Posted on 05/05/2007 5:14:25 PM PDT by WileyPink
Sunday, May 6
“Growth Is Intentional”
2 Peter 1:1-11
Webster’s defines “growth” as “progressive development: evolution; increase, expansion.” In the first half of chapter one, Peter profiled spiritual maturity, a kind of growth that does not “just” happen. Verses 5-7 itemize seven character traits, the greatest one being “love” (v. 7; see also 1 Cor. 12:31-13:13). Two factors promote their development: [a] God’s Initiative and [b]Individual Involvement.
(Excerpt) Read more at mbcb.org ...
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Welcome to this week’s Sunday School Bible Study. Again, feel free to opine regarding the lesson. As a matter of fact, your input is desired. I know that I learn as much or more from this as anybody. And, this weekend like most weekends I’m on the road again, so, this IS my Sunday School lesson.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you again for another opportunity to study your word. Help us to use this media to ‘Grow intentionally’ in your word. In Jesus’ Name…
Verse one shows us that Peter has grown. Especially since 1Peter was written. Notice that he writes, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ…”. When he wrote 1Peter, He wrote, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ…” Of course, ‘Peter’ is the name given him by Jesus. The Greek, Petros, means “a (piece of) rock”. In 1Peter, I think he felt like he HAD to use that name (I know that I would). Now, in 2Peter, I think he’s confident in his own faith that he can use his given name of Simon along with Peter. Also notice in 1Peter, he writes, “an apostle of Jesus Christ…” and in 2Peter he writes, “a servant and an apostle…” I think that shows much growth. At first he felt like an ambassador to ‘get the word out’. Now, he shows to be a voluntary ‘bond servant’ of Jesus’. This, along with putting himself on equal ground with his audience, shows Peter’s humility and growth.
In verse 2, we a given a conditional reward. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you…” But the condition is “…through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” Not just knowing who God is but the full discernment of who He is through the Holy Spirit.
Verse 3 continues the promise of reward in this life, “…all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” Again, this is the same word knowledge, or recognition. It’s like putting a mother blind folded in a room of ten crying children. Do you think she can recognize her child? Sure she can. That’s the same knowledge we should want and have of Jesus Christ.
Verse 4 gives promises but not just of this life. These great and precious promises are that we are partakers of the Divine nature. That is the Nature of God…His eternal promises.
In verse 5, Peter tells us to eagerly and intentionally add to our faith with excellent knowledge. This is a different word for knowledge than he used before. I believe here that he is talking about ‘book knowledge”. But, he tells us to make it virtuous knowledge. Oh yea, don’t forget that ‘our faith’ is still the basis of our spiritual maturity because Peter tells us to add to it.
Peter shows us in verse 6 and 7 where this knowledge should eventually lead…from knowledge to self control, to patience, to godliness and holiness, to kindness, to love. I don’t think we should think of these as a series of steps. Remember the old Christmas tree light bulbs? If one went out, they all went out. Now-a-days, the lights are wired in parallel. If one light goes out, it doesn’t stop the others. The whole strand may not be as bright but the lights are still lit. I say that because of that temperance and patience thing… (Note to self…practice these!) We should try to keep them all burning, but we shouldn’t unplug the whole string if one of them fails either. We should fix that one part that failed.
Verses 8, 9, and 10 show us that our practice and maturing in the steps and characteristics won’t go unrewarded. Oh Contraire! Those who don’t mature in Christ and study His word will forget why they came to Him in the first place. Do you remember that ‘Pure’ feeling and that hunger when you first got saved? Staying in His word will allow us to keep that feeling and hunger everyday. Not maturing will allow us to forget that pureness and closeness to Christ. As for me, I don’t want to go back there.
Finally, verse 11 puts out the red carpet for us into the eternal kingdom of God. WOW!!! We will be welcomed into His Glory…what a day that will be.
Along with our maturity, we should remember last week’s lesson and remain humble. When’s the last time you wanted to sit and listen to a ‘know-it-all’ tell you how every thing’s gonna be. Having said that, I urge you to weigh in on this lesson. I’m still maturing and just nibble on the “meat” every now and then so any correction or comments to me are welcomed. If you’d like to be added to the Sunday School Bible Study Ping list, let me know.
In Christ,
Wiley
Sunday School Bible Study Ping
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
After all, aren't you filling in for your pastor who's sick?
7 steps from sinner to Saint.
Called my churches prayer warriors … prayers up.
Man I tell ya, this temperance and patience thing...I struggle with this EVERY day!
Having had a chance to study your “Sunday School Bible Study” missive … outstanding as usual.
Thanks for that, and thanks for your input and participation.
Wiley
Prayer requests do not constitute thread hijacking IMO.
I’ll certainly pray for healing.
Prayers for you, freeper preacher. You might want to stay off the hot political threads for now though:’) Take care.
Just wow. Partakers of divine nature. That's an incredible thought.
Tracy, do you want to check with him about doing a prayer ping on his thread?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1829024/posts?page=4#4
Karen
You, and your docs, most certainly have my prayers.
(You didn't hijack this thread...you added to it.)
You have a wonderful home page.
I fully expect you to be around to add to it.
Bump!
"Man I tell ya, this temperance and patience thing...I struggle with this EVERY day!"
I hear ya! ;o)
Thank you for the post and ping!
Do you think it's just coincidence that this is also God's number of 'completeness'?
The day I was saved I removed “luck-y” and “coincidence”
from my vocabulary. :>)
Good point...mine was replaced with “divine providence” and “His Will”.
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