Wednesday night, December 30, 2009

1. 2 Peter 1 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 Savior 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: December 30, 2009

2. 1a Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, Peter declared himself a servant (doulos = slave) Of Jesus Christ first and an apostle -- second . We must learn to see ourselves the same way. Servant's

3. 1 Corinthians 6 19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost Which is in you, Which ye have of God, and ye are not your own ? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Romans 8 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. We owe God everything. He bought us. He paid for us with Blood of His Son Jesus.

4. 1b to them that have obtained like precious faith with us The faith of every Christian is as valuable and precious as of any Christian . The faith of a pastor is no more precious to God, nor more effective than the faith of a little child . No you The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

5. 1b to them that have obtained like precious faith with us We think of " obtained " to mean we did something to get it, but that's not the meaning here. Our faith is freely given to us; we only receive it, and that through no work s of our own. Rather :

6. 1c through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Ephesians 2 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

7. 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: To personally know God as our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ is the only way To receive grace and peace in our souls.

8. God's Divine Power has given to us who believe all things That pertain to life and godliness . Life does not exist in the things of this world. Life is to know Him and love Him Who is Life . This is not available to a select few , as some secret societies (cults) teach today. It is available to every one who places our faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ for salvation.

9. The Lord has called us all to a life of glory and virtue by His Own Glory and Virtue. God's kids are not just like everybody else. We are glorified ; sanctified ; set aside

10. Jesus is our example; follow Him. Everywhere He went, He was doing good. Jesus was obedient to His Father's Will. He was led and empowered by the Holy Spirit in all things. He humbled Himself to obey unto death. He was often tired , but never refused to minister to those in need.

11. We are given Power to partake of His Divine Nature -- to be like Him. It is our responsibility to submit to that Power. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to change us. We are not called to take our ease. We are not called to sit on our do-nothing . We are not called to the pleasures of this world. We are called to faithfully serve our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

12. Resurrection Day in 2010 is April 4. December 30, 2009 Brother Archie sent some photos of the children receiving gifts that his ministry provided. We were part of that.