God’s Prescription for Our Sanctification Part 3
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: The Apostle Peter addresses his second epistle to a group of people that he identifies as sharing with him a “like precious faith,” or in our own phraseology, a faith of equal standing. He then goes on to express his wish for them as a wish for complete sanctification. Sanctification, as much as Justification, is a part of the divine bestowal of spiritual life. And just as God made full provision for our Justification through the righteousness of Christ, so too He has made full provision for our Sanctification. Now, the Holy Spirit switches focus from what God has provided for us to what God expects from us. Think of it as though God is our great Physician (which He literally is). When a doctor operates on you, there are inevitably follow-up procedures that he demands from you—whether it be to take certain medications, to do certain exercises, or both. So God, having faithfully and abundantly provided for our Justification and Sanctification now gives us a prescription of our part in this process. Our part is to add such things as God has enabled us to add to the equation:
I. Adding Brotherly Kindness (2 Pet. 1:7a)
I. Adding Brotherly Kindness (2 Pet. 1:7a)
A. What it builds upon—Godliness (2 Pet. 1:6c)
A. What it builds upon—Godliness (2 Pet. 1:6c)
1. We are talking now about the building as a whole. Because a building has a strong foundation and a well-built superstructure, it will function well. A well-designed, well-built building will serve to fulfill its purpose well (1 Pet. 2:9)
1. We are talking now about the building as a whole. Because a building has a strong foundation and a well-built superstructure, it will function well. A well-designed, well-built building will serve to fulfill its purpose well (1 Pet. 2:9)
2. We are then commanded to add to Godliness the initial evidence that we are indeed His child – Brotherly Kindness.
2. We are then commanded to add to Godliness the initial evidence that we are indeed His child – Brotherly Kindness.
B. What it means
B. What it means
1. Its meaning in Greek Culture – A warm affection for one’s blood relatives.
1. Its meaning in Greek Culture – A warm affection for one’s blood relatives.
2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-inspired affection for and service to those in the “household of faith” (Rom 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22; Eph. 4:5-6)
2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-inspired affection for and service to those in the “household of faith” (Rom 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22; Eph. 4:5-6)
Illustration: A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!" "You mean," she persisted, "that after all the years I've shopped here, you won't sell me half-a-head of lettuce?" "Look," he said, "If you like I'll ask the manager." She indicated that would be appreciated, so the young man marched to the front of the store. "You won't believe this, but there's a lame-braided idiot of a lady back there who wants to know if she can buy half-a-head of lettuce." He noticed the manager gesturing, and turned around to see the lady standing behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. (James 3)
II. Adding Charity (2 Pet. 1:7b)
II. Adding Charity (2 Pet. 1:7b)
A. What it builds upon—Brotherly Kindness (2 Pet. 1:7a)
A. What it builds upon—Brotherly Kindness (2 Pet. 1:7a)
1. We are talking now about the building as a whole. Because a building has a strong foundation and a well-built superstructure, it will function well. A well-designed, well-built building will serve to fulfill its purpose well (1 Pet. 2:9)
1. We are talking now about the building as a whole. Because a building has a strong foundation and a well-built superstructure, it will function well. A well-designed, well-built building will serve to fulfill its purpose well (1 Pet. 2:9)
2. We are then commanded to add to our love of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the glorious capstone of Charity (i.e. Love—a full-bodied, God-imitating love that sacrifices for the advancement of what God is doing in another person’s life)
2. We are then commanded to add to our love of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the glorious capstone of Charity (i.e. Love—a full-bodied, God-imitating love that sacrifices for the advancement of what God is doing in another person’s life)
B What it means
B What it means
1.It means there is an emphasis upon spiritual needs over material, social, and physical needs
1.It means there is an emphasis upon spiritual needs over material, social, and physical needs
2. It means that there is a clear measuring stick to tell us if we are meeting the goal (Jn. 13:34, 15:9, 12) – a God-imitating mindset that scripturally and sacrificially meets the spiritual needs of others.
2. It means that there is a clear measuring stick to tell us if we are meeting the goal (Jn. 13:34, 15:9, 12) – a God-imitating mindset that scripturally and sacrificially meets the spiritual needs of others.
Illustration: Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me." Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that your're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him." With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!" And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing. When she didn't return, Crane called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?" "Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him." Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as often repeated deeds.
Conclusion: We wonder why our witness to the world results in so few conversions. One reason may be our lack of brotherly kindness to one another, and our lack of love displayed to the world. And these are lacking because we have not laid the foundation of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness: in short we do not love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.