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Introduction:
In these last days (before the rapture) it is not easy to live a
quality Christian life. I want to challenge you today to check up on the
quality of your Christianity. In the first two verses we go back to the
source of our experience with Jesus and that is our faith! If there
is something wrong with a stream, then go back and check out the source
(expound-make sure you have saving faith). Once saved, that is not the
end, but the beginning. (Illus: why do so many ignore the gospel today?)
The great aim of the Christian life is twofold: (1) to know God (vv.2
& 3). When a lost world sees us experiencing God, then they will be
drawn to Jesus themselves. Then (2) the aim of the Christian life is to
become like God (expound). Am I becoming godly? God would not call us to a
life of holiness if He were not able to enable us to accomplish it. Notice
three things God has given us so that we can become quality Christians.
I. WE HAVE HIS
DIVINE POWER (V.3)
A.
Its
Supply
“Power” = (doo'-nam-is) explosive
force - Speaks of power
that receives its energy from the source of the one giving the power
(God’s power). The Bible says that I have every thing that I need to
live a godly life.
·
Doesn’t
come from seminars or books.
·
It
is a present possession.
B.
Its Sufficiency
·
If
I have this power then why do I act like a baby Christian and pout with a
chip on my shoulder; why am I a slave to sin and walk in worldliness; why
do I let Satan defeat me every
day of my life? (Answer: James
4:1-8 – if you’re ½ commit to God then don’t expect to experience
much of Him). (Rom.6:11&16; 12:1-2).
·
If
you are saved you don’t have to look anywhere else for the power to live
for God!
II.
WE HAVE HIS PRECIOUS PROMISES (V.4a)
Where do you find these promises? You’ll find them in the Bible! (7,487
promises in the Word of God).They are:
A. “Great” Because
Of Their Source
They come from God. They are:
B.
“Precious”
Because Of Their Significance
Their valve is beyond price. God promises:
·
Eternal
Life (Jn.3:16)…strength when weary (Is.40:28-31)…reward when obedient
(Rev.22:12)…comfort for every trial (2Cor.1:3-5)…victory over
temptation…answers to prayers! Beloved we can depend on God’s
promises!
·
Failure
comes when we stand on the wrong foundation (our feelings and emotions
expound: up & down). You can not live a quality Christian life like
that. You must stand on the foundation of saving faith in Jesus (its
faith, not feelings) and stand on the great and precious promises of God!
III.
WE HAVE HIS AWESOME LIFE (V.4b)
“Parkers” = participants in His nature (we don’t become god, we
share in His divine nature); when you trust Jesus Christ as your Savior
you do not have to strive and struggle to be a Christian, God puts His
divine nature in you! That is awesome! I have God’s life in me! I have
God’s person in me! I have His divine nature in me! Your nature
determines much about you.
A.
Your Appetite
Hogs
love slop * see 2 Pet.2:22 (Prov.26:11). Sheep love green pasture.
B.
Your Actions
What
you believe will affect how you behave.
C.
Your Association
What
does that say about me as a Christian? If I’m a born-again child of God,
do I have an appetite for the things God does…do I behave in a godly
way…do I want to be around godly people? If my appetite is wrong and my
behavior is wrong and who I want to hang around with is wrong – then
maybe I don’t have the nature of God! True believers are partakers in
the divine nature of God and have escaped (by flight in faith) the
corruption of this world. That means through my relationship with Jesus
Christ I don’t have to give in to lust…I don’t have to give in to
temptation…while I walk this earth I have God’s power in me…I have
God’s promises to stand on…and I have God life, living through me so
that I can be godly and live a quality Christian life!
Conclusion:
How are you going to live your life? Are you going to live what you
feel, or are you going to live what you are?
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