1 00:00:00,220 --> 00:00:01,350 Marcel: Let me ask you a quick question. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,770 What is compelling about Jesus and Christianity? 3 00:00:06,930 --> 00:00:11,309 What's something that's compelling to you about Jesus and Christianity? 4 00:00:11,429 --> 00:00:13,660 So go ahead, just take 30 seconds and share with the person 5 00:00:13,660 --> 00:00:14,680 to your right or your left. 6 00:00:14,889 --> 00:00:19,280 What's something that is compelling about Jesus and Christianity for you? 7 00:00:19,459 --> 00:00:22,640 And if you're online, go ahead and type in the, uh, in the chat right there. 8 00:00:22,790 --> 00:00:26,320 What is something that's compelling about Jesus and Christianity? 9 00:00:26,930 --> 00:00:29,600 All right, let's get a couple people to share. 10 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,310 She said forgiveness of each other and from each other. 11 00:00:32,310 --> 00:00:34,920 So in the world you could just, you know, we cancel each other really 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:38,130 quickly, but in the church there's a lot of love, grace, and forgiveness there. 13 00:00:38,130 --> 00:00:39,780 Okay, awesome, appreciate it. 14 00:00:39,780 --> 00:00:40,690 All right, John, yes. 15 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:43,810 Focus on love and relationships. 16 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:45,110 Yeah, that's good, that's good. 17 00:00:45,110 --> 00:00:45,920 Any others there? 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:47,090 Okay, Big Craig, yes. 19 00:00:47,670 --> 00:00:51,900 Okay, so Jesus helps us not to have just a, uh, a form of religion and 20 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:53,340 something that's dry and stale there. 21 00:00:53,340 --> 00:00:54,120 Okay, cool. 22 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:54,800 All right, Eli. 23 00:00:55,230 --> 00:00:58,160 Jesus gives us purpose and a direction in life. 24 00:00:58,160 --> 00:00:58,740 Okay, one more. 25 00:00:58,740 --> 00:00:59,300 Yes, Dorca. 26 00:00:59,790 --> 00:01:03,000 Jesus surrendered to God's plan, even though it was hard. 27 00:01:03,030 --> 00:01:05,430 And obviously we are the beneficiaries of that. 28 00:01:05,540 --> 00:01:07,860 You know, there's a number of things that are compelling that 29 00:01:07,860 --> 00:01:11,060 I'm sure we can probably spend the rest of our service talking about. 30 00:01:11,420 --> 00:01:16,280 You know, there's, that comes to mind for me, eternal purpose and a mission in life. 31 00:01:16,895 --> 00:01:19,525 Uh, you know, forgiveness, not just of each other, but 32 00:01:19,525 --> 00:01:22,235 forgiveness from God for our sins. 33 00:01:22,575 --> 00:01:26,775 Uh, the, the, uh, uh, uh, uh, heaven that is our destination. 34 00:01:26,785 --> 00:01:28,015 That's something that's compelling. 35 00:01:28,315 --> 00:01:32,755 Uh, I think of divine truth, divine wisdom for our lives here. 36 00:01:33,155 --> 00:01:36,865 Uh, but the thing that's really caught me over the last, uh, probably about a 37 00:01:36,865 --> 00:01:43,015 month or two, how compelling it is that Jesus and Christianity is that there 38 00:01:43,015 --> 00:01:44,664 is an opportunity for transformation. 39 00:01:46,785 --> 00:01:50,245 It's that when you really follow the Jesus of the scriptures, the Jesus, 40 00:01:50,295 --> 00:01:54,675 the Messiah, the Son of God, and you live out true Christianity, God gets 41 00:01:54,675 --> 00:01:56,755 us on a process of transformation. 42 00:01:57,445 --> 00:02:01,275 As you can see here, the caterpillar turned into this beautiful butterfly. 43 00:02:01,365 --> 00:02:04,295 You know, I didn't realize there's other animals and insects that also 44 00:02:04,415 --> 00:02:06,075 have this trans, uh, transformation. 45 00:02:06,075 --> 00:02:06,645 Did you know that? 46 00:02:07,475 --> 00:02:09,175 I didn't even realize the whole frog thing. 47 00:02:09,185 --> 00:02:11,835 He's a tadpole and then he comes, I didn't even realize that until the other day. 48 00:02:12,410 --> 00:02:13,100 There's other stuff. 49 00:02:13,100 --> 00:02:14,630 I'm like, whoa, this is incredible. 50 00:02:14,660 --> 00:02:17,320 But the caterpillar and the butterfly, you know, spiritually, 51 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:19,070 this is what God does with us. 52 00:02:19,700 --> 00:02:26,060 Is that he gets us on this process of transformation where we grow spiritually. 