Equipped by Grace - Growing Strong in Christ

- Good morning, church. If you would please open your Bibles again to 2 Peter chapter one, 2 Peter chapter one. While you are turning to 2 Peter chapter one in your Bibles, let me say a few opening remarks this morning. First, it's a must that I say thank you to Pastor Chris, even in his absence this morning, for the opportunity to preach this Lord's day. And for our pastor at this time, I know collectively our church is with him and his family through the loss of his mother. It sort of reminds me of what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 34, 18.

The psalmist writes, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted." While the shepherd family is going through things at this time, it reminded me of a conversation that I had with Pastor Chris just a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about death. And his comment to me was, "You know, Travis, death is terrible." And it really is. It's such a real reminder of our fallen nature. It is such a real reminder of our desperate need for rescue. So this morning and in the days to come, please continue to pray that God's peace and comfort surrounds the shepherd family, but even maybe more so on this mother's day today.

Thank you, Keith and the worship team and the children this morning for leading us in worship. Man, that was pretty awesome. And such a blessing, such a blessing to sing songs of truth, but even more so to hear our children to see our children, even though maybe they were a little muted, we may need to get those vocals turned up a little bit next time, but just such a blessing to hear our children, God's children, singing songs of truth this morning. Thank you for doing that. It's always a blessing, it truly is.

And I say this every time I am up here, but I am especially grateful this morning and always to Pastor Chris, Brother Keith, the elders of the church, Tommy and Jared for consistently honoring the pulpit, consistently honoring the preaching and teaching of God's word. For those of you that are visiting this morning, this emphasis, the preaching and teaching of God's word, this commitment and dedication is truly at the heart of everything we do at Grace Life Church of Brookhaven. It is at the center of the very core, the preaching of God's word is the hub of the wheel.

And you gentlemen set an incredible example for us to follow, and I'm very thankful for you. And that is why it is so humbling this morning to be standing here delivering God's word. Leading up to today, my prayer has been that God would use this word this morning to equip, encourage the saints and to maybe convict and challenge those that maybe he is calling and drawing to himself this very day. Today is a special day, not just because it is the Lord's day, but today we also pause to recognize and give thanks for mothers, the women who in countless seen and unseen ways reflect care, reflect sacrifice, represent steadfast love.

I know for me and probably for many of us, we think of our own mothers. When we think of them, we think of consistency, of patience, of a love that shows up again and again, again and again, again and again. In a very real sense, what we see in those moments is not just human effort, but evidence of God's grace at work. Because as we come to our passage this morning, 2 Peter chapter one verses three through 11, we are reminded of something that is very foundational, something that is very foundational. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

In other words, the life of virtue, the life of love, the life of perseverance that we are called to is not something we produce on our own. It is something God supplies in full to us through His grace, through His grace. This should anchor us this morning, Church. Any goodness we see, whether it is in a mother's faithful love, her endurance, her gentleness, it is not ultimately rooted in human strength, but in God's sovereign work. It is His divine power that enables growth in virtue, growth in knowledge, growth in self-control, growth in steadfastness, growth in godliness, growth in brotherly affection, and ultimately growth in love.

So today as we honor mothers, which let me remind you is very pleasing to our heavenly Father, we do more than celebrate them. We should recognize the evidence of God's grace in their lives, and we're reminded that the same grace at work in them is available to all of us in Christ. A grace that not only saves, but shapes us, and calls us to grow intentionally in these qualities. That's where Peter takes us in this passage. He challenges not just to admire these virtues, but to pursue them diligently as those who have already been given everything we need in Christ.

So this morning right now, let's read our passage and begin to dive into God's word this morning. 2 Peter chapter one, verses three through 11, reading from the ESV English Standard Version, starting in verse three. His divine power has granted to us all things, or you may see everything as translated in the LSB and NASB. His divine power has granted to us all things, or everything, that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness. And steadfastness with godliness. And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Verse eight, for if these qualities are yours, and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective, or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind. Having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way, there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let me open the sermon this morning by giving you the title of the message.

