Sunday School Lesson

1. 2 Peter 1:1-11
“Being Useful”
You have everything that you need for life and growth.
November 6, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA

2. What’s the number one thing?
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3. The Glory of God!
https://forgodalmighty.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/cropped-sunset1.jpg

4. 1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God.
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5. November Memory Verse:
Matthew 9:37-38 ESV
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful,
but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his
harvest."

6. References:
•Missler, Dr. Chuck. “The Book of 2nd Peter, Chapter 1,
Session 6,” May 2016; YouTube Video.
•Smith, Collin. “Everything You Need For Life”, Sermon
series on 2 Peter, (unlockingthebible.org).
•ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL; Crossway Publishers,
2008).
•Scripture references are from the English Standard
Version (ESV) Bible unless otherwise noted.

7. Introduction to Peter’s 2nd Letter
•Written by Peter after Paul’s death 64-68 AD.
•Considered as 2nd class literature by some scholars.
•Well accepted by 4th century.
•Papyrus fragment of 2 Peter 1:15 found in Dead Sea
Scrolls at Qumran.
•Caves at Qumran sealed around 68 AD.

8. Outline of Lesson Today – 2 Parts
•2 Peter 1:1-4 – Everything You Need for Life.
•2 Peter 1:5-11 – Everything You Need for Growth.

9. Unaware Christians?

10. 2 Peter 1:1-2
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing
with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior
Jesus Christ:
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

11. a servant (bond-servant)
•“doulos” – a bond-slave.
•Voluntarily committed his life to service of a house.
•When option for freedom came, elected to remain as
servant.
•Ear pierced as a badge of honor to mark attachment
to your master.
•Peter was committed to Christ for life!!

12. “to those who have obtained a faith of equal
standing”
•The saving faith of the apostles is the same as the
saving faith of any believer.
•Gnostics claimed different levels of spirituality with
favoritism.
•Gnostics taught that an inner circle of a few believers
had special knowledge from God.

13. “may grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of our God and of Jesus our Lord.”
•Peter likes mathematical terms – “multiplied”.
•Peter encourages us to grow as Christians
(Sanctification) (Growing into the image of Christ).
•The multiplied grace and peace is in the knowledge
(knowing and obeying) of God and Christ.

14. 2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that
pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by
which he has granted to us his precious and very great
promises, so that through them you may become
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the
corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

15. “His divine power”
•Power = “dynamis”, the dynamite – the source.
•The source of this power is the Holy Spirit living in
you.
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may
grant you to be strengthened with power through his
Spirit in your inner being,

16. His divine power has granted us all things that
pertain to life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for
a godly life through our knowledge of him who called
us by his own glory and goodness.
• Through the Holy Spirit (divine power) we have everything
we need to live a godly life.

17. “who called us to his own glory and
excellence,”
• “Called us” = You did not just stumble into salvation, God
called you through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:30
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and
those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he
justified he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 1:9
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the
fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

18. “by which he has granted to us his precious
and very great promises,”
• Promise of new birth;
1 Peter 1:3b
3b According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be
born again to a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead,
• Promise of enabling power;
2 Peter 1:3a
3a His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness,

19. “so that through them (God’s promises) you
may become partakers of the divine nature”
•“Partakers” = sharing in God’s assets and liabilities.
• To fully participate.
• We share in Jesus’ victory over sin in this life.
• We share in Jesus’ victory over death in eternal life.
• Jesus’ divine nature is available through the Holy Spirit.

20. How did Paul express this concept of partakers
with Christ’s divine nature?
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.
Romans 8:9
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact
the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have
the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

21. “having escaped from the corruption that is in
the world because of sinful desire.”
•The unbeliever is still in bondage to sin, but you are
not.
•The believer is no longer Satan’s prisoner.
•Sin is your enemy, not your master!

22. Summary of 2 Peter 1:1-4
In knowing Christ, you have everything you need for
life, which is the promise of the Gospel:
1. Through knowing Christ, you become a partaker in His
divine nature in that the Holy Spirit is always in you.
2. In Christ, you escape the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires, and sin is not your master
anymore, but just your enemy.

23. Introduction to 1 Peter 1:5-11
•These verses will show how we have everything we
need for spiritual growth.
•This spiritual growth is what flows out of the promise
that you have everything you need for life (verses 1-4
above).
•Spiritual maturity (The Process of Sanctification).

24. 2 Peter 1:5-8
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement
your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and
knowledge with self-control, and self-control with
steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and
godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly
affection with love. 8 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.

25. 2 Peter 1:9-11
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted
that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed
from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the
more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if
you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in
this way there will be richly provided for you an
entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.

26. “For this very reason”
•This very reason is because we have everything we
need for life.
• You are partakers in his divine nature.
• You have the power of the Holy Spirit.
• You have escaped from the corruption of the world.

27. “For this very reason make every effort to
supplement your faith”
•This is Peter’s call to action for the Christian.
•It is our duty and responsibility to grow and mature as
Christians.
•This is NOT “Let go and let God,” but a personal daily
effort to become more like Christ.

