First Baptist Church of New Holland PA

2 PETER 1:3-4 – FULLY EQUIPPED!

FINISHING WELL – STUDIES IN 2 PETER #2

When we moved into our new double-wide 6 ½ years ago, with the addition of a washer, dryer, and microwave, it was fully equipped. It came with

• Hot and cold running water
• Heat and Air Conditioning
• Electric, lights, and electric outlets
• 2 full bathrooms
• Stove, refrigerator, and dish washer
• Closets and cabinets

If you buy a new car, the dealer will often state that it is fully equipped. That means it has more bells and whistles than you need.

Buy a smart phone or a computer that’s fully equipped and it will be loaded with features that makes it smarter than we’ll ever be.

It makes sense to think that if God does a work in your life to forgive your sins and make you qualified for Heaven, that He will fully equip you to live for Him and to serve Him well.

The Apostle Peter was writing to anyone who had “obtained like precious faith” as he. All come to faith through the righteousness of “our God and Savior Jesus Christ”.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 3:16

God began to pour out grace and peace to us at the moment of our decision to trust Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1

Peter’s wish for his hearers was that God would multiply grace and peace to them through an increasing knowledge of God the Father and God the Son.

Peter was writing his Epistle because the early church already had false teachers in abundance. Peter wanted each believer to live a Christian Life that was worthy of their Lord who saved them. God, and therefore Peter, wanted every Christian to finish well. 2 Peter 3:18 sums it up well.

Now if God wants you to finish well, and He does, He will fully equip you to finish well! In fact, if you are a true Christ-follower, you already have all you need. You just need to learn how to use it and actually use it. That’s what we will learn in the rest of 2 Peter.

Amazing Gift – ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,

• Divine Power – Revelation 1:8, 5:12, 7:12
• Life – John 1:1-5, John 3:16, John 10:10, 10:27-30
• Godliness – 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 5:22-23

Abundant Graces – through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,

• You know Him who called us, by His own glory and virtue. We began knowing Him at salvation. We answered His Call.
• We must strive to know Him because He has called us to know Him. John 15:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
• We have the promises of God at our disposal! 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 15:4

Achievable Goal – that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

• The moment you trusted Christ you became a partaker of the divine nature. The Spirit of God dwells in you. This does not make you God.
• You will achieve this goal when you see Christ face to face. 1 John 3:1-3, Revelation 1:6-7
• For now, the goal is to progressively become more like Jesus and finish well. God has equipped us to do so. Next time, we’ll begin to learn how!

FOLLOW-UP READINGS FOR THIS SERMON

• Monday – 1 Corinthians 1:26-30
• Tuesday – 1 John 1:1-10                                       
• Wednesday – Philippians 3:12-21 
• Thursday – Psalm 19 
• Friday – 1 John 2:28-3:3