PURSUING VIRTUE / Sunday School- November 22, 2009 Unifying Topic: A FAITHFUL PEOPLE Lesson Text I. Everything We Need (2 Peter 1:3-4) II. Growing Faith (2 Peter 1:5-9) III. Sure Of Salvation (2 Peter 1:10-15) The Main Thought: 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. (2Pt.4:19, KJV). Unifying Principle: We all have faith in something or someone, but we often find it difficult to develop this faith. How can we support and strengthen a growing and effective faith? Peter s second letter teaches that goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection, and love all undergird a growing faith. In Acts, we see the example of Philip, a faithful follower who led others to Jesus. Lesson Aim: To help students appreciate that Jesus gives us everything we need. Life aim: To teach how Christians can live faithfully in this life, enjoying all the rich, spiritual blessings Jesus has given them, building daily on the foundation of their faith, and being sure of their salvation in Christ. 1:3 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: 1:4 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. 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 1:8 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. 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. HISTORY: 1 Peter Chapter 5: Peter stresses his right to be heard. He was an elder. He was a witness of Jesus death and was to be a partaker of Jesus glory. Peter gives some great life lessons that he learned: Life lessons learned from the Shepherd; Life lessons from the Apron; Life lessons from a Lion; and Life lessons learned from True Grace. Peter exhorted the elders in the churches to shepherd the flock of God. Life lessons learned from the Shepherd (v1-4) Peter was an eye-witness of Christ s suffering. He had tasted a little of the glory of heaven. He knew that Christ was the Savior of the world. Therefore, he was willing to serve and bear anything, no matter how severe the suffering. He knew that the glory of heaven was worth bearing anything, no matter how terrible. Being an elder, he was to take up the task of a Shepherd and feed the flock! The word feed * is an inclusive (broad) word that covers all the duties of the minister. It means not only to preach and teach the Word of God, but to tend and shepherd the flock. It s Gods flock! The shepherd is limited, remembering that he s God s under-shepherd. He is to do his ministry willingly with the right motive, not because he has a job to do. And so if a pastor or elder is saying, "Why should I have to watch the sheep again? Why are there so many church services? I'd rather stay home and watch TV," then he's not going to be shepherding well. In that case, he's just a hireling. A hireling doesn't care about the sheep. It's all about the paycheck.
NOTE: *Many have been called to feed the flock but they refuse. Why? Some felt unworthy and inadequate. Some felt it would cost them too much. Some felt it required too much sacrifice. Some did not want to bear the reproach of the ministry. Some felt the demands and duties and expectations were too much to bear. A good shepherd is supposed to be feeding the sheep, not feeding on the sheep! And of course who knew this better than Peter? Jesus had told him face to face, John 21:15... Tend My lambs. John 21:16... Shepherd My sheep. John 21:17... Tend My sheep." Therefore, one has to do the ministry of shepherding with enthusiasm and devoted zeal. Doing something under compulsion means "necessary, having to be compelled." Doing it "voluntarily" means to be done of your own free will eagerly. Shepherds must lead by example lead, not drive the sheep. He does not demand respect from those under his authority, but win their respect through love and example. An example to the flock means something that they can imitate, meaning, when I mess up, that I set the example of being quick to repent. He is the Shepherd s shepherd. God is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14), the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20), and the Chief Shepherd (1Pt. 5:4), but He has also entrusted the job of under-shepherd to some men, who we call elders and pastors. Their job description is clear: Shepherd the flock.the shepherd will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. By crown *is meant, rule and reign, the assignment of heavenly service for Christ. NOTE: *There are five crowns available to us as rewards in heaven: The Crown of Incorruption (1 Cor. 9:24-25) "Incorruptible Victor's Crown" those who strive for mastery and is temperate in all things. Can one who never has victory over temptation, can one who falls at every sin that comes along their way, can one like that - a Christian who never has victory in his life - can that person receive the victor's crown? The Crown of Rejoicing (1Th 2:17-19) "Soul Winner's Crown" -those who lead people to salvation and disciple them. Can one who never leads a soul to Christ, can one who never plucked an enslaved one from the burning, who never saved a soul from hell, can one like that receive the crown of rejoicing, the soul winner's crown? The Crown of Righteousness (2Ti 4:5-8) those who love His appearing; expecting the Lord s coming at any time, and live with that in mind. Can one who never thinks about the Lord's return and only lives for down here, and never talks about it, never enthuses about it, never looks for His return - every day looking out the window and thinking 'Lord, perhaps today?' - can one like that receive the crown of righteousness? The Crown of Life (James 1:12; Rev.2:10) "Martyr's