More Sure: You Have What You Need

2 Peter, and while you're turning there, I want you to stop and think for a moment. I know that's hard on mornings sometimes. But what I want you to think about is I want you to consider last week.

You know, I want you to think about simply last week, the things that went on in your life last week. You know, all the different things that took place, some challenges that you may have faced.

You know, have you ever stopped to ask when you face those challenges, why did I respond the way I responded? You know, now this is an important dynamic because why do we respond to those challenges?

You know, you think about the things that happen. Maybe you feel underappreciated at work. You know, so that's easy to do, to feel underappreciated. And your mind says, well, I'm going to give a little less because I feel unappreciated.

You know, how do you respond when those thoughts come and those ideas come into your mind? You know, maybe you were sitting around the table at home after you got home from work and had a disagreement about money with your spouse about what was going to be spent and where or why.

Maybe you had an issue with your children and you're trying to figure out how to walk through it. You know, not push them away but deal with it correctly. You know, how do you do? Those are challenges that we face each week.

Those are things that are real in our lives, you know. How do we work through those things? Maybe you had a problem with your neighbor, you know. I don't know about you but neighbors can test your patience sometimes, amen.

How do you deal with that? How do you deal with the person that irritates you on the road? These are real world things, isn't it? Why did you respond the way you responded?

That's a critical dynamic as we're going to be looking here this morning because we're going to look at something about something that we have that's more sure that has what you need for those circumstances.

Something that gives you guidance in walking through those dynamics of life. Of walking through the challenges that we face practically each day, you know.

Because most this morning as I look around the auditorium, I would agree that we understand that the Word of God tells us how to get to heaven, amen? Well, that was weak.

You know, the Word of God tells you how you can be in heaven, amen? All right, now we got that settled. We are all in agreement. But does that tell us how to live on Monday through Saturday?

Because a lot of people will say, I trust Christ for my salvation, but then they ignore what God's Word says Monday through Saturday. In their decision-making that they have in their life, you know, Peter says, yes, it does.

Because he tells us God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. All things. We're going to talk about that this morning because when we understand that godliness is our walk before God and life is our walk before others.

How do we live before God and before others? And when we understand this because life is all those things, the work, the money, the marriage, the children, the friends, the neighbors, the co-workers.

You know, that's the challenge that we have. But, you know, in life oftentimes, flip to the next slide. How many know what that is? This is a farmer fix-all. You know, I remember growing up as a kid, every farmer had a little leather seat on his belt and he had a pair of these pliers stuck in there.

And most of them would think if it couldn't be fixed with a pair of pliers, it couldn't be fixed. Now, some of you know what I'm talking about. You know, those pliers have written here, got the little ribs wore off them from the work that they did.

You know, they tried everything from adjusting and tightening and everything else. And you know what? I think oftentimes, in life, we can be just like the farmer with a pair of pliers.

We think the one thing we have solves all the problems. But the issue is, is that we have a toolbox that God's given us to help solve the problems of life.

But we resort to one instead of saying, God, let me use what you've given me that's appropriate tool for this situation.

Because a tool might do a quasi-fix, but is it right? You know, God wants us to have a quality repair, a quality guidance in our life. To understand those things.

And so, when we understand that this, we oftentimes want to use our pliers, whatever we're comfortable with. When God says, I've given you something that's way more capable.

And instead of looking for answers in God's Word, we just march on with our blinders on. And say, this is how I'm going to deal with it, because that's how I've always done it.

Or this is how I feel about it. You know, we're going to spend the next couple of weeks looking at what Peter says about a more sure word. One that pertains to our life and godliness.

And to see how that plays out before us, because we need to look for answers. And oftentimes, we look for answers in the world to our problems, not realizing that God has already given us the direction and the tool that we need for the situation.

You know, we'll see that God has given us everything for everyday life. And he instructs us what he wants us to do with it. You know, I want you to know that Peter, as Peter's writing this, is towards the end of his life.

You know, it's amazing, as you get towards the end of your life, you usually should be a little smarter about life than you were at the beginning. Or at least you look at life differently at the end than you did at the beginning.

Because you look back and say, man, I wasn't very good at that moment. If I had that to do over, I would handle it differently. Why? Because you understand there's a different tool to use.

There's a different dynamic that could be employed that would be better in that situation. You know, you think about Peter, and sometimes we just think about Peter being the apostle, the one who God used in such a mighty way.