53 00:02:26,230 --> 00:02:28,960 And we grow in our spiritual maturity. 54 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:33,010 We can think of, uh, in Genesis how it describes God creating, 55 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:34,840 um, creating the universe. 56 00:02:35,070 --> 00:02:38,240 And how it talks about earth was, was, was basically formless. 57 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,740 And God transformed it into what we enjoy and live on today. 58 00:02:42,210 --> 00:02:45,730 We think of Abraham and how he transformed him and have it led to 59 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:51,040 him being the the ancestor of really many Descendants we think of Jacob 60 00:02:51,060 --> 00:02:54,380 transforming into Israel and that becoming a nation in which Jesus would 61 00:02:54,380 --> 00:02:58,520 come through that line We think of the New Testament in this passage right here. 62 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:02,470 Check this passage out real quickly Look what it says, but our citizenship 63 00:03:02,470 --> 00:03:07,660 is in heaven and we eagerly Eagerly, whatever that word is, await a 64 00:03:07,660 --> 00:03:10,750 Savior eagerly I still can't say it. 65 00:03:10,750 --> 00:03:10,980 All right. 66 00:03:11,180 --> 00:03:12,570 Away the Savior from this. 67 00:03:12,630 --> 00:03:16,640 The Lord George, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that 68 00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:19,900 enables him to bring everything under his control, check this out, will 69 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:25,150 transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 70 00:03:26,890 --> 00:03:29,130 I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to that glorious body. 71 00:03:30,170 --> 00:03:33,060 I'm hoping that it might be, you know, a couple inches taller too as well. 72 00:03:33,925 --> 00:03:35,565 Or at least everybody's on the same page. 73 00:03:35,565 --> 00:03:36,105 You know what I'm saying? 74 00:03:36,105 --> 00:03:37,045 Or maybe God reversed it. 75 00:03:37,045 --> 00:03:38,145 All the short people will be tall. 76 00:03:38,145 --> 00:03:38,775 You know what I'm saying? 77 00:03:38,925 --> 00:03:40,805 And we'll look down on the rest of y'all for eternity. 78 00:03:40,815 --> 00:03:41,585 You know what I'm saying? 79 00:03:42,545 --> 00:03:46,095 But man, this idea that we don't even know what that's gonna be like. 80 00:03:46,725 --> 00:03:49,825 But our bodies will be transformed into this glorious body. 81 00:03:49,825 --> 00:03:51,175 How cool is that? 82 00:03:52,245 --> 00:03:56,765 But in the meantime, and in between time, God is transforming our 83 00:03:56,765 --> 00:04:01,295 hearts, our minds, our characters. 84 00:04:02,325 --> 00:04:03,905 Our very nature. 85 00:04:04,915 --> 00:04:08,915 And so God is in this transformation business, helping us and calling 86 00:04:08,915 --> 00:04:12,025 us to grow and to mature in Him. 87 00:04:12,035 --> 00:04:14,425 Look at some of these passages real quickly here. 88 00:04:14,645 --> 00:04:17,995 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed 89 00:04:18,315 --> 00:04:20,605 to the image of His Son. 90 00:04:21,175 --> 00:04:26,395 So God's plan from the beginning is for us to be like His Son. 91 00:04:27,355 --> 00:04:30,805 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed. 92 00:04:31,130 --> 00:04:36,290 By the renewing of your minds and we all who with unveiled faces 93 00:04:36,310 --> 00:04:37,650 contemplate the Lord's glory. 94 00:04:37,659 --> 00:04:42,230 Check this out are being transformed into his image with an ever 95 00:04:42,230 --> 00:04:47,400 increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 96 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:53,540 God wants to transform you and me, not into something that's just 97 00:04:53,550 --> 00:04:58,240 special, but he wants to transform us into his own image and likeness. 98 00:05:00,595 --> 00:05:01,455 How awesome is that? 99 00:05:02,625 --> 00:05:07,235 Whatever great compelling characteristic you see in Christ, God wants to 100 00:05:07,235 --> 00:05:11,695 transform you into that for that to be your character and your nature. 