We can turn back to a reading in 2 Peter chapter 1.
I want us to read from verse 8 to verse 15 just now.
! 2 Peter chapter 1 at verse 8.
!
For whoever lacks these qualities is so short-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure.
For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall.
For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities.
Though you know them and are established in the truth that you have,
I think it is right that as long as I am in this body to stir you up by way of reminder,
since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
And I will make every effort so that after my departure, you may be able at any time to recall these things.
There's a phrase, as you're reading through verse 8 to verse 10,
a couple of words that come together very often there, and it's these things, these qualities.
It's Peter repeating that again and again in a very powerful way.
And he says there in verse 12,
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities.
So he's saying there's something very important here for us to draw attention to,
and to think to ourselves, well, what are these things,
what are these qualities that he's talking about that are so important,
and why are they so important for us?
Who of us would want to be known as a failure in the Christian life?
Who of us would want to have that marred against us,
that this person failed in their Christian life?
It's a stupid question for us,
because none of us would say that we want to be known as failures in the Christian life.
Every one of us wants, I hope, to seek to be the best Christian that we can be by the grace of God.
But yet you have in Peter himself one who at one point was seen as having failed the Lord Jesus Christ.
When you look in his own life, a life that, as you read here, seems to be coming to an end.
He's in the latter stages of his life.
In verse 14 he makes that clear for us,
Since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon.
There's this knowledge he has that his life is drawing to a close.
But yet he has learned so much in his life.
And many would probably remember him as a failure in some ways.
And especially because the night that the Lord Jesus was crucified,
he denied him three times.
And yet Peter, impulsive Peter as he often was,
he learned so much through that experience.
And especially seeing the grace of the Lord Jesus in restoring him,
in speaking to him in a very powerful way
to remind him that he was still one who loved the Lord
and who served the Lord throughout the rest of his days as well.
So you could look at Peter's life and see there were failings in it.
But by the grace of God, he was restored and kept going from strength to strength.
But how did he do it?
We live in a world that offers so much advice.
And there are books upon books written about how to be a better person.
Some of them are even written from a Christian perspective.
And you see the titles of them and you think,
well, what is that really going to tell to me?
Titles such as Think Better, Live Better, Become a Better You,
You Can, You Will.
And so they go on.
There's these titles of books that try and catch your attention
and think, well, how can I be a better person?
And so many of them are focused on ourselves.
Self-help topics.
But the reality is we cannot help ourselves.
And that's when we see the greatest book ever written before us this evening,
the Word of God.
God has given us his Word.
As we read in this chapter, we are reminded that it is the Word of God.
In verse 21,
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man,
but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
God gave us his Word.
The Old and the New Testament, the whole Word of God is our truth to live by.
It is where we find the help of God to live as we should.
And as you think back to the shorter catechism,
they were right when they wrote,
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament,
is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify him and enjoy him.
The Word of God is the only rule that we need to glorify and enjoy him.
And so we have this truth before us.
And it's this truth that helps us, that guards us as we go along.
And so, how can we apply this truth to ourselves?
Well, that is what Peter is doing here as he's writing to these Christians long ago.
He's writing to people who were believers,
who had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ.
But he's writing to them to encourage them,
reminding them of these things that are so important.
Peter here is giving us the secret to a godly life.
The way that we are to live.
And when you look at this chapter, there's so many things in it.
And you see in verse 10, there's like a hinge on everything there as well.
How it speaks about making your calling an election sure.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling an election sure.
For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall.
So we're reminded of just how important these qualities, these things are.
It's about our calling and our election.
That God is calling us.
And that God has chosen his people.
It's not saying that we can change God's mind in term of election.
We know that God has chosen a people.
But he's talking here about making or calling an election sure.
Not adding anything to that.
But living by faith in the whole counsel of God.
The whole word of God.
Living by faith, looking to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because it's not just this passive attitude that we have to have.
Well, if we are elect, we are elect.
And there's nothing we can do about it.
That's not what Peter teaches here in light of making our calling an election sure.
Faith goes together with works.
Faith is always active.
Should always be active.
And we should always be seeking to grow in our faith.
To be growing in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Knowledge is something that Peter mentions throughout this letter, the second Peter.
This knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You see it there in verse 3 it is.
His divine power is granted to us.
All things are pertained to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us.
So we see there it is about growing in our faith.
In the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And so these things that he is speaking about, it's all about this growing in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And so immediately we think, well, if Peter is writing these things,
if they are there to help us grow in our faith and in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,
are we willing to listen to them?
Are we willing to receive them?
Are we willing to work on our faith in order to grow in this way,
in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?