But, you know, Peter understood real life. He understood the challenges. You've got to remember, he ran a fishing business with partners. You know, you find that he was married.

On top of that, his wife's mother was staying in his house. You know, it's like he had all sorts of real-life issues. What do you laugh about, Donnie? I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm just saying it's a real-life issues.

I want you to understand, those are things that we're challenged with. He understood what was happening. He understood making decisions in the moment that weren't right. Think about Peter when he was there at the fire, and the young maid said, you're one of those from Galilee.

And Peter said, oh no! You know what? Peter understood. He should have dealt with that differently. He understood some of the things in life that should have been different.

And now the end of his life here we find in 1 Peter chapter 1. It talks about those he writes to believers who have obtained like precious faith with us.

And he knew that there was going to be some challenges. He knew there was going to be false teachers. He knew there was going to be wolves that come in. They were going to try to twist and distort. And he says, guys, I want you to know you have everything you need.

So let's take a look at that this morning. 2 Peter chapter 1. Let's stand together for the honor of reading of the Word of God. And we'll read a few verses here, have a word of prayer. And then we'll get in to the message here this morning.

You know, notice here in verse 1, it says, element of Christ.

According to his divine power, hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning, Lord, we just thank you for your word. Lord, as we oftentimes know your word, Lord, but the application of your word, Lord, to our life, both before you and before others is sometimes lacking.

Lord, as we look at Peter's challenge here this morning, the word of God that you spoke to him to give to us today, Lord, that we might understand the importance of applying these principles in our life.

And Lord, we pray just to have your hand upon each one here today, Lord, that we might be challenged in this area concerning your word as a pathway to a following you.

And Lord, we just give you all the praise in Jesus' name. Amen. May be seated. You know, we see here that Peter opens his letter with grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the what?

The knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. You know, what's he setting up here? Where do we get our knowledge about God?

From the Bible. The Bible is our source of knowledge and information about God. We don't get it from someplace else. You know, I want you to understand, YouTube is not a good source for information about God.

Instagram is not a good source for information about God. The word of God is the source. God has given us the ability to go to the source.

You know, you think today, how many things do we hear? And we say, well, if I just knew for sure, you know what? If you knew where the source of that information came from and you could go dig it out and personally talk to whoever the information was, you would go do that because you had the source available to give you what you need.

And so we're going to see here as Peter begins here, understanding that grace and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God and of our Lord, our Jesus, our Lord.

He wants you to know that that's where peace and grace and peace come from. But what exactly has God given us besides salvation? You know, the problem today is a lot of people, they end at salvation.

Well, I know I'm saved so I can do whatever I want. You know what? That's not the reality. Matter of fact, we're going to talk here in a little bit. That's what Peter addresses you today. Peter's going to address you if you think salvation is the end.

Your salvation is the beginning of a different you. A new you. One that's different from the old one.

You know, but what exactly has God given us? Is it enough for the week you just had? The week that you dealt with? You know, I want you to see here, look at verse 3, because verse 3 answers our question.

Now notice this, according to his divine power, hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. All things.

I want you to see here, three things really stand out. The first is his power. It's his power that gives to us. God has given us through according to his divine power.

His divine power. Not your power, not somebody else's power, but God's power. He is the one. He is the authority that brings it. We don't bring the tools to the table to solve life's problems.

God says, I give it to you. He says, I give you what you need. I give you everything that you're going to require to accomplish the challenges of this life.

You know, sometimes that also requires repairing your life. How things need to be different. Because you know what? We all can very easily mess things up. You know, I want to show of hands, but think for a moment.

How many times have you broke your life? By a decision you've made. Then you've got to say, Lord, how do we fix it? How do we make it right again?

How do we heal through this? Where do you go for that? You know, today we find a lot of people try to go to a doctor of some kind.

You know, a mental health professional. Now, I think they might be able to help a few people. But one of the problems is that you're still there using a pair of pliers. You might get a little bit accomplished.

But you know what? It's not going to be done right. Because if you don't use the right tool, you end up marring something trying to repair it.

But notice, it's also, it's all things. Not most things. Have you ever noticed, you ever notice how they try to promote things?

We'll send you the starter kit. What's it say? Well, then you're going to have to pay more to get more. You know the one thing about God?

At the moment of salvation, God gives you everything you need. His Spirit and the Word of God opens up and becomes available to you.

His full toolbox for life is available. Everything is available for you. You know, it's all things. It's not a starter kit.

