GROWING IN CHRIST: MOVING ON FROM THE BEGINNING (2 Peter 1:1-15) Perseverance 8-14-22

GROWING IN CHRIST: MOVING ON FROM THE BEGINNING (2 Peter 1:1-15) Perseverance  8-14-22

 

Faith is just the beginning.  

 

Goodness is a good next step.

 

Knowledge is basic to the spiritual life.

 

Self-control - an oxymoron

 

 “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. 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. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.”

                              2 Peter 1:3-15 NIV

 

I.  FAITH AND GOODNESS AND KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-CONTROL

 

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control;”

                              2 Peter 1:5-6a NIV

 

               A.  Faith

                              1.  Belief

                              2.  Trust

        B.  Goodness

                              1.  Virtue

                              2.  Action

      C.  Knowledge

                              1.  What we know

                              2.  What we need to remember

               D.  Self-control

                            1.  Control of passions

                        2.  Discipline in life

 

II.  PERSEVERANCE

 

 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;”

                              2 Peter 1:5-6b NIV

 

Perseverance

 

When all the world is looming dark

And things seem not so clear,

When shadows seem to hover ’round

Lord, may I persevere.

When it seems everything’s been tried

And there’s no way to go,

Just let me keep remembering

Sometimes the journey’s slow.

I may just need to stop and rest

Along the path I trod,

A time to try to understand

And have my talk with God.

As I gain new strength to carry on

Without a doubt or fear,

Somehow I know things will be right,

And so, I persevere.

                              By Anne Stortz

 

from Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul

Copyright 1999 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

 

       A.  Continued difficulty

 

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

                              John 16:33 NIV

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”

                              Acts 14:21-22 NIV

 

“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

                             1 Peter 2:20b-21 NIV

 

       B.  Continued effort

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

                              James 1:2-4 NIV

 

Are you ready for a baseball trivia question? Who is Clint Courtney? If you’re unsure, don’t bother requesting the answer from Cooperstown, N.Y. Clint never came close to making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, it’s very doubtful that his picture appeared on any bubble gum cards. This guy wasn’t a legend in his own time -- not even in his own mind. He was only a memory maker for his family, and a few die-hard fans who were inspired by his tremendous fortitude.

 

Clint played catcher for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1950s. During his career he earned the nickname of Scrap Iron, implying that he was hard, weathered, tough. Old Scrap broke no records -- only bones. He had little power or speed on the base paths. As for grace and style, he made the easiest play look rather difficult. But armed with mitt and mask, Scrap Iron never flinched from any challenge.

 

Batters often missed the ball and caught his shin. Their foul tips nipped his elbow. Runners fiercely plowed into him, spikes first, as he defended home plate. Though often doubled over in agony, and flattened in a heap of dust, Clint Courtney never quit. Invariably, he’d slowly get up, shake off the dust, punch the pocket of his mitt once, twice, and nod to his pitcher to throw another one.

 

The game would go on and Courtney with it -- scarred, bruised, clutching his arm in pain, but determined to continue. He resembled a POW with tape, splints, braces, and other kinds of paraphernalia that wounded people wear. Some made fun of him -- calling him a masochist. Insane. Others remember him as a true champion, because he persevered.

 

III.  EVERY EFFORT

 

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.”

                              2 Peter 1:10a NIV

 

               A.  Every effort

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

                              Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

 

There is the story of the late great American golfer, William Ben Hogan (1912 - 1997), whose car was hit by a bus - an accident which left him laying by the roadside wounded! A great career was ended, or so people thought! It was doubtful if he would ever walk again, let alone play golf! However, as soon as possible, he got braces and began to swing his golf clubs. It was a painful process; however, he kept on swinging and later came back to win both the United States Open and the British Open championships!

 

              B.  Calling

 

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                             2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NIV

              

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

                             1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV

 

            C.  Election

 

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

                              John 15:16 NIV

 

“We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us.”

                              R.C. Sproul

 

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                             2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NIV

 

CONCLUSION

 

Faith, goodness, knowledge, and self-control; perseverance; every effort.

 

CHALLENGE

 

What will you do with what you have just heard?  How will you respond to the Holy Spirit working within you?  The Challenge is intended to give us an opportunity to contemplate what God is calling us to do in our lives.  Consider these questions and write down your answers.  

 

               1.  Which trait is your strongest - goodness, knowledge, self-control, or perseverance?

               2.  How have you persevered spiritually?

              3.  Where do you need to persevere more?

               4.  What have you learned from perseverance?

               5.  Have you made “every effort”?

 

INVITATION

 

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.