The title of this morning's message is Equipped by Grace, Growing Strong in Christ. Equipped by grace, growing strong in Christ. And if I'm being honest with you this morning, I had put together an initial framework or outline of a sermon covering these verses and thought I would be able to get through verses three through seven, and then maybe eight through 11. But the more I unpacked what we had here, this morning we will only be concentrating on verses three and four. Verses three and four, it's just impossible to work through all of this in one message.

So, focusing this morning on verses three and four, we are going to establish a few key truths from the verses and take some time to go both deep and wide so we can fully grasp the picture and its full impact. This morning I don't really wanna spend much time on the broader context of this letter. Many of you have studied Bibles or resources that can help unpack what's going on here in 2 Peter. But at a very high level, it is important to note that this letter was written during a time of significant persecution.

Nero, who was just a nasty man, was emperor of Rome during this time, and many Christians were facing extreme persecution under his rule. Additionally, the presence of false teachers who were putting pressure on the churches to depart from the true knowledge of Christ presented both a theological challenge as well as a moral challenge. So Peter takes this opportunity to teach or remind his audience that the grace of God in Christ, the grace of God in Christ truly transforms and empowers Christians to live righteously, even in the face of difficulty, or persecution, or opposition. Let me say that again.

Peter takes this opportunity to teach or remind his audience that the grace of God in Christ truly transforms and empowers Christians to live righteously, even in the face of difficulty, persecution, or opposition. Let's begin this morning by looking at verses three and four from 2 Peter chapter one. This is where we will find our first truth this morning. Truth number one, God has equipped us. God has equipped us. 2 Peter chapter one verses three and four. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

Through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises. So that through them, you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires. So right away, Peter punches with something that is absolutely foundational to our faith, something that is fundamental to a proper Christian perspective. God is the source, not man. God is the source, not man. Verse three begins with his divine power. Whose divine power? Church, his divine power. God's divine power.

See, this statement establishes a proper understanding of God's position versus man's position. It's God's divine power. He is the source. His divine power emphasizes God's sovereign initiative. Everything needed for life and godliness originates from him, from God. It certainly does not originate from human effort. Listen to John 15.5, John 15.5. Jesus says this, "I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing." Jesus says, "Apart from him, we can do nothing." This word nothing in John 15.5, the original Greek word translated here is a word, uden.

This word literally means nothing, not even one thing, absolutely nothing. You get the picture? See, Jesus is making an absolute statement, an absolute statement. He is not saying you can do less. He's not saying you can do little or even very little. He is saying you can do nothing. Nothing. It speaks directly to our inability apart from grace. We can do nothing apart from him and his grace. And Peter is reminding us of this truth right out the gate. It is his divine power, not our divine power. See, it is him. It is God who equips us and it is all of grace, grace. See, this sort of grace is both saving and sustaining.

Or in other words, the same power that saves us also sanctifies us. We are not only justified by grace, but we are continually upheld and grown by that same power. Ephesians 2, eight through 10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.

For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Or how about Philippians 1, six, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Hear this this morning, church, it is God's grace. It is God's power. It is not merely available to us. His grace and power is not merely available to us, it is effectual. It is effectual. It always accomplishes what he intends. His divine power, church, is effectual. Now think about this.

His divine power, that type of power, his divine power has granted to us all things or everything. Peter is speaking or reminding of complete provision in Christ. Granted to us all things points to the sufficiency of Christ. The sufficiency of Christ. Church, this morning as a born again believer, you lack nothing. You lack nothing. Nothing necessary for spiritual life is lacking. Nothing is lacking. His, God's divine power has granted to us everything. Think about Colossians chapter two verses nine and 10. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily and you have been filled with him who is the head of all rule and authority.