28. Does your Christian growth feel like this?

29. How do we apply God’s gifts to us toward
God’s calling for us?
•Example by Martyn Lloyd Jones of a farmer:
• God gives the farmer the land, tools, equipment, seeds,
water & sunshine to produce a crop.
• The farmer must use the tools, seeds & equipment to
plant, kill weeds, tend the crops and then harvest the
crops.
• God give us the tools for spiritual growth, and we must
use them to produce a harvest.

30. Peter has the prescription of 7 ingredients for
effective and fruitful spiritual growth.
•These are characteristics we must actively pursue
because God has given us the power to attain them
through the Holy Spirit.
•It is an imperative or command; it is our duty.
•Let’s look at this as a self-evaluation on how you are
doing in pursuing spiritual maturity.

31. The building blocks to add to your faith.

32. “Make every effort to supplement your faith
with virtue,”
1. Virtue (Goodness in NIV) = moral purity, valor.
• Moral energy to perform good deeds for others.
• Greek “arête” means the God given ability to perform
heroic deeds.
• Later meaning was the quality of life which made
someone stand out as excellent.
• Daily test: How can I extend goodness to others?

33. “and virtue with knowledge,”
2. Knowledge = growing in the truths of God and
wisdom.
• Wisdom is found in the Word of God.
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
• Daily Test: How am I doing learning God’s Word?
• Do I spend time in God’s Word?

34. “and knowledge with self-control,”
3. Self-control = Controlling your passions instead of
them controlling you.
• Example of spiritual growth is Peter overcoming
impulsiveness.
• This is like the steering mechanism of your emotions
(spirit controlled).
• Where do I need to improve self- control?

36. “and self-control with steadfastness,”
4. Steadfastness (Perseverance in NIV) = arises from
self-control; patience and endurance without
complaining.
• An impulsive person gives up easily.
• You get fed up and then give up!
• You are led by your emotions & feelings.
• Learn to stay the course in difficulty.
• How are you tempted to give up?

37. “and steadfastness with godliness,”
5. Godliness = a life of passion for God; God-likeness;
obedience.
• How is my love for Christ?
• How much am I trying to be like Christ daily?
• Do others see Christ when they see my actions?
• I must truly love Christ before I can adequately love
others (brotherly affection is the next step).

38. “and godliness with brotherly affection,”
6. Brotherly affection (kindness in NIV) = generosity to
others (forgiveness).
• Greek is “philadelphia” brotherly love.
• This kindness and generosity for others flows from
godliness (#5).
• Be kind in your judgments of others.
• Be quick to think the best of others.
• How can I help others?

39. “and brotherly affection with love.”
7. Love (Greek is “agape”) = God’s compassion for the
world.
• Agape love has no end, no limits, no conditions.
• Your love causes you to share Jesus with others.
• Am I actively and regularly sharing what Christ has
done for me?

40. How does this compare with Paul’s list of the
fruit of the spirit?
Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-
control; against such things there is no law.
• Peter expresses these as something you add to your life or
internalize to your faith (building blocks).
• Paul expresses it as an outward manifestation of your
internal character (fruit).

41. Peter now gives us one warning and two
encouragements in 2 Peter1:8-10.
2 Peter 1:8-10
8 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. 9 For whoever lacks
these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having
forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to
confirm your calling and election, for if you practice
these qualities you will never fall.

42. What is Peter’s warning? (Verse 9)
•If you have no sense in your soul that these 7 qualities
are things you must pursue, then there is something
wrong in you!
•If this pursuit is not evident, you have “lost sight” of
what you should pursue.
•You are spiritually blind to what you should be doing
to grow spiritually.

43. What are the 2 encouragements from Peter?
1. If you pursue these 7 qualities, you will be effective
and fruitful (productive).
2 Peter 1:8
8 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.

44. What are the 2 encouragements from Peter?
2. You will know that you are in Christ (confirms your
calling and election in which you not fall).
2 Peter 1:10
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to
confirm your calling and election, for if you practice
these qualities you will never fall.

45. What does 2 Peter 1:10 say?
•This verse does NOT mean that your good life can
contribute to your calling and election, as this is God’s
work.
•You can see God’s work in your life and this is how
your assurance grows (confirm your calling and
election).
•“you will never fall” means that you will not stumble
into doubt, despair or questioning your salvation.

46. Paul said it this way about assurance of
salvation.
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have
committed to Him until that Day.

47. 2 Peter 1:11
11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an
entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
• You will have a “rich welcome” into heaven.

50. Until we get to heaven, what should we be
doing?
1. Every Christian, regardless of age, experience or
circumstance bears the responsibility to grow
spiritually.
2. Perfection cannot be fully attained, but a life of
increasing maturity is our calling.

51. Lesson for Today in 2 Peter 1:1-11
1. In knowing Christ, you have everything you need
for life, which is the promise of the Gospel.
2. You have everything you need for Christian growth,
and you must actively pursue adding to your faith
goodness, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness,
godliness, brotherly affection and love.

52. Next Sunday – November 13, 2016
2 Peter 1:12.21

53. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal
life.”
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

54. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life
to pay the penalty for our sins.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death
explained in Revelation 21:8.

55. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Revelation 21:8
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for
murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,
their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur,
which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.

56. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 6:23b
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7
7 “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his
God and he will be my son.”
Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquers.

57. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 10:9-10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is
justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved.”

58. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
If you have questions or would like to know more, Please,
contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/