101 00:05:12,575 --> 00:05:16,585 Whatever's compelling about following Jesus, God has this plan where he 102 00:05:16,585 --> 00:05:18,515 wants to transform us into his image. 103 00:05:18,705 --> 00:05:21,625 And again, as we mentioned on Wednesday, God's not interested in 104 00:05:21,625 --> 00:05:24,315 just a little behavioral modification. 105 00:05:25,235 --> 00:05:28,065 God is trying to transform you in me. 106 00:05:28,945 --> 00:05:32,645 And so for the first part of 2024, we want to focus in on this 107 00:05:32,655 --> 00:05:36,005 transformation and this growth in Christ. 108 00:05:36,265 --> 00:05:40,365 And so we're going to begin a series today called become more in 24. 109 00:05:41,355 --> 00:05:46,515 And so we're going to study out the book of 2nd Peter and, uh, really verse 1. 110 00:05:46,515 --> 00:05:50,055 And in fact, uh, you should have on your, on your phone, uh, if you 111 00:05:50,055 --> 00:05:52,525 have the church app, if you don't hurry up and download the church app. 112 00:05:52,705 --> 00:05:55,865 But probably we have a little handout, a little series handout that's on 113 00:05:55,865 --> 00:05:57,685 there, but we do have some hard copies. 114 00:05:57,685 --> 00:06:01,035 So if you want a hard copy of the sermon series handout, the 115 00:06:01,065 --> 00:06:04,465 ushers, if you raise your hand, the ushers can give you one right now. 116 00:06:04,775 --> 00:06:06,475 And so we're going to study out. 117 00:06:06,885 --> 00:06:10,755 Uh, just the, uh, several verses in second Peter, chapter one, 118 00:06:10,755 --> 00:06:12,045 verses five through seven. 119 00:06:12,255 --> 00:06:17,055 And we're going to look on how we can continue in this process of 120 00:06:17,075 --> 00:06:21,245 transformation that God has you and me on. 121 00:06:21,255 --> 00:06:22,365 Are you with me, church? 122 00:06:23,145 --> 00:06:24,865 Let's go ahead and let's get into it. 123 00:06:24,865 --> 00:06:26,735 Second Peter, chapter one. 124 00:06:26,735 --> 00:06:27,785 Can I get an amen? 125 00:06:28,735 --> 00:06:29,875 Can I get an amen? 126 00:06:30,565 --> 00:06:32,345 Second Peter, chapter one, verse one. 127 00:06:32,345 --> 00:06:32,695 It says. 128 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,860 And this is Peter and Peter's writing to the churches will many believe he's 129 00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:40,260 writing to the same churches that he wrote to in first Peter and he's dealing 130 00:06:40,260 --> 00:06:44,370 with some false doctrine, but he goes on and he gives them encouragement to 131 00:06:44,380 --> 00:06:49,100 be faithful and to behold hold fast to the faith because of the prophetic 132 00:06:49,100 --> 00:06:54,820 word, but also the transformation that you and I can and will enjoy in Christ. 133 00:06:55,050 --> 00:06:58,950 Let's read second Peter one verse one, Simon, Peter, a servant and 134 00:06:58,950 --> 00:07:01,710 apostle of Christ Jesus to those. 135 00:07:02,310 --> 00:07:06,050 Who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ have received 136 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:10,200 a precious faith as precious as ours. 137 00:07:10,850 --> 00:07:11,800 That's just cool to think about. 138 00:07:12,950 --> 00:07:14,540 Our faith is precious. 139 00:07:15,150 --> 00:07:17,550 He also says it's more precious than gold. 140 00:07:18,930 --> 00:07:22,430 He says grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge 141 00:07:22,460 --> 00:07:25,710 of God and of Jesus our Lord. 142 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:26,690 Now here we go. 143 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:28,760 His divine power. 144 00:07:28,955 --> 00:07:33,075 God has given us everything we need for a godly life through our 145 00:07:33,075 --> 00:07:36,625 knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 146 00:07:36,655 --> 00:07:37,465 Did you catch that? 147 00:07:38,205 --> 00:07:44,585 His divine power has given us everything we need for 148 00:07:44,685 --> 00:07:49,075 godliness, for our life in Christ. 149 00:07:50,205 --> 00:07:56,185 That means you and I are fully equipped, fully supplied to live a 150 00:07:56,185 --> 00:07:58,485 godly life through our relationship. 151 00:07:58,895 --> 00:08:03,005 With him, you do not lack a single thing. 