Gear Up for the Game

[ The opening video illustration was purchased from BluefishTV ]

Gear Up for the Game
2 Peter 1:1-11

GOD’S PLAN FOR VBS

1. Jesus Cares About Me (Luke 15:1-7) Romans 5:8
2. Jesus Gives Me Hope (John 11:1-44) John 11:25
3. Jesus Helps Me to Believe (John 20:19-31) John 20:29
4. Jesus Loves Me (John 13:1-35, 19:25-27, 20:1-10, 21:1-14) 1 John 3:1a
5. Jesus Gives Me Joy (Acts 16:23-34) Psalm 95:1

GOD’S PLAN FOR LIFE

1. God Rules: The Bible tells us that God created everything, including you and me, and he is in charge of everything (Genesis 1:1, Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:16-17)
2. We Sinned: Since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God (Romans 3:23). The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, we have a problem. Sin is that which separates up from God, no matter how hard we try to reach him. We deserve punishment and death (Romans 6:23).
3. God Provided: To deal with our sin problem, God provided a way to forgive sin. Sin could not just be forgiven and swept under the rug, it has to be paid for. Jesus took the punishment that we deserve and could never pay on our own. Jesus saves us (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
4. Jesus Gives: Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead. Since he gave up his life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s forever family. This is the best gift ever (Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18).

What can I do now? Learn Your ABCs

1. Admit to God that you are a sinner. Tell God you messed up and are sorry for doing your own thing. Repent, and turn away from your sin and turn to God. Stop doing bad things and start doing good things. Turn to Jesus, the only one who can save you.
2. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and receive his free gift of forgiveness from sin. Only Jesus can save us from our sin problem. Not even praying, going to church, or reading your Bible can save you. We trust in Jesus, his death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead to bring salvation.
3. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Tell God and then tell others what you believe about Jesus. When Jesus is your Savior, you are trusting in him only for your salvation. He is your Savior and he is your Lord, Boss, and Master. You follow him because of what we read in the Bible. We are born again into new life and will be with God forever (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

GOD’S GAME PLAN FOR YOU

1. The Christian Life Begins with Faith (2 Peter 1:1–4)
   1. This faith is in a person (2 Peter 1:1–2) – not belief in a set of doctrines.
   2. This faith involves God’s power (2 Peter 1:3)
   3. This faith involves God’s promises (2 Peter 1:4)
2. Faith Results in Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:5–9)
   1. The Path of Diligence – Positive Progression (2 Peter 1:5-8)
      1. We Must not only believe, we must behave (2 Peter 1:5a)
      2. We Must not only have integrity, we must be informed (2 Peter 1:5b)
      3. We Must not only be taught, we must be temperate (2 Peter 1:6a)
      4. We Must not only be in possession, we must be patient (2 Peter 1:6b)
      5. We Must not only be good, we must be godly (2 Peter 1:6c)
      6. We Must not only be holy, we must be helpful (2 Peter 1:7a)
      7. We Must not only be liberal (in kindness), we must be lovable (2 Peter 1:7b)
   2. The Path of Delusion – Negative (2 Peter 1:9)
3. Spiritual Growth Brings Practical Results (2 Peter 1:10–11)
   1. Steadfastness (2 Peter 1:10a) – be all the MORE diligent about your calling and his choosing you.
   2. Stability (2 Peter 1:10d) – You will never stumble.
   3. Salvation (2 Peter 1:11) – Entrance into the eternal kingdom of Jesus, will be fully supplied.

The Bottom Line:

1. Don’t just sit in the stadium – you are not a spectator. Church is not a spectator sport.
2. Don’t dress out and just sit on the sidelines – be ready to get in the only game that counts.

Questions for Further Discussion:

1. What character qualities do you find most attractive in other people?
2. What do people often do to “grow” intellectually, culturally, or in some similar way?
3. If you could be better at one thing, what would you want to improve?
4. Who wrote 2 Peter? (2 Peter 1:1)
5. To whom was 2 Peter written? (2 Peter 1:1)
6. What did Peter say had been given to his audience? (2 Peter 1:3)
7. How do God’s people benefit from the promises God has given them? (2 Peter 1:4)
8. What did Peter urge his readers to add to their faith? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
9. How did Peter encourage his audience? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
10. What would be the result of possessing godly character in increasing measure? (2 Peter 1:8)
11. What happens to the person who does not possess godly qualities? (2 Peter 1:9)
12. What did Peter want his audience to be eager to do? Why? (2 Peter 1:10-11)
13. What happens when we pursue the qualities Peter described? (2 Peter 1:11)
14. How equipped do you feel for life and godliness?
15. What is the relationship between knowledge of God and Christ and spiritual growth?
16. Which of the character qualities that Peter listed do you find the most difficult to practice?
17. Which of the qualities listed by Peter do you consider to be the most important to add to your faith? Why?
18. What does it mean to be ineffective and unproductive?
19. How can the qualities Peter mentioned keep us from being ineffective and unproductive?
20. Why is it easy to forget what God has done for us?
21. How can someone make his or her calling and election sure?
22. Which of the qualities listed do you want most to add to your faith?
23. How will you add a godly quality to your faith today?
24. What steps will you take in order to make your calling and election sure?
25. What steps will you take this week to make your faith more effective and productive?