![\"Dasia](\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Abramovichs2014_1987.jpg\")
<\/a>Dasia & John Abramovich (4\/8\/14)<\/p><\/div>\n
John and Daisa have been in the US for the past few months, but will soon return to Poland.\u00a0 This morning, we were blessed to learn from John’s Bible teaching, as he led us through the opening verses of the book of 2 Peter.<\/p>\n
We often hear about the things missionaries are doing while they’re in foreign countries, but it was enlightening to experience for ourselves a sample of the teaching that is being provided.<\/p>\n
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<\/h3>\n2 Peter 1:1-11<\/span><\/h3>\nJohn led us to the opening chapter of the book of 2 Peter, but we didn’t get very far into the book!\u00a0 He led us into a deep study of this scripture, exploring what Peter had to say verse by verse, and then applying it to our daily lives in the 21st century.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n– – –\u00a0 Verses 1-2 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t2 Peter 1:1-2<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\tSimon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: <\/span><\/p>\n2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.<\/span><\/p>\nNIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
This was the last word from Peter.\u00a0 He was probably in Rome when he wrote this letter, and he probably knew that he would be crucified soon.\u00a0 What would he want the people to remember\u00a0 when he’s gone?\u00a0 Would the church continue after he was gone?\u00a0 In this letter Peter didn’t focus his own experiences, as remarkable as they were.\u00a0 Instead, he focused on the Scripture. He went back to God’s word for the facts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t Apostle AND Servant… <\/span><\/p>\nPeter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ; he had been there with Him.\u00a0 He had seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching first hand.\u00a0 He was an Apostle- a representative of Christ, given unique insights and responsibilities.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\nBut he also calls himself a servant.\u00a0 Only a few are called to be Apostles, but we are all called to be servants.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\nPeter is saying that our faith is just as important as his.\u00a0 Our value to God is just as important as his value.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 3-4 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t2 Peter 1:3-4<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. <\/span><\/p>\n4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nNIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
Peter calls us to “participate in the divine nature.”\u00a0 The “Divine Nature???”\u00a0 We can be like God in some way?\u00a0 Awesome Grace!<\/span><\/p>\nWe’re not puppets!\u00a0 Even though we’re saved by God’s grace, we have to join in and constantly “participate” in God’s call to reflect His love and holiness.\u00a0 We must purposely study God’s truth and take a stand for what’s right.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 5-7 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t2 Peter 1:5-7<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; <\/span><\/p>\n6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; <\/span><\/p>\n7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\nNIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
Because God invites us to participate in His “Divine Nature,” we must respond.\u00a0 There’s a dichotomy at work here.\u00a0 Yes- we are “elected” and saved by grace.”\u00a0 We can’t earn our salvation.\u00a0 But, God calls us to to respond and to grow into His likeness; to add to our character.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t “Add”… <\/span><\/p>\nThe Greek word that is translated as “add” in this verse has an interesting meaning.\u00a0 During Peter’s time, theater was performed using drama and spoken word.\u00a0 But sometimes, the experience was enhanced when they hired a choir and “Added” in music to the production.\u00a0 This “Addition” would cause the audience to to take notice and introduce a “Wow Factor” to the production.<\/span><\/p>\nPeter is telling us to add a “Wow Factor” to our character.\u00a0 Make people notice that there is something different about us.\u00a0 Invite them to ask questions and explore the grace of God.<\/span><\/p>\n“Preach a sermon… use words if necessary!”\n<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 8-9 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t2 Peter 1:8-9<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. <\/span><\/p>\n9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.<\/span><\/p>\nNIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
Keep moving forward. Even while humbly accepting God’s grace of salvation and forgiveness, keep intentionally growing to be more and more like that “Divine Nature.”\u00a0 If you’re not growing, you’ve forgotten the value of salvation.\u00a0 You’re blind.\u00a0 God calls us to be fruitful and to demonstrate His love and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.\u00a0 For those who watch our behavior, this is a matter of life and death!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 10-11 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t2 Peter 1:10-11<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, <\/span><\/p>\n11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\nNIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