Crown" those who endure to the end. Can one who never suffers for Jesus Christ receive a reward like unto the crown of life in heaven? The Crown of Glory (1Pt.5:2-4) "Shepherd s Crown; Pastor s Crown" those who feed the flock and take oversight of it. Can the shepherds who never feed the flock, who never feed them the Word of God, who never tend [them] but beat them, who never care for them, can a shepherd like that receive the crown of glory? Now Peter opens up his instruction beyond the elders. Young men, who have a tendency to be rebellious in their youth, are reminded to be subject to the elders. Life lessons from the Apron (v5-7) This is a great passage on humility. First, be subject to the elders or ministers. It takes a deliberate decision to subject to someone else. All believers are to acknowledge, respect, and honor one another, all because of who each one is and because of the gift God has given each one of us. We must also be clothed with humility. The phrase clothed means to gird oneself with an apron. It is the picture of what Jesus did in the upper room when He girded Himself with an apron and assumed the role of a servant and washed the feet of the disciples. And when He finished, He said, Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Second, be subject to one another and be clothed with humility. The believer may have a high position, power, wealth, fame, and much more; but he is to carry himself in a spirit of lowliness and submission. He is to deny himself for the sake of Christ and in order to help others. For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble 1 Pt.5:5.The humble person shall bear the fruit of God s in this life. In addition, the humble person has the full assurance of being looked after by God. Third, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God Jh.13:13-15. There are three reasons for this: 1. God is to be feared. 2. He is going to exalt the humble. 3. God cares for us. We cast our cares upon Him because we know He cares for us. Casting, is a decisive act, and means to take the load we ve been carrying and literally throw it to Jesus! Whether you worry or don t worry, it is the Lord who must care for you! Life lessons from a Lion (v8-10) Peter says, "be of sober spirit, be on the alert vigilant." The believer must constantly watch for and resist the devil. As we read Peter's writings we found that he learned from his mistakes. As a matter of fact, Jesus had warned Peter (remembers what it was like when he was unprepared when Satan was on his prowl?), Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat Luke 22:31. Peter didn't realize how dangerous the devil was. But now he does, and he tells us this: The devil is your adversary. He is as a roaring lion seeking to devour all whom he can. The word devil (diabolos) comes from diaballo ("to bring charges, falsely"). He accuses us before God. He wants us to lose. He wants nothing less than the death penalty for us. And like a prosecuting attorney, he is prowling around, investigating us, looking for weaknesses. Don t let your weakness be anger, bitterness, unforgiveness etc. We are told in James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. It has become common knowledge that if you encounter a lion in the wilderness, you must not turn your back on it or run away. You are to keep eye contact with it - face it down. The devil is as a lion who actively wants to devour you. So, how can you wage warfare against him? Much the same way: Stand firm and resist him. The word resist literally means "refuse to give in to; to make a stand opposite to; stand firm against." How do you practically resist the devil? Make a stand in opposition to him. He is a liar (John 8:44) - you be a person of truth (2Cor. 13:8). He wants to destroy (John 10:10) - you build up (Rom. 14:19) He is an accuser - you refuse to gossip (1Tim. 3:11). He sows bad seed (Matt. 13:39) - you sow good seed (Gal. 6:7). He puts people into bondage (Luke 13:16) - you give them freedom (Gal. 5:1). He is a hinderer of ministry (1Thes. 2:9) - you be a facilitator of ministry (Rom. 16:1- He wants to kill (John 8:44) - you must walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). He wants to steal (John 10:10) - you be a giver (Eph. 4:8). He wants you to be unequally yoked (2Cor. 6:14-16) - you choose not to tie yourself to a relationship with an unbeliever (2Cor. 6:17). He tempts people (Luke 4:2) - you help them choose to do good (Heb. 10:24). He is an oppressor (Acts 10:38) - you be a servant (Mark 9:35). He takes the word away from people's hearts (Luke 8:12) - you put the Word in their hearts (Rom. 2). 10:17). The believers of Peter s day were suffering terrible attacks from Satan attacks that had broken out in severe persecution, and many were faithfully resisting the devil, standing steadfast in their faith. Therefore, their example encourages others. Life lessons learned from True Grace (v10-14) Two great resources are mentioned: His grace and His call to eternal glory. Everything that God does for the believer is because of His grace. Grace means favor. God Himself becomes actively involved in taking care of the believer, in keeping and preserving, and taking the believer to heaven. God does four things for the believer. 1. God Himself uses the believer s suffering to perfect the believer. The word perfect (katartisei) means to make firm or join together; to restore. 2. God Himself uses the believer s sufferings to stablish the believer. The word stablish (sterixei) means to make steadfast, firm, and solid. 3. God Himself will strengthen us, make strong.
