“Are You Sure You Are Saved?” 2 Peter 1:10-11 Purpose: to discern with certainty your state of salvation! 1. Know where you stand! We are commanded to make certain of our state of being in this life. 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; Who is doing the action here? both God and us What does this look like? This is an antinomy not a paradox! Paradox is a self-contradictory or false proposition. In a paradox, one statement must be false Antinomy, theologically, is an apparent contradiction between two statements, both obtained by correct reasoning. In an antinomy, both statements are true 2. Practice what you preach! In true salvation, our fruit will cause us to _persevere_ through this life. 2 Peter 1:10b for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; Who is doing the action here? we are What does this look like? 1 Peter 2:9 Philippians 2:12 “¦ work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 3. Trust God into Eternity! Following the first two points, ensures us entrance into the eternal kingdom 2 Peter 1:11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Who is doing the action here? God is What does this look like? 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The Necessity of Living a Godly Life 2 Peter 1:8-9 Purpose: To exalt the Christian’s necessity of living a Godly Life 1. What a Godly Life Looks Like 2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Peter 1:14-16 Useless and fruitless? OR Useful and fruitful? True knowledge is not just “head knowledge,” but is about living in and for Jesus Christ 2. What a Godly Life Doesn’t Look Like 2 Peter 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. See 2 Peter 2:20-22 Seeing and pure? OR Blind and forgetful?
The Chain Reaction of Kingdom Virtues 2 Peter 1:5-7 Purpose: having received true Faith in God, to live it out to the fullest! 1. God Triggers the Kingdom Virtues Chain Reaction 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also”¦ 2. We Contribute to the Kingdom Virtues Chain Reaction 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply. . . 3. God’s Holy People Living Out His Kingdom Virtues 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. Faith _____________________________________________ Moral Excellence _____________________________________________ Knowledge _____________________________________________ Self-Control _____________________________________________ Patience _____________________________________________ Godliness _____________________________________________ Brotherly Kindness _____________________________________________ Love _____________________________________________
God Has Given Us Everything We Need! (Part I) 2 Peter 1:1-4 Purpose: God has Given us everything we need to know Him and live for Him 1. God Gives Us Himself 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; Written by whom for who? The Apostle Peter for receivers of the faith How does Peter describe himself here? a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ What kind of faith? same kind as ours How do we get it? “have received” & “by the righteousness of Jesus Christ” Who is Jesus? our God & Savior Define the word “knowledge” of God and of Jesus our Lord 2. God Gives Us Everything for Life and Godliness 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Who “granted” to whom, what? to us everything pertaining to life and godliness “Through” what? the true knowledge of Him who called us How were we called? by His own glory and excellence 3. God Gives Us His Precious Promises 2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Again He “granted” something. What? precious and magnificent promises Why? to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped corruption
God Has Given Us Everything We Need! (Part I) 2 Peter 1:1-4 Purpose: God has Given us everything we need to know Him and live for Him 1. God Gives Us Himself 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; Written by whom for who? The Apostle Peter for receivers of the faith How does Peter describe himself here? a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ What kind of faith? same kind as ours How do we get it? “have received” & “by the righteousness of Jesus Christ” Who is Jesus? our God & Savior Define the word “knowledge” of God and of Jesus our Lord 2. God Gives Us Everything for Life and Godliness 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Who “granted” to whom, what? to us everything pertaining to life and godliness “Through” what? the true knowledge of Him who called us How were we called? by His own glory and excellence 3. God Gives Us His Precious Promises 2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Again He “granted” something. What? precious and magnificent promises Why? to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped corruption
Being the Body of Christ for the World 1. God’s Ministry, God’s Way Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. 2. God’s Power to Save 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 God’s Wisdom & Power is Greater Than Man’s 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 The Gospel Defined, Christ Crucified and Risen 3. God’s Mission Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:45-47 John 20:21 Acts 1:8 Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” Revelation 7:9-12 4. FBC Exists to Glorify Christ in “¦ Worship Discipleship Mission
Turning the Church Inside Out Purpose: to be strong inside for God’s glory outside 1st Base Believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:8-13) Be Baptized (Acts 2:38) Join a Biblical New Testament Church (1 Corinthians 12:13) 2nd Base Jesus bids disciples, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19; 19:21; Luke 9:23; John 10:27) Grow by Scripture (Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:1) 3rd Base Serve In and With the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:10-13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) Home Run Go (John 20:21; Matt. 28:18-20)
Spiritual Gifts in the Church 1 Corinthians 12-14 Purpose: to rediscover God’s reason why He gave us spiritual gifts 1. God, Giver of Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, 18, 24, 18 From the same God, different gifts 2. God’s Gifts, What For? 1 Corinthians 12:7, 25 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 12, 19, 26 To edify the body, to build up one another, for growing in faith and obedience to Christ 3. Engaging Our Gifts How they work together, as one, like a body 1 Corinthians 12:14-23 How NOT to use our gifts 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 & cf. 14:9-12, 13-19, 26-40 How TO use our gifts 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 & cf. 14:40 Love FIRST, then use your gifts 1 Corinthians 14:1 So that we can glorify Christ in Worship, Discipleship, and Mission together!
