Remembering What We Need Most!

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,

2 Peter 1:12–15 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

What is so important that the Apostle Peter is so desperately trying to get across?

Peter mentions he is about to die knowing these are probably his last writing?

What are the “these things” that he wants us to remember?

Peter mentions 2 things about “these things”.

That you may KNOW Them.

That you may BE ESTABLISHED in Them.

Notice why “These Things” are important.

2 Peter 1:8 KJV 1900

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“These things” make you FRUITFUL.

If “these things” are found in your life, then you will never be barren, but you will always be a fruitful branch for God’s glory.

What is Christian Fruitfulness?

Fruit is always beneficial to the one partaking of the fruit.

Fruit is not beneficial for the one producing the fruit.

This implies that you will be a witness and a soul winner for Jesus.

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Whatever “these things” are, they must be pretty great because they promise us that we will always bear fruit. This, after all, is the goal of our Heavenly Father—John 15:1–2

John 15:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

It is also proof of our faith in Him—Luke 6:43–44

Luke 6:43–44 KJV 1900

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Whatever “these things” are, they must really be some big things! If they can do this, then I really want to know what they are. Don’t you?

“These things” allow Spiritual Discernment.

2 Peter 1:9 KJV 1900

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Many people have absolutely no spiritual discernment. They are blind and easily lead astray, Eph. 4:14. But, when “these things” are active in our lives, we will be able to see the tricks, traps and temptations of the Devil.

We will be able to see the needs of others and not be blinded by our own selfish interests. We won’t ever be blind and in spiritual darkness ever again.

I don’t know about you, but whatever “these things” are, I want to know about them!

“These things” give SALVATION ASSURANCE.

2 Peter 1:9 KJV 1900

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Who among us hasn’t doubted his/her salvation? We have all doubted from time to time! Many people are so over come with their doubts that are of no use to the Lord. Evidently, they lack “these things.”

Because, “these things” promise us that we can have assurance of salvation. They promise us that we can get to the place where we never doubt again!

I tell you, “these things” must really be something!

Whatever “these things” are, then I want to know them. I want to be secure in the knowledge that I am saved.

“These things” promote STABILITY.

2 Peter 1:10 KJV 1900

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

This verse says plainly that “these things”, if practiced in our lives, will ever keep us from falling.

How many have fallen as a Christian? Every single one of us has fallen from time to time.

• in marriage

• in family duties

• in relationships

• in work

• in school

• in responsibilities

• in life

• in promises

• in planning

• in behavior

• in resolutions

• in the Christian life

• in devotions

• in witnessing

• in serving Christ

• in worship

But, “these things” promise us a fall free life.

If I can get my hands on “these things” then I want them really bad because I never want to fall again.

Whatever “these things” are, they are worth going after if they will do all this.

If “these things” can guarantee:

1. That I will always be fruitful.

2. That I will always have spiritual discernment.

3. That I will never doubt my salvation.

4. That I will never fall as a Christian.

Then I want to know what “these things” are. They must really be something! They are probably big things, or hard things, or expensive things. They are probably things that are just out of the reach of the ordinary Christian. I suppose they are things reserved for the “super saints” like Paul and Peter. Well, let’s see what they are, even though they are bound to be really great things impossible to the likes of you and me.

“These things” produce an ABUNDANT ENTRANCE into Eternity.

2 Peter 1:11 KJV 1900

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“These Things”

Begin with a “Knowledge of Jesus Christ”

2 Peter 1:2–4 KJV 1900

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.

Add to this “Knowledge of Jesus Christ”

2 Peter 1:5–7 KJV 1900

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Here are “these things.”

v. 5 Virtue—

(“Moral uprightness”; “Holiness”) This word literally means “Excellent living.” I don’t know about you, but I was looking for something really big. In one word, God is telling you and me that if we will live by the Bible and live morally pure lives, then He will guarantee those 4 invaluable gifts we talked about earlier.

(Ill. Moral purity refers to every aspect of our lives. Physical, mental, spiritual purity must be maintained if we expect His blessings on our lives—1 Pet. 1:16)

v. 5 Knowledge—

(Literally “an understanding of the truth and how to live it out.”) Well, what a let down! This word is telling us that we can have all those things we discovered by having a sound knowledge of the doctrines of Christianity and by applying them to our lives and living them out.

What we are to do is this:

1. We are to get into the Word

—2 Tim. 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. We are to let the Word get into us

—Jer. 15:16 ; 1 Pet. 2:2)

Jeremiah 15:16 KJV 1900

16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV 1900

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

v. 6 Temperance—

This word means “self-control.”

It implies that I do not do as I please, I control myself and do as the Lord pleases!

Who is responsible for your control?