152 00:08:05,425 --> 00:08:08,065 And this is incredible because he says it's through your knowledge. 153 00:08:08,215 --> 00:08:13,105 And this isn't knowledge as far as knowing about Jesus, knowing what Jesus did. 154 00:08:13,305 --> 00:08:18,685 This knowledge is really implying the idea of knowing him on a personal growing 155 00:08:18,685 --> 00:08:22,275 relationship because of this relationship. 156 00:08:22,665 --> 00:08:25,685 And we know Peter also told us when we repent and get baptized, we 157 00:08:25,685 --> 00:08:27,645 received the gift of the Holy Spirit. 158 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:32,490 So then when we have this relationship with God, and then we are empowered by the 159 00:08:32,490 --> 00:08:39,309 Holy Spirit, God's design and intention is for us to therefore live a godly life. 160 00:08:39,350 --> 00:08:43,210 We are capable because we are empowered through our relationship 161 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:44,660 and through the Holy Spirit. 162 00:08:45,100 --> 00:08:46,990 We continue going to verse 4. 163 00:08:47,350 --> 00:08:52,380 It says, Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, 164 00:08:52,390 --> 00:08:57,610 so that through them, check this out, you may participate in the divine. 165 00:08:57,975 --> 00:09:04,075 Nature having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 166 00:09:04,155 --> 00:09:08,855 This idea and I believe we talked a little bit about this in two years ago. 167 00:09:09,415 --> 00:09:14,825 This idea here of participating in the divine nature. 168 00:09:14,825 --> 00:09:17,635 What is he talking about right there? 169 00:09:18,465 --> 00:09:22,055 You see, God's desire and will is for us to participate in 170 00:09:22,055 --> 00:09:23,865 the divine nature, meaning. 171 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:30,370 We become like God in our character and in our very nature. 172 00:09:31,450 --> 00:09:36,180 We can't become God like in the sense of having divine authority and power. 173 00:09:37,260 --> 00:09:42,360 But we get to become like God in our character and nature. 174 00:09:44,370 --> 00:09:46,820 Do you see any shortcomings in your character and nature? 175 00:09:48,850 --> 00:09:50,020 If we're honest, yes. 176 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:50,790 We probably see them. 177 00:09:50,790 --> 00:09:52,890 Some of us, we go to stream and we see them too much. 178 00:09:53,465 --> 00:09:58,095 What God is saying is that in Christ, through Him, we get to therefore now 179 00:09:58,105 --> 00:10:04,755 start to reflect and start to take on God's character and likeness. 180 00:10:05,785 --> 00:10:11,265 And we begin to think, act, behave, and be something different. 181 00:10:12,065 --> 00:10:15,675 And through the power of the Spirit, we begin to change and reflect 182 00:10:16,125 --> 00:10:18,475 the character of God in our lives. 183 00:10:18,475 --> 00:10:21,415 Again, God is a God of transformation. 184 00:10:21,860 --> 00:10:27,550 And he's transforming you and me back into our original intention. 185 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,180 And that's his image and his likeness. 186 00:10:32,950 --> 00:10:35,870 God doesn't want you to be whoever you are today. 187 00:10:36,130 --> 00:10:38,650 He wants you to be like him forever. 188 00:10:40,530 --> 00:10:42,830 And so we continue in verse five. 189 00:10:43,620 --> 00:10:44,430 And then it says. 190 00:10:45,065 --> 00:10:47,035 For this very reason. 191 00:10:47,115 --> 00:10:47,815 What reason? 192 00:10:47,985 --> 00:10:49,875 The reason for living a guided life. 193 00:10:49,885 --> 00:10:52,695 For the reason of participating in his divine nature. 194 00:10:52,815 --> 00:10:57,885 Make every effort to add to your faith. 195 00:10:59,055 --> 00:11:03,175 For this reason, add to your faith. 196 00:11:03,435 --> 00:11:06,815 We play a role in this transformation. 197 00:11:09,295 --> 00:11:13,135 God has already provided everything we need. 198 00:11:14,025 --> 00:11:16,175 Now we have to do our part. 199 00:11:17,545 --> 00:11:21,335 And so this is so cool and incredible, and it's so helpful for us, 200 00:11:21,385 --> 00:11:23,315 because, see, here's what happens. 201 00:11:23,815 --> 00:11:30,125 When God's empowerment intersects with human effort, this is when 202 00:11:30,255 --> 00:11:31,895 transformation takes place. 