* You can now watch a video of this message at: https://new.livestream.com/rickpina/live.
(2 Peter 1:3 NLT) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” For the past two days we looked at the first two verses in Peter’s second letter. Those two verses dealt with both God’s grace towards us and our faith towards Him. Grace is how God deals with us. Faith is how we are supposed to deal with Him. Grace is how God has blessed us. Faith is how we access the Blessing God has already provided. In this message we move on from the first two verses of 2nd Peter to the third verse and the focus is, once again, on the grace of God towards us.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s break down this verse and find out.
1. God has given us everything we need by His grace. Peter said, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” God is not going to give it to us, He has already given it to us, in eternity; it simply has not manifested itself yet in time. Notice that:
a. It’s already done.
b. God did it by His divine power.
c. God did it because of His divine motivation (love).
d. God did it before we did everything to earn it (grace).
2. You cannot live a holy life without the grace of God. Some mistake the message of grace to mean they are not required to live holy. No, grace is not a license or an excuse to sin. God has never required any less than ALL of us. But God also knows that we could never be good enough, pure enough, or holy enough on our own. That is why He has given us everything we need to live a Godly life, and he did it by His grace.
3. Knowledge of God unlocks the door to what He destined you to have by grace. While God has already given you, in eternity, everything you need to live a Godly life, you must learn of God’s will for your life in order to access all He has already given you.
a. When God reveals to you what He has already given you by His grace, you are the authorized to pursue it, access it, and obtain it with your faith.
b. Divine revelation is key because you will never tap-into what you are not aware of.
c. Divine understanding is key because you will never maximize what you do not understand.
4. God called you to Himself by grace. Peter called God “the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). Paul said that God “saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Tim 1:9). You are called OF God and you have been called TO God. Accept the calling, embrace your assignment, spend time with God so He can give you the details concerning it, and as He reveals them to you, pursue your assignment with the faith God placed inside of you. God gave you the assignment, He gave you the faith to pursue it, and He gave you the anointing (or power) to complete it, all by His unearned grace. God is a good God!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word tells me that You have already given me all things that pertain unto life and godliness. You give me all things richly to enjoy. You bless me beyond measure and You do it by Your unearned grace. You even gave me the faith I need to pursue Your grace. Thank You Father for being so good to me. So Father, as You reveal to me the things You have already given me, I use the faith You have given me to pursue those things and to bring them to pass by Your power. I have the power to life a godly life. I have the power to abstain from sin. I have the power to conquer fear. I have the power to maximize my purpose and potential. I have this power because You gave it to me by Your unearned grace. I accept it, I pursue my assignment, and I am determined to finish it before I die. I will arrive at Your desired destination for my life and I will leave the mark in this world that I have been called to leave. Through me souls will be saved, burdens will be removed, yokes will be destroyed, and lives will be changed, for Your glory, by Your grace. I have everything I need to change the world. You are not going to give it to me, You gave it to me before the world began. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
