2. Today we will focus on
2 Peter 1:12-21

3. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (12)

4. I think it right, 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. (13-14)

5. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (15)

6.  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (16)

7.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…” (17)

8. …we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (18)

9. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts… (19)

10. …knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
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.
(20-21)

11. I would like to unpack this passage in four specific areas.

12. Peter highlights four specific concepts that become the key to ‘success’ in the Christian life.

13. These four things certainly become the ‘key to success’
as it relates to taking on the
7 Attributes that he mentions.

14. 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. (8)

15. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (9)

16. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (10)

17. Here are the four concepts…

18. Remembrance
of the truth.

19. Validity
of the truth.

20. Waiting
upon the truth.

21. Walking
in the truth.

22. Remembrance
of the truth.

23. The 1st step in being an obedient, effective, fruitful & diligent believer is a continual remembrance of the truth.

24. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (12)

25. Peter says that even the most mature and knowledgeable Christians need to be reminded of the truth over and over.

26. I think it right, 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. (13-14)

27. It is clear from Peter’s words that the believer needs a comrade or a coach in their life who is continually reminding them of the truth.

28. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (15)

29. It is clear from Peter’s words that the goal is for the believer to be so ground in the truth that they will be consistent even when the coach is gone.

30. Application!

31. Get fed!
Every believer needs a regular source of truth coming into their life; daily & weekly.

32. Do it!
Make flash cards of your favorite 10 verses or most cherished doctrines etc. and review them daily & weekly.

33. Find a friend!
Every believer can benefit from a friend or spiritual mentor who will check in on them and keep their ‘feet to the fire’.

34. Do it!
Identify someone already in your life who could be a ‘spiritual helper’ and schedule time with them each week.

35. Tread water!
Every believer needs to learn to walk with God regardless of whatever everyone else is doing or not doing.

36. Do it!
Pick a book of the Bible. Schedule 15 minutes every day this week that you will spend reading it, noting a few observations. At the end of the week re-read your notes.

37. Validity
of the truth.

38. The 2nd step in being an obedient, effective, fruitful & diligent believer is a is a clear conviction & full persuasion of the validity of the truth.

39.  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (16)

40. Peter says that the obedient Christian truly believes that the ‘stories’ they’ve heard are credible and certain.

41. The effective Christian is one who truly believes in their heart & mind that these biblical accounts are correct.

42.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…” (17)

43. …we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (18)

44. The effective Christian is one who truly believes in their heart & mind that what the apostles’ claim is true & factual.

45. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention… (19)

46. Furthermore, the effective Christian is one who truly believes in their heart & mind that what the full canon of scripture professes and prophesied is true & factual.

47. Application!

48. Review it!
Review the claims of the apostles. Review how the resurrection changed their lives. Review the predictions of the prophets & the fulfilments of their message.

49. Ask yourself!
Examine yourself & ask yourself if you really truly believe the claims of the gospel; of Christ crucified & Him resurrected.

50. Tell God!
Pray and tell the Lord that you do believe these things…that they actually happened in history and they mean exactly what God says they mean.

51. Waiting
upon the truth.

52. The 3rd step in being an obedient, effective, fruitful & diligent believer is an eager, yet patient, waiting upon the coming of the Lord.

53. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts… (19)

54. The effective Christian is one who truly believes that Christ will return and that the day is soon upon us.

55. The effective Christian is one who has the return of Christ, the judgement of God & the end of all things as a compelling beacon before them at all times.

56. and His return above all the other things they value in life.
The effective Christian is one who has a burning desire in their heart to cherish Christ and His truth
and His return above all the other things they value in life.

57. Application!

58. Orient yourself!
Daily remind yourself that there is a God, you are His creature, He saved you by His grace, one day you will stand before Him & give an account for your life etc.

59. Do it!
Take a moment each morning to have a staff meeting with yourself. Take just 2-5 minutes to pray and set your goals & attitude for the day.

60. Have your funeral!
Ask yourself what you want people to say at your funeral. Ask yourself what you need to do now, daily, weekly, monthly in order to accomplish those things.

61. Do it!
Actually write down what you hope that people will say & remember you for. Ask yourself how you are doing; are you on track to accomplish those things at the rate you’re going?

62. Track your time!
Keep track of your time for a day, a week and then a month. See how much time is spent on temporary vs. eternal.

63. Sunday to Saturday for one week.
Do it!
Actually create an excel spreadsheet, word document or notebook page and track your time in minute increments from
Sunday to Saturday for one week.

64. Walking
in the truth.

65. The 4th step in being an obedient, effective, fruitful & diligent believer is daily conforming more and more into the image of Christ.

66. as long as I am in this body,
I think it right,
as long as I am in this body,
to stir you up…(13)

67. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… (3)

68. The effective Christian is one who isn’t satisfied with just knowing the truth…they want to comply with the truth in all spheres of life.

69. The effective Christian doesn’t want to just go to church and sing songs…they want to surrender every aspect of their life to the character of Christ.

70. …make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly kindness…(5-7)

71. 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. (8)

72. The effective Christian isn’t casual about their faith & obedience
The effective Christian isn’t casual about their faith & obedience. They are greatly concerned about their effectiveness.

73. The effective Christian wants to make sure that they are living for what will count for all of eternity. And they are eager to improve in their progress.

74. Application!

75. Follow the Leader!
It’s hard to know what to aim for if you can’t see the target. We should regularly be studying the life of Christ in order to have His example before us at all times.

76. Do it!
Make a list of the traits & qualities that come to mind when you think of Christ & His time here on earth. Keyword search Jesus in the Epistles and list the descriptors that are given.

77. Make a list!
Take time to identify the biggest areas of your life that are not totally surrendered to God. Pray over those &
ask God to intervene.

78. Do it!
Pull out a pen & paper, buy a notebook, and actually list/write down the areas in your life that you know are not wholly surrendered to God and ask Him to help.

79. Take out the trash!
There are plenty of areas in our lives that do not match up with ‘virtue’ & ‘godliness’…and it isn’t a matter of praying…it’s a matter of obeying & removing them.

80. Do it!
Identify one area in your life, a small/simple one that you know shouldn’t be there.
A habit, a hobby, an expense, a book, a movie, a show, a friend & throw it out today.