God's divine power has been granted through our union with Christ. His divine power flows to us through our union with Christ. And we now as born again believers share in his life, share in his righteousness, share in his strength. Divine power has granted to us all things. All things are everything depending on the translation you are looking at this morning. That word is translated as everything without exception. Everything without exception. In other words, it literally means everything. As believers, we have all we need to grow in grace. All we need to grow in Christ likeness. All we need to daily live out the Christ life.

So if that is true this morning, church let me ask you a question. Why is it that we so frequently return to the empty wells of worldly wisdom? Listen to Jeremiah 2 13. For my people have committed two evils. They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Those broken cisterns that the prophet spoke of, why do we go back? Why do we so often do this when the boundless riches of God's perfect wisdom in Christ are freely available to us through His Spirit? In other words, if every saint has everything, they need to live the godly life. Why are so few living it?

I believe according to how the Spirit has helped me understand this Word, that God's goal in granting to us all things by His divine power, the goal of God is not to provide comfort or ease. But instead, the goal of God in this is conformity to Christ. The goal is to produce holiness and Christ-like character. Peter says in verse three that God's divine power has granted to us all things or everything that pertains to life and godliness. Life and godliness. Life here refers to spiritual life. Spiritual life is the new life a believer receives by grace through faith in Christ.

It certainly encompasses eternal life, but also the quality of life that begins now in this very moment today, which is marked by a genuine relationship with God. It's a newly defined mission and purpose and a transformation that can only come about by the new birth. Godliness refers to a life that reflects reverence for God. A life that is guided by moral integrity. It's about living in a way that honors God, being shaped by His character and His will for you. When you consider the two life and godliness, it can be summarized this way.

Together, life and godliness means God has given believers everything they need to live a spiritually full life and to grow in Christ, likeness. Life and godliness. God has given believers everything they need to live a spiritually full life and to grow in Christ, likeness. This provision comes through knowing Christ and being empowered by His divine nature. Remember this morning, church, He is the source. The end of verse three further illustrates and emphasizes God as the source. As born again believers, we are grounded in God's knowledge and calling.

This divine power that has granted to us all things comes by or through the knowledge of Him. This is a relational knowledge or knowing that is initiated by God's call. Think about what Jesus said in John 17.3. John 17.3. And this is eternal life that they know you. The only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent see the type of knowledge that Peter is referring to here in verse three does not exist at surface level. It has to go deep. It must be intimate. Let me try and provide an example that came to mind of this type of knowing that Peter is referring to.

There was a time in my life when I was an adamant New Orleans Saints fan, any Saints fans in the room. Yeah, they're not doing too good as of late. I, we, my mom, our family, we suffered through some horrendous seasons, sort of like the last few years. But we were lucky enough to see or experience their most significant period of sustained success in franchise history. And Drew Brees was certainly at the center of this success for them.

There was a time when I could rattle off all of his accomplishments, career passing yards, 5,000 yard passing seasons, touchdowns per season, all pro selections, pro bowl nominations, Super Bowl championships, you get the point. All that knowledge about him, it sort of makes you feel like you know him. But the truth is, if I saw Drew Brees in public, he would not know me from the next fan. Even if I could rattle off all his accomplishments, he wouldn't know me. And honestly, I don't know him. I just know some things about him. There is no relationship. There is no knowledge like Peter writes about in verse three in that Drew Brees example.

Now let me give you another example. This God man named Jesus, the Christ. God's one and only begotten son, born of a virgin. He was one who taught with authority. He lived his life in perfect obedience to his father. He was murdered and died on a cross. He rose from the grave. He ascended to heaven where he is seated right now at the right hand of the father. You know all these things. I'm sure if you're sitting in here this morning about Jesus, right? But do you know him? Do you know this Jesus? Like literally, know Him. Remember John 17.3, and this is eternal life. That they know you. The only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Do you know Him? Or is it more like Matthew 7? Verses 21 through 23. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name? See, we know about you. We even did work for you. Verse 23, "And then will I declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." See, that's what Peter is talking about in 2 Peter 1, verse 3. This knowledge of Him quoting John Piper.

