The Precious Gifts Of God

Steven McCrary

Interaction With The World • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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“...all things that pertain unto life and godliness...”

2 Peter 1:1-4

This is motivational. All that we do when we come in contact with the world will depend on how we apply what Peter gives us here. Let’s be conscious of the gifts we are given as Christians and put them to the LORD’s use.

“...like precious faith...” (1)

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ” Matthew 16:17,18; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Jas. 1:1; Jude 1

Contrast – 1 Peter, he calls himself just “Peter”, but here “Simon Peter”. Jesus called him by both names at different times (Matthew 16:17,18).

Peter considers himself to be a “servant” of Jesus. Servant, THEN Apostle. Important distinction, and one that shouldn't be lost on us. Similar to Paul (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10), James (Jas. 1:1), and Jude (Jude 1:1).

“to those who have obtained like precious faith with us” 1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 13:45-46

How is faith obtained?

obtained - “to receive by divine allotment” - this is a God-given faith.

1 Peter 1:7 also describes it as “precious” - communicating the value of this faith. The “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:45-46)

Thus, faith is not something I build for myself; the personal faith that we share as Christians is a gift from God.

“through the righteousness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ” Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 11:6; John 6:44-45; Matt. 7:7; Luke 11:9

Is this the same righteousness of Romans 3:21-26? The Greek matches.

God gives us faith as a gift through His righteousness. He gives us what He wants us to have.

Hebrews 11:6 – if we “must have faith”, it follows that He will provide it.

John 6:44-45 - If we have faith, it is through Him.

Not a different or subjective faith, but a faith that is an open gift to all who ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7; Luke 11:9)

“Grace and peace” (2)

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you”

No peace without grace, and no grace without peace!

In a cultural and social sense, this might be simply wishing his audience well, an important thing in the face of the trials to come.

In a deeper sense, the connection of these two to knowledge shows us how they are to come about.

“through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” 1 Timothy 4:12-16

knowledge - “precise and correct knowledge” (Thayer's) or “full discernment” (Strong's)

Not just simply a passing understanding – it implies deep thought and meditation.

This is what is often lacking in modern bible reading; we get it done for the day, then go on to the next thing.

1 Timothy 4:12-16 - Knowing God often relegated to just absorbing more Bible knowledge. Meditation and absorption are necessary!

“all things” (3)

“according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” 1 Samuel 15:17; 2 Samuel 12:7-9; Isaiah 5:1-7; John 10:10

To doubt that we have “all things” is to doubt the divine power that is in God, the Father and the Son.

We have everything we need – just like Saul (1 Samuel 15:17), David (2 Samuel 12:7-9), and Israel in general (Isaiah 5:1-7).

Life – meaning, the spiritual life that we have in Christ (John 10:10).

godliness – being like God; holiness.

Yet, we keep asking for more, and expecting more. Many want a “fresh start” for Man, though God has already provided that fresh start.

There is nothing lacking in what God has given us. To doubt this is to doubt Him.

“through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue” John 17:3

We receive all of our gifts through this knowledge of Him. Again, not a passing understanding or simple mental assent; a deep, contemplative knowledge.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

It is the nature and person of the Father that draws us to know Him; and that knowledge gives us the way to eternal life with Him.

“Partakers of the Divine Nature” (4)

“through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises” Ephesians 1:13-14

These promises are either given through a)God's “glory and virtue” or b)”all things that pertain to life and godliness” - either way, we receive them through the source – God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 – here, the seal of the Holy Spirit is the way these promises are proven to us. Essentially, the record given by God in the Scriptures.

“so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature” Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 5:7

By/through these promises, we are partakers.

Genesis 1:26 - “...let us make man in our image...”

We were meant to be like this from the beginning. Through these promises, the proper relation between God and Man is restored.

If we are to be partakers with the divine nature, that means that we are NOT to be partakers with sin (Eph. 5:7)!

“having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” 1 John 2:15-17

Christians have ESCAPED that corruption. Meaning, they are no longer corrupted.

This is the problem with Christians constantly calling themselves “Sinners” - if we are sinners, we are corrupted!

The origin of that corruption is brought to mind – lust. This is the cornerstone of all corruption (1 John 2:15-17).

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