4. God Himself will settle us. The word settle (themeliosei) means to secure as in a foundation; to ground with security. The Will of God will never lead you where the Grace of God cannot keep you." However, We pray for lighter burdens when we ought to pray for stronger backs. We pray for an easier path when we ought to pray for tougher feet. We pray for fewer problems when we ought to pray for better solutions. God has called us to eternal glory. He wants us in heaven with Him, free from all the sin, dirt, filth, evil, corruption, disease, and death of this world. The glorious truth is; God s grace and God s call to eternal glory will keep us though all the sufferings of this life. No matter how much Satan attacks us, no matter how severe the suffering because He is gracious to us; He has favored us; because He has called us to His eternal glory, HE WILL KEEP US! In 1 Pt.5:11 Peter breaks forth with praise. This is a doxology, an exclamation of praise. God assures our salvation, despite all our sins, failures, shortcomings, weaknesses, and frailties. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. This is the final greeting of the letter. Peter has completed his exhortations and is about to close his letter. It is now time to send the greetings from those with him (Silas, Peter himself, the church at Babylon, and Mark). Peter ends his epistle (letter) with a benediction, and some personal greetings. He sends it through the courtesy of Silvanus (Silas), whom he called a faithful brother. He testifies that this is the True Grace of God in which he stands. Peter discovered that God s grace was adequate for him, and he wanted the church to know that God s grace would sustain them as well. In conclusion, Peter stresses two significant points. 1. Greet one another with a kiss of love an act of unity and brotherhood to be reminded they did not stand alone, they would be encouraged by the expression of one s brotherly love. 2. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus Amen. Peter closed his letter with a blessing of peace, just as he had opened the letter (1 Peter 1:2). It's as if he wants to emphasize from beginning to end that despite the fact that his readers will be sorely tested and experiencing even "fiery" trials, they could know that the peace of God was always available, always accessible to them while standing. 2 Peter 1:1-2 This epistle was apparently sent to the same believers who had received 1 Peter. Remember, they were scattered all throughout Asia, written in Rome. The purpose: to combat and warn the church against false teachers and false doctrine. Three things are true of the apostle Peter: 1. He belongs to the One who has sent him out. 2. He is commissioned to be sent out. 3. He possesses all the authority and power of the One who has sent him out. Peter s aim is to stabilize Christians. Peter's first statement about himself in this letter is that he is a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. His first step in this stabilization process is to establish in position of one who voluntarily chooses to serve; an apostle one who is sent out, a delegate, a messenger. His second step in this stabilization process is to establish for life in the hearts and minds of these saints the fact that the gospel they have received, believed, lived, and shared with others is the genuine, original, authentic apostolic gospel. In verse 2 Peter mentions specifically the gracious benefits of grace and peace. The effect of receiving God's grace is a state of peace. And so we see that the Biblical order is always grace and then peace. Grace (charis) the undeserved favor and blessings of God. And note that Jesus Christ multiplies grace and peace. He gives an abundance; he causes overflow; no lack. How can a person be always overflowing with the grace and peace of God? Through the true knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. We have to know God in order to receive the grace and peace of God. What does it mean to know God? The word knowledge (epignosei) means full, personal, precise, and correct knowledge. You gain the knowledge of God through the Spirit, who dwells in you, and brings to your remembrance everything that God has said in His Word. He interprets and explains the spiritual truth of God, giving you the true knowledge of Him. Man deserves nothing from God except judgment, condemnation, and punishment. But God is love and makes it possible for man to experience His grace, in particular the favor and blessings of salvation which
is in His Son, Jesus Christ. Peace (eirene) be bound, joined, and woven together. The believer's "peace" in one sense is independent of our circumstances because it is a divine "fruit" brought forth in a life yielded to the control of the Holy Spirit. The better we know God, the more we experience grace and peace. Peace does not mean the absence of pain or absence of conflict or absence of testing times. But divine peace, the peace that the Spirit gives, does mean that in our pain, in our conflicts, in our testing times, we can have genuine inner peace (our soul at "rest)." 2Peter 1:3-4: Everything We Need In the true knowledge of Him, God has given us everything we need for this life* and for godliness. First, life is the energy, the force, and power of being. God longs for man to live, to have abundance of life; therefore He gives all things that will make a person overflow with life. Second, godliness is living like God and being a godly person, just as our God. The word godliness (euseberian) actually means to live in the reverence and awe of God; to be conscious of God s presence, that one lives just as God would live, as if He were walking upon the earth; live seeking to be like God; seek to possess the very character, nature, and behavior of God. NOTE: *Life does not come from man himself. Man dies and in the process of dying, he experiences all kinds of trial and sufferings. Life comes from the One who has the power to stop the process of death and to deliver us from death. No man has such power. And Peter says, divine power has been granted to us. Who is "us"? Verse 3: The us is not just anyone. It is only those who embrace His Son. Not everyone is a child of God. Why did God give these" precious and magnificent promises"? He gave them in order that by them, you might become partakers of the divine nature."god places within the heart of the believer His own divine nature and makes him a new creature and a new man. Then, having become partakers of the "divine nature," one who has been born again enters the spiritual state of "... having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. How can we survive in a corrupt world and remain faithful to our wonderful Lord? We must rely on Christ's divine power; and we must rely on Christ's divine nature. Paul summed it all up when he wrote in (Gal. 2:20), "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me. He has given us the promise and the purpose. 