Growth and Giving: the Example of Peter

Hey Matt, if you would turn in revivals once again to second Peter chapter 1 second Peter chapter 1 and I want to read for you. If I may introduction that will base our text in the context I believe can be helpful for us, my messages growth and giving the example of Peter growth and giving the example of Peter the triumphs and weaknesses of the apostle Peter are chronicled in the Gospels and in acts chapters 1 to 12 early on in his ministry. Peter could write be rather impulsive and rash. When Jesus washed the disciples feet to tease the need for cleansing from daily since Peter declared, you shall never wash my feet Jesus answered and said to him, if I do not wash you, you have no part with me.

Simon Peter then said to him, Lord, my not only my feet, but also my hands in my head when Jesus began to tell his disciples what was to happen to one of the Jerusalem Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, far be it from you, Lord. This shall not happen to you, but he turned and said to Peter, get behind me Satan you're an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the same things of God but the things of men.

And then during the Last Supper, when Jesus foretold that all that would for Satan fully. Peter answered and said to him, even if all are made to stumble because of you I will never be made to stumble later on in the courtyard of the high priest after the third time that Peter was accused of being Christ aside, he began to curse and swear sign. I do not know the man immediately.

The rooster crowed. Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said to him before the road, rooster crows, you will deny me three times and so Peter went out and wept bitterly and have beloved, with all the shortcomings. Peter was used mightily of the John MacArthur states that he was the spokesperson for the 12 disciples articulating their thoughts and questions as well as his own, and we can profit much from this chapter. This first chapter of second Peter as we get into our outline in the text. Please keep in mind that Peter knew that he was about to be marred. He knew he was about to die for the cause of Christ in the first consideration want to look at today is Peter's mindset was exemplary. Peter's mindset was exemplary. We find that in verse one. The first part Simon Peter, a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was a model notice is as Simon Peter, a bondservant if you are looking first Peter 11. He referred to himself only as an apostle, and I believe the fact that he began second Peter with a bondservant followed by an apostle shows a sign of growth in the apostle Peter. He wrote first Peter around A.D. 64. Second Peter was written between 67 and 68 A.D. so not short span of three or four years. He's nearing the end of his life and is still growing cannot be said of you the opposite of growing when mindset is cruise control and we have to ask ourselves this question. Am I growing the death loomed large folks. The return of Christ looms large. Are you growing Philippians 27 tells us that Jesus was the supreme example of servant hood.

He set aside his privileges as God the son by taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient unto death, even the death on the cross and I want to read one verse that of Isaiah and I want you to notice the head and the tail of the head and the tail of it. Isaiah tells us of Jesus humility and exaltation against the backdrop of the sacrifice in your familiar with this verse behold my servant shall act wisely, he shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted, and then all of a sudden the corn is flipped as many as were astonished at you.

His appearance was so marred beyond human semblance and is formed beyond that of the children of men is in any wonder in Gethsemane Jesus Christ sweat, as it were great drops of blood. When he could foresee what was about to happen to him and these people who were astonished, as I've said before, from this pulpit were used to crucifixion. That should sober us that they would be astonished at what the Romans did the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only was he a model but secondly he was a mouthpiece and apostle of Jesus Christ his apostleship was not just a position in about proclamation of the gospel and today is Disciples of Christ we are to proclaim the gospel of him who has delivered us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light to the redemption that is ours in Christ not be read something twice for you just to let it sink in the son of God fulfill the law of God to die for the people of God and exhaust the wrath of God as evidenced by his resurrection. If that's become commonplace to you be concerned, the son of God fulfill the law of God to die for the people of God and exhaust the wrath of God is evidence by his resurrection. This message is going to feature five questions of application as we go through it.

Here's the first do you strive to be exemplary as a model of Christianity in a mouthpiece of the gospel. Do you strive to be exemplary as a model of Christianity as a mouthpiece of the gospel and I think the important word is strive because all of us fail to do that. But are we are we seeking to be a model of Christianity in a mouthpiece of the gospel.

The second consideration that we want to look at Peter's method was enriching Peter's method was enriching that word enriching means to make richer by the addition or increase of some desirable quality attribute or ingredient in you see in the text he's told us to add several desirable quality. One of the things that Peter wants us to see is the need for us to have gratitude. Gratitude as it is in needed quality. He reminded them first and foremost of the grace and salvation.

