Pertaining to Life (Part A)

Don't go anywhere else where God is put you the word of God is my field and I am not going to be caught somewhere else and asking what is right and wrong about how to live before a holy God. I have it all right here if I'm willing to mind for it. If I'm willing to apply it, and dig for it. Is there and when I fail what I have gotten from this record is that the mercy of God endures forever. And hell can't take it away. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of second Peter, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching today. Pastor Rick will begin a brand-new message called pertaining to life in second Peter chapter 1 we are in second Peter chapter 1 target verses three through 11 the possibility of getting that far remains to be seen if you have your Bibles open to second Peter chapter 1 verses three through 11 as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue by which have been given to 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 but also 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, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love, for if these things are yours and abound you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never again is writing these words to Christians were being persecuted from the out side the Roman Empire state but also now there is a heightened level of infiltration. False teachers coming into Christianity and so the persecution has expanded from physical and external to internal and theological what people think about Christ. What we think about God pertaining to life.

That's what I've entitled this section that first verse that will come to an a moment.

Verse three means so much to me as a Christian man.

It has always meant very much to me as a Christian man. One site understood what it meant in its application. But when I became a pastor. It soon became evident that it didn't mean so much to so many other Christian. In fact, if you take this verse, verse three for what it clearly means and just lay it out. You will take down a lot of Christians, and it is unfortunate that so many Christians have looked to leadership to instruct them in their Christian lives and have met with those who have integrated the truth's of God with the lies of the world and as a result of the Christians just go forward thinking that they're okay with these integrations, not knowing Satan has leaven the lump that they have been victims of bad theology and I must point this out because it is true whether it is like to not is not my concern. Although I wanted to be like women will always bring in heresy at a faster rate than men. As a rule, men will help them do it in their disobedience to God. As a rule, not every man on every woman. But when it happens. Usually there is where it's coming in.

And because this is unpopular. It doesn't get said from the pulpit and because it doesn't get said from the pulpit.

No one deals with the problem because the problem is not dealt with. The next thing you know you've got churches everybody wants to leave in a single God outcome what's happening out of the not preaching the truth that the men are preaching the Bible because once pastors preach the Bible. Many of them they are stoned for doing so. Let's all be on guard against how to speak the serious things and make the listener understand that the motive is love. You don't sound very loving right now Peter is giving components here which belong to those who live in Christ, and he makes it clear that we offer to salvation that is found nowhere else.

And also we offered instruction for our behavior as those who are saved, having no need for psychology's theories or anybody else's bright ideas.

We look to the Scripture and how we should live this verse three is the first indication that there's heresy taking place that there are false teachers creeping in. This is the first verse is going to really open it up by chapter 2 may we be careful not to trade away what God has said for false spiritual experiences antichrist is going to thrive on that but I felt it but I experienced it, yes. But what does God's word say that is made too many victims.

It is what the Scriptures say our God is the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of peace were not ashamed of that and we don't back away from that. Whether it is popular or not. So let's now dig in the sum of this verse three as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue now. As I mentioned, this is an indication that this trouble here because he is saying his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life, which many Christians don't believe it took about behavior Outlook up block and faith.

We don't need to go somewhere else to find out how I should behave and live my life as far as conduct goals.

There are those that want to limit the sufficiency of Christ in the hearts of believers, and these forces have been pressing on the church since the days of the apostles, even to now God says right here he's given us every provision for the Dudley life through the knowledge of Jesus. That's what verse three tells us what we must avail ourselves of it to just acknowledge it's not good enough. We have to work at it hard. You know what I've been doing all week. The same thing.

Hopefully you been doing all week. Amongst other things, fighting the flash suppressing the flesh. I blame the auto industry panel have anything to get you in the flesh.

More the faster the driving an automobile will specimen someone else is driving you beginning with belief, we must avail ourselves.

The just shall live by faith.

One of verse one of thought we are supposed to trust God. It would not take hits otherwise wouldn't give his armor, but we sometimes and I am no different than you and this is something what what is going on here.

Why do I have to go through this.

