100:00:00,780 –> 00:00:07,380If you come to faith in the Lord Jesus and then become entirely passive about200:00:07,380 –> 00:00:11,840your Christian life, you will not grow, you will not thrive, you will be300:00:11,840 –> 00:00:16,059ineffective, you will be unproductive. There is something that you are to do.400:00:16,059 –> 00:00:20,440There is an effort, notice that word in verse five, that you must make500:00:20,440 –> 00:00:24,440and it is not a futile effort, it is an effort that is made in the light600:00:24,440 –> 00:00:29,639of what God has done for you in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.700:00:30,160 –> 00:00:33,299Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.800:00:33,299 –> 00:00:35,720I’m David Pick and glad you could join us today.900:00:35,720 –> 00:00:39,259Colin, that begs the question, what do I need to do?1000:00:39,259 –> 00:00:44,279Well, the first point is to get clear in our minds that there really is an1100:00:44,279 –> 00:00:47,480active responsibility that’s involved in Christian growth.1200:00:47,480 –> 00:00:52,279I’ve heard a lot of times the phrase let go and let God, and anytime I hear that1300:00:52,279 –> 00:00:54,919I really wanna say now wait a minute, where did you get that from?1400:00:54,980 –> 00:00:59,099Because that is not a good reflection of what the Bible says about the1500:00:59,099 –> 00:01:02,180Christian life, that I’ve just gotta leave God to do all of this.1600:01:02,180 –> 00:01:06,540It’s like a farmer saying, well, God’s the one who makes things grow,1700:01:06,559 –> 00:01:08,180so I’m not gonna go and plant my field.1800:01:08,180 –> 00:01:09,139I mean that’s crazy.1900:01:09,139 –> 00:01:12,760If God makes things grow, you do go and plant the field for that reason.2000:01:12,760 –> 00:01:17,940And so we’re told constantly in the New Testament that as Christians we’re not2100:01:17,940 –> 00:01:22,099simply to hey, let go and let God, we’re to watch, we’re to fight, we’re to pray.2200:01:22,180 –> 00:01:26,860Today we’re looking at a passage in Scripture where we’re told to add to our faith2300:01:26,860 –> 00:01:32,019certain qualities, which means that we are able to proactively cultivate2400:01:32,019 –> 00:01:35,839certain things by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.2500:01:35,839 –> 00:01:40,360And to understand that and then to go after it is really the key2600:01:40,360 –> 00:01:42,260to making progress in the Christian life.2700:01:42,260 –> 00:01:45,660That’s the subject of today’s message, how do you go after it?2800:01:45,660 –> 00:01:50,339So join us if you can, in 2 Peter chapter 1, as we begin the message2900:01:50,339 –> 00:01:53,699Everything You Need for Growth. Here is Pastor Colin.3000:01:53,699 –> 00:01:56,900The message of this letter that we saw last week is really very simple3100:01:56,900 –> 00:02:01,900in knowing Jesus Christ you have everything you need for life3200:02:01,900 –> 00:02:04,360that 2nd Peter chapter 1 in verse 3.3300:02:04,360 –> 00:02:07,699Everything you need for life in knowing Jesus Christ.3400:02:07,699 –> 00:02:12,199This is a letter about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ3500:02:12,199 –> 00:02:15,880not only for faith but also for life.3600:02:16,759 –> 00:02:20,020We saw from the first 4 verses last week3700:02:20,020 –> 00:02:25,080that we have everything we need for life in Jesus Christ3800:02:25,080 –> 00:02:27,580because of the great promise of the gospel3900:02:27,580 –> 00:02:31,720which is twofold as Peter lays it out for us here.4000:02:31,720 –> 00:02:33,9191st Peter says4100:02:33,919 –> 00:02:37,220Through the gospel and in knowing Jesus Christ by faith4200:02:37,220 –> 00:02:40,660you become a participant in the divine nature.4300:02:40,660 –> 00:02:45,119If you are in Christ the Holy Spirit lives within you,4400:02:45,119 –> 00:02:47,259the risen Lord Jesus Christ is with you4500:02:47,259 –> 00:02:50,600in every circumstance of life that you will ever face4600:02:50,600 –> 00:02:53,259throughout your entire experience in this world4700:02:53,259 –> 00:02:56,160and because he is with you by the spirit4800:02:56,160 –> 00:02:57,919that is why you have everything you need4900:02:57,919 –> 00:03:00,919for whatever you may face.5000:03:00,919 –> 00:03:04,7592nd in Christ you not only participate in the divine nature5100:03:04,759 –> 00:03:08,619but in Christ you escape the corruption in the world5200:03:08,619 –> 00:03:11,699that is caused by evil desires.5300:03:11,699 –> 00:03:14,119We saw that Peter is saying to us5400:03:14,240 –> 00:03:19,240that through the gospel you are no longer Satan’s prisoner.5500:03:19,259 –> 00:03:21,399When you come to faith in Jesus Christ5600:03:21,399 –> 00:03:25,300you are loosed by God from the kingdom of darkness.5700:03:25,300 –> 00:03:27,139You’ve escaped.5800:03:27,139 –> 00:03:30,919The world, the flesh and the devil will always hound you.5900:03:30,919 –> 00:03:33,979Temptation and sin will always be breathing down your neck6000:03:33,979 –> 00:03:37,380and you may fall and fail in many ways.6100:03:37,380 –> 00:03:41,059But please remember this that when you are in Christ6200:03:41,080 –> 00:03:45,240sin is your enemy, it is not your master.6300:03:45,240 –> 00:03:48,880Sin is your enemy, it is not your master.6400:03:48,880 –> 00:03:53,100That’s Romans 6 in verse 14 and Peter expresses it this way.6500:03:53,100 –> 00:03:57,639You have escaped from the corruption that is in the world6600:03:57,639 –> 00:03:59,679that is caused by evil desires.6700:03:59,679 –> 00:04:01,919So this is the great promise of the gospel6800:04:01,919 –> 00:04:04,360that Peter wants to focus for us.6900:04:04,360 –> 00:04:06,639He’s reminding us that in Jesus Christ7000:04:06,639 –> 00:04:09,020what we have received is more than forgiveness7100:04:09,020 –> 00:04:11,000for past sins.7200:04:11,039 –> 00:04:14,119It’s even more than the promise of heaven7300:04:14,119 –> 00:04:16,480for our eternal future.7400:04:16,480 –> 00:04:18,760It is along with forgiveness for the past7500:04:18,760 –> 00:04:20,920and heaven for the future, the presence7600:04:20,920 –> 00:04:25,000and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life today7700:04:25,000 –> 00:04:28,239and because of that reality, Peter says7800:04:28,239 –> 00:04:31,540you have everything that you need7900:04:31,540 –> 00:04:34,760for a Godly life in every circumstance8000:04:34,760 –> 00:04:38,760that you can possibly face in your experience8100:04:38,760 –> 00:04:39,579in this world.8200:04:39,600 –> 00:04:42,059That is the message of this letter.8300:04:42,059 –> 00:04:43,640Took five minutes to review it,8400:04:43,640 –> 00:04:45,799took a lot longer than that to say last week8500:04:45,799 –> 00:04:46,640why is that?8600:04:46,640 –> 00:04:48,660But that is what we learned last week.8700:04:48,660 –> 00:04:50,640Now the reason to take the first five minutes8800:04:50,640 –> 00:04:52,720today to review it is very simple.8900:04:53,899 –> 00:04:57,619That everything that Peter says from verse five through 119000:04:59,140 –> 00:05:04,140flows out from what he has taught us in verse one to four.9100:05:04,619 –> 00:05:08,940So you really need to keep these two together9200:05:08,940 –> 00:05:10,399but it would have made a very long sermon9300:05:10,399 –> 00:05:12,000last week if we had.9400:05:12,779 –> 00:05:15,660Notice how he begins verse five.9500:05:15,660 –> 00:05:18,859For this very reason, you see the bridge.9600:05:18,859 –> 00:05:20,019You see the connection.9700:05:21,239 –> 00:05:24,779Because of the truth that we have learned9800:05:24,779 –> 00:05:29,380and just reviewed of all that is ours in Jesus Christ9900:05:29,380 –> 00:05:31,739for this very reason,10000:05:31,739 –> 00:05:34,540he’s now gonna tell us what flows out of10100:05:34,540 –> 00:05:37,899the effect of the Gospel in our lives.10200:05:37,899 –> 00:05:40,079Now, what he will do in these verses,10300:05:40,079 –> 00:05:41,019we’ll see this morning,10400:05:41,019 –> 00:05:42,899is he’s going to call us to action.10500:05:43,980 –> 00:05:45,399I want you to notice the bridge10600:05:45,399 –> 00:05:47,059before we get to the action10700:05:48,140 –> 00:05:50,739that the call to action comes out of10800:05:50,739 –> 00:05:52,820the promise of the Gospel10900:05:52,820 –> 00:05:55,519for this very reason.11000:05:55,519 –> 00:05:58,140Because God has given you the Holy Spirit,11100:05:58,140 –> 00:06:01,619because you have been loosed from Satan’s power,11200:06:01,619 –> 00:06:03,299because you are in a new position11300:06:03,299 –> 00:06:05,339as a Christian believer,11400:06:05,339 –> 00:06:06,500in the light of this,11500:06:06,500 –> 00:06:09,019here is now what you must do,11600:06:09,019 –> 00:06:11,480verse 5, for this very reason,11700:06:11,480 –> 00:06:13,899you must make every effort.11800:06:13,899 –> 00:06:17,339So when Peter talks about effort in the Christian life11900:06:17,339 –> 00:06:19,320and that’s going to be our focus today,12000:06:19,320 –> 00:06:21,720what is it that we must do?12100:06:21,720 –> 00:06:23,279He wants to make it very clear12200:06:23,279 –> 00:06:25,619that everything God calls us to do12300:06:25,619 –> 00:06:29,040arises out of what he has already done12400:06:29,040 –> 00:06:30,839through his great and precious promises12500:06:30,839 –> 00:06:33,019in the Gospel by which you participate12600:06:33,019 –> 00:06:34,260in the divine nature12700:06:34,299 –> 00:06:36,839and through which you escape the corruption12800:06:36,839 –> 00:06:41,000in the world caused by evil desires.12900:06:42,500 –> 00:06:43,399Now that’s very important13000:06:43,399 –> 00:06:44,980because when we talk about effort,13100:06:44,980 –> 00:06:47,339there are some efforts that are very futile.13200:06:50,140 –> 00:06:51,500I had the privilege this week13300:06:51,500 –> 00:06:55,220of speaking at a missions conference in Minneapolis13400:06:55,220 –> 00:06:58,059and also there was professor Craig Ott13500:06:58,059 –> 00:06:59,500from this congregation13600:06:59,500 –> 00:07:02,739and he was also teaching in a number of the sessions13700:07:02,739 –> 00:07:05,179and he had a marvelous slide13800:07:05,179 –> 00:07:09,920that just encapsulates I think futile effort.13900:07:10,899 –> 00:07:14,700It’s the picture of a Volkswagen Touareg14000:07:14,700 –> 00:07:17,220dragging, I presume it’s a jumbo jet,14100:07:17,220 –> 00:07:18,820a 747 or something like that.14200:07:18,820 –> 00:07:21,619Some of you know exactly what plane that is.14300:07:21,619 –> 00:07:23,459This is an authentic picture by the way.14400:07:23,459 –> 00:07:26,540The Touareg can drag the plane along the runway.14500:07:26,540 –> 00:07:27,380Isn’t that amazing?14600:07:27,380 –> 00:07:29,559It’s a good advert for Volkswagen, I think.14700:07:30,440 –> 00:07:32,200But it’ll never make it fly14800:07:33,059 –> 00:07:34,040right?14900:07:34,040 –> 00:07:36,640I mean this thing is never gonna take off15000:07:36,640 –> 00:07:39,700being hauled along by a Volkswagen.15100:07:39,700 –> 00:07:43,119Now you see, that’s a great picture15200:07:43,119 –> 00:07:48,119of some people’s religious experience.15300:07:48,119 –> 00:07:51,079That it feels like some great effort15400:07:51,079 –> 00:07:52,959with my little engine15500:07:52,959 –> 00:07:57,779to pull along this great ballast of a Christian life15600:07:57,779 –> 00:08:00,980and that somehow I have to get this thing flying15700:08:00,980 –> 00:08:04,279but I know that I can’t ever really do that15800:08:04,279 –> 00:08:05,940so it’s a kind of slow progress15900:08:05,940 –> 00:08:09,079and never gets us very far.16000:08:09,839 –> 00:08:13,420There is a kind of effort that is completely futile16100:08:13,420 –> 00:08:14,899and the Bible speaks about this.16200:08:14,899 –> 00:08:17,279There is a form of godliness Paul says16300:08:17,279 –> 00:08:18,920in his letter to Timothy16400:08:18,920 –> 00:08:20,420that denies the power.16500:08:21,519 –> 00:08:24,179Paul speaks about it in Romans chapter seven16600:08:24,179 –> 00:08:28,899when he describes the experience of saying16700:08:28,899 –> 00:08:30,260I want to do what’s right16800:08:30,260 –> 00:08:32,280and I can’t do it, I don’t do it16900:08:32,280 –> 00:08:34,200and there are things I don’t want to do17000:08:34,200 –> 00:08:35,679and I end up doing them.17100:08:35,679 –> 00:08:37,320Oh wretched man that I am17200:08:37,320 –> 00:08:39,679who’s going to deliver me from this!17300:08:40,960 –> 00:08:44,640Well the Christian experiences the struggle17400:08:44,640 –> 00:08:46,659but he’s not left questioning17500:08:46,659 –> 00:08:48,400where deliverance will come from.17600:08:48,400 –> 00:08:50,159He knows the answer.17700:08:50,159 –> 00:08:54,840Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.17800:08:56,080 –> 00:08:57,940So what Peter wants to remind us17900:08:58,039 –> 00:09:00,659is that when he calls us to effort18000:09:00,659 –> 00:09:04,400he’s not calling us to a kind of futile effort18100:09:04,400 –> 00:09:06,280in what is impossible for us.18200:09:06,280 –> 00:09:09,840He is calling us to fire up the engines18300:09:09,840 –> 00:09:13,820of the vast power resources that have being given to us18400:09:13,820 –> 00:09:16,500because the Spirit of God18500:09:16,500 –> 00:09:19,419is active and present in your life18600:09:19,419 –> 00:09:20,919for this very reason.18700:09:22,059 –> 00:09:23,539Here’s the direction you go,18800:09:23,539 –> 00:09:25,739here’s what you’re to do18900:09:25,780 –> 00:09:28,380in the light of the new life,19000:09:28,380 –> 00:09:32,179the new power that has being given to you19100:09:33,460 –> 00:09:34,880in the light of the gospel,19200:09:35,859 –> 00:09:38,260fight up the engines and fly.19300:09:38,260 –> 00:09:39,820You’re listening to open the Bible,19400:09:39,820 –> 00:09:41,340we’ve got to pause there briefly19500:09:41,340 –> 00:09:42,719but we’ll be back very shortly,19600:09:42,719 –> 00:09:45,140so please do stay with us.19700:09:45,140 –> 00:09:46,099The message is called,19800:09:46,099 –> 00:09:47,500Everything you need for growth19900:09:47,500 –> 00:09:48,900and it’s part of our series,20000:09:48,900 –> 00:09:52,340Everything you need for life taken from 2 Peter.20100:09:52,340 –> 00:09:54,679If you ever miss one of the messages in the series20200:09:54,679 –> 00:09:56,679you can catch up and go back again20300:09:56,679 –> 00:10:01,679by coming to our website at openthebible.org.uk.20400:10:01,919 –> 00:10:05,280Back to the message now here again is Pastor Collin.20500:10:05,280 –> 00:10:06,500Now our title this morning then20600:10:06,500 –> 00:10:09,039is Everything that you need for growth.20700:10:09,039 –> 00:10:11,039And Peter’s message to us here20800:10:11,039 –> 00:10:13,239is that Jesus Christ is sufficient20900:10:13,239 –> 00:10:16,200not only for everything that you face in life21000:10:16,200 –> 00:10:18,400but Jesus Christ is sufficient21100:10:18,400 –> 00:10:21,039for all of your Christian life21200:10:21,200 –> 00:10:24,200to thrive and to grow.21300:10:26,619 –> 00:10:29,440Now before we get into Peter’s teaching to us,21400:10:29,440 –> 00:10:31,159let’s just ask this question.21500:10:32,599 –> 00:10:36,059Why is it that if we’ve been given21600:10:36,059 –> 00:10:37,239everything we need for life21700:10:37,239 –> 00:10:38,940and everything we need for growth21800:10:40,119 –> 00:10:41,919in Jesus Christ, why is it that21900:10:41,919 –> 00:10:45,599some Christians just don’t grow?22000:10:45,599 –> 00:10:46,520Why is that?22100:10:47,820 –> 00:10:49,359Why is it that some people who seem22200:10:49,599 –> 00:10:53,599to come to faith in Jesus Christ just get stuck?22300:10:53,599 –> 00:10:55,599There’s no great joy in their lives,22400:10:55,599 –> 00:10:58,719no particular testimony in their lives.22500:10:59,719 –> 00:11:02,940They don’t seem to make much progress,22600:11:02,940 –> 00:11:05,400their lives don’t seem to be particularly fruitful,22700:11:05,400 –> 00:11:08,280in fact verse eight seems to describe them,22800:11:08,280 –> 00:11:13,119they seem ineffective and unproductive22900:11:13,119 –> 00:11:14,820in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.23000:11:14,820 –> 00:11:17,080They know Jesus but nothing much23100:11:17,280 –> 00:11:21,080and nothing seems to come of it in their lives.23200:11:21,960 –> 00:11:23,119Why is that?23300:11:24,479 –> 00:11:27,780Well you see Peter is telling us the answer right here23400:11:27,780 –> 00:11:30,280because he’s saying if you would grow and thrive23500:11:30,280 –> 00:11:32,539in the Christian life there are certain things23600:11:32,539 –> 00:11:34,299that you must do,23700:11:35,940 –> 00:11:38,799there are certain things that you must pursue23800:11:38,799 –> 00:11:41,659in the power of the Holy Spirit23900:11:41,659 –> 00:11:44,880but you must pursue them, you must act24000:11:45,619 –> 00:11:50,440and if you possess and pursue these qualities24100:11:50,440 –> 00:11:52,419in increasing measure verse eight24200:11:52,419 –> 00:11:54,700they will keep you from being ineffective24300:11:54,700 –> 00:11:57,719and unproductive in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.24400:11:58,919 –> 00:12:01,219In other words if you come to faith in the Lord Jesus24500:12:01,219 –> 00:12:04,239and then become entirely passive about your Christian life24600:12:04,239 –> 00:12:07,760you will not grow, you will not thrive,24700:12:07,760 –> 00:12:10,820you will be ineffective, you will be unproductive,24800:12:10,820 –> 00:12:12,679there is something that you are to do.24900:12:13,580 –> 00:12:16,239There is an effort, notice that word in verse five25000:12:16,239 –> 00:12:19,119that you must make and it is not a futile effort25100:12:19,119 –> 00:12:21,320it is an effort that is made in the light25200:12:21,320 –> 00:12:24,400of what God has done for you in Jesus Christ25300:12:24,400 –> 00:12:26,880by the power of the Holy Spirit.25400:12:28,059 –> 00:12:31,780So if you would be a fruitful, productive Christian25500:12:32,919 –> 00:12:35,919you have to get into an active frame of mind.25600:12:37,039 –> 00:12:41,679It’s no use walking through life saying let go and let God25700:12:41,679 –> 00:12:44,559as if somehow by you being passive25800:12:44,559 –> 00:12:46,640you will grow in the Christian life.25900:12:46,640 –> 00:12:47,640Peter really nails that.26000:12:47,640 –> 00:12:49,200He says no, if you’re gonna grow26100:12:49,200 –> 00:12:51,539there are certain things you must do.26200:12:51,539 –> 00:12:55,200Make every effort to add to your faith26300:12:55,200 –> 00:12:58,340certain things that we’re going to look at this morning.26400:12:59,340 –> 00:13:01,900You have to take responsibility for this26500:13:02,760 –> 00:13:04,340and you must pursue it.26600:13:05,799 –> 00:13:08,960Now notice then how Peter is bringing together26700:13:08,979 –> 00:13:13,059God’s work and our work26800:13:13,059 –> 00:13:17,359and he’s joining them together in a very remarkable way.26900:13:17,359 –> 00:13:19,000Perhaps many of us have thought27000:13:19,000 –> 00:13:20,520and will think throughout our lives27100:13:20,520 –> 00:13:21,559about this great question.27200:13:21,559 –> 00:13:23,940How does God’s work and our work,27300:13:23,940 –> 00:13:26,080how do these two things fit together?27400:13:26,080 –> 00:13:27,940It’s a great question.27500:13:27,940 –> 00:13:30,200But notice how Peter brings the two of them together27600:13:30,200 –> 00:13:32,280so very wonderfully here.27700:13:33,599 –> 00:13:36,559God has given us these great promises.27800:13:36,559 –> 00:13:37,760Given us the spirit.27900:13:37,760 –> 00:13:39,320God has acted to save us,28000:13:39,320 –> 00:13:40,859and for this very reason now,28100:13:40,859 –> 00:13:43,840we must make a great effort.28200:13:43,840 –> 00:13:47,659That’s what he’s saying in verse five.28300:13:47,659 –> 00:13:48,659Doctor Martyn Lloyd-Jones28400:13:48,659 –> 00:13:50,859has a very helpful illustration here.28500:13:50,859 –> 00:13:52,400I’ll just give it to you28600:13:52,400 –> 00:13:53,820because it might stay with you28700:13:53,820 –> 00:13:56,080and be helpful on this import point.28800:13:56,080 –> 00:13:57,719How does what God does for us28900:13:57,719 –> 00:13:59,080and what we’re called to do for him.29000:13:59,080 –> 00:14:01,059How do these two fit together?29100:14:01,059 –> 00:14:04,119How we’re to think about them.29200:14:04,400 –> 00:14:05,799Lloyd-Jones says,29300:14:05,799 –> 00:14:09,239think of the picture of a farm.29400:14:09,239 –> 00:14:13,840Now imagine that you are given a farm,29500:14:13,840 –> 00:14:15,340you are given the tools,29600:14:15,340 –> 00:14:17,039you’re given John Deere tractor29700:14:17,039 –> 00:14:18,219and a combine harvester29800:14:18,219 –> 00:14:20,179and all the rest of it.29900:14:20,179 –> 00:14:22,960And you are given seed.30000:14:22,960 –> 00:14:26,239You are given all of these things.30100:14:26,239 –> 00:14:29,159Now what you are called to do30200:14:29,159 –> 00:14:32,159is to farm.30300:14:32,580 –> 00:14:34,140He makes this point.30400:14:34,140 –> 00:14:37,219There is no use telling a man to farm30500:14:37,219 –> 00:14:40,099if he doesn’t have