Bible Text: 2 Peter 1:3-11 | Preacher: Pastor Jason | Series: New Beginnings
2 Peter 1:3-4 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.
1. We have been gifted everything we need to succeed in being a partaker of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:5-7 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.
2. Human Nature is often about behavior modification but Divine Nature is about heart transformation.
2 Peter 1:8-9 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.
WARNING: If you don’t partake of the divine nature you will develop infertility, unproductiveness, amnesia, impaired vision, blindness, and ultimately death.
3. Human Nature can be simply about being a Christian but Divine Nature is about growing in Christ.
2 Peter 1:10-11 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.
4. Human Nature leads to stumbling whereas Divine Nature leads to walking with full assurance.
Communion
Come to the Altar
1 Corinthians 11:23-24
Communion is a Sacrament
1 Corinthians 11: 27-30 …whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup…
Communion is for believers
Communion requires shalom or peace
Communion requires a repentance
Jesus is our Passover Lamb
Isaiah 53:3-10 …he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed–and we were healed…He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he never said a word. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter…He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man’s grave; but he had done no wrong and had never spoken an evil word. But it was the Lord’s good plan to bruise him and fill him with grief…his soul has been made an offering for sin, then he shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again…
Communion reminds us that we can experience miraculous deliverance and freedom at the Cross of Jesus
Principle: Deliverance, freedom or liberty comes as we put Jesus first
1 Corinthians 11:24 This is my body, which is for you
1 Corinthians 11:25 This cup is the new covenant in my blood
The Blood
I John 1:7‑10 …and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness
The Benefits
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed
The Invitation is to Come to the Altar
Isaiah 55:6‑7 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon
Matthew 11:28‑30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light…