Why doesn't God shield me from everything. All I have to do is open up the Bible and read a verse I should be protected from there forward will and that Bible are all sorts of teachings and indications and illustrations fax that he will be with us even when we are taking hits, but we will take the hits they will be paying. God has no children without pain. We all go through it and you would not be at all surprised to hear that the were world rejects this verse take this to one of the universities out there and stand up in one of their philosophy courses are to pretty much anyone is saying God through Jesus Christ.

His divine power has given us everything that I need for life, but food and would that indirectly but is talking about behavior because he going to open up the components of behavior when he starts to get into diligence and faith and knowledge, and self-control in all the total seven items so the Peter brings out virtue when you hit that anymore, where, how is virtue, become a liability in our society also always always been those forces that have sought to call evil good, good, evil, and that's what Satan does. He flips everything to the wrong side of if he is permitted to do so. One of the most ignored and rejected versus I fear by believers is this this verse three of second Peter chapter 1 those that look to downsize the verse to get it to conform tailor it to line up with philosophies outside of Christianity, and it is a tragedy that so many Christians fall for. I have nothing to receive from Freud or young man's law for any of them or any new brand about how we should live. I go to the Scripture says his divine power that is energy to serve a notice he doesn't say and it will be smooth sailing, because it's not going to be for anyone. It's not about smooth sailing. It's about obedience as a part of worship to obey God. Yet we meet with this disobedient creature in our own heart. The flesh will come back to that in a little bit so he says his divine power. There is the energy the thrust we need. It is going to give us the spiritual instruction that we should crave as believers has given to us all things that pertain to life. Look, I think Christian long enough to know that you can read the Scripture, and it can just stop right there as a theory or a philosophy and never come to life in your own life or you can be just really living pretty well and you're not challenged in the Scripture verses really just are there and they're not shining through in the midst of darkness. But I know that you know one of the verses that I bring up to God sometimes is where he says come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest really well. I am as a pastor heavy laden, sometimes burdened, and I come to him and I don't feel so refreshed. But see, I know in it.

I know it irks hell and that that has some satisfaction in it. It irks hell that I know what my orders are in my instructions are I am to plod forward. In truth no matter what. I can be devoured by things I still know what my orders are because the just shall live by faith. I have seen enough truth and light from God himself that it's a settled issue and I'm not going to let anything take that from me. So help me God. If it weren't for that.

If it weren't for that element of faith.

I would've called God a hypocrite long time ago and been done with him and how many Christians they just lose the seal they just think that in the know they get tired of the Christian life becomes boring to them, or if or not sufficient insufficient I should say just not doing it for me and the next thing you know they're worshiping paint chips or something, probably eating them to as a dog returns to his vomit, says Peter. So these are very real things. God knows that I always know he's right there.

What someday sitting. God is not enough give their I want to see the mighty hand of God slay those things that are coming at me and he says no what you going to do. Are you going to become an apostate. Were you going to say well he didn't issue me this entrenching tool for nothing. I would take myself a foxhole and I will stand my watch. That's what Habakkuk said I don't like what God is showing me but I will spend my watch and see how he answers me and how I respond. Once he corrects me that is a picture of the just living by faith he is given to us all things that pertain to life how to live. Given through the word Ruth. Ruth was told by Naomi. Naomi struggled again. You know she had it took her time to get get back on her feet.

Her faith was shattered. She went out for she came back empty. She gets around the people of God in the land of God. She begins to build up again. She starts to see God move that he was moving all the time. She just see it. She sees God working in Ruth, she loved Ruth. There's no way Naomi could not love Ruth Ruth.

Ruth was the type of person that she endeared everyone to Hertha Lancaster.

We know that just read the story Naomi gives Ruth. This advice when the story begins to unfold.

Boaz is beginning to look out for Ruth, Naomi picks up on this.

Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, it is good my daughter that you go out with his young women and that the people do not meet you in any other field don't go anywhere else but with God is put you the word of God is my field and I am not going to be caught somewhere else asking what is right and wrong about how to live before a holy God. I have it all right here if I'm willing to mind for it. If I'm willing to apply it, and dig for it. It is there and when I fail what I have gotten from this record is that the mercy of God endures forever.

And hell can't take it away. You either believe it or you don't.

Many more Christians understand that second Peter chapter 1 verse three is another illustration in text of what we see illustrated in life in Ruth chapter 2 verse 22. Don't get caught somewhere else. Don't go asking the wrong people. What is the right way stand in the old paths and see said Jeremiah is not difficult paths that have been worn out by the prophets so that the people could find their way.