Because life is your everyday life. Godliness is your walk with God in this life. You know, think about it. Look over to Deuteronomy chapter 29. Deuteronomy 29, we find that Moses here tells us this.

He says, You know, Moses understood what God gives us is what we need.

To guide us, to direct us. Psalm 19, David says, The law of the Lord is perfect. Converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure.

Making wise the simple. Think about what all things cover. You know, when it comes to work, you have verses like, Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.

Have you thought about that at work when you feel underappreciated? You know, there's a verse that appropriates of underappreciated. Because you know what? You're not just working for appreciation of somebody else.

You're doing it because it's before the Lord and unto the Lord. It changes our perspective. You know, when you think about the dynamic with money, And we understand the borrower is servant to the lender in Proverbs chapter 22.

You think about at home where it says, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Those are basic principles. You think about with your children. You know, when it says, Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

How about when talk at work turns ugly? When the word of God tells us, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, But that which is good to the use of edifying. Scripture speaks of the issues that we face in life.

It doesn't require other things. It just requires us to know and to apply the truth. Because how is it understood? Notice what it says. It comes through knowing Him.

Through the knowledge of Him that is what has called us. Think about what Jesus said before He was just getting ready to go to the cross. Look at John chapter 17. John chapter 17 and verse 3 says, And this is life eternal.

That they might know Thee, the only true God in Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent. To know Him. Not just about Him.

This word know is not just informational knowledge. This is personal connection. You can know a lot about somebody. But you know what?

When you live with somebody, You know a lot more about them than you did before. Why? Because you've experienced life with them. This is the type of knowledge he's talking about here.

That there's an experienced walk alongside. Understanding what it is. And how those things work. You know, you think about Colossians. In chapter 2 and verse 9 it says, For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in Him, Which is the head of all the principality and power. He is the one that completes you. He is the one that makes you what you ought to be.

He is the one that makes a difference. The problem is, we don't use what God gives us. What He provides for us. Now, most of you this morning probably carry one of these.

Some form or another. Let me ask you a question. Do you know all the functions on your phone? You know what? Oftentimes we treat God's Word the same way we treat our phone. It has all the functions that we need.

But we never use them. Never find out how to use them. It's there. It's available to you. But you don't use it.

And I'll just give you a little clue. That's just a generic thing. Because phone's got some apps you probably shouldn't use. But God's Word doesn't give you anything that you shouldn't use. Amen. Everything is beneficial.

Everything has a function. Everything fills a need. You know, He speaks of the issues that we face. We don't need to add to it, but how we get a hold of all these things.

And I want you to notice here. Look down at verse 4. As He tells us here, He says, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.

You know, whereby we are given unto us great and precious promises. God keeps His Word. They are great and precious promises. Why are they precious?

Because He keeps His Word. When God promises something, He's going to do it. You know, the promises are secure. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 tells, For all the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him amen.

You know, Israel found out that God keeps His Word. You know, Joshua in chapter 21 verse 45 says this, There failed not out of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel.

All came to pass. God keeps His Word. God is there when we understand what God has done. How God provides.

His promises are secure. When life goes upside down, we can rest assured God says, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

That's a promise of God. No matter what's going on, He says, If you're mine, if you've called upon me as your Savior, He says, I will never, ever leave you.

He wants you and He gives you what's needed. Because we understand His promises are secure, but His promises transform. Through them we become partakers of the divine nature.

Now I want you to understand, this doesn't mean we become God. It means that His nature is at work in us. Say, how does that happen?

That happens at the moment the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within you at the moment of salvation. You have the divine nature dwelling within you. And it's transforming you.

It's changing you. It's working in your life. You know, the Bible tells us very clearly to understand it's changing us.

It changes us instantly. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 says, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is what? A new creature. Old things are passed away.

Behold, all things are become new. That sounds like something different to me. I might be simple and have a hard time to understand, but that's pretty simple to understand. Things that are different are not the same.

Because not from what I did, because of what He did. It means the Holy Spirit dwells within you. You know, that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God.

It tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. He makes it clear to us these things. His promise is rescue. Notice what it tells us here back in verse 4.

He says, Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. We have escaped the corruption that is in the world. The world runs on wants that tear people down.

God promises to pick you up and pull you out of that if you'll trust Him. Trust is a big thing. We live in a generation that we don't write very many checks anymore. I remember when you got a check, there was two thoughts went through your mind.