203 00:11:33,755 --> 00:11:38,575 When God's empowerment intersects with our human effort, this is 204 00:11:38,585 --> 00:11:40,075 when transformation takes place. 205 00:11:41,385 --> 00:11:46,075 But if you remove one of these things, you won't have transformation take place. 206 00:11:46,905 --> 00:11:48,355 Let's think about this. 207 00:11:48,955 --> 00:11:49,765 It's the new year. 208 00:11:49,775 --> 00:11:51,845 A lot of us are having goals. 209 00:11:51,855 --> 00:11:54,745 A lot of us have some health or fitness goals. 210 00:11:55,375 --> 00:11:58,275 And so some of us, we want to get ripped and be swollen and buffed. 211 00:11:58,285 --> 00:11:58,885 You know what I'm saying? 212 00:11:58,915 --> 00:12:00,225 We want to be like Dallas Kawhi. 213 00:12:00,225 --> 00:12:01,055 You know what I'm saying? 214 00:12:03,495 --> 00:12:05,575 Some of us would say, Hey, I want to, you know, whatever it is. 215 00:12:05,575 --> 00:12:06,265 I want to eat healthier. 216 00:12:06,265 --> 00:12:06,815 I want to lose weight. 217 00:12:06,815 --> 00:12:07,935 Whatever the case it is, right? 218 00:12:08,055 --> 00:12:12,535 We all know we There's two major components to achieving that goal. 219 00:12:13,355 --> 00:12:14,055 One is what? 220 00:12:14,125 --> 00:12:15,085 Exercise. 221 00:12:15,635 --> 00:12:16,455 And what's the other? 222 00:12:17,545 --> 00:12:18,195 Your diet. 223 00:12:18,815 --> 00:12:23,325 If you said something else, there's some reasons. 224 00:12:25,835 --> 00:12:27,465 You have to have what? 225 00:12:28,065 --> 00:12:29,045 You have to have some exercise. 226 00:12:29,245 --> 00:12:31,125 But you have to have the diet that follows. 227 00:12:31,145 --> 00:12:32,765 If not, you will look like Marcel. 228 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,780 You see, I've been trying for a while to get the six pack abs, but you know 229 00:12:37,780 --> 00:12:39,260 what, I got the exercise part down. 230 00:12:39,410 --> 00:12:41,680 But you know what, I just can't give up those french fries. 231 00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:45,950 I said, Marcel, you gotta go ahead and eat more vegetables, and I do, 232 00:12:45,950 --> 00:12:48,430 but I don't eat enough because then I add it with some potato chips. 233 00:12:48,430 --> 00:12:49,270 You get what I'm saying? 234 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:50,780 I'm like, it balances out. 235 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:57,640 We all know if you want to physically transform, you better have some exercise 236 00:12:57,680 --> 00:12:58,700 and you better have your diet right. 237 00:12:59,140 --> 00:13:01,590 If you want to be spiritually transformed, you need God's empowering 238 00:13:01,590 --> 00:13:03,790 spirit and you need your human efforts. 239 00:13:05,140 --> 00:13:09,180 If you remove the human efforts, transformation can't take place. 240 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:15,920 And for some of us, we've been frustrated about where we're at spiritually. 241 00:13:17,270 --> 00:13:20,990 Man, and then we blame God or we blame the church or we blame ministers. 242 00:13:21,140 --> 00:13:25,800 We blame whoever, we blame, uh, politicians, we blame government. 243 00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:28,550 We blame social media, whatever the case is. 244 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:36,090 But oftentimes it's because we're neglecting to make every effort to add to 245 00:13:36,090 --> 00:13:44,100 our faith You see the Holy Spirit isn't is effective in an actor when we decide we're 246 00:13:44,100 --> 00:13:50,410 gonna match him with our efforts What 3? 247 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:55,450 God's already given you every single thing you need you are not in need in 248 00:13:55,450 --> 00:14:03,330 order to grow and mature spiritually But the requirement for you and me is 249 00:14:03,340 --> 00:14:08,560 to take the steps necessary to work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. 250 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:12,110 And that's when transformation begins. 251 00:14:13,670 --> 00:14:14,870 Church are you with me here? 252 00:14:16,330 --> 00:14:20,680 You see, again, we understand this physically, but we need 253 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:21,840 to make sure we apply it. 254 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:23,070 Spiritually. 