Our Spiritual Possessions in Christ (2 Peter 1:1-4)
This sermon offers an encouraging look at the abundant spiritual provisions available to every believer. It invites listeners to embrace the truth of what they possess in Christ, moving beyond feelings of insecurity toward a life of confident faith.
This sermon explains how believers already possess everything needed for a godly life through their relationship with Christ. These divine provisions, including magnificent promises and victory over sin, are generously granted by God to overcome insecurity and inadequacy.
Overview
The sermon begins by addressing common struggles with insecurity, inferiority, and inadequacy, even among saved individuals. It recaps the ongoing series on how truth sets us free, referencing Jesus' words in John 8:31 about abiding in His word. The preacher reminds listeners of three core truths concerning our position in Christ, who we are in Christ, and what we possess in Him.
Focusing on what believers possess, the sermon highlights that God has deposited into our heavenly account everything we will ever need on earth. Believers are joint heirs with access to this inheritance here and now. The core passage, 2 Peter 1:1-4, is introduced as being 'loaded' with what we have in Christ to counter feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.
Through His divine power, God has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness, received through the true knowledge of Him. This granting is described as a 'large hand of generosity,' meaning God bountifully gave us everything we need for a victorious Christian life at the moment of salvation. This appeal from God is based on His glory and excellence, His love and mercy, not on hellfire, accepting us as sinners and making us new creations.
Furthermore, God has granted us His 'precious and magnificent promises,' described as 'mega doses of God's grace,' already deposited to our account and available without strings attached. By continuously claiming these promises—for health, healing, wisdom, and direction—believers can become partakers of the divine nature. This fellowship with God, through His promises, provides victory over the world's corruption and lust, enabling a life of peace, purity, and power.
Key points
- The sermon addresses feelings of insecurity, inferiority, and inadequacy among believers.
- It presents three core truths for believers: our position in Christ, who we are in Christ, and what we possess in Christ.
- God's divine power has granted believers 'everything pertaining to life and godliness' through knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3).
- This granting is a 'wide, bountiful, generous hand' from God, depositing all we need for a godly, successful life from salvation onwards.
- God's appeal to lost individuals is based on His glory, excellence, love, goodness, and willingness to accept and transform them as they are.
- Believers have been granted 'precious and magnificent promises' (2 Peter 1:4), which are described as 'mega doses of God's grace.'
- Through these promises and fellowship with God, believers can become 'partakers of the divine nature,' escaping worldly corruption and living victoriously over sin.
In Charles Stanley's words
“Every single promise is a mega dose of God's grace toward you and me.”
“God knew that you and I all of our life would need not his assistance, but his very life.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to the Series: How the Truth Can Set You Free (John 8:31)
- A. Addressing Insecurity, Inferiority, Inadequacy
- B. Review of Three Truths for Believers
- 1. Our Position in Jesus Christ
- 2. Who We Are in Jesus Christ (Our Person)
- 3. What We Have in Jesus Christ (Our Possessions)
- II. Our Possessions in Christ (2 Peter 1:1-4)
- A. Recapping Previous Points on Possessions (Ephesians 1)
- 1. God deposited everything needed for life on earth to our account.
- 2. We are joint heirs of God's inheritance.
- 3. We have access to this inheritance here and now.
- B. Examination of 2 Peter 1:1-4
- 1. What We Possess: Everything Pertaining to Life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
- a. Granted by His divine power
- b. Received through true knowledge of Him
- c. Gifted with a 'large hand of generosity' at salvation
- d. God's appeal is based on His glory and excellence, accepting us as we are.
- 2. What We Possess: His Precious and Magnificent Promises (2 Peter 1:4)
- a. Already granted to us in the past tense
- b. Described as 'mega doses of God's grace'
- c. Designed to meet every particular need
- d. Claiming these promises is an ongoing experience.
- 3. What We Possess: Victory Over Sin and Corruption (2 Peter 1:4)
- a. Becoming 'partakers of the divine nature'
- b. Escaping the corruption of the world by lust
- c. Found in continuous fellowship with God and His promises
Scripture references
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Insights
Your position in Christ equips you with tremendous power and a new perspective.
God’s appeal to us is rooted in His own glory, excellence, and unwavering love.
Every single promise from God is a powerful, magnificent dose of His grace.
Questions & answers
What are the three categories of attitudes that the sermon mentions can cause problems?
The sermon identifies insecurity, inferiority, and inadequacy as three core attitudes from which problems like frustration, worry, doubt, and fear can arise.
What are the three truths for believers that the sermon highlights?
The three truths are our position in Jesus Christ, who we are as His person, and what we possess in Him. These truths are meant to provide confidence and assurance in the Christian life.
According to 2 Peter 1:3, what has God's divine power granted to believers?
God's divine power has granted believers "everything pertaining to life and godliness" through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
How does the sermon describe God's promises from 2 Peter 1:4?
The sermon describes God's promises as "precious and magnificent," likening them to "mega doses of God's grace." These promises are said to be already granted to believers and designed to meet every specific need.
How do believers find victory over sin and corruption, according to the sermon?
Believers find victory over sin and corruption by becoming "partakers of the divine nature" through God's magnificent promises. This occurs in continuous fellowship with Him, claiming His promises and listening to His word.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.