Look at verse 1B, he said to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. One meaning of the word obtain is to attain by divine will and I like to use the acrostic grace GRA CE for not only salvation but later in the message. Sanctification confining the message glorification what is the acrostic when it comes to salvation God's righteousness at Christ's expense.

God gives us the only righteousness he will accept any gives us that at Christ's expense, God's righteousness at Christ's expense.

Likewise, Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers in chapter 2, 13 and 14 but were bound to give thanks to always brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning shows you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which he called you by our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and then the next thing that a heavy look at in verse one day he says to those who have obtained like precious faith, precious faith, you can ask the question is your faith precious to you but faith is precious because it's the uncommon gift of God granted by grace to the Holy Spirit when he quickens us to life. IAI said that this is the uncommon gift of God, folks wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be to find narrow is the gate and crooked the way that leads to life eternal, and few there be that find if God's grace to with precious faith and indeed should be precious to and indeed should be precious to you and then finally in the second part of verse one a uses this phrase by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is identifying Jesus as God. The song his robes for mine eloquently reminds believers that God graciously put on Christ account our sins, and he put Christ's righteousness*account and in so doing these haunting words God estranged from God that particular hymn has some phrases and it did should really make us ponder God the son estranged from God the father, and I can't help but think of the cry of Jesus on the cross, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me spiritual apathy is evidence of ingratitude for salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ. Spiritual apathy and you must ask yourself the question in my guilty of cruise control. Christianity by John Senior made this comment when gratitude dies on the altar of the man's heart.

That man is well-nigh hope.

How can you recapture gratitude think more often of Jesus Christ. Take the time to think more often. Jesus Christ visualizing your mind what was life for him to leave the splendors of heaven and coming to the realm of sin and dark visited visualizing your mind all the steps that led up to Gog and it will give you a deeper gratitude for grace. Not only did he remind them of their salvation, which should make us grateful, but he reminded them. Secondly, of grace and their sanctification will give verses two through four. And as with our salvation.

Grace enable our sanctification. Let me give you another acrostic. These are not in your notes, but when it comes to sanctification God's resources and Christ's enabling God's resources and Christ's enabling verse two Peter says grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. And that Greek word for knowledge is at diagnosis. John MacArthur and his commentary states that this refers to a larger, more thorough and intimate. No all the riches of truth necessary for salvation, sanctification, and glorification are found in Jesus Christ, who was revealed.

The question we have to ask ourselves is this are we broadening our knowledge of God and of Christ as an individual question pokes that each of us must answer I we broadening our knowledge of God and of Jesus. Because if we aren't were doing nothing more than checking off the box by coming to church Sunday morning and perhaps Sunday night and maybe even Wednesday night. Paul points to Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge final question under this are we apathetic are you apathetic toward this growth then notice verse three, he says, as his divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue.

Christ's power grants the possession of life and its expression and godliness. I want to say that again. Christ's power grants the possession of life and its expression and godliness. Do you act like you are spiritually alive, do I act like I am spiritually alive and I want to insert here.

Someone of a tangent somewhat of a tangent. What is it mean to grow does it mean to just get more knowledge about God in Christ is that what it means not to can learn how to play soccer and have a tremendous amount of knowledge appear unless he gets off the bench and puts it into practice. He never improves he can be a couch potato and watch World Cup games all day every day, seven days a week and not be able to cabal.

So one of my sign. I think for me growth as evidenced when I am acknowledging Christ in all my way and think about what is it mean to grow just know stuff appear or are you really groaning when you're exercising yourself in the garden, and you are more and more acknowledging God in all your ways, not just why you're here at beacon manages while you're in your home when when you're in the workplace. You young people way near the school. I would acknowledging God in all our ways. He's given us all things that pertain to life and godliness to the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue, Christ's power as I said grants the possession of life and its expression and godliness, God's part. John 1717 Jesus is praying and he says to the father sanctify them through thy truth.

My word is truth. God is going to sanctify us as we get into the word and through his Holy Spirit. He illuminates the word to us. What about parents. What about pastors. What about teachers what about our car.

Second Timothy 314 and 15 but you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned and from childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able night make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, parents, pastors and teachers, knowing from whom you have learned that.

Do they see you as a person who is not only pricked preaching whatever category coming but practicing do they see you practicing what you preach is a sobering question and what about our our own part, from teens older children right up to the oldest of us. What about our product. The implied subject in second Timothy 215 is the pronoun you and he says you be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Be diligent, be diligent, that is our part.