255 00:14:23,310 --> 00:14:24,240 Let's continue going. 256 00:14:24,530 --> 00:14:27,760 It says, for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, 257 00:14:27,810 --> 00:14:31,510 goodness and the goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self control and to self 258 00:14:31,510 --> 00:14:35,380 control, perseverance and perseverance, godliness and to godliness, mutual 259 00:14:35,380 --> 00:14:38,060 affection and to mutual affection, love. 260 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:43,230 This is going to be our text for the next seven weeks here as we see really 261 00:14:43,230 --> 00:14:47,760 these, uh, you know, it's kind of, it's been coined faith, faith arithmetic 262 00:14:48,140 --> 00:14:49,360 because it keeps saying add to. 263 00:14:50,110 --> 00:14:52,690 Or some call it the ladder of transformation. 264 00:14:54,090 --> 00:14:55,520 Now let me ask you this. 265 00:14:55,610 --> 00:15:00,480 What would it look like to have these things in your life? 266 00:15:03,490 --> 00:15:05,080 What would that look like for someone? 267 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:08,270 To have these things in their life? 268 00:15:08,270 --> 00:15:13,500 You would say, man, that's a, that's an incredible person of 269 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:14,310 faith right there, isn't it? 270 00:15:15,550 --> 00:15:21,590 He said, man, that's incredibly like, man, I'm, I'm becoming more like Jesus. 271 00:15:22,980 --> 00:15:26,930 I'm starting to resemble more of my heavenly father. 272 00:15:27,950 --> 00:15:31,190 You see, this is what God is doing is he wants us. 273 00:15:31,565 --> 00:15:35,205 To have these virtues, but we have to again have our effort and then what's 274 00:15:35,205 --> 00:15:39,615 going to be created this Transformation where we are the beautiful butterfly 275 00:15:39,615 --> 00:15:47,525 in Christ and we resemble behave think and act like our God And then he tells 276 00:15:47,525 --> 00:15:50,815 us more Results he goes on in verse 8. 277 00:15:50,965 --> 00:15:55,775 It says for if you possess these qualities in increasing 278 00:15:56,005 --> 00:15:58,485 measure Let's stop right there. 279 00:15:59,085 --> 00:16:02,315 The way the Greek is worded there, it actually is telling 280 00:16:02,315 --> 00:16:04,005 us it's a continual thing. 281 00:16:04,005 --> 00:16:05,045 It's not a once. 282 00:16:05,815 --> 00:16:10,385 And so what this saying is, that we should be growing in increasing measure. 283 00:16:10,385 --> 00:16:15,795 We should continually be going after our growth in Christ. 284 00:16:15,985 --> 00:16:20,235 Never arriving until our death or until Jesus returns. 285 00:16:21,245 --> 00:16:21,995 Let me ask you this. 286 00:16:22,045 --> 00:16:23,605 Have you arrived spiritually? 287 00:16:24,785 --> 00:16:26,185 You better not say yes. 288 00:16:28,395 --> 00:16:31,415 Of course, none of us have, and we know this. 289 00:16:31,915 --> 00:16:37,235 And so every day we make decisions to grow in our relationship and 290 00:16:37,235 --> 00:16:42,665 to grow in the likeness of Christ and transformation continues. 291 00:16:43,505 --> 00:16:47,865 And so we should always see ourself as, man, I need to grow, but not in a negative 292 00:16:47,865 --> 00:16:52,545 way, but God wants me to continue to grow so that I can begin to think like him. 293 00:16:53,905 --> 00:16:58,305 Now, there's a difference between behavior modification and what you are 294 00:16:58,305 --> 00:17:02,265 interested in, what your interests, likes and dislikes, and how you think. 295 00:17:02,745 --> 00:17:03,975 You guys get what I'm saying here? 296 00:17:04,494 --> 00:17:08,625 See, at my conversion, I went from a womanizer to, man, I'm going 297 00:17:08,625 --> 00:17:10,234 to try to be righteous and holy. 298 00:17:10,974 --> 00:17:16,345 But what God has been producing in me is that I lift up and value women way 299 00:17:16,345 --> 00:17:18,175 more than I ever did in my life before. 300 00:17:18,835 --> 00:17:21,925 But he's having me start to view them as queens, princesses. 301 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,880 Now, my conversion, I didn't have that thought process. 302 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:26,550 You guys get what I'm saying? 