Temple Baptist Church - 12-20-2017
2 Peter 1:1-4
Introduction:
A. Last week, we saw God’s promise to meet our needs in this life as He has given to us all things to be richly enjoyed. God, contrary to most preaching that you hear, wants you to “love life” and enjoy the fruit of your labors. “Eat, drink, and be merry” are not necessarily states of sinfulness.
B. The other thing that that God promises is that our spiritual needs in this life have been preemptively taken care of. God knows what spiritual battles that we will fight before we are confronted with them.
C. There are several things that we need to notice pertaining to godliness:
1. We have obtained righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ – vs. 1
2. God wants us to have peace of mind in this ungodly world – vs. 2
3. God has given us all things pertaining unto life – vs. 3
4. God has given us all things pertaining unto godliness vs. 3
5. We are to be partakers of the Lord’s divine nature – vs. 4
D. Ungodliness Has Permeated Our Nation - Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
1. The sinful condition of professing Christians. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2. God has given to us ALL things pertaining to godliness so why have these prophetic verses come true?
a) Because of the Compromise of the pulpits. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
b) Because of the worldliness of the people. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
c) Because these things have led to the decline of godly churches! Jeremiah 6:16-19 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (17) Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (18) Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. (19) Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
E. Ungodliness Has Permeated Many Churches - 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
F. Godliness Is Commanded - 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
G. Godliness Is Possible - 2 Peter 1:3-4 According as 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.
1. God Has Given To Us A New Nature - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (Biblical salvation always brings about a new nature with a godly direction implemented in our lives.)
2. God Has Given To Us His Precious Holy Spirit - 1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (Our faithful Companion and Comforter leads us into righteousness as He reproves us of our sin. He is our “Stop Sign.” I do not mean this in a disrespectful way. He wants us to live a life of godliness and always leads in that direction. Do live a selfish, carnal life and blame the Holy Ghost for it!)
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
3. God Has Given To Us His Infallible Word In The English King James Bible - Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (You do not need to study the Greek and Hebrew! You need to study English and spend your time in the Bible.)
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
4. God Has Given To Us Godly Examples To Follow - 1 Thessalonians 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (The Old Paths of godliness are well worn and plain to follow. Our spiritual forefathers had it right! The new “do as you please” religion of our day has it wrong.)
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
h. WHAT IS TODAY’S PROBLEM? Why do professing Christians not live lives of godliness when all that they need has already been provided? Because their ‘LOVE FOR THE WORLD” IS GREATER THAN OUR LOVE OF GOD!
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1. They love what they want. “lust of the flesh”
2. They love what they see. “lust of the eyes”
3. They love who they are. “pride of life”
HOW TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE
1. Godliness Is The Result Of A Repentant Heart - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
2. Godliness Is A Result Of Denying Worldly Lusts - Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
3. Godliness Is A Result Of A Heavenly Hope - Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.
4. Godliness Is A Result Of Hard Work - 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
5. Godliness Is A Result Of Contentment - 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
6. Godliness Is A Result Of The Fear Of The Lord - Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
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