So we see Peter outlined here steps for us to help us to grow as Christians.
And as we go through these verses that we have before us,
and especially as we look,
secondly it's going to be at verse 5 and 6.
You see a list there of things that are these things.
That are these things that are so important.
But before we look at the list of these things,
I want us first to see what these things lead to.
So we're doing it a little back to front.
Verse 8 down to verse 15 makes clear what these things lead to.
And then secondly we will see what these things are.
And so there's four things that these things lead to.
Four things that these things lead to.
And so we're going to look at this first.
Four things.
Have you ever been somewhere
and you see things differently to somebody else?
You think about this time of year
when maybe you go round the shows.
The Point show's been on recently.
There'll be other shows coming up,
different parts of the island.
Many people go to all these different shows.
And things are put on display.
And prizes are handed out in different ways.
It may be for animals.
It may be sheep or cows or dogs.
These kinds of things.
You see other prizes being handed out for baking.
Other prizes handed out for crafts.
And you may be walking round with someone
who knows a lot more about, say, animals than you do.
And they're pointing out a sheep
and all the different qualities of the sheep in a pen.
And they could maybe pick out
that's the one that's likely to win.
Because they're seeing qualities in it
that the person who has no knowledge just can't see.
I would just see a sheep.
Not any qualities in that sheep, but just a sheep.
But the trained eye sees things differently.
And so it goes on in different ways.
When you look at crafts,
people will see the intricate details of crafts
that the unthrained eye just cannot see.
Or the baking, they'll taste something
that you just miss.
You don't have that trained palate
in order to see the difference in that.
We see things differently
in many different experiences.
We see that there are qualities there,
but we miss out
because we don't understand what they are.
But when you look at the qualities
that Peter is writing about here,
you see that there are qualities
that should mark out every Christian.
That you should be able to see
the qualities of faith in every Christian.
Now, we know that for some,
we look at it and we see it more clearly.
It's more evident.
And others will say the qualities
are hidden in different ways.
But everyone should have
or be seeking to be growing
in these qualities.
And that is the gift of faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And when we look at the qualities
that we see here,
we're reminded of just how
they would help us
in our Christian walk.
So what these things lead to first,
we see in verse 8,
beginning there.
For if these qualities are yours
and are increasing,
they keep you from being ineffective
or unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So there's the first thing
that these qualities lead to.
Instead of being ineffective
or unfruitful in our knowledge
of Jesus Christ,
we will be growing in our knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We all can have that sense
of being unfruitful,
but barren and bare in our hearts
and in our souls.
When we feel that there's
that distance with God,
when we're not right with God.
But these things,
these qualities,
are what can bring us closer
to God in that sense
of being fruitful,
of being fruitful
in growing in our knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
of being effective
in all of these things.
Because the more we know
the Lord Jesus Christ,
the more we are close
to the Lord Jesus Christ,
then the more we are going
to have that fruit
being born in our lives
and in our experiences.
And so who wouldn't want
to have this guarantee
of fruitfulness?
And that is what this word of God
is pointing,
is guiding us towards.
Being fruitful
and being discerning
as well as we see.
Secondly,
for whoever lacks
these qualities
is so short-sighted
that he is blind,
having forgotten
that he was cleansed
from his former sins.
So we see
there's this lack
of spiritual discernment
too if we don't have
these things,
these qualities,
we're spiritually blind.
Paul, the apostle,
he knew what it was
to be blind physically
but also spiritually.
I was so blind
to the love of God.
I was so blind
to the grace of God.
And yet when the Lord Jesus
came into his life,
when his eyes were opened,
he was amazed
that the love
that he would show
to a sinner such as him.
And these things
are what would have helped
Paul as well.
And so we see here
it is these gifts,
these things
that are able to help us
to discern
the love of God.
To see the love of God
in a more majestic way.
That second half
of verse 9 as well,
these things
remind us
of the guarantee
and the assurance
of salvation.
It says,
having forgotten
that he was cleansed
from his former sins.
How sin
attacks us
again and again
and when we're
forgetting these things,
it just weighs down
on us so heavily.
we lose that sense
of assurance
that comes through faith,
of the love of God,
that our sins
are forgiven
through him.
So we have this
lack of assurance
that can so easily
come into our hearts.
And then as you go
into verse 10,
you see the fourth thing there.
These things
give a guarantee
to us.
Therefore,
brothers,
be all the more diligent
to make your calling
and election sure.
For if you practice
these qualities,
you will never fall.
It sounds
quite a bold statement
to make
that you will
never fall.
There is always
that fear
of falling.
But what keeps us
from falling?
Practice
these things.
And that gives us
that assurance,
that guarantee
that we will not fall
from the love of God.