303 00:17:26,569 --> 00:17:27,720 Don't throw any tomatoes at me. 304 00:17:27,819 --> 00:17:29,030 I'm just being vulnerable up here. 305 00:17:30,310 --> 00:17:33,880 But God now has me and he's like, boy, I'm going to give you two more daughters so 306 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:35,280 that we can really implant this in you. 307 00:17:37,070 --> 00:17:41,560 And so my thought process is changing and I'm starting to think more 308 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:45,080 like my heavenly father because transformation is taking place. 309 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:46,570 Do you understand what I'm saying? 310 00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:50,480 You see, we can be converted and that's a lot of behavior 311 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:52,200 modification, a lot of our desires. 312 00:17:52,370 --> 00:17:56,220 But when we start to desire what he desires, think the way he thinks, 313 00:17:56,290 --> 00:17:58,930 that's when we start to really reflect and become the image of 314 00:17:58,930 --> 00:18:00,510 Christ, which we were intended to be. 315 00:18:02,870 --> 00:18:08,090 He goes on and he says, they will keep you from being ineffective and productive in 316 00:18:08,090 --> 00:18:10,120 your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 317 00:18:11,385 --> 00:18:14,265 When we're growing, again, we're not ineffective, no, we're 318 00:18:14,265 --> 00:18:18,455 productive, meaning we're living a fruitful life the way God intends. 319 00:18:19,085 --> 00:18:22,595 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, 320 00:18:22,615 --> 00:18:26,505 forgetting what they have been cleansed from their past sins. 321 00:18:27,685 --> 00:18:30,485 You know, if we're not growing, if we're not going after these 322 00:18:30,495 --> 00:18:31,995 things, then we become blind. 323 00:18:32,265 --> 00:18:33,235 We become nearsighted. 324 00:18:33,235 --> 00:18:36,905 We can only see things, but we don't see the spiritual realm. 325 00:18:37,130 --> 00:18:42,340 It's or we become forgetful and we forget what our past life was like. 326 00:18:43,350 --> 00:18:44,440 What's the result of that? 327 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:49,590 Spiritual damage and destruction and oftentimes affecting 328 00:18:49,620 --> 00:18:51,650 others in the process. 329 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,480 I read this quote and I want to read it says a lack of spiritual 330 00:18:55,490 --> 00:18:58,535 growth is a sign of spiritual death. 331 00:19:01,135 --> 00:19:05,045 When we lack spiritual growth, it's a sign that, that there's some trouble. 332 00:19:05,045 --> 00:19:06,435 We need to have some warning signs. 333 00:19:06,455 --> 00:19:11,165 We need to heed those and take our faith seriously and get help. 334 00:19:11,485 --> 00:19:12,355 Then it goes on. 335 00:19:12,975 --> 00:19:16,175 It says, therefore, my brothers and sisters make every effort to 336 00:19:16,185 --> 00:19:17,715 confirm your calling and election. 337 00:19:17,745 --> 00:19:21,855 For if you do these things, you will never stumble and you will receive a 338 00:19:21,855 --> 00:19:27,145 rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. 339 00:19:27,755 --> 00:19:28,115 Again. 340 00:19:28,590 --> 00:19:29,310 Yes, you're gonna. 341 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:30,560 He says not stumbling. 342 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:31,610 I mean, you'll never sin. 343 00:19:31,610 --> 00:19:35,290 But if you think about this if I'm growing in all these attributes I 344 00:19:35,310 --> 00:19:38,890 probably will have a lot more victories over sin in my life, wouldn't I? 345 00:19:39,980 --> 00:19:45,760 But I won't stumble and fall meaning I won't leave God But I'll be welcomed 346 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:51,710 and have my eternal goal of eternity with my Savior Again, there's so many 347 00:19:51,710 --> 00:19:57,170 things that are compelling about Jesus compelling about a life in Christ But 348 00:19:57,170 --> 00:20:02,465 brothers and sisters It is incredible that you and I have the opportunity and 349 00:20:02,475 --> 00:20:07,845 we are in the process of transformation of being transformed from who we were, 350 00:20:07,905 --> 00:20:12,265 who we are into being like Jesus. 