Our redemption has been secured in Christ, we must constantly apply our faith and so he says his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and to godliness. What is that where else are you going to get this and get it out in the world. It is of being approved by God.

You are knowledgeable to word someone may save you or did you go to seminary. Like like that's the wellspring of knowledge and in Christianity. It is not. It may be a source for some, here's where we get this godliness. First Thessalonians 2. I hope that in some a part of the didn't sound arrogant, but it is firm back walking away from what I'm saying. I don't. I believe what I believe and I believe it hard. I hope I always do. I hope I'm not know or hope. I believe this I believe that the God gives me what I need to be sure of what I'm saying when it comes to the things from the Scripture that doesn't mean I'm never wrong close. Her I will escape Actavis and going through catharsis appear. First Thessalonians to four, but as we have been approved by God. You see that that's enough. I'm approved by God.

Not just because I'm superstitiously saying that, but because I'm lining up with what he has given me in his Bible is Scripture his word approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. That's what it says. First Thessalonians to four, but we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. Godliness, he says, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue. Biblical ignorance is no virtue must must be mindful of this glory. That's a spiritual splendor. Peter saw what he sought in the risen Christ able to walk through walls and then eat fish like fish I could do that that wall walking part of I'm smart enough not to try, but I would be interested if any of you do get a running start so that the report is comes back thorough anyway. The beauty of God in his way. You know, sometimes with singing songs and I don't feel like Simon Museum sometime ahead is racing because attacks like this.

It's how I communicate this without missing the point without trampling someone unnecessarily. How do I do this in my mind is racing but then there are other times not raising I'm alarming at this one. I'm pretty good right now but I still feel like singing but still it's that resolve. I agree with what's being sung saying something should make a phone name that that would be a singsong anyway, enough with the silly jokes, no glory. Virtue, you know that Greek word for virtue. Now remember Rosa. What's the point will when the when the these people wrote. They wrote in the Greek and so we look in the English we say what what was he going with this.

We go to the Greek, often to get you to the source. Find out what that word really means. And here's one example where the word stands out were going to get another one in a minute.

Virtue its manliness in the Greek it it has to do with our with excellence and so he says here that the knowledge of him who called us by glory and manliness of the does not does not in the sense of masculinity is in the sense of courage that it submits a word picture for us. When David stepped out. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, Adair said tears blaspheme any steps out into that valley of the law. There was your picture of virtue of manliness of splendor and glory in faith and is the only way David did that day. It was faith of the five times.

This word shows up in our New Testament in the Greek Peter uses it for. He got this worded appeal to him and made this point for him because it was true in the Holy Spirit who let it flow from him so not only are we to be virtuous.

We are to be helpful honorable people ask chapter 5 go stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life. You see, that's another that's another verse that comes alongside this third verse says his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and to godliness. Godliness is the Christ likeness that we are supposed to embrace first Corinthians 2, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God is going to take a lot to live on this level, but it is better to pursue it than to ignore it. Verse four, by which have been given to 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 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises that the promises found in Scripture you believe in you accepted some a Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 15.

Your words were found, and I hate them in your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name or Yahweh God of host, you see that I found you were not concerned. It is a picture of the communion table. Jesus is the word of God.

The Christian is to consume this idea this fact. John chapter 6/3 verse 37 all that the father gives me will come to me and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out with us what it means when he says the great and precious promises that have been given to us and let them throw you out. Jesus says so. So if I come to Christ.

My flesh gets the upper hand in my going to be kicked out. No, no you're not, what strength should come from that. But I know I'm standing here Peter, do you ever speak to a good group of this many people you know there is some here that are struggling with this very thing centage and beating the mess out of temptation, daily mail daily. Satan says your worthless prove you're not say the fruit of the spirit of self-control. You don't have an Jesus responds with just this. I will not throw you out. That's all we have time for.

On today's edition of cross reference radio you been listening to Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia as he teaches through the book of second Peter if you'd like to listen to more messages from this series or if you'd like more information about this program please visit our website cross reference radio.com. We also encourage you to subscribe to our podcast so you'll never have to miss a program.

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