Do I trust this person enough to know that it's good? Not you. I've had a few that were a little rubbery. They were stretching what was in the account. Let me put it that way.

Do you know what? God says, Trust me because I've written you something that's going to come to pass. And you can trust it because I have put my stamp on it.

I have the ability to fulfill it. That He will accomplish all that He has set to do. To understand that dynamic in our life, the question is whether you trust it and act upon it.

You know, when you put a check in the bank, you're trusting it's going to have money there. You take action accordingly. With God, you put your trust in God, then you need to act accordingly.

To trust Him. Put your faith in Him to say, God, I know. It starts there at the moment of salvation. It says, For by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves.

It's a gift of God. Not at works lest any man should boast. You know, I want you to understand, God's gift isn't faith. God's gift is salvation. The question is, are you going to believe it?

Are you going to act upon it? Are you going to do what you need to do to be right with God? Faith is, are you going to trust Him? Are you going to fully believe what God says?

But notice, when we need to also, when it talks about acting on it, we need to put in the work. Oh, this works, works. I want you to understand, you don't work to be saved.

You do things because you are saved. It ought to change what you do because you know what? You're going to do something. Think about that for a moment. You will do something with this message today.

Do something. Doing is part of life. If you're not doing, you're probably dead. When the Bible speaks of works, it talks about what are you going to be doing because of what you believe.

How are you going to be responding because of what you believe? You know, to put in the work, notice, look down at verse 5. He says, beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.

And if these things be in you and abound, they make you, that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. You need to put in the work.

Besides this, giving all diligence. You know what? Being diligent is making a choice in your action. Diligence says, I'm going to do what I'm supposed to do.

Diligence says, it's going to become my priority. Because I want you to understand that he says, there's grace first in salvation, then growth. Peter doesn't say, add faith.

He says, add to your faith. In other words, he says, if you trust Christ as your Savior, you need to add more knowledge, more information about who God is.

How does God direct my life? What does he expect out of me? What's he guide me in these decisions that I need to make? How do I understand what's going to be the best choice? Add to your faith is to build upon what you've already believed.

Because faith is where it starts and salvation is God's gift to us. Know this, we do not grow to be saved, we grow because we are saved.

You know, think about it. Turn to Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and verse 12. The Bible tells us this, wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. I want you to understand they're not working to be saved, they're working because they're saved.

They want to please the Savior. You know, it's hard to please somebody if you don't have the right rules or the right guidance. You know, sometimes I find that the hardest thing to do is get the right guidance to the people who want to accomplish something.

Because if you don't give them guidance, they're going to try to do it their own way. Certain things need direction and parameters to understand those things and oftentimes we'll say, well, go do this.

You know, I've worked for, I'll go, I've had employers tell me, go do this. And it's like, well, okay, how do you want it done? What's my budget? I mean, do I have a million dollars to solve this problem or do I have $10 to solve this problem?

I want you to understand God tells us everything we need and he gives us all that we need. If we follow his instruction to be able to do what he wants us to do to work out and to work because of our salvation with fear and trembling.

You know what? If you're saved, you ought to still have a healthy fear of God. You ought to fear who he is because of, that's what led you to salvation is understanding that God is a mighty God that judges just and true and proper.

He never misjudges anything. I want you to know you need to give all diligence. Giving diligence because God has given everything, we need to give everything. What God gave you is not a reason to sit back, it's a reason to get to work.

Not just in outward service, but in your personal life. Think about these seven things he gives. Now, these impact the rest of your life.

this impacts everything, but these impact your walk with God. Seven things to add. Notice what he tells us is virtue.

Virtue. What's virtue? That's doing what is right. How are you going to do what's right? Well, you need to know what's right. What's God tell us? He tells us what's right. He tells us that your scales ought to be balanced correctly.

You know, unjust scales are an abomination to the Lord. When we understand that knowledge, add to virtue knowledge, knowing what God wants, knowing who he is, knowing what God's guided us, you know, and then temperance.

Temperance is self-control. You know, oftentimes, this is a difficulty. Because why? Because we don't, we do what we feel instead of what God's instructed us to do.

Temperance is not letting your feelings override what you ought to do. That's self-control. To understand, to do what's right. Patience. That's hanging in there when it even gets hard.

Trusting God in the difficulty and the challenging seasons of life. You know, today we talk about patience. We talk about it in minutes and hours.