Notice verse four under the second says by which had been given us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust we receive the Holy Spirit and were being progressively conformed to the image of Christ. That's going to be consummated in our glorification.

And here's the last acrostic for grace.

This has to do with glorification God's riches at Christ's exaltation is a day coming when McCain will return when McCain returns. He says he will have his beloved is coming a day when we will grow no longer likely knowingness like we will be glorified. My second application question to you is do you enrich other believers by making much of God's grace and salvation and sanctification do you enrich other believers by making much of God's grace and salvation, sanctification, mention names, but there are people in this church that do that for me there.

People are no longer in this church because they're worshiping around the throne of God, who did that for me whether they do for you enrich the gift of grace I sought in their lives, lies of gratitude lives of acknowledging God lies of trying to show forth the light of Christ. The third thing that we look at and this is this is standing and overlook on the Parkway just looking at all the trees beneath this because every one of these could be a message and of themselves meant a flag when I taught in the genes we do break it down today just to look at the seven virtues and just asked the question. Where do I need work and probably if you're like me it's going to be all of Peter's message was at a fine III Peter's message was edifying. Versus 5 to 70 says, but for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, the godliness, brotherly kindness and brotherly kindness, love the words for this very reason refers to the power and the promises that he mentioned it earlier.

We have no excuse is given us power is given us promises and through that power and because of those promises we can grow question is do we want to while the next few words answer that question. Notice what he says, giving all diligence that in the Greek means make every effort is similar to Paul using the imagery of a runner pressing toward the prize, the author of Hebrews 611 and 12 rights we desire each of you to show the same earnestness that the full assurance of hope until the end so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Keywords in Hebrews 6 earnestness sluggishness folks. Faith is not static.

Saving faith is not static, we grow in our faith. And then he says this add to your faith God-given faith in the personal work of Christ is the foundation and Paul reminded the Corinthians. No other foundation can anyone in that which is late map foundation is Jesus Christ. The virtues are not meant to be added one after another the word you don't work convert virtue, the firstborn refers to moral engine energy you don't work on that in all of a sudden one day you feel like well I got that one down.

I go to the next know these virtues are to be understood like the blending of different instruments in the north you're working on all of them and all of them are contributing to the same goal demonstrating.

I Christ in us the hope of glory. That's the goal you're working on these virtues so that the end result is more and more. You are becoming a symphony of praise as you leave these things out before the world and again this part of the message could be a series were just going to give an overview a rundown look at virtue. What is that refer to moral energy. The evidence itself and excellence and manly courage. Moral energy. How would that be seen in everyday life. The moral energy encouraged to witness to the loss moral energy. The evidence itself and witnessing to the loss.

The second one is knowledge that refers to the fruit of diligent study and the pursuit of truth learned and lived for God's approval, the fruit of diligent study, how would you describe your study of the word of God. If your study the word of God is primarily coming to this church were the word of God is central with the word of God is faithfully and carefully expositors that is a good thing but it's not the only thing that doesn't get you out of the responsibilities get into the word and study to show yourself approved in number three. Self-control refers to the government control of lust that were against the soul by bringing every thought and make obedience to Christ why thoughts control actions victory begins in our thought life. I've said many many times our young people.

If you won the battle between your ears unite and have to win as many battles with your hand if you know what I'm saying that's the battlefront that we fight most of our battles in number four perseverance. That's patient steadfastness, tenacity to secure victory during the testing of our faith.

It's spiritual staying power and steadfastness of hope, perseverance, and I one way that would get citizens just keeping on one day after another. One test after another. Number five godliness godliness as the manifestation of reverence, loyalty and obedience to the Scriptures. Godliness is the manifestation the showing forth the demonstration of reverence, loyalty and obedience to the Scriptures. I have said this before, when I've had occasion to breach, but a practical definition of the fear the Lord for me is the fear the Lord is a reverent frame of mind whereby the child of God guards and guides his thoughts, words and deeds by the word of God for the glory of God. And if you want the maples sugar version. The fear of God is a reverent frame of mind. Another way of saying that in all our ways we are reverently acknowledging him six is brotherly kindness and that simply means resulting in esteeming other believers in seeking their good you seek to help the sister and brother in Christ and made and finally the last one. Love.