Why Join a church? Purpose: to rediscover and recommit to Jesus Christ’s covenant community 1. Baptism: The Sign of Knowing Christ and His People Romans 6 2. Biblical Body Language How the Bible describes individual Christians as being part of a local body or church Romans 12:4-5 Members of One Another 1 Corinthians 12 3. Why Join? Biblical reasons for joining a church From Don Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines Within The Church (Moody Publishers, 1996) 1. You prove that you’re not ashamed to identify with Christ or His people. 2. You stop being an independent Christian. 3. You participate in a stronger, more unified effort of God’s people. 4. You have a greater opportunity to use your spiritual gift. 5. You openly demonstrate the reality of the body of Christ. 6. You participate in a more balanced ministry. 7. You demonstrate your commitment “to the proper working of each individual part.” 8. You encourage new believers in commitment to the local body of Christ. 9. You encourage a ministry when you consider it faithful and join it. In order to Glorify Christ in Worship, Discipleship, and Mission!
Glorifying Christ in Mission Purpose: for FBC to exalt Jesus Christ as Savior of the Nations 1. The State of the Lost Romans 1 2. The LORD’s Vision Isaiah 11:9b Habakkuk 2:14 3. The King Is Alive! A Closer Look at the Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:15-16 Luke 24:45-47 John 20:21 Acts 1:8 4. “Go” Means Go! King Jesus’ Command is for His Church to GO to the Nations with His Gospel 5. Our FBC Plan Romans 10:14-17 Romans 15:20
Glorifying Christ in Discipleship John chapters 13-20 Purpose: Jesus sends His disciples on God’s Mission to bring salvation to the world Jesus on Discipleship (from the Gospel of John) 1. The Holy Spirit Gives New Birth (Jn. 3:3-8) 2. The Passover/Lord’s Supper (Jn. 13) 3. Untroubled by the World and its Persecutions (Jn. 14:1) 4. Prayer in His Name (Jn. 14:13; 15:7) 5. Prayer to Jesus and to the Father (Jn. 14:13-14) 6. The Holy Spirit Reminds Us of All of Jesus’ Teachings (Jn. 14:26) 7. The Trinity Works for Us (Jn. 14:16-17) 8. The Trinity Dwells Within Us (Jn. 14:16, 23) 9. Compelled by love of Jesus to Obey His commands (Jn.14:15, 23-24) 10. Abiding in Jesus’ Word, Bearing Fruit with Joy (Jn. 15:1-11) 11. Love One Another Like Jesus Did (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17) 12. Not of this World & Persecuted like Jesus was Persecuted (Jn. 15:20) 13. Holy Spirit guides Us to All Truth & Glorifies Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:3) 14. Eternal Joy in Jesus Drives Disciples Through Worldly Grief (Jn. 16:22) 15. Jesus Overcame the World for Our Peace and Courage (Jn. 16:33) 16. God the Son Praying to God the Father for His Disciples (Jn. 17) 17. Jesus’ Arrest and Trial (Jn. 18) 18. Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial (Jn. 19) 19. Jesus is Alive, Jesus Sends Us Too! (Jn. 20:21) John’s Great Commission Account See: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-47
Glorifying Christ in Worship Malachi & John 4 Purpose: to glorify God in Jesus Christ as the only One worthy of worship 1. Glorifying YHWH in the OT ““ Malachi 1:1-5 The LORD’s love for Israel 1:6-2:9 Restoring YWHW Worship in the Leaders of God’s People 2:10-17 Restoring YHWH Worship in the Family 3:1-7 The PURIFIER 3:8-12 Restoring YHWH Worship in Tithing 3:13-15 Restoring YHWH Worship in Speech 3:16-18 YHWH’s Own Possession (see Titus 2:11-15) 4:1-6 The Righteous and the Wicked 2. Glorifying Christ in the NT ““ John 4:1-30 4:1-6 The Context 4:7-14 The Invitation 4:15-20 The Confrontation 4:21-26 The Revelation: Jesus is Messiah, Worship God in Spirit & Truth 4:27-30 The Mission: A Woman’s Life Changes