Digging Deeper Reaching Higher

A guide to growth (2 Peter 1:3-11) Part one Verses 3-4

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.(v8) ….if you do these things you will never stumble (v10)

Verse 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

A) What are we given? All things that pertain to life and godliness –Everything we need to live a good life –Everything we need to be godly But what does godliness mean?

Opposites Small Happy Weak Up Godly (Eusebeia) Big Sad Strong Down Religious (Threskeia)

Religious Outward show Things that you do –Singing –Breaking bread –Going to the church building Anyone can do something religious no matter what they believe

Godliness An inward spiritual relationship with God Something on the inside conduct motivated by a desire to love and worship God Honest, truthful, sincere An inward feeling expressed outwardly

Religious or Godly Singing can be religious or godly Coming to church can be religious or godly Breaking bread can be religious or godly Praying out loud can be religious or godly

God has given us everything we need for a life of godliness Everything we need for a special, inward relationship with Him As we mature as Christians it’s easier to be religious, harder to be godly Are you more religious or godly?

divine power knowledge of Him by glory and virtue as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue B) How are these things given?

Divine power Knowledge of Him Called by glory and goodness That’s why we have to pass on knowledge of Him and show His glory and goodness

Remember We have all things needed for life and godliness… …through God’s power, knowledge of Him and the call of His glory and goodness

Verse 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

A) The Promises Very great and precious Valuable, Unmatchable, guaranteed Allow us to Participate in the divine nature Escape the corruption of the world

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

B) We participate in the divine nature Somehow God is present within us This relates to godliness –An inward reality –Not an outward show

C) We escape the corruption of the world Corruption = selfishness, greed, hate, jealousy, lies, pride, immorality, violence, hypocrisy etc How do we escape it?

How do we escape the corruption? God changes our nature so we are less like that (it can take time) God gives us strength, wisdom and divine help to withstand the problems we face in the world Ultimately we leave the earth and go to heaven

Remember We have all things needed for life and godliness through God’s power, knowledge of Him and the call of His glory and goodness We have amazing promises which let us participate in the divine nature and escape corruption

Response Be encouraged and excited by what God has done Live a godly life, not a religious one Spread the knowledge of God, His glory and goodness Draw from God the things that you need for life