Love is an intentional sacrificial unconditional giving disposition of mind growing at a sincere and fervent devotion to God and I have this quote from a commentary I read slowly. This living principle of all duty, love this living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent way of which the apostle Paul speaks in first Corinthians 13.

You remember we could have all these things going for us, but if were not loving and people don't know that were left through what we do, were just making noise were just making noise. Love unlocks a lot of ox love unlocks a lot of the third application question for you today do you edify other believers by evidencing growth in the seven virtues listed. We said earlier, were not going to get it perfectly in this life, but could it be said of you do you edify other believers. Do you build them up by evidencing growth in the seven virtues listed number four in your outline. Peter's motive was focused on the eternal. Peter's motive was focused on the eternal versus a through 11 per se protection against spiritual ignorance. Look what he says. For if these things are yours and abound. You will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, if you are adding these things to your life, you will not be spiritually ignorant. Verse nine. Protection against complacency over the big picture of eternal life protection against complacency over the big picture of eternal life. Look what he says in verse nine, for he who lacks these virtues is shortsighted even to blindness and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old since I've written in my notes. Wow he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sin.

How many of you have ever rejoice in the text that says he will cast our sins as far as the east is from the last. How many of you have ever rejoiced in the Texas says I will remember them no more. How many of the rejoiced in the Texas says he will not remember the sins of our youth's protection against complacency over the big picture of eternal life. Verse 10 protection against lack of assurance protection against lack of assurance.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent you Christians be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for you do these things you will never stumble. MacArthur states that as the Christian pursues these quality and sees that his life is useful and fruitful. He will not stumble into doubt or despair, discouragement, fear, or questioning, he will have the joy of a settled assurance say how could that be because we choose to add these things to our lives.

We have a desire to diligently add to our lives. The seven virtues you do what you enjoy, you do what you consider valuable. The fourth application question. Well, verse 11 verse 11. I missed protection against coasting in the joy unspeakable and full of glory protection against coasting in the joy unspeakable and full of glory. It sounds like a contradiction. He says for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly, and the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The word supplied to you is the same Greek word used in verse five is rendered at as we add these virtues to our faith. God supplies us and listen to this. If you would not would bear entrance but with a sweeping through the gates, whether rich welcome to the joy of the Lord.

Is that what you want it ionic situs as we anticipate entering the presence of God and I I want to quote one of the favorite phrases of the song sent Fanny Crosby wrote every time I think of this. I think of this often in funerals.

When my spirit clothes immortal wings. It's polite, the realms of day.

This my song to endless ages. Jesus led me all the way. But think about that when my spirit clothes immortal wings that's flying to realms of day.

Love you want an abundance entrance into heaven. You desire abundant entrance into heaven.

I guarantee it.

If we obey the Scriptures to add to our faith. He has promised an abundant entrance that was the fourth application question, do you anticipate an abundant entrance into heaven.

Are you content to coast to the finish line and then the last thing that we will consider today. Peter's memory would have an impact that was enduring. Peter's memory would have an impact that is enduring. I'm reminded of Hebrews 11 forward speaks of able by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts and notice this through it is a B sacrifice through it he being dead still speaks.

Can you think of a couple of people that come to mind were still speaking to you through their memory. Surely everyone of us can. I'm not gonna start listing if I list some people. There something about those people that encourages me spiritually what will be said of you. What will be said of me.

When God takes us from this life, we, being dead, will speak what will be signed.

What will we be sent. I want you to first notice under this that he was a mentor.

The word mentor means a trusted counselor or guide, he says. For this reason I will not be negligent. To remind you always have these things so you know and are established in the resident truth and I want to give you insights to education in two ways. Education is sequential, what is that mean it introduces new thing. Kids don't go to school in first grade and startling reader kindergarten to stay at that level education is sequential.

It introduces new material. Hebrews chapter 6, verse one. Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection or maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God. The question is, is your education. The Scripture sequential heavy are you growing in my growing in our knowledge of the word. Secondly, and just as important, not only is education sequential energy system new material by education a spiral so you got education going forward. But as it's going forward. It's also doing this will mean by that. It reinforces more fully what is already talk reinforces more fully what is already talk and I don't care what profession herein. This is true.

You gonna let learn the basics you're going to learn more than the basics but as you learn more the basics you're still developing more and more comfort, and knowledge of the things it proceeded is just a fact of schooling, education, sequential spiral, and Peter acknowledges that they know when they're established in resident truth.