God called me, but I must respond. God elected me, but I must choose Him.\u00a0 And that choice happens day in and day out, minute by minute.\u00a0 Your salvation is sure because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but you must decide to live in a way that shows that you were called.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen an athlete returned from a victory in the Olympics, the city would set up a special gate into the city to welcome him.\u00a0 His return to his home town would be greeted and cheered in love and admiration.\u00a0 One day when we “return home” to heaven, God (in His amazing grace) will welcome our return even more deeply as we continue to grow and honor Him in our participation in the divine nature.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/span><\/p>\nTo learn more about what the United Methodist Men are up to, Click Here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
John led us to the opening chapter of the book of 2 Peter, but we didn’t get very far into the book!\u00a0 He led us into a deep study of this scripture, exploring what Peter had to say verse by verse, and then applying it to our daily lives in the 21st century.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n – – –\u00a0 Verses 1-2 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n NIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n This was the last word from Peter.\u00a0 He was probably in Rome when he wrote this letter, and he probably knew that he would be crucified soon.\u00a0 What would he want the people to remember\u00a0 when he’s gone?\u00a0 Would the church continue after he was gone?\u00a0 In this letter Peter didn’t focus his own experiences, as remarkable as they were.\u00a0 Instead, he focused on the Scripture. He went back to God’s word for the facts.<\/span><\/p>\n Peter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ; he had been there with Him.\u00a0 He had seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching first hand.\u00a0 He was an Apostle- a representative of Christ, given unique insights and responsibilities.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n But he also calls himself a servant.\u00a0 Only a few are called to be Apostles, but we are all called to be servants.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Peter is saying that our faith is just as important as his.\u00a0 Our value to God is just as important as his value.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n \u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 3-4 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n NIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Peter calls us to “participate in the divine nature.”\u00a0 The “Divine Nature???”\u00a0 We can be like God in some way?\u00a0 Awesome Grace!<\/span><\/p>\n We’re not puppets!\u00a0 Even though we’re saved by God’s grace, we have to join in and constantly “participate” in God’s call to reflect His love and holiness.\u00a0 We must purposely study God’s truth and take a stand for what’s right.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 5-7 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; <\/span><\/p>\n 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n NIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Because God invites us to participate in His “Divine Nature,” we must respond.\u00a0 There’s a dichotomy at work here.\u00a0 Yes- we are “elected” and saved by grace.”\u00a0 We can’t earn our salvation.\u00a0 But, God calls us to to respond and to grow into His likeness; to add to our character.<\/span><\/p>\n The Greek word that is translated as “add” in this verse has an interesting meaning.\u00a0 During Peter’s time, theater was performed using drama and spoken word.\u00a0 But sometimes, the experience was enhanced when they hired a choir and “Added” in music to the production.\u00a0 This “Addition” would cause the audience to to take notice and introduce a “Wow Factor” to the production.<\/span><\/p>\n Peter is telling us to add a “Wow Factor” to our character.\u00a0 Make people notice that there is something different about us.\u00a0 Invite them to ask questions and explore the grace of God.<\/span><\/p>\n “Preach a sermon… use words if necessary!”\n<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n \u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 8-9 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.<\/span><\/p>\n NIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Keep moving forward. Even while humbly accepting God’s grace of salvation and forgiveness, keep intentionally growing to be more and more like that “Divine Nature.”\u00a0 If you’re not growing, you’ve forgotten the value of salvation.\u00a0 You’re blind.\u00a0 God calls us to be fruitful and to demonstrate His love and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.\u00a0 For those who watch our behavior, this is a matter of life and death!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0– – –\u00a0 Verses 10-11 – – –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n NIV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n God called me, but I must respond. God elected me, but I must choose Him.\u00a0 And that choice happens day in and day out, minute by minute.\u00a0 Your salvation is sure because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but you must decide to live in a way that shows that you were called.<\/span><\/p>\n When an athlete returned from a victory in the Olympics, the city would set up a special gate into the city to welcome him.\u00a0 His return to his home town would be greeted and cheered in love and admiration.\u00a0 One day when we “return home” to heaven, God (in His amazing grace) will welcome our return even more deeply as we continue to grow and honor Him in our participation in the divine nature.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/span><\/p>\n To learn more about what the United Methodist Men are up to, Click Here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n2 Peter 1:1-2<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
2 Peter 1:3-4<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
2 Peter 1:5-7<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
2 Peter 1:8-9<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
2 Peter 1:10-11<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t