture ofChristlike character, for God is
love.
He's also holy, holy, holy, andwe are never more like God than
(48:19):
when we love.
In a world full of hate,selfishness and division, how
desperately is this agape neededNow.
There's a problem with loveToday.
Societal love is tolerance,tolerance of sin, enablement of
self-destruction, you know allthese horrible, horrible things.
It's not love.
(48:39):
God defines love.
It's self-sacrificial love.
It's loving them enough to tellthem the truth, even if it's
going to make them upset,because an eternity in hell is
waiting for them.
We might picture faith as theroot, love as the ripe fruit,
(49:00):
and other qualities as thegrowth rings in a healthy tree,
or think of them as facets of adiamond.
That's the one I really like.
Like because they all reflectoff of one other and they all
reflect the light of Christ'scharacter.
Peter's point is not to dissectthem into isolation, but to urge
a balanced, diligent pursuit ofall these virtues.
(49:21):
None of us can say we havearrived.
We are all in a process, yet byGod's grace we can grow.
We have all things we need.
The sap of the Spirit is in us,but we must work out what God
is working.
In Verses 8 and 9.
For these things are yours andabound, you will be neither
(49:46):
barren nor unfruitful in theknowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Peter now gives reason forcultivating these virtues.
They ensure a fruitfulknowledge of Christ.
If these qualities are yoursand abound, if they increasingly
(50:09):
fill your life, you will not bebarren or unfruitful.
The word barren here meansinactive or idle, like land
laying fallow.
God saved us not to be idle orineffective but to bear fruit
for his glory.
Bear fruit for his glory.
(50:34):
Jesus chose us to go and bearfruit.
That remains John 15, 16, theknowledge of Christ.
Again, that full personalknowledge is meant to be a
living, growing knowledge thatproduces Christlike character
and good works.
If we truly know him, it willshow in our lives.
Conversely, to stagnate in thesevirtues is to become
ineffective in our knowledge ofChrist, like a tree that has
(50:54):
life but yields no crop.
James would call such faithdead or useless.
Remember what Christ did to thefig tree that bear fruit.
This sobering warning spurs usinto self-examination.
We have grown since last year,oh sorry.
(51:16):
Have we grown in the last yearin these virtues, or have we
stalled and we find ourselvesstagnant or regressing to
remedies?
To go back to the cross,remember afresh that you were
cleansed from former sins.
Preach the gospel to yourselfdaily.
Gratitude for Christ'scleansing will fuel a desire to
honor him with a holy life.
(51:36):
Our worldview must becross-centered, never forgetting
that we are ransomed to people.
When we forget the gospel, webecome blind to why holiness
matters.
But when we keep the gospel inview, our knowledge of Christ
will continually bear fruit.
As Jesus said, whoever abidesin me and I in him, he it is
(52:04):
that bears much fruit.
Verses 10 to 11,.
We're almost done.
Therefore, brethren, be evenmore diligent to make your
calling and election Sure, forif you do these things you will
never stumble For so an entrancewill be supplied to you
abundantly in the everlastingkingdom of our Lord and Savior,
jesus Christ.
(52:25):
Peter concludes this sectionwith an emphatic exhortation and
promise.
And Savior Jesus Christ.
Peter concludes this sectionwith an emphatic exhortation and
promise.
Therefore, in light of thebenefits of growth verse 8, and
the dangers of negligence verse9, be all the more diligent,
spare no effort to confirm yourcalling and election.
(52:51):
Here we touch a profoundtheological truth calling and
election, election is God'seternal choice of a people in
Christ by his grace.
Calling is when that eternalchoice becomes real in time, the
Spirit's effective callbringing us to faith.
Peter is not asking us to causeour calling or election.
We cannot.
God alone saves.
Rather, he urges us to confirmor validate them.
The Greek word for make suremeans to firm up, validate,
(53:14):
certify, in other words, live insuch a way that the reality of
your salvation is unmistakable.
In other words, live in such away that the reality of it,
sorry, is unmistakable both toyou, to yourself and to others.
A tree is sure to be an appletree when it produces apples.
(53:34):
Likewise, our growth in theChristlike qualities in these
you know, verses five throughseven is evidence that we truly
have been called by God andchosen by him.
As Calvin explains, holy livingis not the cause of our election
, but it is evidence and proofof it.
We confirm we are God's electnot by peeking into his secret
(53:56):
decrees, but by seeing his graceactive in our lives.
Good works are the fruit, notthe root, of salvation, but they
are an important fruit thatgive assurances.
Fruit of salvation, but theyare an important fruit.
They give assurances To be sure.
It is ultimately God who keepshis elect from falling.
Jude 24, 1 Peter 1.5.
(54:19):
But God uses means, and ourdiligence and holiness is one
means by which he preserves us.
Peter promises if you do thesethings, you will never stumble.
