Truth Revealed 2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 24 Remember

Verses- 2 Peter 1:12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.

Remember the Truth

As we continue to understand Peter’s message he is very intent on establishing truth in the life of his readers. He had been given the charge by Jesus Christ to pass along what he had learned, seen and be taught by our savior. In a quick time false teachers and doctrines started appearing. People were denying the resurrection. People we questioning the authority of the teachings of the apostles. People were listening to some very popular and persuasive speakers. There were theological challenges by the Jews and influx of pagan worship with Christian teaching.

Peter realized his life was soon going to end and it was important for the churches to remember what he had taught them as truth upon which the foundation of their faith is placed.

What thing that is basic is remember, remember, remember what you have been taught and pass on what I have received to others. Keep truth on the forefront of your minds.

God had established important ways for the people of Israel to remember the works of God in their lives. They were called holidays. Not only were they to pass on to the next generation the stories of God, but more than that they were to participate in feasts and festivals and holidays as special times for worship and remembering.

Last week our nation officially set aside Martin Luther King Holiday as a reminder of his challenges to our nation regarding civil rights and the important Biblical truth that all men are created equal in the eyes of God. We all have value and are not to discriminate on the basis of skin, race, and national origin.

We remember to express love to those we care about on Valentine’s Day. We have a Holiday called Easter to celebrate and remember the greats of the all events, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our nation wants us to remember the importance of Mothers in our lies, the freedoms of our country on the 4th of July. Thanksgiving reminds us of the grace of God in the midst of our forefathers coming to a land and experiencing the death and poverty of he journey for freedom. All of these holidays are designed to make us stop and remember important people, events or blessings. And Jesus instituted the celebration of Communion, the Lord’s Supper to remember the cost for our salvation, the death of Jesus Christ for our sins.

All through the old and new testament certain things were done and certain steps were taken to insure that god’s people would remember god’s promises, god’s miracles or certain events from their past. God knew that by remembering their past, they would be better equipped for their future. That’s why Peter wrote that the message and truths that have been bedrock of your faith that Peter passed on to them must be a constant reminder. We meet each Sunday to remind ourselves of truths many of which we already know, but celebrate and affirm the foundation by the teaching of the Word of God.

The qualities and characteristics that are to mark a Christian, as we discussed last week, are to also be continually remembered because circumstances of life cause us to forget to easily. False teaching and doctrines cause us to doubt the truth. People will influence us in ways that cause us to depart from the ways of the Lord.

Daily devotions and prayer and reading of the Word of God become today important ways to remember truth since so much of the world bombards us with messages that teach the opposite.

What are you doing to keep remembering? Hymns, songs, memory verses and fellowship of the believers are also important ways to keep on keeping on.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 25

Verses- 2 Peter 1:13-15
13 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.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.


Truth According to Jesus

Throughout the Old Testament God made his authority and His word known through specially chosen prophets. A true spokesman of God speaks the words of God- no more and no less. Peter had a personal knowledge of Christ and was eyewitness to the truth. Jesus told Peter to pass it on feed his sheep and tend his lambs, meaning give the truth to my followers. From the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on Peter and the disciples he went in the power and the authority of the Almighty willing and ready to die at anytime. He was excited that God would use him to speak truth.

What is Peter’s tactic for spreading the message to the people? Tell it well and tell it often. Those that know it need to be firmly established in the truth.

Peter had a responsibility before God to take the words and teachings of Jesus and pass them on in the world so people can be saved and those who are might live in following Christ, not traditions, not experiences, not opinions, but truth as it had been revealed by the son of God.

It is good to remember the truth but which truth? Everyone says they teach truth. Since Peter realized his time on earth was short, he was more zealous that Jesus be lifted up. He was more committed to passing on that which he received from Christ himself. Don't forget the benefit of being a believer. Don't forget your responsibility. But into practice with God's power those 7 qualities that bring joy and growth in your spiritual life. He wants them to learn to stand strong against false teaches and wait with hope for the Lord's coming.

I was visiting with Pastor John Hoeldtke, who will be with us this coming Sunday. He was telling the story of another pastor who was being criticized for his 30 minute sermons. In our culture and day people are used to entertainment and attention spans are shorter due to the dependency on fast moving media. Increasingly the churches are thinking of ways to make the gospel relevant in our culture. I just watched a controversial preview of a Doritos ad for the Super bowl of a pastor exchanging the elements of communion from the bread and wine to Doritos and pepsi because it gets more people into church. It was a parody on the church today which says, “Have it your way.”