351 00:20:13,015 --> 00:20:15,065 You know, people of faith will not stand still. 352 00:20:15,715 --> 00:20:21,415 The nature of our discipleship is to grow and this transformation is 353 00:20:21,415 --> 00:20:25,215 available, but we have to do our part. 354 00:20:25,805 --> 00:20:27,635 And so what's the response to all of this? 355 00:20:28,145 --> 00:20:33,755 I believe it's this is to make every effort, you know, to give our best to 356 00:20:33,755 --> 00:20:40,295 God, to give our very best to growing spiritually, not a little bit, not 357 00:20:40,295 --> 00:20:44,335 just some, but giving our very best. 358 00:20:44,905 --> 00:20:48,835 Some of us in here, we've maybe never made that decision to seek Jesus. 359 00:20:48,835 --> 00:20:53,655 And so my encouragement would be to you to take a faith of step toward God. 360 00:20:54,295 --> 00:20:56,915 Get some help, study the Bible so you can see what is this 361 00:20:56,925 --> 00:21:00,385 transformation that is offered to me. 362 00:21:00,865 --> 00:21:02,215 Let's get real practical here. 363 00:21:02,215 --> 00:21:04,775 Here's an action step here for the week here. 364 00:21:05,045 --> 00:21:09,875 And so it's real simple here, and it's to pray through the list in 2 Peter 1 365 00:21:09,905 --> 00:21:13,995 through 5, or chapters 1, uh, verses 5 through 7, every day this week. 366 00:21:14,635 --> 00:21:17,755 Just during some time, whether it's in your devotional time in the morning, in 367 00:21:17,755 --> 00:21:19,345 the evening, whatever the case may be. 368 00:21:19,615 --> 00:21:23,425 Spend some time and just pray through this list. 369 00:21:24,275 --> 00:21:25,645 Right now we're going to take communion. 370 00:21:25,965 --> 00:21:29,305 The emblems represent Jesus body and blood that was broken 371 00:21:29,305 --> 00:21:31,095 and spilled for our salvation. 372 00:21:31,595 --> 00:21:35,805 And we read again in 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 10 it says, Therefore my 373 00:21:35,805 --> 00:21:40,605 brothers and sisters make every effort to confirm your calling and election. 374 00:21:40,855 --> 00:21:44,865 For if you do these things you will never stumble and you will receive a 375 00:21:44,865 --> 00:21:49,545 rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 376 00:21:49,545 --> 00:21:51,500 It's because of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. 377 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:55,470 And resurrection that we have a chance to not only participate in the divine 378 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,730 nature, but also in eternal life in him. 379 00:21:58,740 --> 00:21:59,120 Let's pray. 380 00:21:59,910 --> 00:22:02,780 Father in heaven, I thank you so much for your word today. 381 00:22:02,780 --> 00:22:03,570 I'm excited. 382 00:22:03,570 --> 00:22:04,600 God about growing. 383 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,390 I'm excited about seeing the church collectively grow. 384 00:22:07,390 --> 00:22:10,780 I'm excited about us growing individually and thank you for 385 00:22:10,780 --> 00:22:12,110 giving us your Holy Spirit. 386 00:22:12,110 --> 00:22:13,810 Thank you for giving us the word. 387 00:22:13,820 --> 00:22:16,260 Thank you for giving us the church and relationship. 388 00:22:16,590 --> 00:22:20,150 Thank you for giving us the example in Christ on how to live. 389 00:22:20,555 --> 00:22:23,945 And God, we thank you that Jesus persevered, and God, that all the 390 00:22:24,145 --> 00:22:29,205 qualities listed in second Peter, Father, all those Jesus demonstrated. 391 00:22:29,635 --> 00:22:33,895 And so Father, we pray that we can have the strength and you can help guide us 392 00:22:33,905 --> 00:22:39,395 to make good decisions so that we can make every effort to add to our faith. 393 00:22:39,615 --> 00:22:41,565 We thank you for your grace and your mercy. 394 00:22:41,565 --> 00:22:43,125 We know we don't earn salvation. 395 00:22:43,125 --> 00:22:44,845 That's not what Peter says at all. 396 00:22:45,035 --> 00:22:48,995 Salvation is offered, but we respond by giving you our very best. 397 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:53,810 And father, we thank you that Jesus made every effort for 398 00:22:53,870 --> 00:22:56,090 our salvation in his name. 399 00:22:56,340 --> 00:22:56,380 Amen.