Growth Is Intentional 2 Peter 1:1-11 May 06, 2007
Introduction
It is sad to see some child not growing. They give many blessings to there family in the love they show, but
we expect physical growth to be normal. Do we also expect Christian growth to be intentional. We need to
have that expectation.
1. Growth Is Intentional Through God Given . . Privileges. 1:1-2
A. The Privilege Of Being A Person . . Owned By Jesus. 1:1a
1 Simeon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ:
B. The Privilege Of Being A Person . . Obtaining Faith. 1:1b-2
"To those who have obtained a
faith of equal privilege with ours through the righteousness of our God
and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 May graceand peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Do you find it interesting that the early Christians readily called themselves slaves of Jesus? In our ears this
is a strong way for Simon to say, Jesus owns me. The question comes to me; "does the Lord own me?" In my
opinion all Christians need to recognize His ownership. When we realize His ownership, we also appreciate
that we obtained faith just like the faith Simon Peter obtained. Too many times we may place the apostles, and
Biblical characters far above us and think they were given a special faith not available to us; but Simon says we
can enjoy a faith equal to his. How is that possible? Through God's choice, and action. This faith can also be
multiplied in us as we grow in God's grace.
2. Growth Is Intentional Through God Given . . Promises. 1:3-4
A. The Promise of . . Everything. 1:3
3 Growth in the Faith For His divine power has given us everythig
required for life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him
who called us by His own glory and goodness.
B. The Promise of . . Escape. 1:4
4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may share in
the divine nature, escaping
the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.
Someone said the Bible contains at least 365 promises, and that is one per day. I do not know if that is
entirely correct but the text tells us we are promised, "everything required." Sometimes we want to work in an
area of that of a person with different talents, but the text promises we will receive that for which we will be
responsible. In addition we receive the promise of escape from any evil desires through the divine nature given
to all believers.
3. Growth Is Intentional Through God Given . . Progression. 1:5-8
A. The Progression of . . Supplemental Graces. 1:6-7
5 For this
very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness,
goodness with
knowledge,
6
knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance
with godliness,
7 godliness
with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
B. The Progression of . . Satisfying Graces. 1:8
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep
you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All of us understand God gives salvation through His grace. It appears some think that ends the supply of
grace. The Bible does teach us to grow in grace, but too many of us must have thought it said grow in grease!
Our text pictures a progression of graces for the Christian to enjoy. These graces are to be in our life and
increasing. The last grace mentioned is "love," and throughout the Christian community there never seems to
be enough of this quality. Too many times unchurched people point to the unloving actions of a church to
justify them not being in the church. We must understand the availability of these graces, and how they work
toward making us fruitful.
4. Growth Is Intentional Through God Given . . Protection. 1:9-11
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A. The Protection From . . Shortsightedness. 1:9
9 The person who lacks these things is blind and
shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins.
B. The Protection From . . Stumbling. 1:10
10 Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things
you will never stumble.
C. The Projection From . . Scarce Supply. 1:11
11 For in this way, entry into
the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you. HCSB
Intentional growth protects us from being shortsighted, stumbling, and having a scarce supply of the rich graces God desires for His children. Do you find it interesting that Simon Peter indicates spiritual blindness, or
shortsightedness comes to one who forgets his/her cleansing from past sins? Then he tells us to confirm our
election and calling. What does he indicate the blessing will be; We will not stumble. In addition rather than a
scarce supply concerning entrance into the heavenly kingdom; there will be a rich supply. Some Christians lack
the assurance they need, and it probably centers in their lack of focus on what God does for us in giving
redemption. Therefore we should recognize, Growth Is Intentional. Amen? Amen!