a farm, right?30600:14:40,099 –> 00:14:41,239If you don’t have a farm,30700:14:41,239 –> 00:14:43,119and you don’t have tools,30800:14:43,119 –> 00:14:44,239and you don’t have seed,30900:14:44,239 –> 00:14:46,179there’s no way in the world you can farm.31000:14:46,179 –> 00:14:48,039You can’t farm without a farm.31100:14:48,039 –> 00:14:49,200Are you with me?31200:14:49,200 –> 00:14:51,200But having been given a farm,31300:14:51,200 –> 00:14:53,080suppose you are given a farm31400:14:53,080 –> 00:14:54,159and you are given the tractor31500:14:54,159 –> 00:14:55,179and you are given the seed.31600:14:55,179 –> 00:14:56,260What you’re calling is,31700:14:56,260 –> 00:15:00,159is to farm.31800:15:00,159 –> 00:15:01,059Even then he says31900:15:01,099 –> 00:15:04,020your farming will not in itself32000:15:04,020 –> 00:15:05,059bring the harvest32100:15:05,059 –> 00:15:09,059because it is God who makes things grow.32200:15:09,080 –> 00:15:11,119So think of how these things come together.32300:15:11,119 –> 00:15:14,039God gives the farm.32400:15:14,039 –> 00:15:16,059God gives the tools.32500:15:16,059 –> 00:15:18,020God gives the seed.32600:15:18,020 –> 00:15:20,059God makes things grow.32700:15:20,059 –> 00:15:24,039But the farmer is still involved.32800:15:24,039 –> 00:15:26,020There is something for the farmer to do.32900:15:26,020 –> 00:15:27,119And if the farmer does not do33000:15:27,119 –> 00:15:29,080what is trusted to him,33100:15:29,080 –> 00:15:33,960there will not be a harvest.33200:15:33,979 –> 00:15:36,059Now this is a helpful way of thinking33300:15:36,059 –> 00:15:39,099about how God’s great gifts to us33400:15:39,099 –> 00:15:41,059and God’s great calling to us33500:15:41,059 –> 00:15:44,000come together in the gospel.33600:15:44,000 –> 00:15:47,039And the question that Peter has come to now33700:15:47,039 –> 00:15:50,000having told us all that God has given to us33800:15:50,000 –> 00:15:51,080in the gift of the spirit33900:15:51,080 –> 00:15:53,000and in the life that comes from above34000:15:53,000 –> 00:15:54,039and our great salvation34100:15:54,039 –> 00:15:56,000and his great and precious promises in Christ34200:15:56,000 –> 00:15:57,940he’s now got to the question34300:15:57,940 –> 00:16:00,940Now what well are we to do?34400:16:00,940 –> 00:16:01,940We’ve been given the farm34500:16:01,940 –> 00:16:05,940what does it mean for us to farm?34600:16:05,940 –> 00:16:07,919What are we to do?34700:16:07,919 –> 00:16:10,419Well let’s look at it in verse 5-734800:16:10,419 –> 00:16:13,960For this very reason34900:16:13,960 –> 00:16:15,919in the light of what God has done for you35000:16:15,919 –> 00:16:17,960in verses 1-435100:16:17,960 –> 00:16:20,919Make every effort, active mode35200:16:20,919 –> 00:16:21,919take responsibility35300:16:21,919 –> 00:16:25,940Some things for you proactively to go after35400:16:26,880 –> 00:16:29,880make every effort to add to your faith goodness35500:16:29,880 –> 00:16:31,880and to goodness knowledge35600:16:31,880 –> 00:16:34,880and to knowledge self-control35700:16:34,880 –> 00:16:36,880and to self-control perseverance35800:16:36,880 –> 00:16:38,880and to perseverance godliness35900:16:38,880 –> 00:16:41,900and to godliness brotherly kindness36000:16:41,900 –> 00:16:45,900and to brotherly kindness love36100:16:45,900 –> 00:16:49,400Now here then are seven virtues36200:16:49,400 –> 00:16:53,400that Peter says that we are to vigorously pursue36300:16:53,400 –> 00:16:56,400Every effort to go after these things36400:16:56,400 –> 00:17:00,400in the power of the holy spirit36500:17:00,400 –> 00:17:02,400Notice that the list is similar36600:17:02,400 –> 00:17:04,400At least it overlaps36700:17:04,400 –> 00:17:05,400With the fruit of the Spirit36800:17:05,400 –> 00:17:08,400That Paul list for us in Galatians36900:17:08,400 –> 00:17:10,400Chapter 5 Verse 22 and 2337000:17:10,400 –> 00:17:12,400You have a number of lists37100:17:12,400 –> 00:17:15,400of quality character qualities37200:17:15,400 –> 00:17:17,400that describe the areas in which37300:17:17,400 –> 00:17:19,400god calls us to grow a christian37400:17:19,400 –> 00:17:21,400and this sort of overlap37500:17:21,400 –> 00:17:23,400creates a field of growth37600:17:23,400 –> 00:17:25,400for us in the christian life37700:17:25,400 –> 00:17:27,400Notice what is distinct37800:17:27,400 –> 00:17:30,400about Peter’s teaching here37900:17:30,400 –> 00:17:33,400That is added to Paul’s38000:17:33,400 –> 00:17:34,400teaching about38100:17:34,400 –> 00:17:35,400the fruit of the spirit38200:17:35,400 –> 00:17:36,400Peter wants us to know38300:17:36,400 –> 00:17:37,400that these are things38400:17:37,400 –> 00:17:39,400we actively pursue38500:17:39,400 –> 00:17:42,400These are things to go after38600:17:42,400 –> 00:17:44,400These are things that38700:17:44,400 –> 00:17:47,400you must put yourself into38800:17:47,400 –> 00:17:49,400make every effort for38900:17:49,400 –> 00:17:50,400stretch yourself out39000:17:50,400 –> 00:17:51,400into the pursuit of them39100:17:51,400 –> 00:17:53,400because God has given you39200:17:53,400 –> 00:17:55,400power to do so39300:17:55,400 –> 00:17:58,400I find it helpful to use39400:17:58,400 –> 00:18:00,400this as a simple grid39500:18:00,400 –> 00:18:02,400for self evaluation39600:18:02,400 –> 00:18:04,400You might like to do