10/10/2021 – Midtown Church – Sac

Essentials: Getting to the Core of the Christian Life | A Sermon Series on the Book of 1^st Peter

GROWING IS A LIFESTYLE: UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL MATURITY

10/10/2021 – Pastor Otis Amey

Main Text – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

AM I ESSENTIAL?

1.) Maturing Christians Pursue Knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV)

…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, 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.

We can access…God’s divine power THROUGH knowledge of Him
We can experience…God’s divine nature THROUGH knowledge of His promises
We can reap Corruption THROUGH lust (our carnal desires, greed, fame, etc.)

2.) Mature Christians Pursue God’s MORE! (2 Peter 1:5-9 NKJV)

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Goodness (Living to glorify God)
Knowledge (Responding to divine revelation)
Self-control (Resisting sinful desires)
Endurance (Not quitting until God releases you)
Godliness (Seeking to please God with your choices)
Brotherly Affection (Caring for the well-being of other members of God’s family)
Love (Compassionately & righteously seeking the well-being of others, including non-believers)

3.) Mature Christians Pursue God’s Kingdom Now! (2 Peter 1:10-15 NKJV)

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. ¹³ Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ¹⁴ knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. ¹⁵ Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

Matthew 16:27 (NKJV):

²⁷ For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

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Final Thought – Make the commitment to get BETTER with time. To mature spiritually. 

Proverbs 23:26 (NKJV)

My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.

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