1 and 2 Peter written by the apostle Peter during one of the most intense times of persecution in church history

purpose of 2 Peter was to warn against giving up in the midst of intense persecution and the influence of false teachers

I Peter's theme is God's grace - in the hope that readers of Peter's first letter would be able to stand fast in God's grace during these difficult days......3:7, 4:10, 5:5, 10,12

2 Peter's theme is knowledge, knowing Jesus, beyond facts and statistics, but growing in the knowledge of Jesus rather than the false teachers

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

His divine power

His power not ours.....

Power - ability to do something, word we get dynamite from

Has been given - This gift of God's power has ben given to us....

We were passive in this transaction - it was done to us, provided for us

We couldn't earn it, think it up, we didn't even ask for it.....

and this gift continues to have an impact on our lives today....

We have the ability from God for all things that have to do with

life - the stuff of living on this earth....the actions and events that make up living.....from beginning to end and everything in between

godliness - "how to act" like a Christian

Activities that say "I value following Jesus" by the way I act, the decisions I make

How do we get this power?

1. Through our Knowledge of Him

And what should we know about Him you ask....?

His calling on our life -

He called us to himself through salvation.... remember the first time you heard the voice of God?

His glory - he gets the credit for the good in our lives....

We learn to give Him that credit -

His great goodness, moral excellence, virtue - This God who gives us power is just flat amazing!

promises -

What kind of precious promises you ask
great promises - mega!! is the word, in a comparative form, there is no one who makes and keeps promises like our God = some have suggested there are 8600 in the Scriptures.....I have never taken the time to count them all ....

(Illus. list some of the promises - go to green slide

precious promises - to have a place of importance, honor, things that are prominently displayed.....

stuff on our walls, in the hallway of fame that grandma has or the mantle crammed with photos of the grandkids....

There are more than

What is one of the most important promises God has made that sticks in your mind?

This power has a practical side to it.....

Helps us connect to God

actually partake of, word we get fellowship from, means to share together, an action word....we have fellowship with the divine, with God and share in his character through the work of the Holy Spirit.....

because we have escaped from the piles of stinky crud the world offers as "real life"







.

Gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:8

Eternal Life - 1 Jn 2:25 And this is what he promised us—even eternal life

Resurrection - 2 Corinthians 4:14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

Forgiveness of sins -

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:12 - as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Presence of God - Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

2 Peter 3:13 - But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Peace of God - Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Which one means the most to you today? Stand on it....

Standing on the Promises.....

Either read the words or use it as the closing song.....

This power of God is put into motion in our lives by the activities we choose....

You want this power at work in your life?

Then give priority to, pursue, focus on.....

So be all the more diligent - aor at imperative.....

make a decision - come to the point in your life where spiritual things are your priority....

and keep on.....as a matter of life activity, provide nourishment for, cater to the atmosphere that leads to spiritual growth, to a strengthening of your faith

add to your

faith

goodness

knowledge

self control

perseverance

godliness

brotherly kindness

love

if you do

will have a productive life

a stable life - vs. one that finds you constantly picking your self up after you fall and slam into things because you can't see clearly enough to avoid the potholes of life that will either break you ankle or the tree limbs that will knock you over- painful word describing how much it hurts to slam into something

a fruitful life

an insightful life

a grateful life - one that remembers what God has done for you

(Illus. promise to bear fruit and fruit that lasts...John 15)

If I am growing in these areas of my walk with God...

Keep on, be all the more diligent......and make the decision today to grow....

you will never fall -

strongest way for a Greek writer to say - it is not happening

you will not stumble - it is a strong word, it means to trip and fall or collide with something else when you stumble...

Assurance is the result of the first two...

In a world marked with fake news, false rumors, and all kinds of uncertainty, in this passage we are reminded that blessed assurance is not only possible to know but available and ready to experience

near sighted and blind.....

useless, fruitless, and ungrateful for what God has done for you