You know, sometimes patience a year. Ten years. Sometimes patience forty years. Think about it in the Old Testament. The children of Israel were in captivity seventy years before God brought them out again just as He promised.

He took them to Babylon and through Jeremiah the prophet He said, seventy years I'm going to bring you back. And He said, while you're there just live the way you're supposed to live and do what you're supposed to do because that's where you're going to be.

You know, they had to endure patience knowing that they may never see what God promised but they need to pass that promise to the next generation that's going to see it. That's patience.

Godliness. Living holy life that reflects the Savior. Brotherly kindness. Caring for your church family. Caring for others. You know, when the Bible speaks of a brother or sister in Christ, I want you to understand that ought to be a priority.

That's a family dynamic that's different from any worldly relationship. When we understand that charity, that's love. Loving people the way Christ loves. You know, He understands that love is needed.

You know, you think about all these things that apply to our everyday life but they apply to our walk with God. What does God see when you make your choice?

You know what? These line up also with the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. You know? Find those in Galatians chapter 5.

I want you to understand the fruit of the Spirit is the same thing Peter's talking about here. The fruit of the Spirit working in your life produces fruit. You being diligent in your life to obey what the Spirit's doing in your life produces fruit in your life.

It produces those things. It's both alongside because you know what? God doesn't force you to do anything. Sometimes God allows the consequences of your disobedience to become a reality in your life.

You know, there's a consequence for disobeying the things of God. Sin has consequences. And oftentimes we blame the consequences.

God, God, why did you allow this to happen in my life? And God's saying, I told you what you're supposed to do. And when you don't do it, there's consequences.

There's going to be an impact in your life from the choice that you make. When you get angry and start swearing at somebody, you know what? There's a consequence. When you lose your temper and you allow your emotions to override, there's a consequence.

Life is filled with consequences when we don't walk in the knowledge of the Lord. To walk in the knowledge of what God has. You know? Because that's how His Word begins to grow in us and through us.

That's that work that He's talking about back in 1 Peter 2 when He talks about the moment of salvation as newborn babes desiring the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby.

You know, your Bible reading every day ought not to be just a function that performs. It's there for you to grow. I'll give you an interesting thought. You know, in the Scripture, it never tells us just to read the Word of God.

It tells us to meditate on it. It tells us to study it. Consider it. I mean, the list could go on. Reading is the first step.

But you know, I've read a lot of things that I can't recall. Some of it's probably a good thing I can't recall. It's not just reading. I want you to understand, reading the Word of God is important, but just doing it as a function is not going to solve the problems.

When it becomes integrated into your life is when it's going to help you. The integration makes a difference because it leads to something you can see.

Notice down here at verse 8, it tells us this, for if these things be in you. Now notice there's an if. We won't have time to break all that down, but you understand basic language.

If is a conditional statement. And if these things be in you and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

but notice the next verse, verse 9, but he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

You know, the Bible says there's going to be fruit that's going to be visible in your life. You know, there's a lot of believers today that have some pretty barren trees. You know, a tree can be leafy but unfruitful.

A tree can look healthy but not produce fruit. Fruit is what the measurement is. Growth is the mark of a healthy life. A healthy Christian life.

Fruitfulness means not barren. Think about it. We talked a few weeks ago about abiding in Christ. John 15, 5. Jesus makes it clear. I am the vine and ye are the branches.

He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me you can do nothing. Fruitful, not barren.

Forgetful and blind is the opposite side. For one who lacks these things is blind and cannot see afar off and hath forgotten he hath purged from his old sins.

You know what? I find that your Christian walk usually when you get your eyes off the Lord and on all the other things is when you start getting stagnant. Because your walk as a Christian stops growing when you forget what God has done for you.

Notice what it says. cannot see afar off. Now I did a little reading on that because I'm like what's it talking about? Just being nearsighted? That's not what that verse is referring to.

It's in with them cultural language things it doesn't translate well into practicality. Because it's just not being nearsighted. The other use of the term this is the only place in the Bible this term is used.

But what it refers to is intentionally closing your eyes so you don't see. It's a childish act. Have you ever seen little kids it's like I don't see you.

That's what Peter's talking about. Is you know what you ought to do but you intentionally close your eyes so it doesn't bother you. You know why you close your eyes? Because you forget what Christ has saved you from.

That you were purged from your old sins. The price that you owed was paid. You were in bondage and set free.