And so,
we have these four things
that this leads to.
That we will be fruitful,
that we will have
spiritual discernment,
that we will have
assurance in our salvation
that we will never fall
as a Christian.
So if you have
these four things
outlined to you,
who would not
want these things?
Who would not
want to have comfort
in all of these things?
And so we ask,
well,
how do we get that?
There must be
something quite
spectacular for us.
There must be
something
quite powerful.
Maybe it's hard
to get these things.
It will be out of the reach
of many of us.
Out of the reach
of the ordinary Christian.
Well,
the way Peter
is writing here,
he is reminding
that this is for all.
This is for everyone
who comes to faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
So if we want
to have
these assurances,
what are these things
that we need?
Well,
then we come back
to verse 5 and 6.
And here we are told
what these things are.
We've heard what they lead to,
but what are
these things?
Well,
it begins
with faith.
Faith is the foundation
of it all.
For this
very reason,
make every effort
to supplement
your faith.
So it begins
with faith,
but it doesn't
end
with faith.
faith.
Because faith alone,
in order to grow,
it needs to be worked.
Faith needs
to be exercised.
And so Peter
is here saying,
supplement,
add to your faith
in the sense
of growing
in your knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ
by practicing
these things.
So faith
is the foundation
of it all.
But then
what is
added
to faith?
Well,
we see
as we look
at verse 5,
for this very reason,
make every effort
to supplement
your faith
with virtue.
Virtue
is the first
of these things.
What is that?
What is virtue?
It's moral
uprightness.
It's holiness.
The word
literally means
excellent
living.
And that's
the way
that Peter
is writing
to us here.
And that's
the way
God
is writing
to us.
That we are
to look
for that
holiness
in our lives
at all times.
God said,
be holy,
for I am holy.
And we know
we can never
reach the holiness
of God.
He is holiness,
but we are
to seek
to live
in that way.
To know
the holiness
of God.
To know
that excellent
living.
And we all
know how
we fail
so often
in that.
When we are
falling in so
many different
ways.
But do we
let that
just grind
us down
or do we
let it
encourage us
again
to rise
up
and to
seek for
this holy
living?
We are
to live
by the
word
of God.
We are
to live
by the
promises
and the
truths
that we
have
in the
word
of God.
We are
to live
that
holy
life
depending
on God.
You think
of Psalm
25
and it's
really a
prayer.
Show me
thy ways
O Lord
thy paths
O teach
thou me.
There's
this longing
to live
this life
that is
right
with God.
So add
to your
faith
virtue.
It was
Dwight
Moody
who once
said
a holy
life
will make
the deepest
impression.
Lighthouses
blow no
horns.
They just
shine.
And so
there is
what we
are to
be as
Christians.
Holy
examples
to those
around us.
Adding
to our
faith
virtue.
And then
he goes
on.
Add
to your
faith
virtue
and
virtue
with
knowledge.
So the
second of
these
things
knowledge
and
understanding
of the
truth
and how
to live
it.
We can
all have
an
understanding
of truth
in some
way.
But
to have
knowledge
is to
add to
that virtue
of applying
it all
to our
lives.
How we
can live
with that
knowledge
of God
and seeking
to understand
his word
more and
more.
Where does
the knowledge
of God
come from?
It comes
from being
in his
word.
By seeking
to indulge
in his
word day
after day
to seek
that understanding
that we
find in
his word.
When you
go to
Psalm 119
that psalm
as a
whole
it speaks
about the
importance
of the
word of
God
in our
lives.
And at
one point
in that
psalm
in verse
67
the psalmist
says
before I
was afflicted
I went
astray
but now
I keep
your word.
So a
lack of
understanding
a lack of
knowledge
in the
word of
God
a falling
away from
the word
of God
leaves us
so often
afflicted.
But the
psalm
says no
now I
keep
your word.
Your word
is what
is guiding
me.
What is
helping me.
And so
we need
that knowledge
of the
word of
God.
Do you
have that
hunger
for God's
word?
Do you
have that
desire and
longing
for God's
word day
by day
that it
is the
word of
God
that teaches
us how
to glorify
and how
to enjoy
him
forever?
To seek
more of
that knowledge
of God
in his
word.
And then
to knowledge
is added
self-control.
And again
this is
something we
always have
to work
on in
our life
as well.
Faith is
the foundation
but again
and again
we are having
to exercise
our faith
in all of
these things.
Self-control.
So often
our lives
will go
the direction
of I'll
do as
I please.
But that
is going
away from
the word
of God.
Our lives
are not
to do
as we
please
but to
do as
God
wills.