(Ill. Paul—1 Cor. 9:27)

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(Ill. This is one of the fruit of the Spirit—Gal. 5:23.)

(Ill. This has application in every area of our lives. Often we lack those four benefits we talked of earlier because we lack self-control. There are several area where we need to practice temperance:

Our Tongues

—(Gossip and telling another person off) Some people are doubting their salvation, being unfruitful, falling into sin, and have no spiritual discernment because they cannot control their tongues! (Ill. James 1:26; James 3:1–12; Ill. Pro. 26:20)

Proverbs 26:20 KJV 1900

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Our Tempers

—(Flying off the handle, getting mad and getting even.) Some people lack the blessings because they cannot control their temper. Temper can get you into big trouble! (Eph. 4:26)

(Never think that holding a grudge, or trying to get even will help you. When you do these things, you have assumed the place of God—Rom. 12:19)

Romans 12:19 KJV 1900

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Our Temptations

—Ill. Everyone is tempted—1 Cor. 10:13.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

However, not everyone falls into sin! The difference is self-control!

Many people are experiencing a lack of those four great blessings simply because they have no self-control!

v. 6 Patience—

(Endurance) The patient person is the one not swerved from his devotion to God even by the greatest of trials. Many are suffering from the loss of the four great blessings just because they allow the slightest little wind to blow them off course. The patient person is one who has endurance.

(Ill. He is like the vine clinging to the tree during a severe storm. When the wind is to his back, he is merely pressed more tightly against the tree. When the wind is in his face, he is sheltered from the storm by the bulk of the tree. Whatever the circumstance he finds himself in, he always has the tree! Ill. Heb. 13:5)

(Ill. What I am saying tonight is this: If you want to have the four great blessings we mentioned earlier, then you must have endurance and stop allowing every little thing knock you down.)(

v. 6 Godliness—

This word literally means, “Walking in view of His greatness.” It has reference to the person who has every action and attitude yielded to the fear of the Lord. This person spends his life in a state of “God-like-ness.” He spends his days serving God and serving men.

(Ill. Many are in doubt, in sin, in trouble, because they reached a place in their walk with God where they just didn’t care anymore what God thought about anything. They do what they please about church, the Bible, prayer, witnessing, sin, etc. Self is the motivation and not the fear of the Lord. These people have forgotten that God speaks loudly and carries a big stick—Rev. 3:19)

(Ill. The person who practices godliness is one who understands that God truly is an awesome God. He fears the Lord, and strives at every turn to please Him and Him alone, Ill. Eccl. 12:13. He realizes that it doesn’t matter what others think as long as God is pleased.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV 1900

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

v. 7 Brotherly Kindness—

(filadelfia—Literally, just plain old brotherly love.) If Christians would practice the second Great Commandment, Matt. 22:39, then they would experience those four great blessings that we all want so badly.

(Ill. It’s no wonder some people doubt their salvation and are in trouble in their walk with the Lord. After all, all they do is bicker and fight with others. This is not the Lord’s way!

Remember the lesson in 1 John 4:20–21

1 John 4:20–21 KJV 1900

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

v. 7 Charity—

(agaph—Love!) He is referring to that self-sacrificing, never-ending, all-encompassing love that Jesus exhibited when He came to the earth to die for sin. It is that very same love that God desires to see lived out in our lives today. It is also for the lack of this love that many do not have the peace and assurance they desire—1 Cor. 13:1–3.

(Ill. When a life is lived in pure agape love, God will be first, others second and self will be relegated to last place. The single motivation of life will be to manifest the love of Christ to everyone.)

(Are you disappointed with these things? Were you hoping for that something big that you could do that would make you stand out as a big-time Christian? Well, when you get right down to it, these things are pretty big. In fact, they are so big that they cannot be produced in the life of an unbeliever! The lost person just cannot fake “these things!” So, if they are present in your life then rejoice!)

v. 5 Notice the word “Add.” This little word means “to supply generously.” It does not teach here that we are to first get faith, perfect that then add virtue, then add knowledge, etc. What it means is, that “these things” are to be practiced as a whole and every one of them is to be active all the time. So, don’t pat yourself on the back if you have 3 or 4 out of the seven! God wants us to have them all operating in our lives all the time.

Conc: Now, we know what “these things” are and what they can do for us. The final question of the evening is this, “Are ALL of them present in you life tonight?” If you found yourself lacking in 1 or 2, or in all 7, then the place to deal with that is right here in this altar.

As for me, I want:

1. To always be fruitful.

2. To always have spiritual discernment.

3. To never doubt my salvation.

4. To never fall as a Christian.

Therefore, I am going to seek the Lord for all of “these things.” How about you?

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