that personally39700:18:04,400 –> 00:18:05,400You might like to use it39800:18:05,400 –> 00:18:06,400with a friend for39900:18:06,400 –> 00:18:07,400accountability40000:18:07,400 –> 00:18:08,400for setting some goals40100:18:08,400 –> 00:18:09,400for growth40200:18:09,400 –> 00:18:10,400which would be a very40300:18:10,400 –> 00:18:12,400good way to respond40400:18:12,400 –> 00:18:13,400to what we are learning40500:18:13,400 –> 00:18:16,400from the word of God today40600:18:16,400 –> 00:18:17,400Seven pursuits then40700:18:18,400 –> 00:18:21,400throughout a Christaians life40800:18:21,400 –> 00:18:22,400Number one40900:18:22,400 –> 00:18:24,400Goodness41000:18:24,400 –> 00:18:25,400In the light of all41100:18:25,400 –> 00:18:26,400that God has done for you41200:18:26,400 –> 00:18:27,400in Christ41300:18:27,400 –> 00:18:29,400pursue this41400:18:29,400 –> 00:18:30,400Make every effort41500:18:30,400 –> 00:18:33,400to pursue goodness41600:18:33,400 –> 00:18:34,400Moral excellence41700:18:34,400 –> 00:18:36,400is really what that means41800:18:36,400 –> 00:18:37,400Peter is saying41900:18:37,400 –> 00:18:39,400if you want to be42000:18:39,400 –> 00:18:40,400a fruitful Christian42100:18:40,400 –> 00:18:41,400you have to grow42200:18:41,400 –> 00:18:42,400in goodness42300:18:42,400 –> 00:18:43,400because the evidence42400:18:43,400 –> 00:18:44,400of your faith42500:18:44,400 –> 00:18:45,400will be seen in your life42600:18:45,400 –> 00:18:46,400Peter has already42700:18:46,400 –> 00:18:47,400told us42800:18:47,400 –> 00:18:48,400that we were called42900:18:48,400 –> 00:18:50,400through Christ’s own glory43000:18:50,400 –> 00:18:53,400and goodness43100:18:53,400 –> 00:18:54,400Verse 343200:18:54,400 –> 00:18:55,400in other words43300:18:55,400 –> 00:18:56,400we were compelled43400:18:56,400 –> 00:18:57,400we were drawn43500:18:57,400 –> 00:18:58,400by what we saw43600:18:58,400 –> 00:18:59,400in Jesus Christ43700:18:59,400 –> 00:19:00,400and now other people43800:19:00,400 –> 00:19:01,400will be drawn43900:19:01,400 –> 00:19:02,400as they see44000:19:02,400 –> 00:19:03,400a reflection44100:19:03,400 –> 00:19:04,400of that same goodness44200:19:04,400 –> 00:19:05,400of Jesus in you44300:19:05,400 –> 00:19:06,400therefore44400:19:06,400 –> 00:19:07,400if you want44500:19:07,400 –> 00:19:08,400to be fruitful44600:19:08,400 –> 00:19:09,400in your life44700:19:09,400 –> 00:19:10,400for the Lord Jesus Christ44800:19:10,400 –> 00:19:11,400here is where to begin44900:19:11,400 –> 00:19:12,400Pursue with all45000:19:12,400 –> 00:19:13,400the energy45100:19:13,400 –> 00:19:14,400you can muster45200:19:15,400 –> 00:19:16,400a goodness that reflects45300:19:16,400 –> 00:19:17,400the excellence45400:19:17,400 –> 00:19:18,400of the life of Jesus45500:19:20,400 –> 00:19:21,400I want, in each case45600:19:21,400 –> 00:19:23,400here to give a simple question45700:19:23,400 –> 00:19:24,400and you might find45800:19:24,400 –> 00:19:25,400this question helpful45900:19:25,400 –> 00:19:26,400where then can46000:19:26,400 –> 00:19:27,400I do good46100:19:27,400 –> 00:19:28,400for another person46200:19:28,400 –> 00:19:29,400this week46300:19:29,400 –> 00:19:30,400That’s a good question46400:19:30,400 –> 00:19:31,400to live with isn’t it46500:19:31,400 –> 00:19:32,400how can I do good46600:19:32,400 –> 00:19:33,400to another person46700:19:34,400 –> 00:19:35,400in these next days46800:19:35,400 –> 00:19:36,400because this is something46900:19:36,400 –> 00:19:37,400that I’m to go after47000:19:38,400 –> 00:19:39,400in the light47100:19:39,400 –> 00:19:40,400of all that God47200:19:40,400 –> 00:19:41,400has done for me47300:19:41,400 –> 00:19:42,400in Jesus Christ47400:19:42,400 –> 00:19:43,400Second47500:19:43,400 –> 00:19:44,400knowledge47600:19:45,400 –> 00:19:46,400Make every effort47700:19:46,400 –> 00:19:47,400to go after knowledge47800:19:47,400 –> 00:19:48,400which really means47900:19:48,400 –> 00:19:50,400practical wisdom48000:19:50,400 –> 00:19:51,400If you’re going to live48100:19:51,400 –> 00:19:52,400a fruitful48200:19:52,400 –> 00:19:53,400Christian life48300:19:53,400 –> 00:19:54,400you need wisdom48400:19:54,400 –> 00:19:55,400depth48500:19:56,400 –> 00:19:57,400stability48600:19:57,400 –> 00:19:58,400and maturity48700:19:59,400 –> 00:20:00,400and where are48800:20:00,400 –> 00:20:01,400you going to get48900:20:01,400 –> 00:20:02,400wisdom and depth49000:20:02,400 –> 00:20:03,400and stability49100:20:03,400 –> 00:20:04,400and maturity49200:20:04,400 –> 00:20:05,400to live a fruitful49300:20:05,400 –> 00:20:06,400Christian life49400:20:06,400 –> 00:20:07,400you’ll get it through49500:20:07,400 –> 00:20:08,400the word of God49600:20:08,400 –> 00:20:09,400learned49700:20:09,400 –> 00:20:10,400believed49800:20:10,400 –> 00:20:11,400applied49900:20:11,400 –> 00:20:12,400and obeyed50000:20:14,400 –> 00:20:15,400The Bible is much more50100:20:15,400 –> 00:20:16,400than information50200:20:17,400 –> 00:20:18,400The Psalmist says50300:20:19,400 –> 00:20:20,400God’s word is a lamp50400:20:20,400 –> 00:20:21,400for my feet50500:20:22,400 –> 00:20:23,400and a light50600:20:23,400 –> 00:20:24,400to my path50700:20:24,400 –> 00:20:25,400In other words50800:20:25,400 –> 00:20:26,400the Scriptures50900:20:26,400 –> 00:20:27,400when my thinking51000:20:27,400 –> 00:20:28,400is