These things refer us topracticing the virtues just
listed.
Never stumble means you willnot fall away or crash
spiritually.
In an ultimate sense, you willnot stumble into the apostasy or
(54:42):
miss the finish line of faith.
A lifestyle of growing holinesskeeps us on the narrow path and
guards us from many pitfalls.
As Spurgeon admonished, idlemen have no right to assurance.
The scripture says givediligence to make your calling
and election sure.
Indeed, a careless, spiritual,lazy Christian is likely to trip
(55:06):
into doubt, error or sin.
But a diligent Christian, byGod's grace, will be kept steady
.
This is the perseverance ofsaints, god enabling us to
persevere as we actively pursuehim.
And what glorious outcomeawaits.
So the entrance will besupplied to you abundantly in
(55:27):
the everlasting kingdom of ourLord and Savior, jesus Christ.
Here Peter paints the picture ofa triumphant entrance into
Christ's eternal kingdom.
Every true believer will enterChrist's kingdom, but the
imagery here is a rich or lavishentrance, perhaps the
victorious athlete welcomed withfanfare, or a ship arriving
safely full of cargo.
To those who run the race withtheir endurance and finished
(55:49):
well, god will grant a hero'swelcome into heaven.
The everlasting kingdom refersto the final state of salvation,
living under Christ's ruleforever in the new heavens and
new earth.
That kingdom is already inbreaking.
Christ reigns even now, but itwill be fully consummated when
he appears in glory.
Postmillennial theologyespecially emphasizes the
(56:10):
triumph of Christ's kingdom inhistory leading up to the
consummation.
Here we will see a personalaspect.
The believer who has livedfaithfully will hear well done,
good and faithful servant.
Enter into the joy of your land, lord, matthew 25, 21.
We desire that abundantentrance.
Not that we earn heaven by ourworks never.
(56:33):
But by growing in grace webuild up for ourselves treasures
in heaven and anticipate ajubilant reception.
Consider also the life aboundingin the virtues of Christ Not
only assures us of our salvationbut also magnifies our witness
on earth.
A church full of faith, virtue,knowledge, self-control,
(56:55):
perseverance, godliness,brotherly kindness and love will
profoundly impact thesurrounding culture.
This is how believers live outa biblical worldview by
embodying God's truth and lovein every sphere of life.
Our holy living under theLordship of Christ is a
testimony to the present realityof his kingdom.
It is how transformative effectin families, workplaces and
(57:18):
society happen.
We begin to see even now thewill of God done on earth as it
is in heaven A post-millennialperspective is optimistic and
the gospel and Christian virtue.
God done on earth as it is inheaven A post-millennial
perspective is optimistic andthe gospel and Christian virtue
will spread and influence allover the world over time.
Certainly, if more and moreChristians heed Peter's call to
(57:38):
diligent growth, the fragranceof Christ will permeate
communities and even nations.
Righteousness exalts a nation,proverbs 14.34.
And while we await theeverlasting kingdom, we work to
advance Christ's reign in thehere and now by living as
kingdom citizens.
Our assurance of salvation, mademore sure by consistent life,
(58:01):
gives us boldness to engage theworld rather than shrink back.
As Spurgeon observed, those whoare confident in God's
sovereign calling can be strongto do great and valiant deeds,
giving themselves up to God'swill.
They know God is with them.
So, brothers and sisters, bediligent.
The Christian life is comparedto a race, a fight or a pursuit.
(58:23):
It requires exertion, butungirded by grace.
When you feel weary ordiscouraged in your growth,
remember verses three and four.
His divine power and preciouspromises are yours.
You are not running in your ownstrength.
The same grace that called youwill keep you.
As John Calvin confidentlynotes, god affectionately calls
(58:47):
whom he has preordained to lifeand he carries on the perpetual
course of calling through gracealone.
We confirm our calling by holyliving, but our solid foundation
remains God's free grace inChrist.
Rest in that foundation, eventhough you exert yourself.
Then you will never stumble andyou will finish your course
with joy.
(59:07):
May we each live in such a waythat when our race is done,
heaven's gates will open widefor us in rich welcome.
As one hymn puts it O Jesus, Ihave promised to serve thee to
the end.
O give me grace to follow mymaster and my friend Living out
a Christian worldview.
Today we would do well to pauseand apply Peter's message to our
(59:30):
context.
In today's world, corruptionand lust are not hard to find.
They dominate media, publicmorality and personal ambitions.
What does a Christian, biblicalworldview look like in practice
?
Amid such darkness, peter'sanswer is this Live out the
gospel by displaying these sevenvirtues in all of life.
For example, in a culture ofethical compromise, a Christian
(59:52):
who excels in virtue, moralexcellence and integrity will
stand out like Daniel in Babylon, influencing others by his
honesty and courage.