The Christian faith, and I quote, "The Christian faith is not merely a set of doctrines to be accepted. It is a power to be experienced. It is a tragic thing to ask people if they know the Lord and have them start listing the things they believe about the Lord." Brothers and sisters, believing things about Jesus Christ will save no one. The devils are the most orthodox believers under heaven. It is divine power that saves. If the power of God does not flow into your life and make you godly, you are not in Christ. End quote. So this morning, church, sir, man, family, friends, how's your knowledge this morning?

After all, He is the one that calls. And if He is calling you to know Him, I beg you this morning to know Him. And say yes. 2 Peter 1, verse 3, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence." The church you see when He calls, what He calls us to, He calls us to His own glory and excellence. How do we understand the phrase His own glory and excellence this morning? How do we exposit His own glory and excellence this morning? I'll give you two words that will completely sum it up. The cross. The cross.

See, the glory of Christ is seen in His willingness to suffer for sinners. His moral excellence shines brightest at Calvary. The glory of Christ is seen in His willingness to suffer for sinners. And His moral excellence shines brightest at Calvary. His glory, His excellence, the cross. Look at verse 4. We'll try and speed it up here. Look at verse 4. "By which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires." This verse, verse 4, offers a powerful foundation for resilience.

That powerful foundation is God's promises. God's promises. Let's kind of look at some of this here. We'll look at three truths from verse 4 that are all centered around this foundation, the foundation of God's promises. The first truth, remember the source of the promises. God's promises are described, Peter describes them as precious and very great. I believe they are described this way because they come from His divine nature. You see how all of this begins to tie together. His divine nature is unchanging. His divine nature is faithful. His divine nature is powerful.

Because of this, we can trust that His promises are not based on our strength. Instead, they are based on His character. His character. Promises in this context refers to a declaration to do something with implication of obligation to carry out what is stated. Let me say that again. Promises refer to a declaration to do something with implication of obligation to carry out what is stated. See, all of that means, you know what all of that means? It means this. All of God's promises are certain. Are certain. And they are as dependable as His unchanging character. While people often make promises they fail to keep.

Or maybe I'm just telling on myself this morning. God never does. God never does, church. The reliability of His promises rest in His omnipotence. Because He is all-powerful, He is fully able to accomplish everything He wills. And everything He has spoken. These are unshakable truths that you can confidently build your life upon. Spurgeon says this regarding these precious and magnificent promises. Quoting Spurgeon, "If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the winepress.

If you will tread them, the juice will flow." The second truth we see here. Cling to the promises as a pathway to transformation. Cling to the promises as a pathway to transformation. Peter says that through these promises, we become partakers of the divine nature. This means God's promises are not just comforting words. They are actually active agents of transformation. Active agents of transformation. Again, quoting John Piper, John Piper says this, and I quote, "Day by day, go to the Word of God and search for great promises. Fix one or two in your mind and hold them there before you all day.

And use them to overcome temptation to sin and to incite you to do daring acts of righteousness and love." End quote. See, God's promises are active agents of transformation. That is why Peter says the promises of God are precious and very great. When we cling to them, they provide us with a trustworthy escape route. An escape route that leads us from the sin and lust that surrounds us in this world, and not only do they provide us an escape route, these promises also allow us to become partakers of the divine nature. Partakers of the divine nature.

Listen, when we are challenged, when we are tempted, when we are hurting, when we are struggling, we must lean into His precious and very great promises. "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13.5. "All things work together for good," Romans 8.28. "My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Corinthians 12.9. Let me read you 2 Corinthians 3.18. Paul writes, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is Spirit." Think on Christ. Know His promises. Cling to them.

