Faith Activation

Growth in Christian Virtue

Main Text: 2 Peter 1:1-5 (AMP)

2 Peter 1:1 (AMP) Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,

A. Who do I serve? Bond Servant-one bound to service without wages.

B. Who am I? apostle

C. Who do I represent? Jesus

To those who have received and possess [by God's will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

A. Neighbor, I don't know about you, but I received and possess it

Romans 12:3 (AMP) For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].

A. It's the will of God for us to have faith to fulfill God's plan for our lives

B. received and possess means properly "to obtain by lot,"

C. This implies that faith is a gift of God.

D. Why? Because we live by faith

Hebrews 10:38 (AMP) But My righteous one [the one justified by faith] shall live by faith [respecting man's relationship to God and trusting Him]; And if he draws back [shrinking in fear], My soul has no delight in him.

WE WALK BY FAITH

2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP) for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God's promises]—

WE RECEIVE THE PROMISES BY FAITH

Romans 4:16 (AMP) Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]—not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all

Grace, Peace, and Divine Power

2 Peter 1:2-4 (AMP) Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

A. Grace-God's grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given.

B. Peace-Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul

C. The disciples could die for Christ because of their knowledge and relationship with Christ

D. As our knowledge grows, so does our grace and peace

For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

A. Dunamis-Inherent power to reproduce itself like a dynamo

B. This divine power is capable of giving one all things of life and godliness through the proper knowledge

C. Bestowed- to present as a gift; give; confer-giving of a trophy

D. The object of the Christian calling

E. How are our relationships built? By spending

For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire and become sharers of the divine nature.

THE 4 BLESSINGS OF THE PROMISE:

PROMISE #1 LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

ROMANS 10:17 (AMP) So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.

PROMISE #2 RIGHTEOUSNESS

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 (AMP) But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin],

PROMISE #3 GRACE AND PEACE

JOHN 14:27 (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

PROMISE #4 ALL THINGS THE PERTAIN LIFE AND GODLINESS

TITUS 2:11-12 (AMP) For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age,

Develop Moral Excellence

2 Peter 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence

WISDOM KEYS

WISDOM KEY #1 WE MUST WORK IT OUT

PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 (AMP) So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

1. First, the Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition."
2. We Are A Work In Progress

Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG) I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Closing Story – The Pencil Story:

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1 - You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

2 - You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

3 - You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

4 - The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

5 - On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Discussion Questions

1. Peter identifies himself as a "bond-servant" of Jesus Christ—one bound to service without wages. How does viewing yourself as a bond-servant change your approach to serving God?
2. The passage says we have "received and possess" precious faith by God's will. How does knowing faith is a gift from God rather than something you earned affect your confidence?
3. Second Peter 1:3 states that God's divine power has given us "everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life." What does this mean practically when you feel spiritually inadequate?
4. The text emphasizes that grace and peace are multiplied through "true and personal knowledge" of God. How are you actively growing in your knowledge of God?
5. God's promises allow us to "escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world" and "become sharers of the divine nature." What worldly desires do you need to escape from?
6. The four blessings include faith, righteousness, grace and peace, and everything for life and godliness. Which of these blessings do you most need to experience more fully right now?
7. Philippians 2:12 says to "work out your salvation" with "awe-inspired fear and trembling." How do you balance working out your salvation while remembering it's God working in you?
8. Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG) says, "I've got my eye on the goal." What specific spiritual goal are you "off and running" toward right now?
9. The Pencil Story's first point is that you can do great things "if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand." Are you currently resisting God's guidance in any area?
10. The Pencil Story's fifth point says you must "leave your mark" everywhere you walk. What mark are you leaving on the people and places in your life?

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