The basis of any message must be evaluated through the teachings of Christ as revealed now in the Bible which is what the apostles passed on. and having church that appeals to their individuals tastes. The critic was saying the church should have only 10 minute sermonettes with lots of music. Hoeldtke’s response was “sermonettes for Christianettes.” Shallow sermons for shallow Christians

There is nothing legalistically more pious for a two hour sermon, over a 30 minute sermon, over a 10 minutes sermon. What is being taught? Is it truth from Christ, or something that is people pleasing? Of course teachings for children or for older adults in a nursing home needs to be adapted to their attention spans. But truth from above is so limited in our world. One desires to take the opportunities as they are available to show them Jesus.

Peter's time was short and so is ours. Jesus told him in John 21 the type of death he was to die. It would be by crucifixion. Peter was told it would be soon. What would you do if you knew you only had just a few weeks or months to live? How would your life be different toward God. Peter was looking forward and acknowledging death as transition from one stage to another, an exit of this world is passage into the next. His only desire earthly was to keep before the people the truth of God, Gods authority is proclaimed by his servants.

"All that we have done will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 26 Truth Revealed

Verses 2 Peter 1:16-18
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.


Truth Revealed

Peter has an unbelievable experience that for him affirmed everything that Jesus was teaching. Jesus is God's son. He is the revelation of the Divine power. He had an earthly glimpse of the remarkable evidence of the afterlife when he, with James and John, were up on the Mountain of Transfiguration. What Peter is telling them is not any clearly invented story or fable or fiction. It is a miracle from God. When he saw Elijah and Moses and Jesus on that Mountain he didn't want to leave and suggested they build a tabernacle there and stay there.

People will try to use cleverly invented stories about Jesus to explain away truth. False teachings abound. I read a book called the Passover Plot which was popular a number of years ago consisting of a theory by Hugh Schonfield, a liberal theologian. He concocted an idea how the death and resurrection of Jesus could have been a hoax by his disciples. He went into much detail explaining that Jesus read the Scriptures and sought to carry out events from of its prophecies since he was already born in Bethlehem.

Schonfield asserted Jesus was crazy believing he was God but also worked out an elaborate hoax knowing he was going to go to the cross. The disciples, according to his theory, mixed a concoction of drugs and placed it in the vinegar without the soldiers knowing it. When he was given a drink he would swoon causing the body functions to slow way down and seem dead like. But after a period of 24 hours he would revive to normalcy again.

Joseph and Nicodemus were part of the plot when they buried him in the sepulcher. The swoon theory then proposes that he didn't really die but only appeared to be dead so the disciples came to rescue Jesus while the soldiers were asleep.

As ridiculous as that sounds, there are people who 1,000s of years later say, O that must be the way it happened. Only because they couldn’t believe the real story they invented fables. In Peter’s day there were lots of fables invented by the Jews explaining away the facts of Christ.

Peter says "I didn't invent it, The truth I am sharing I received from the authority of Jesus Christ, God son, and there were three of us on the mountain during the holy Transfiguration when God's voice came from heaven and said, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him."

I remember a deacon in my former church would say often "a man with an experience has it all over a man with an argument.”

I had the privilege of going back to Olivet Baptist for their 50th Anniversary. It was great encouragement to talk with men and women who were kids when I worked with them and see what God has been doing in their lives. One of the highlights was a man who was a junior in High school when I left. He told me he met the Lord in a real way 5 years ago. He fought God and gave me all the arguments why he shouldn't trust the Lord. He was into pornography and rebellious spirit as a high schooler. He thanked me for my faithfulness and indicated that with all the arguments and attitudes he through at me, the thing he couldn't deny was there was something there in the relationships.

God met him in a dramatic way 5 years ago. What life change even noticed in his face. That authority doesn't come by convincing arguments; it comes by turning ones heart over to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Nobody was going to convince Peter of anything because the truth of Jesus was confirmed by, His life, his miracles, his death his resurrection and even the announcement with the heavenly voice on the mountain. The joy of the heavenly visitation surpassed all the worldly pleasures and atoned for all the earth appeal in as far as Peter was concerned.