In a society confused abouttruth, a believer who grows in
the knowledge of God's word willhave a solid framework to
navigate issues like sexuality,justice, gender, theology and
the meaning of life, and tospeak wisdom into confusion when
(01:00:13):
the world is enslaved toaddictions and impulses, from
consumerism to pornography toanger.
A Christian exercise inself-control testifies to the
freeing power of Christ, showingthat we are not slaves to our
appetites but servants of theHoly God.
In an age of instantgratification and burnout,
perseverance shines ashope-filled endurance.
Whether it's a wife patientlyloving an unsaved husband for
(01:00:36):
years, or a young man or womanrefusing to give up their purity
amidst peer pressure, suchperseverance motivated by God's
promises often provokesquestions that allow us to share
our hope and our why.
Godliness or reverent devotionis increasingly countercultural
(01:00:59):
as secularism rises.
When we prioritize worship,prayer and obedience to God
above material success andpopular opinion, we declare with
our lives that Jesus Christ isLord, and not just say it, and
(01:01:21):
that worldview challenges othersto consider eternal realities
over temporal ones.
Brotherly kindness within thechurch, practical love across
lines of race, class orbackground, gives the watching
world a picture of truecommunity that many long for,
see how they love one another.
What's said of the earlyChristians?
Can the same be said of us?
If so, it validates the gospelwe preach.
And, above all, love and action.
(01:01:43):
Caring for the poor, speakingkindly to neighbors, forgiving
those who wrong us, loving ourenemies displays of radical
ethic of Christ's kingdom.
Living out these virtues is noteasy in a hostile culture.
It may invite ridicule or evenpersecution, but it will make a
difference.
(01:02:03):
The early church turned theworld upside down, not by
political power, but by faithfulgospel living by being salt and
light.
A post-millennial vision wouldencourage us that, over time, as
more people, more and morepeople are converted and
discipled in a christian-like orchrist-like way of life,
(01:02:25):
society can be transformed forthe better.
Even if one doesn't hold thateschatology, we know from
Scripture that our labor in theLord is not in vain 1
Corinthians 15.58.
Every act of obedience and loveis a seed that God can use to
bear fruit in his timing.
So do not lose heart.
Examine which of these sevenqualities you most lack and seek
(01:02:49):
God's help this week to grow init.
Discuss with fellow believershow you can encourage one
another in these areas, perhapsfind an accountability partner
for self-control, or studyscripture together to grow in
knowledge.
Above all, keep the gospelcentral.
Remember that you've beencleansed from sin, given a new
nature.
You are not striving to gainGod's acceptance.
(01:03:12):
You already have it in Christ.
Rather, you are cooperatingwith the Holy Spirit to reflect
your Father's nature more andmore.
In doing so, you can prove tobe Christ's disciple and provide
a compelling witness to thetruth.
How many Christians do damage tothe faith and to other people's
walk by saying they'reChristian and not acting like
(01:03:34):
Christians and provide acompelling witness to the truth?
This is how we make our callingand election sure, not in God's
mind he already knows his ownbut in our own conscience and
before the world.
Assured of God's grace, you canbe confident Christian,
unafraid to engage the worldwhen you know you belong to him.
(01:03:56):
You need not fear what men do,as the reformer John Knox found
courage in his election andcalling, stating a man with God
is always in the majority.
And I sought neitherpreeminence, glory nor riches.
My honor was that Jesus Christshould reign.
With such confidence, we toocan labor to see Christ reign in
(01:04:16):
hearts and cultures, as weourselves bow to his reign in
our conduct.
Beloved Peter has effectivelyshown us the spiritual growth
chart.
Let us commit to climbing itstep by step, day by day,
knowing that each step is takenin the strength of God and the
strength of God provides.
As we do, we will find ourworldview not only professed
(01:04:39):
with our lips but practiced withour lives.
The world may debate ourbeliefs, but it cannot deny the
power of transformational life.
So give diligence, gobble onall the fruitfulness and rich
reward.
All right, we've run long.
Today we're not going to do theLord's Supper, so I'll go ahead
(01:05:04):
and bust you out of here.
Go ahead and rise.
Go ahead and rise.
Brothers and sisters, now goforth from this place as
soldiers of Christ, armored withfaith, wrapped in hope, blazing
with love.
May the Lord of hosts go beforeyou and lead you, beside you to
(01:05:28):
guard you, beneath you tosustain you and with you to
strengthen you.
May your shield of faith neverfalter, may your sword of the
spirit never grow dull, may yourfeet never stray from the path
of righteousness, and may theroar of the lion of Judah echo
behind you as you advance hiskingdom.
Wherever your feet tread, standfirm warriors, lock shields,
fight the good fight, finish therace.
Keep the faith until we standbefore the king himself, crowned
(01:05:52):
by his grace, and hear thoseblessed words.
Well done and good and faithfulservants in the mighty name of
jesus christ, amen.
God bless you.
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Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.