“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,” (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Theme of 1st Peter: Hope in the midst of persecution

Theme of 2nd Peter: The grace of God transforms and empowers Christians to live for Him, even in the face of opposition.

Throughout the gospels, we see Peter:

-rushing ahead when he should have waited

-sleeping when he should have been praying

-talking when he should have listened

“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 Peter 1:1, ESV)

2 things about this privilege they have:

1. It was freely given to them

“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 Peter 1:1, ESV)

2. It was given to them by God and Jesus

“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 Peter 1:1, ESV)

“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 1:1a, ESV)

Servant: a title many of the great leaders in the Bible took as a title of honor

Great Biblical Leaders referred to as servants:

Moses, the great leader & law giver

“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab” (Deuteronomy 34:5a, ESV)

Joshua, the great commender

“After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being 110 years old.” (Joshua 24:29, ESV)

David, the greatest king

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;” (Psalm 78:70)

Paul, writer of more books in the New Testament than any other author

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1, ESV)

James, brother of Jesus

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1a, ESV)

Significance of being called a servant of Christ:

-we belong to God wholeheartedly

-we are committed to obeying Him

-we are constantly in His service

If you are a servant of God, it means every moment of your time is spent in the service of God.

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2, ESV)

3 possessions that we have been given through Jesus:

righteousness, grace, and peace

Righteousness

He gives you a right standing before God. In fact, His righteousness becomes yours

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Grace

Grace is God’s favor to those who do not deserve it.

Peace

1. Peace WITH God

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, ESV)

2. Peace OF God

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, ESV)

“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,” (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)

The Christian life begins w/ saving faith in person of Jesus Christ (v. 1).

But when you know Jesus personally, you also experience God’s power, and this power produces “life and godliness” (v. 3)

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ” (Colossians 2:10a, NLT)