There are some who have a dramatic experience at their salvation, or sometime later in their life. It is often a life changing moment. But there are others who like the whisper of wind on the Mountain with Elijah that realize the revelation of God is there in a less dramatic manner, but truth none the less. Jesus is revealed as the way the truth and the life. Listening to their stories is an encouragement of God’s work of grace.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 27 Truth revealed in Scriptures

Verse 1 Peter 1:19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Truth as Founded on Scriptures

One foggy night at sea the captain of a ship saw lights of another ship heading toward him. He had his signalman send the message. "Change your course 10 degrees to the South."

The reply came- "Change your course 10 degrees to the North”.

Upset the captain returned a message, "I am a captain! You change your course 10 to the South.”

He was surprised when the message came back, “I am a seaman first class -change your course 10 t the North.”

Upset the captain sent this response, “I am a battle ship, change your course 10 to the South.”

The last message was, “.. and I am a lighthouse, change your course North".

There are certain situations regardless of your rank nor importance you don't argue. There are standards by which everything else is judged. For the ships it is the lighthouse; for travelers in the woods it is the compass. Searching for absolute truth in a society that says there is no absolute truth, one can only find it in the revelation of God. God is truth and one day truth will be totally revealed. That day will be the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter didn't need anyone to argue about what was true. He had been with the Lord and witnessed first hand not only his power, but also authority. He came to realize that all God said was wrapped up in the authority of His Son Jesus Christ, who is the lighthouse of our faith. He wants his reader to be established in this truth.

Peter began to reminding us of the privileges that are ours as followers of Jesus. We talked a couple of weeks ago about practices that are important to mature in our faith and get to know Christ better. Now he affirms what is said is true.

When I read this I am surprised that even through people talk about experiences and revelations from God, even though Peter had a marvelous vision on the mountain top, even though he had been with the Christ, there is something that Peter pointed out as more certain than a supernatural experience. What can be more certain than experience? Note this: Scripture. This became the bottom line for Peter.

What I am telling you is true because first it is revealed to me as an eyewitness, secondly God sent his Son Jesus who authenticated the revelation and rose on the third day. If you don't believe that then look at the Bible and see from the prophets of Old who they were pointing to. The more you study the Bible the more you have data that was written up to 2,000 years early revealed in Jesus Christ. Now therefore because you can go to the Bible and see what has happened, you can also go to the Bible and see what is going to happen.

I never cease to be amazed at the tabloid headlines each time I pass the check out stands at the grocery store. They are unbelievable. Recent headlines reported that Abraham Lincoln had been resuscitated for nearly a minute. Headlines claiming that Elvis Presley is still alive or a woman had a baby with a monkeys head rival other sensational headlines. The stories are so ludicrous no one believes them. We know better than to suppose such journalism should be taken seriously.

Biblical revelation may seem similar in that it too may be hard to believe. We read of God's miraculous intervention in the lives of men, of promises of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of God all which seem too good to be true. Yet Biblical truth is radically different from tabloid truth because it is always true in the past, in the present, and in the future. Biblical truth is the basis for life and godliness; it is meant to be believed and acted upon by faith.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 28 Truth revealed by the Holy Spirit

Verses- 1 Peter 1: 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Truth revealed by the Holy Spirit

The apostles were convinced of the adequacy and authority of the Scriptures, including the Scriptures which came through their hands under the inspiration and control of the Holy Spirit. As our Lord approached the end of His earthly ministry, He began to emphasize the crucial role of the Scriptures. As Peter and Paul approached the day of their departure, they too began to emphasize the importance of the Scriptures to those whom they would leave behind.

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." We need to remind ourselves of the word and memorized it review it reread it often for then it becomes part of our lives. Then sin will take a back seat. Someone said, “The dirtier these pages become, the cleaner your life will become.” The reverse is also true. People who love sin are not very interested in the Bible because they are confronted with the fact all is not right with God. They want to ignore him and his authority, but you cannot. People who do not want truth but chose to live in their own wisdom and sin will not be interested in studying the Bible.