Psalm
40
speaks of
it.
To do
thy will
I take
delight.
And it's
seeking that
delight
in God.
Otherwise
we are
seeking
delight
in
ourselves
that so
often
leads us
along
the wrong
path.
Self-control
is something
that we all
have to
work on.
And we
know it
only too
well how
often we
have to
do it.
One writer
puts it
like this.
We have
to show
self-control
on our
tongues,
our tempers
and our
temptations.
These three
areas of
life where
we have to
show self-control
our tongues,
our tempers
and our
temptations.
And we
know only
too well
how easy
it is to
lose control
in all of
these things.
In our
tongues
and how
we speak
to
others
or about
others
we have
to show
self-control.
In our
tempers
when we
start losing
control of
our temper
we have
to show
self-control
to come
back to
the word
of God.
In our
temptations
we know
the Lord's
prayer
how he
says
lead us
not into
temptation
but deliver
us from
evil.
We need
to show
self-control
and so
these things
they're all
building
together.
So we
have that
self-control
and then
add to
self-control
steadfastness.
Steadfastness
this means
endurance.
Endurance
a faith
that endures
no matter
what goes
on around
us
no matter
what we
hear that
will tempt
us away
from
believing
the word
of God
we endure
in all
situations
because we
hear so
often those
who will
cast away
God's word
how it's
false
how it's
not truth
how we
don't need
it
but yet
we are
to be
steadfast
even when
things are
going against
God's
cause
in so many
ways
we are not
to turn
and drift
with a
tide
we are
to swim
against it
to endure
to go
that direction
that the
Lord is
putting us
in and
to hold
fast
in the
faith
again
someone
describes
it as
the vine
that clings
to the
tree
when the
wind
is blowing
against
the vine
it's blowing
it against
the tree
so it's
held closely
to it
or when
the wind
is blowing
into its
face
it's
sheltering
behind
the tree
so the
wind
cannot
push it
away
and it's
that way
that we
are to
endure
by holding
fast
close
to the
Lord
when the
storm
is on
our back
we are
being pushed
closer to
him
when the
storm
is in
our face
we are
sheltering
behind
him
we are
there with
him
always
we are
showing
endurance
and remembering
the promises
of God's
word
promises
like he
says in
Hebrews
13
5
I will
never
leave
you
I will
never
forsake
you
we have
all these
promises
that help
us
to be
steadfast
and then
we add
to
steadfastness
godliness
again this
word means
just walking
in light
of the
greatness
of God
recognizing
who he
is
added on
to
holiness
as we
see the
holiness
of God
we see
godliness
we walk
in light
of his
greatness
everything
that we
are doing
we are to
do in
the fear
of the
Lord
and that
is wisdom
that is
wisdom's
beginning
the fear
of the
Lord
that we
are in
awe
of God
that we
are living
in light
of the
greatness
of God
so we
have
godliness
in the
sense of
everything
that we
do
is for
his
glory
and then
godliness
we add
brotherly
affection
brotherly
love
and again
we see
this how
it's closely
linked
to godliness
and holiness
when we
love the
Lord
with all
our heart
we love
our neighbor
as our
self
brotherly
affection
a love
for the
Lord's
people
and when
you think
of that
brotherly
affection
you think
of Peter
and how
much he
knew
of that
brotherly
affection
when he
had denied
the Lord
Jesus Christ
the Lord
didn't
reject him
he didn't
put him
away
but he
showed
that
brotherly
affection
in restoring
a brother
in his
faith
and bringing
him back
he had
denied him
three times
and yet he
asked him
that question
Simon
Peter
do you
love me
yes
Lord
you know
that I
love you
was Peter
response
Peter
here he
is in the
latter stages
of his
life
as he's
thinking of
brotherly
affection
you can
imagine him
almost
welling up
in tears
thinking of
the love
that Jesus
had shown
to him
and that's
the love
that he is
saying to
show to
others
to show
that love
to our
brothers
and sisters
in Christ
when you
know
the love
of Christ
it's a
wonderful
thing
to be able
to share
it with
others
so we
have
brotherly
affection
and then
brotherly
affection
you add
to that
love
now here
it's
slightly
different
he's talking
about
that
self
sacrificing
love
for the
Lord
that
never
ending
love
for God
that
exhibits
itself
in
everything
that we
do
the very
same
love
that God
has shown
to us
and when
it says
when God
so loved
the world
that he
gave
his only
son
when we
see the
sacrificial
love
of God
that is
what drives
us surely
then to
grow in
our knowledge
of him
who called
us from
his own
glory
who called
us to
his own
glory
and excellence
as it
says
there
earlier
on
in
verse
three
we are
looking to
grow
in our
knowledge
of him
of the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