shaped by them51100:20:29,400 –> 00:20:30,400will give me the51200:20:30,400 –> 00:20:31,400wisdom and maturity51300:20:31,400 –> 00:20:32,400to be able to51400:20:32,400 –> 00:20:33,400make good decisions51500:20:34,400 –> 00:20:35,400and to live in a way51600:20:35,400 –> 00:20:36,400that is honoring51700:20:36,400 –> 00:20:37,400to Jesus Christ51800:20:38,400 –> 00:20:39,400So one of the questions51900:20:39,400 –> 00:20:40,400that we might live with52000:20:40,400 –> 00:20:41,400here is52100:20:41,400 –> 00:20:42,400now how52200:20:42,400 –> 00:20:43,400am I learning52300:20:43,400 –> 00:20:44,400God’s word?52400:20:44,400 –> 00:20:45,400What opportunities52500:20:45,400 –> 00:20:46,400am I really grasping52600:20:48,400 –> 00:20:49,400daily and weekly52700:20:50,400 –> 00:20:51,400to get the truth52800:20:51,400 –> 00:20:52,400of the Scriptures52900:20:52,400 –> 00:20:53,400into my mind53000:20:53,400 –> 00:20:54,400so that I’m growing53100:20:54,400 –> 00:20:55,400not just in knowing53200:20:55,400 –> 00:20:56,400a lot of things53300:20:56,400 –> 00:20:57,400but in the kind53400:20:57,400 –> 00:20:58,400of wisdom, maturity53500:20:58,400 –> 00:20:59,400and stability53600:20:59,400 –> 00:21:00,400that comes53700:21:00,400 –> 00:21:01,400from a life53800:21:01,400 –> 00:21:02,400that is53900:21:03,400 –> 00:21:04,400lighted54000:21:04,400 –> 00:21:05,400by the54100:21:05,400 –> 00:21:06,400lamp54200:21:06,400 –> 00:21:07,400of the word54300:21:07,400 –> 00:21:09,400of God54400:21:09,400 –> 00:21:10,400How am I learning54500:21:10,400 –> 00:21:11,400God’s word?54600:21:11,400 –> 00:21:12,400Remember54700:21:12,400 –> 00:21:13,400one opportunity54800:21:13,400 –> 00:21:16,400is right now54900:21:16,400 –> 00:21:17,400It’s right now55000:21:17,400 –> 00:21:18,400Am I seizing55100:21:18,400 –> 00:21:19,400Sunday by Sunday55200:21:19,400 –> 00:21:20,400the opportunity55300:21:20,400 –> 00:21:21,400to learn55400:21:21,400 –> 00:21:22,400from God’s word55500:21:22,400 –> 00:21:23,400in such a way55600:21:23,400 –> 00:21:24,400that it’s shaping55700:21:24,400 –> 00:21:25,400my thinking55800:21:25,400 –> 00:21:26,400and therefore my living55900:21:26,400 –> 00:21:27,400or am I just56000:21:27,400 –> 00:21:28,400letting these things56100:21:28,400 –> 00:21:29,400pass me by?56200:21:30,400 –> 00:21:33,4003. Go after self control56300:21:33,400 –> 00:21:35,400Make every effort56400:21:35,400 –> 00:21:36,400in this area56500:21:36,400 –> 00:21:37,400self control56600:21:37,400 –> 00:21:38,400is simply you56700:21:38,400 –> 00:21:40,400controlling your passions56800:21:40,400 –> 00:21:41,400instead of letting56900:21:41,400 –> 00:21:42,400your passions57000:21:42,400 –> 00:21:43,400control you57100:21:43,400 –> 00:21:45,400that’s what self control is57200:21:45,400 –> 00:21:46,400now, remember who is57300:21:46,400 –> 00:21:47,400writing this57400:21:47,400 –> 00:21:48,400Peter57500:21:48,400 –> 00:21:49,400The most impulsive man57600:21:49,400 –> 00:21:50,400in the new testament57700:21:50,400 –> 00:21:51,400at least that’s57800:21:51,400 –> 00:21:52,400what he was once57900:21:52,400 –> 00:21:53,400But here is58000:21:53,400 –> 00:21:54,400Christian growth58100:21:54,400 –> 00:21:55,400and as you see58200:21:55,400 –> 00:21:56,400it in Peter58300:21:56,400 –> 00:21:57,400think about what58400:21:57,400 –> 00:21:58,400it could mean58500:21:58,400 –> 00:21:59,400for you58600:21:59,400 –> 00:22:00,400the man58700:22:00,400 –> 00:22:01,400who was once58800:22:01,400 –> 00:22:02,400the blundering58900:22:02,400 –> 00:22:04,400disciple in the gospels59000:22:04,400 –> 00:22:05,400is now the trusted59100:22:05,400 –> 00:22:06,400Apostle59200:22:06,400 –> 00:22:07,400and leader59300:22:07,400 –> 00:22:09,400in the early church59400:22:09,400 –> 00:22:10,400praise God for that59500:22:10,400 –> 00:22:11,400that’s growth59600:22:11,400 –> 00:22:12,400and if59700:22:12,400 –> 00:22:13,400the Holy Spirit59800:22:13,400 –> 00:22:14,400can bring that kind of growth59900:22:14,400 –> 00:22:16,400in self control60000:22:16,400 –> 00:22:17,400in Peter’s life60100:22:17,400 –> 00:22:18,400than he can bring60200:22:18,400 –> 00:22:19,400that kind of60300:22:19,400 –> 00:22:20,400growth and stability60400:22:20,400 –> 00:22:22,400in your life60500:22:22,400 –> 00:22:24,400as well60600:22:25,400 –> 00:22:26,400I don’t know about you60700:22:26,400 –> 00:22:27,400but I find it60800:22:27,400 –> 00:22:28,400really encouraging60900:22:28,400 –> 00:22:29,400that even though61000:22:29,400 –> 00:22:30,400Peter failed61100:22:30,400 –> 00:22:31,400spectacularly61200:22:31,400 –> 00:22:32,400at a crucial time61300:22:32,400 –> 00:22:34,400God still used him61400:22:34,400 –> 00:22:36,400and he was able to grow61500:22:36,400 –> 00:22:38,400our message is called61600:22:39,400 –> 00:22:40,400everything you need for growth61700:22:40,400 –> 00:22:41,400and its part of the series61800:22:41,400 –> 00:22:43,400everything you need for life61900:22:43,400 –> 00:22:44,400all taken from62000:22:44,400 –> 00:22:45,400the book of 2 Peter62100:22:45,400 –> 00:22:47,400if you’ve missed62200:22:47,400 –> 00:22:48,400any of the series62300:22:48,400 –> 00:22:49,400dont forget62400:22:49,400 –> 00:22:50,400its easy to catch62500:22:50,400 –> 00:22:51,400up or go back and listen