When we see the Old Testament prophecies unveiled we see how the Holy Spirit put on the hearts of men words they didn’t quite understand for their day and age. It was revealed much later how these verses pointed to the coming of the Messiah. Likewise, we have a path that points to the return of Jesus Christ. We may not understand the details and to try to persuade others to our view of the details can be counter productive to the main truth repeated often, be prepared. Have your heart ready and your hands working, for the Holy Spirit confirms this in how we should live our lives when He works in and through us, and the importance of sharing the gospel and truth to our society. Take your Bible and chart your course for life.

Jesus explained to the disciples the Scriptures with the new understanding after his revelation of who He was and how the Scriptures fit together in the larger picture of redemption. Peter is pointing them also to the word to confirm what he is saying.

Does the Bible say it? Then believe it. Have you heard a new teaching? Then check it out by the Word. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction and use this as the final authority all of its revelation. Don't take a verse here and verse there and twist it into making say what you want it to say. Read it in the context, as much as possible the culture to which it was originally read, but most importantly with the preparation of the Spirit seeking to pray that he will open your eyes to what is there before us, in the teaching that is clear and plain and repeated. Don't get bogged down with what is isolated, unclear and confusing passages. Believe strongly what is clearly and plainly revealed and if someone gives you another doctrine do not believe it. David says, "The word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." This is a wonder book 40 writers, 1500 years, 1 authority.

The Constitution of the United States of America has been radically "rewritten," not by the writing of a new constitution per se but by a radical interpretation of the old. The same thing happens to the Scriptures when men with twisted minds try to grapple with the "straight and narrow" of God's Word. At times, the distortion of divine truth may be unwitting since the unbelieving cannot and will not receive divine truth. But some actually distort the Scriptures deliberately. Peter warns his readers against such things. If the Scriptures are to be interpreted correctly, they must be interpreted consistent with their origin and nature. Two essential elements of biblical interpretation are addressed in these verses.

(1) Biblical interpretation is not a "private" matter. That which attracts some people to certain interpretations is the very uniqueness of the interpretation. Peter warns us that uniqueness should serve as a red flag rather than an attraction. Think of it. How was biblical prophecy revealed? It has been revealed through a diverse group of men over a number of centuries. Peter has already indicated that these prophets did not even fully understand their own writings. If God's prophetic Word was revealed to a number of men, then how can its interpretation be "private property," the exclusive possession of one man? Biblical prophecy is hard to understand.

There are many things over which Bible students disagree. We should be most confident about those matters with which a large number of saints agree, not just the saints of our age but those who have grappled with the Scriptures over the centuries of the history of the church. I would much rather embrace the interpretation for which godly men suffered and died than the new and novel interpretations which give men prominence and prosperity.

(2) Biblical interpretation can only be achieved through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Prophets did not originate prophecy; they were instruments of the Holy Spirit who used them to speak from God. Prophecy does not begin with man's will but with God's will. Thus, the interpretation of prophecy must not be subject to man's will. Conversely, man's will must be subject to the Scriptures, as the Spirit of God makes their meaning clear.

Remember, God is speaking and He tells us all we need to know. It's up to us to listen. Someone said, "In Gods works we see his hand; in the Word we see His face." That is one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Dale

Quality Christians -2 Peter 1:5-11

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 16 Quality Christians

Verses-

2 Pet 1:5-11

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

8 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.

9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(NIV)

Quality Christians

A man was driving on a country road when he notice a chicken running beside his car. He sped up and so did the chicken. As he went faster the chicken went faster until they both were going 80 MPH. Then the chicken makes a quick right in to a farm yard. The man went to the farmer to inquire about this amazing four legged chicken. "It’s a new bred I'm going to get rich selling drumsticks" How do they taste?" "I don't know. Haven't been able to catch one yet."

Many times we plan something and it doesn't work out the way we planed. We might be unaware of facts that are important to consider.

Last week we began devotions from 2nd Peter. He reminded the Gentile believers of privileges that were theirs as children of God. In addition to faith, and grace and peace they experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of God and the promises that are ours for all eternity. All of this comes from God because of his righteousness and active love. God has provided all we need for our salvation and sanctification. We are now destined to become partakers of the divine nature.

But maybe there is a factor that we have missed or overlooked in this process. We might wonder if God has made me a Rolls Royce how come I still feel like a pair of roller skates? There seems to be things missing in my life.