by seeing
what he
has done
for us
the love
of God
that did
not spare
his own
son
how much
do you
love
the
Lord
these
things
are there
for us
they seem
like you
would think
they would
be very
difficult
things to
grasp
to attain
to
but really
when you
think of
faith
faith is
in many
ways
we can
over
complicate
it
it's a
simple
thing
to believe
in the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
but it's
a faith
that is
to grow
a faith
that is
to grow
through
these
things
through
these
things
that then
give us
these
comforts
and assurance
of being
fruitful
of being
discerning
of having
assurance
and of
never
falling
it is
these
things
this list
in verse
five and
six
that we
are to
put into
practice
are we
willing
to
exercise
our
faith
and how
much
do we
love
the
Lord
who
loved
us
and
gave
himself
for
us
it's
good
to see
so many
young
people
out
this
evening
I want
to tell
you a
little
story
about
a little
girl
and how
she was
put
to the
test
a story
for us
all
to
consider
a mother
wanted
to put
her
to the
test
to teach
her
a
lesson
and what
she did
was as
they were
going to
church
one
Sunday
morning
she gave
her daughter
a five
pound note
and a
one pound
coin
and she
said to
the daughter
put whichever
one you
want into
the collection
plate when
it comes
round
and keep
the other
one for
yourself
and she
left that
with her
daughter
and they
were sitting
in church
and the
collection
plate
as it
was
in that
church
it came
round
they passed
it round
and they
put into
the collection
the mother
didn't look
to see
what her
daughter
did
but after
the service
she asked
her
well what
did you
do
did you
give the
five pound
or did
you give
the one
pound
and the
daughter
replied
well
I was
going to
give
the five
pound
but then
the man
in the
pulpit
said
the Lord
loves
a cheerful
giver
and I
thought to
myself
will I
be much
more
cheerful
if I
gave the
pound
coin
and kept
the five
pound
for myself
and so
that's
what she
did
but what's
the lesson
to be learned
in that
for us
is life
about
getting
for ourselves
is the
Lord saying
that the
less we
give to
him
the more
we keep
for ourselves
the happier
we'll be
no
the Lord
is telling
us
that what's
important
in life
not just
for now
but for
all our
days
and for
all eternity
is to
recognize
that he
gave
everything
for us
and that
we are to
give all
for him
to find
out all
these
assurances
for ourselves
we are to
practice
these things
that remind
us that
the most
important
thing
is to
believe
in the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and to
seek to
have more
and more
knowledge
of him
and all
his promises
for this
very reason
Peter says
make every
effort
to supplement
your faith
to add
these things
they're all
important
it's not
faith first
and then
and something
you're doing
as you're
going on
in life
but it's
all together
believe
and live
and work
on your
faith
make your
calling
an election
sure
for if you
practice
these qualities
you will
never fall
there's wonderful
promises for us
but there's
challenges
do you
believe
and are
you making
your calling
an election
sure
may the
Lord help
us to do
so let us
pray
Lord our
gracious God
we thank you
that you do
indeed exercise
our faith
and teach us
to exercise
it too
and we pray
that you will
help us
in all of
these things
that we'll
be able
to apply
them to
our own
lives
and to
our
experiences
help us
that we
would have
that desire
to grow
in our
knowledge
of the
Lord Jesus
Christ
the one
who gave
his all
for us
Lord help
us we pray
and guide us
in all of
these things
as we ask
it in
Jesus name
Amen
we're going
to conclude
by singing
to God's
praise in
Psalm 128
in the
Sing
Psalms
version
Psalm 128
page 172
we can
sing the
whole of
this
Psalm
Psalm 128
how blessed
are all
who fear
the Lord
who walk
the way
that he
has shown
success
and blessing
will be
yours
you'll eat
the fruit
that you
have grown
and so it
goes on
we'll sing
the whole
of this
Psalm
to God's
praise
Amen
How blessed
are all
who fear
the Lord
who walk
the way
that he
has shown
success
and blessing
blessing
will be
you'll eat
the fruit
that you
have grown
your wine
will be
a fruitful
wine
and
round
your table
will be
place
your children
like
young
olive
shoes
the sea
who fears
the Lord
is blessed
may you
be
behold
to behold
you
behold
Jesus
and
good
from Zion
make
God's
blessing
flow
your
children's
children
may
receive
May
God
of Israel
peace
be
shown
after the
benediction
I'll go to the door
to my right
we'll close
with the benediction
now may grace
mercy and peace
from God
Father
Son
and Holy
Spirit
rest upon
and abide
with you all
now and forever
more
Amen
Thank you.