again62600:22:51,400 –> 00:22:52,400if you come online62700:22:52,400 –> 00:22:54,400to our website62800:22:54,400 –> 00:22:55,400openthebible.org.uk62900:22:55,400 –> 00:22:57,400or go to your favorite63000:22:57,400 –> 00:22:58,400podcast site63100:22:58,400 –> 00:22:59,400search there for63200:22:59,400 –> 00:23:00,400open the bible UK63300:23:00,400 –> 00:23:01,400and subscribe if you63400:23:01,400 –> 00:23:02,400want to receive63500:23:02,400 –> 00:23:04,400regular updates63600:23:04,400 –> 00:23:05,400dont forget about63700:23:05,400 –> 00:23:06,400open the bible daily63800:23:06,400 –> 00:23:07,400that’s our series63900:23:07,400 –> 00:23:09,400of short 2-3 minute64000:23:09,400 –> 00:23:11,400daily reflections64100:23:11,400 –> 00:23:12,400based on Pastor Colins64200:23:12,400 –> 00:23:13,400teaching and read64300:23:13,400 –> 00:23:15,400especially in the UK64400:23:15,400 –> 00:23:16,400you can find it on our64500:23:16,400 –> 00:23:19,400website openthebible.org.uk64600:23:19,400 –> 00:23:22,400also available as a podcast64700:23:22,400 –> 00:23:23,400open the bible daily64800:23:23,400 –> 00:23:25,400open the bible is able64900:23:25,400 –> 00:23:26,400to be on this station65000:23:26,400 –> 00:23:27,400as well as our website65100:23:27,400 –> 00:23:29,400and the podcasts65200:23:29,400 –> 00:23:30,400because listeners65300:23:30,400 –> 00:23:31,400like you give generously65400:23:31,400 –> 00:23:33,400to support our work65500:23:33,400 –> 00:23:34,400so if you already65600:23:34,400 –> 00:23:35,400support open the bible65700:23:35,400 –> 00:23:36,400in this way65800:23:36,400 –> 00:23:37,400we want to thank you65900:23:37,400 –> 00:23:38,400so much66000:23:38,400 –> 00:23:39,400if supporting open the bible66100:23:39,400 –> 00:23:40,400is something you want66200:23:40,400 –> 00:23:41,400to start doing this month66300:23:41,400 –> 00:23:43,400we’d love to say thank you66400:23:43,400 –> 00:23:44,400by sending you Pastor Collins66500:23:44,400 –> 00:23:45,400brand new book66600:23:45,400 –> 00:23:47,400grow in hope66700:23:47,400 –> 00:23:48,400it’s a 30 day devotional66800:23:48,400 –> 00:23:49,400study drawing on scripture66900:23:49,400 –> 00:23:53,400and years of pastoral experience67000:23:53,400 –> 00:23:54,400Collins who is this67100:23:54,400 –> 00:23:56,400book for?67200:23:56,400 –> 00:23:58,400well this is for everybody67300:23:58,400 –> 00:23:59,400who wants to have hope67400:23:59,400 –> 00:24:00,400and I think that’s67500:24:00,400 –> 00:24:02,400absolutely every person67600:24:02,400 –> 00:24:03,400we all need hope67700:24:03,400 –> 00:24:05,400and if you would like67800:24:05,400 –> 00:24:06,260to have hope67900:24:06,260 –> 00:24:07,400drip fed into your life68000:24:07,400 –> 00:24:09,400for thirty days68100:24:09,400 –> 00:24:10,400then grow in hope68200:24:10,400 –> 00:24:12,400is a devotional68300:24:12,400 –> 00:24:13,400that will do just that68400:24:13,400 –> 00:24:15,400it’s full of the promises68500:24:15,400 –> 00:24:16,400of God68600:24:16,400 –> 00:24:17,400it shows that hope68700:24:17,400 –> 00:24:19,400comes from God68800:24:19,400 –> 00:24:20,400it comes to us68900:24:20,400 –> 00:24:22,400through the Lord Jesus Christ69000:24:22,400 –> 00:24:23,400and it comes to us69100:24:23,400 –> 00:24:25,400by His marvelous grace69200:24:25,400 –> 00:24:26,400so 30 days of hope69300:24:26,400 –> 00:24:28,400I think that’s something69400:24:28,400 –> 00:24:29,400that everyone can use69500:24:29,400 –> 00:24:30,400and I hope it’s going to69600:24:30,400 –> 00:24:31,400be a blessing to everyone69700:24:31,400 –> 00:24:33,400who reads it69800:24:33,400 –> 00:24:34,400so, while new book69900:24:34,400 –> 00:24:35,400Grow in Hope70000:24:35,400 –> 00:24:36,400is our gift to you70100:24:36,400 –> 00:24:37,400when you set up70200:24:37,400 –> 00:24:38,400a new direct debit70300:24:38,400 –> 00:24:39,400of five pounds per month70400:24:39,400 –> 00:24:40,400or more70500:24:40,400 –> 00:24:42,400or a one-off gift70600:24:42,400 –> 00:24:43,400of 60 pounds or more70700:24:43,400 –> 00:24:44,400to support the work70800:24:44,400 –> 00:24:45,400of Open the Bible70900:24:45,400 –> 00:24:46,400this month71000:24:46,400 –> 00:24:47,400full terms and conditions71100:24:47,400 –> 00:24:48,400are on our website71200:24:48,400 –> 00:24:50,400at openthebible.org.uk71300:24:50,400 –> 00:24:52,400and you can give online71400:24:52,400 –> 00:24:53,400don’t forget though71500:24:53,400 –> 00:24:54,400to leave your71600:24:54,400 –> 00:24:55,400full name and address71700:24:55,400 –> 00:24:56,400when you donate71800:24:56,400 –> 00:24:57,400so we’ll be able to71900:24:57,400 –> 00:24:59,400send you your gift72000:24:59,400 –> 00:25:00,400for Open the Bible72100:25:00,400 –> 00:25:01,400and Pastor Colin Smith72200:25:01,400 –> 00:25:02,400I’m David Pick72300:25:02,400 –> 00:25:03,400thanks for being72400:25:03,400 –> 00:25:04,400with us today72500:25:04,400 –> 00:25:05,400and we look forward72600:25:05,400 –> 00:25:06,400to having you join us72700:25:06,400 –> 00:25:08,400again next time72800:25:18,400 –> 00:25:21,400What are you pursuing in life?72900:25:21,400 –> 00:25:22,400Are you in need73000:25:22,400 –> 00:25:24,400of a mid course correction?73100:25:24,400 –> 00:25:26,400Find out next time73200:25:26,400 –> 00:25:27,400on Open the Bible