Everything We Need to Live Right Faith, Knowledge, Goodness 9/20/15 Pastor Dan Hiatt

Transcription

1 Everything We Need to Live Right Faith, Knowledge, Goodness 9/20/15 Pastor Dan Hiatt

2 Everything We Need to Live Right 2 Peter 1:1-11 Key Verse 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) 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. A Godly life = Doing it God s way according to God s Word A life that is pleasing to God and also to others The right way to live - benefits God, others, and us Living right results in: (2 Peter 1:1-11) Wonderful promises (V4) Developing Godly character (V5-7) Being effective and production in life and godliness(v8) Not stumbling in our walk with Jesus Victory (V10) Receiving a rich reward in heaven (V11)

3 Developing What We Need to Live Right 2 Peter 1:5-7 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. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. Developing godly characteristics takes effort. It is a partnership with God to learn to do it right!

4 Add to Your Faith 2 Peter 1:5 What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV) A tangible hope and conclusion from the evidence A confidence and assurance As if it were already accomplished Why is Faith the starting point? Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

5 Our Faith = Our Relationship with Jesus 8 But what does it say? The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:8-10 (NIV) A relationship with Jesus, our faith, is the foundation of our spiritual journey and learning how to live it right. Rehearse your story: What brought you to the point of a saving faith in Jesus? When did Jesus first become real in your life?

6 Add to your Faith Knowledge Our Vision (Goal): Everyone growing in a passionate, committed, and empowered relationship with Jesus. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) We develop our faith, our relationship with Jesus, by knowing The Word of God Understanding by our study and revelation of the Holy Spirit what it means and how to apply it Training our minds to think Biblically and understanding God s heart Claiming God s promises in faith according to his will.

7 Add to your Faith Knowledge God said through the OT prophet Hosea my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 (NIV) Romans 12:2 says Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Paul instructed the Ephesians 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24 Next steps: Gaining knowledge in our personal time with God Gaining knowledge in our relational community A life group (taking in) and a service team (giving out)

8 Add to your Faith Knowledge Goodness Paul said in Colossians 1:9-10, 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God Filled with, and growing in, the knowledge of God Why - So we can live a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work

9 Add to your Faith Goodness What is Goodness? Virtue Moral excellence Integrity Righteousness - what is right and good in God s eyes Obedience to what God requires When Jesus was teaching his disciples about the vine and the branches, and abiding in relationship with him, he said You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14

10 Jazzy Obedience Training

11 Add to your Faith Goodness Jesus said, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 We know that there is a trend in our society of moral decay. How much greater the light of goodness or moral excellence when the normal light level is low. Don t curse the darkness light a candle! Live with goodness to the core of who you are a life of godly integrity with no compromise.

12 Everything We Need to Live Right Add to your Faith Knowledge Goodness Do you have a saving faith in your life today an alive relationship with Jesus? If no, today is the day of grace and salvation. If yes, are you putting effort into adding knowledge and goodness? It is an effective effort? Pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, Help me take another next step in the right direction of growing in relationship with you. Change me, mold me, use me; I submit myself to your will and your way.