Like a benefactor who pays our way for college it is purchased, but it isn't doing us much good unless we study and prepare and be diligent in apply what that gift represents. I have seen so many defeated Christians because they are not using the qualities needed for further and deeper knowledge of God. There is something more than simply increasing our “intellectual" knowledge of Jesus Christ! Peter is talking about growing in a full and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ! This is what is described in the passage we want to study this week.

What makes a Quality Christian? Several characteristics identify maturity, but it is not stagnant. There are daily challenges that with time begin to allow the light of Jesus shine in us.

As you look at the list in the above passage what character traits do you sense needs work in your life at this time. Pray that you will grow in knowledge and power provided to look and act more like Jesus from within, not just on the outside.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 18 Growth

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 5-7 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

A quality Christian is committed to Growth

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith certain qualities. For what very reason? The reason that is mentioned in vs. four, "He has given us very great and precious promises so we can participate in the divine nature and escape corruption in the world."

Because God has given to us Himself, His power, His Holy Spirit now don't just sit there. Get growing! And now in case you don't get it, Peter is saying the Christian life is going to take some effort. It will take diligence; it will take work on our part to keep growing. Where do we begin? With faith. After faith what's next?

He mentions 7 things to add to your very precious faith. I comment on some today and some tomorrow. The first character quality mentioned is goodness. KJV says virtue. NAS says moral excellence. In other words be work at being moral in a bold an courageous manner. Stand up for what is right. When people all around us say, "it really doesn't make any difference how you live", realize that is not what God's word teaches. It does make a difference how you live. There is a responsibility to live our lives different than non Christians live their lives.

In the day in which Peter is writing there was tremendous persecutions. Christians needed courage to do what is right even if we have to pay for it. To the Jewish people being a Christian was regarded as renegade, an apostate, unpatriotic, and profane. To the Greek people a Christian was regarded as a fool and fanatic. There are many in our culture who think its a good thing to go to church, but lets not go overboard in lifestyle. To live with goodness means living morally pure; it means not cheating on tests, it means not to lie to make sales, it means to be a person of integrity. It means to be moral and do what is good and right.

Secondly he mentions knowledge. This means practical knowledge, not just facts. Don't stop learning about Jesus and what is in his word. We grow as we get into this book and as the Holy Spirit causes us to mature in full knowledge of Christ. Phil 4:8 think on what is pure, lovely, good, gracious and the peace of God will rule inside.

This book is to be read more than by the preacher or SS teacher on Sunday mornings. Read it as part of daily practice and pray about that you read and how to apply it. God will use this spiritual diet to cause you to grow in your faith. Even if it is just a few verses to think about it will help you.

One person was having trouble comprehending what he read. His pastor advised him to pick a small book or few chapters and read them over again regularly for one month. The man took his advice. He couldn't believe all the things God wanted to show him. Some things he didn't pick up until the 10th reading, others later. Pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten your mind, and practice what he shows you.

Thirdly, Add to your knowledge, self control. We live in the midst of passion and selfishness society. Lots of emphasis is placed on individual gratification and lustful pleasures. We all need a good dose of self control. It is so easy to let our emotions and desires control us instead of our minds and spirits controlling our desires. I am blogging in my copes computer tomorrow about my battle with self control in my eating habits. If you want to read that email me and I’ll send it on, unless you already get it.

I talked to a young man who filed bankruptcy because spending got so out of hand. It wasn’t because of the losing a job or the economic downturn, it was a lack of self control. He and his wife kept up the habit of spending more than what they could take in. When they went shopping they had a hard time saying no to purchases they could not afford. Soon debt overwhelmed them and they couldn’t pay their creditors. Self control when it comes to finances is learning to say no to spending what you want if you do not have the money. Impulsive buying is a lack of self control. So are fits of anger, drunkenness, chemical abuse, sexual immorality, wagging tongues, poor habits are all related to lack of self control.

I am not sure any of us can score 100% on feeling we have completely arrived in character of goodness, knowledge, and self control. But are you allowing God to work on those traits in your life? Are you trying on your own? What steps are you taking to grow in these areas? We need the encouragement of one another on this journey.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 19 Change

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 5-7 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

A quality Christian Persists in Change

As we looked at the first part of the qualities for a growing Christian yesterday, so we continue to look at these traits for change. Hopefully God continues to change us as we commit ourselves to His best.