2Peter 1:5-9: Growing Faith As Peter continues, he covers seven great things (qualities and virtues) which are a progressive list to be in the life of the believer. If you miss any of those steps, you will not be able to get to the next place on the list. And that's why Peter says "applying all diligence and add to." In other words, he's telling and charging them! The word add (epichoregein) means in addition to God s great salvation right along side of what God has done add these things. (V5-7) Add them with diligence hasten, jump, act now, don t wait, be energetic and earnest, strenuously work to add these things to your faith and salvation as you progress and mature. The starting point on the list is Faith First, you must come to Jesus Christ by faith that unseen part that God has worked through Jesus Christ to bring about newness in us. It now must become a dynamic catalyst that will result in good works and spiritual maturity that minister fruitfulness. Now you must add: 1. Virtue which is moral excellence, goodness of character, moral strength and moral courage. 2. Knowledge which is practical intelligence, practical insight. 3. Temperance which is master and control of the body or the flesh, self-control. 4. Patience which is endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, constancy, perseverance. 5. Godliness which means to live in the reverence and awe of God, devotion and piety to God. 6. Brotherly kindness which is a love between brothers and sisters. The word used for love is phileo which means deep-seated affection and care, deep and warm feelings, holding near and dear within the heart 7. Love (agape) goes beyond just our fellow believers. It is for the entire world. Loves regardless of feelings.
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 v8. The word abound (pleonazonta) means to increase and grow, to overflow and be filled with more and more, ever learning how to increase these things in our lives. In other words, do not be satisfied with your life as it is; with present growth; with staying where you are spiritually; with just knowing Jesus. We will be the opposite of verse 9, rather: We will not be barren nor unfruitful; We will not be blind and shortsighted; We will not forget that we have been cleansed from our sins; 2Peter 1:10-15: Sure Of Salvation Peter wants to rouse the complacent believer. He urges his readers to confirm their calling and election sure, not by memory. We will not fall We will be given eternal life and more We cannot be sure of our calling and election if we have not been purged from our former sin. We have to continue on in these things. Unfortunately, this progression is not a one-way street. You can also go backwards. You can forget your purification and regress. Some people had godliness at one time, but sin caused them to abandon it. Many exercised self-control for a time, but then gave up on it. Peter considers these things to be very important: He is always going to preach, teach, repeat, and remind them of the importance of these things. He is going to stir believers to do them as long as he lives is in this tabernacle the tent of his body. He was going to make arrangements with those left behind to teach these things after his death. POINT: Salvation is to know Christ as the Son of God, who was sent to earth by the Father to save the world. We are not to look upon Christ as a mere man, as a great religious leader who founded the religion of Christianity. The person looks upon Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is the person who in turn surrenders totally to Christ as his Lord; that comes to know Christ, day by day, experiencing the overflow of the Lord s Grace and Life abundantly. This is the power of Christ the power to save us from death and to give us Life and godliness the power that can stop death and give us Life and Peace. SUMMARY: This is Peter s second letter. The lesson tells us that God has given us everything we need for spiritual growth. Believers are called to put forth an effort to grow in God s Word. He tells us that to build our faith, we need to practice it more and more every day. We need to practice all these virtues that Peter lists: faith that is, trusting in God s providence when things get tough; virtue courage in the face of adversity; knowledge a deeper appreciation of who God is, who we are, and what the difference is; temperance self-control; a restraining of our desires and passions to come into line with Scripture; patience steadfastness with others who really grind on our nerves; godliness an awareness of the presence of God around you; brotherly kindness, and love. These are our exercises that we should practice daily; chase after, and pursue, so that we can build upon our faith. Peter says he will continue to remind them, and he wants them to remember that the divine power of God that is prepared to give us all things is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. It also means always choosing the excellent way. APPLICATION: Everything we need for life and godliness comes from God. We will have to pursue while asking God for the spiritual growth we need. Pursue while praying, pursue while reading, and it will come to pass. While we add to, God increases. Maturity will come!