I mentioned at the end of my message that I would post my notes and the quote that I used at the end. Here they are… such as they are. Kind of rough. If you were not there they may not make much sense. If you were there they may trigger you to remember.
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Have you experienced His divine power in your life? Rescued, forgive, peace. I see evidence of God’s power all around this room.
Where do you get this divine power from? Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation… It takes power to raise the dead to life. You were dead. Maybe you ARE dead.
Is there a way to tell if you have experienced His divine power in your life? Zoe (vitality, fullness of life) and godliness (Piper: godliness means a love for the things of God and a walk in the ways of God.)
When Peter says that we have everything that we need – what does he mean by everything? Greek – EVERYTHING!.False teachers..trying to add on.
If we have everything, why do we seek to find satisfaction by filling our lives with other things? Jeremiah 2:13 :
13 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Game we play with youth group. Fill up a tub that leaks.
If God is not enough – then all the stuff that you add won’t matter. Broken Cisterns
How does Peter say we are to find the life that is truly life? Knowledge of Him. Not $$, fame, drugs, success, relationships.
How is it that we attain knowledge of Him? Ex Linda and I. Dating… engaged (knew her enough to want to marry her). Learned how much I didn’t know her when we got married. But… know her a LOT better – because of conversations, shared experiences, doing life together.
How do you know that you are one of the ones that God has called? Have you responded to His call? Lazerus!
Why is it significant that God called us “by His own glory and goodness?” Respond to God’s call because of who He is and what we know about Him. Glory. Goodness. 2 examples: 1) Girls – you get a call from a guy… Tori.
What did Peter think about God’s Word and His promises to us? Great and precious
What is your attitude toward the Word of God? Psalm 19, Psalm 119 – or read your verses for the day, done your duty, now expect God to do His.
How do you develop this kind of love for God’s Word that Peter had and that David had? Understand a few things:
1) A Living Word (Heb 4:12) God’s Word to you – not just a 2000+ year old manuscript.
2) A Life-changing Word (2 Tim 3:15-16) Able to make you wise for salvation and for sanctification.
How does God’s Word enable us to become more like Him (participate in the divine nature)? Teaches, encourages, convicts. “Sin will keep you from God’s Word OR God’s Word will keep you from sin.”
How has the world been corrupted?
What are some of the evil desires of your heart?
Where do these evil desires come from?
Piper sums up this section with some practical thoughts…
“Notice that corruption comes by lust which means that the battle against corruption is fought on the field of our desires or passions. Sin makes its attack by holding out promises to us for our happiness… And sin will always win the battle unless we have the luscious carrot of God’s promises hanging clearly in front of our noses. Unless we enter our day armed with one or two precious and very great promises we will be utterly vulnerable to temptation. But if we hold before our eyes the astonishing things God has promised us now and in the life to come, his divine power will be present and we will escape corruption and be conformed to the image of his Son. Therefore I urge you: search this book for the promises of God and hang them like a carrot in front of your eyes so that they lure you away from sin and toward the likeness of God.”
Bonus Illustration:
Corrie ten Boom and her family had a special secret that helped them get through their difficult days under Hitler’s regime. The family members would quietly ask each other, “What do you have in your shoe, Mama?” “What do you have in your shoe, Daddy? “What do you have in your shoe, Betsy?” The answer—precious portions of Scripture that they had torn from their Bible. They were literally standing on the promises of God!