Listen to what he says in second Peter 317 and 18 you. Therefore, beloved, since you know this before hand. You know this before hand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness being led away with the error of the wicked, and then he says it again, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and him be glory for now and ever. Amen. He sang since you know this before hand and at the end of verse 18. He sang but grow you know what, but grow its spiritual cockiness to think that we know all we need, and I don't think any of us would even pretend to do that versus 13 to 15.

He was a martyr and I'm going to share something with that I did not know, and I trust many of you did not know this pretty shocking.

He was a martyr.

He said in verses 13 to 15. Yes, I think it's right as long as I'm in this tent's body to stir you up by reminding knowing that shortly.

I must put off my Tanner my body just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me verse 15.

Moreover, I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

One commentator states that Christ told Peter of his death 30 years earlier and the commentators that I read said that Peter would know exactly what Christ is referring to when he described Peter's death. Crucifixion how would you like to live knowing that at the end your life you're going to be crucified.

I mean as I as I meditate on this site contemplate that Jesus said this is going to happen and here's how you can exit this life and for over three decades, Peter knew that now what I did not church tradition, church history records of Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero and requested to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified like his Lord. I'd heard that this what I hadn't heard John MacArthur Herbert Lackner. I mention those names because these people study what they're gonna ride ahead. Obviously, listen to this. MacArthur Lackner right the church tradition also state that Peter had to watch as his wife was crucified but encouraged her with her words.

Remember the Lord. We can take that is true as much as we can take any other history.

It's it's history. Okay, if indeed it is accurate as mind-boggling to me.

I I can even think about. I can even think about. Do you have the mentality folks that you daily, take up your cross, whatever that might look like for the sake of the gospel of the glory of God. God may call some of us to be martyrs. I don't he may cause a list you martyrs.

He certainly caused some missionaries to be martyrs. Please call some Christians in several foreign countries to be martyrs now, but the question is do you have the mentality daily, take up your cross, whatever that might look like for the sake of the gospel and then finally verses 16 to 21 and believe me, everyone. I studied this could be a series of messages and make one salient point in verses 16 to 21. He was a magnifier of the written word. He was a magnifier of the written word. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables will be made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his Majesty, for he received from God the father honor and glory was such a voice came to him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, and we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. And so we had the prophetic word confirmed what you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is in any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in verses 16 to 18. Peter describes this remarkable experience that he and James and John had on the Mount of Transfiguration. He uses words, if you notice like eyewitnesses of his Majesty the excellent glory, this is my beloved son in whom I will place inspirational words verse 19 we have the prophetic word confirmed one commentator more than one states that the Greek word order is crucial.

The Greek word order, and this is crucial.

Why because it says we have more sure. The prophetic word.

What would they mean by that. We have more sure.

The prophetic word. This supports interpretation that Peter was ranking Scripture over experience in beloved, I cannot help but ask this question. Could there be any greater experience in seeing the kingdom splendor of Jesus Christ and hearing the voice of God. Could there be any experience greater than and yet he sang.

In spite of that eyewitness of what we saw and heard the written Scripture is more sure we had exactly what God wants us to have and then finally verses 20 and 21 Peter basically lays all that he has taught them on the foundation of the inspiration of Scripture.

You can read that knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the spirit like Peter Paul Kai growth in grace to knowing the inspired word of God.

Second Timothy 316 and 17 all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Why, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Here's the question I leave with you by way of couple what place does this treasure have in your life does it with as it get the leftovers of your busy day. What place does this treasure have in your life by way of closing application.

I want to repeat the five questions that we asked throughout the message number once you strive to be exemplary as a model of Christianity and a mouthpiece of the gospel you strive to be exemplary as a model of Christianity in a mouthpiece of the gospel.

Question two.

Do you enrich other believers by making much of God's grace and salvation and sanctification. Question trade you edify or build up other believers by evidencing personal growth and the seven virtues in your own life. Question number four. Do you anticipate an abundant entrance into heaven.

Are you content the coast to the finish line and then finally, are you engaged in learning loving and living inspired and infallible, all sufficient word of God and then leaving it in your history, you will be remembered for something where will the will of God the Word of God planned that memory bacon Baptist Church, where the sufficiency of the word is declared in God's inspired an errant word. We have all that we need for life and godliness.

Here is the Maple sugar question as we close. Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of God and of Jesus as evidenced by abundant grace and peace in your life. Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of God, as evidenced by the abundant grace and peace in your life