Add to self control perseverance. Perseverance is also part of self control but has a different flavor to it. Wait for the Lord. In our society of instant gratification it is so hard to wait. I've got down making popcorn in 2 minutes in the microwave and believe it or not the commercials aren't quite long enough to run up pop it in and get down without missing some of the program.

If something doesn't work right instantly we get irritated, instead of keeping at it to get it right. Waiting and taking time to do something well is really hard in our time conscious society. I served on the Indian Ministries Committee of the Conference. Working on the reservation for years before you see fruit, converts, and churches established seems like such a long wasted time, but God bless the missionaries that can persevere realizing it take a long time in that culture to develop the soil for revival of the spirit. Their faithfulness with or without results is what keeps them focused on God's call in their life. There are lessons that some people only learn when they are in a period of their life God calls them to wait.

Persevering faith is giving God your best regardless of the circumstances. Don't give up; Isn't it interesting that those of us who have all eternity before us can't be a little more patient with the minutes and hours and days and years.

Add to perseverance Godliness - That is god like ness. It means having the same mind as Jesus Christ, to view things from a Divine perspective. It is to have a right view of God in our living and the right view of others in our relationship with mankind. Of one ancient saint it is written "He was so pious and devoutly religious that he would take no step apart from the will of heaven; so just and upright that he never did a trifling injury to any living soul; so self controlled, so temperate, that he never at any time chose the sweeter instead of the better, so sensible, so wise, and so prudent that in distinguishing the better from the worse he never erred"

Add to Godliness, brotherly love. Philadelphia is the Greek word for brotherly love, they same as the Pennsylvania city. The point Peter is making is compassion, togetherness and love is needed be demonstrated among believers. Kindness begins in the family and also in the family of God. That doesn't mean we can be unkind to those who are no believers, but in we have the spirit of God their should be more reasons to encourage one another instead of tearing one another down. I am always surprised when certain Christians and certain Christian groups forget who the enemy is. I don't agree with some of my Christian brothers and sisters in the faith. We don't always think alike. But some of the most bitter, unforgiving, and unkind words are expressed to people who claim to be Christians.

Lastly Peter mentions the deepest form of love. The Greek is agape' love. That is the self-giving, self-sacrificing love that just isn't in us to have unless it is given from above.

Jesus did not say all men will know you are my disciples if you grow big churches, if you pass just laws, if you restore decency to the family and environment; They will not know you are Christians if you clean up pornography and make TV and Computer use more wholesome, but rather they will know you are Christians by your love. That is the key people see.

Now these 8 qualities are important for us to keep with effort and diligence adding to our faith in growing measure. Get Growing.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 20 Effectiveness

Verses 2 Peter 1: 8 ,9 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.

9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

A quality Christian is committed to Effectiveness

The qualities Peter mentioned earlier will cause us to grow and not be ineffective. The opposite is effectiveness as a Christian. What does that mean? You will be producing spiritual fruit in Christian works and personal knowledge of the Lord. You will have a deeper personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ which is the spark that keeps us going and glowing.

Looking at it from the reverse- if you do not pursue these qualities then the result is spiritual short sightedness and blindness to eternal things and to God. Instead of "fixing our hope" on the spiritual and eternal certainties which God has promised and provided for us, we see only in the present. No wonder this generation has been called the "now generation." If you are near sighted then you do not have God's perspective.

Peter is saying an effective Christian knows where he is going spiritually and sees the way. The nearsighted Christian is looking only at what is happening day by day and fails to see and revealing the handiwork of God all around them. It is like going to the Grand Canyon missing the grandeur all around us because you are focused on the gum on your shoe. Many are so wrapped up in the immediate situation they do not see the workings of God.

Martha was worried about the meal; Mary wanted to be with Jesus. The Temple officials wanted profits from the money changers in church, and disciples wanted to see the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. The rich young rulers could only see his pocketbook. Jesus wanted him to see his very soul for all eternity.

An effective Christian is one who desires to make a difference. But a defeated Christian looks at the circumstances the problems the others around them instead of God. A defeated Christian is one who lives under the weight of never being good enough, feeling like they are never loved, having the burden of not feeling forgiven for sins.