See, we actually have a role in this if you want to become a partaker. He is the source, but we have responsibility. We should not be passive. See, a partaker is one who fellowships and shares something in common with another. He or she takes part in something with someone else. Are you taking part in God's promises this morning? If you are, you are being changed. You are being changed. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 13.9, you are being changed, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3.18, you will be changed, active transformation from one degree of glory to another. Truth number three. Use the promises to escape corruption.

Use the promises to escape corruption. In verse 4, Peter contrasts God's promises with the corruption of the world when faith is under pressure. Worldly desires and fears can seem more real than God's truth. Remember the brief context we provided earlier. The false teachers. Nero. These believers were under persecution and severe pressure. His promises helped them. Just like they help us. They helped them to resist temptation, resist pressure, and to live in the freedom of Christ.

So church, this morning when we are tempted to give up or give in, we should recall the promises that God offers us because it would help us to have an eternal perspective. See, that is exactly what Peter did. And I believe when you really peel the onion back here, when you peel the layers back, I believe Peter was specifically referring to the promises he preached at Pentecost in Acts 2. He was leaning on those specific promises, reminding his audience of them. Here are some of those promises we see Peter preaching and proclaiming in Acts 2. Some of the promises he was reminding his audience to lean on and pull strength from.

The first one we see the promise of the Holy Spirit. We see this preached in Acts 2, 16 through 21, verse 33 and verses 38 and 39. Acts 2, verse 39. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off. Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself. That promise is the promise of the Holy Spirit. We see the fulfillment of God pouring out His Spirit on His people. The next promise we see Peter proclaiming or preaching in Acts 2, we see the promise of salvation through Christ. We see this in Acts 2, verse 21 and verses 36 through 38.

Peter preached, "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." See, Christ crucified and risen is both Lord and Messiah. And salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, grounded in the finished work of Christ. We see Peter preaching the promise of forgiveness of sins. Acts 2, verse 38. "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins." Forgiveness is fully secured in the atonement that Christ provided. We see the promise of God's covenant faithfulness preached by Peter in Acts 2, verses 25 through 31 and 34 and 35. Peter declared that God fulfills what He has spoken because God's covenant promises are sure.

That is what He's reminding His audience of here. We see Peter preach the promise of effectual calling in Acts 2, verse 39. Peter proclaimed, "Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself." This is not just a general invitation, but God's effective or effectual call that brings sinners to salvation. We see Peter preaching in Acts 2, the promise of a Spirit-formed, Christ-centered community, or what we would call the church. Acts 2, verses 41 through 47. We see this. It's a Spirit-formed, Christ-centered community devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

See, at Pentecost, Peter declares that in Christ, God has fulfilled His promises to save His people, forgive their sins, give them His Spirit, and call them effectually into a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered community. Fast forward to 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 4. Peter is reminding his audience that the promises of Acts 2, they are true. They are great. And they are precious. They have been granted to his audience. They have been granted to us. And by them, we become partakers of the divine nature. And now through them, we have escaped the corruption that is in the world.

John MacArthur said, and I quote, "Having escaped depicts a successful flight from danger. In this case, the effects of one's fallen nature, the sinfulness of the decaying world, and its final destruction." As I begin to work toward closing this morning, let me ask you a closing question. Have you escaped? Have you escaped, church? See, this sort of great escape is only made possible by the great rescue of Christ. Remember, the cross - the cross - His glory. The cross - His excellence. The cross is our escape. Church, this Lord's Day, God has provided everything you need. Everything. And I can confidently say that because of the cross.

If God is revealing to you knowledge of Him who calls this morning, if God is showing you that it is time to cling to His promises, if God is providing you an escape from this world's corruption this morning, say yes. Say yes to God. Say yes to the glory and excellence of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Run to Him and receive His divine power. Say yes. Trust Him as Savior. Allow Him to be Lord. Even better, know Him as Lord. Know Him as Lord this morning, church, for your good and for His glory. Let's pray this morning. Father God in the great and powerful name of Jesus.