When we close our eyes to it you know what it tells God? It's like Lord I know what you did but I don't want to see anymore. When you close your eyes you've forgotten. what took place at salvation.

But notice here it says wherefore rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if you do these things you shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It needs to be sure and steadfast. Giving diligence to make your calling and election sure for if you do these things you shall never fail. Peter's not telling us to work for your salvation.

He's telling you to live out with diligence what's already taken place. So our life matches what God has made you in salvation. When God made you a new creature at the moment you called upon him he says now live like a new creature.

Walk like a new creature. Walk like a new creature. Think like a new creature. Hebrews tells us this in Hebrews 6 he says that we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end that ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises because he is able to keep you from falling.

I want you to understand he is the one that ye shall never fall. You know that dynamic Jude says he is able to keep you from falling. To understand that he is the one that can do it.

I want you to understand he wants Peter to say he says I want you to do this that you have an abundant! Abundant entrance into glory. You know life doesn't end when your body goes dim in this life.

Death is going to come and your body is going to shut off. Your soul is eternal. As Peter's telling us he says hey guys hey gals do what you ought to do under the guidance of the word of God to say I want to have an abundant joyful entrance into glory.

Into his kingdom. You know look there at verse 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly under the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let me put it this way Peter's saying I hope you don't barely make it in but be welcomed in. Let's understand once you're saved you're secure. Peter's saying and she says be diligent about doing and acting the way you ought to.

To follow the things of the truth of the word of God to have an abundance entrance. To know that you're fruitful that your fruit will remain in other words things in your life have impacted others to the point that there's fruit that's produced.

When you look at a tree let's take a fruit tree when you look at a tree how do you know that an apple tree is really alive? It's not just because it has a bunch of leaves a mess to clean up around apple trees it's like you got a big mess but you know what it tells me the tree's alive because it's producing what?

Fruit. It's doing something. It's doing what it's supposed to do. An apple tree's job isn't just to give shade with some leaves.

An apple tree's job is what? To produce apples. A Christian's job is not just to sit and to think everybody thinks everything's okay.

A Christian's job is to be diligent to add to our faith all these things so we might grow and mature and understand how we walk through the challenges of life.

This morning I want to challenge you we started out with the illustration of a pair of pliers. You know what? Even as a believer we often keep our old pair of pliers. This is the tool I'm going to use to solve my life's problems.

I want to challenge you today to open God's toolbox that he's given you and find the right tool for the job. To guide us in those things God has given you his word that the book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth that thou shalt meditate therein day and night to be doers of the word and not hearers only.

You know Peter didn't write this to unbelievers he wrote it to believers those of like precious faith. Not just any faith but a faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Before you can grow you have to be saved. If you're not saved you don't understand what that means I want you to know that God has a way for you to understand what he's done for you but you have to take action.

You need to acknowledge your sin say God yes I'm a sinner I'm deserving of your judgment but Lord I ask that you apply what you've done for me in the place of that.

And Christ says he'll always answer yes. One prayer in the Bible it always gets a yes. It's never a wait or a no. A true prayer of salvation is an absolute yes.

You know this morning know the Lord but have you stopped growing in the Lord?

God's given you everything you need his instruction from his word. Maybe you know what you ought to do why aren't you doing it? Maybe there's some things that Lord I don't understand how to deal with this situation.

Maybe you need to pray and to do some study to say Lord what verses apply to this? What verses can I use to say what I ought to do in this situation?

Instead of saying this is how I feel about it that way therefore that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to say Lord let me study open my eyes and let me see what I need to do because I want to look in your toolbox to allow you to give me the tool that I need to walk through this situation.

To walk in wisdom ultimately we need to look into God's toolbox. Stop looking for answers elsewhere and trust what the Lord has already said.

You know think about a verse we'll end on this thought. Proverbs chapter 3 how many people can repeat this? It says what? Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not under thine own understanding but in all thy ways do what?

To him and he shall what? Verse for today. A minute. Bowed and eyes are closed this morning to you this morning. The Bible is a book that has the tools and the answers for life or is it just something convenient to you today?

Heavenly Fathers we turn the invitation to you Lord we just pray you have your hand upon each one here this morning. Lord help us not to look over what you've given and equipped us with but to use it in our daily life to apply it to the principles and the challenges of this life Lord that we might make decisions that honor and glorify you.

And Lord we ask all these things in your precious name. As heads are bowed and eyes are closed as the piano works. and eyes are closed works.