I was listening to a sermon by John Claypool who reminded his congregation that there is original sin, but there is also original love. It was the love of God that acted before the sin of man. It was the love of God that allowed you to be conceived and love of people that allowed your birth; it was the love of parents, and teachers, and friends that influenced your life. But in everyone's life there is also the bad, the evil, and the hardships. Where is your main focus? You do not have to ignore reality, but you don't have to live in the muck either. You have things that have been forgiven. An effective Christian put those things behind knowing Christ has dealt with sin on the cross. Maybe you didn't come from the best home, or were abused, or did have horrible arguments and name callings but as a believer He has also given you blessings that you are not seeing. Open your eyes to grace.

Claypool told the story of his son in a new restaurant and motel and spilled the plate of food on a brand new carpet. Everyone, workers and patrons alike looked at him. Many came to help clean it up so it wouldn't be the first stain on the carpet. He felt like crawling in a hole and dying. He said it was the worse day of his vacation.

He was in a better mood the next day. His dad asked him if he was able to put it behind him. Then he confessed, "I began to think of this trip and count the good things that happened that day. When I realized I enjoyed 30 things and had only one bad, I began to be grateful. That changed his whole attitude.

When we put into practice what God gives us we too change into a quality Christian and become more effective for Him and others.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 21 Certainty

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A quality Christian is committed to Certainty

This passage has been debated by theologians for years. Let’s realize what it says in context. After making an important point about the certainty, or confidence of our faith related to the righteousness of Christ (vs. 1-4) you know Peter then is not contradicting himself. He is not saying that you will lose your salvation if you don't keep growing. He is not saying that if you practice these qualities you will get saved. But he is reminded them since they are called and elected by God live up to your calling. You have these tremendous benefits granted to you, now use them to honor Him. We do not work to be saved; we work because we have been saved. A living faith works.

Yes God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. His plan is not to save you in order for you to live a selfish and sinful life or to have you sit on your duff. We have fewer doubts about our relationship with God when we live in accordance with the principles of the faith.

Even though I was raised in a church my religious activity was like all the other religions until the day God convicted my spirit that I was lost and unholy. I asked God to save me and just to be sure I asked him to save me several times afterwards. But it wasn't until I stopped asking for salvation and continued to grow in my understanding and in obedience that my doubts lifted. I was saved by faith in the gift of God, but by trusting in the works of Jesus Christ. But my awareness of the riches that are mine came as I let Christ live in me in an growing manner. Now I have certainty.

I don't have to worry about going to hell. I do not have to worry about losing my salvation. The more I know about God and his word the more I understand my freedom in Christ and the more I understand the more I experience his closeness and the more I experience his closeness the less I want with sin. That is Christian maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If one lives in sin, and there is no evidence of new spiritual birth then God said do not lie to yourself, you still walk in darkness. (1 John) For people who do not have certainty I dare say that have not trusted, or not obeyed. To be happy in Jesus is to trust and obey. Trust saved us and obedience is letting his power grow in us with certainty and confidence.

One preacher asked this question, "If being a Christian was illegal in your society would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you in court? If not, why not?" Give up your doubts, live in the confidence of your faith. Put one foot ahead of the other and apply these graces into your life.

Why do people want to be saved by the skin of their teeth? Peter is saying don't be that way. If God has saved you and gave you the power for effective living, if you have the resources of living for His glory then great is your reward. For the Christian who pursues holiness, there is an entrance in the presence of God we eagerly anticipate. It is an entrance abundantly supplied to us. This is the reward of diligently seeking to confirm our calling and election.

Have you been born again? If you have not been born again, then you do not have life in Jesus Christ, and thus you cannot expect to grow spiritually. Peter is writing to those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. I urge you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved from your sins.

Second, I must ask you who are Christians, are you really growing? That is a different question from asking how long you been a believer. For young people maturity often happens by waiting. We grow up. But for Christians, maturity does not grow automatically. Growth and maturity are not merely matters of time. They are matters of disciplined, diligent effort, of discipleship with yielding to the power of the Spirit. If you are not growing in Christian character, then you are becoming blind and forgetful and unfruitful.

Let these qualities be ours and increase so that we may be useful and fruitful, not blind or short sighted, forgetting our purification from former sins, but making certain of His calling and choosing, for as long as we practice these things we will never stumble, and in this way, our entrance into the eternal kingdom will be supplied to us.

Pastor Dale