Well, you had another holiday. I would ask you to pause and use this Thanksgiving as a marker. Ask yourself some questions this weekend.
- When you compare this holiday to those in the last three years how did you handle it?
- Were you more patient and kind?
- Were you less argumentative and critical?
- Were you less controlling and judgmental?
- Were you more peaceful and happy?
- Were you more humble and grateful to God and others?
- Did you express more open, appropriate affection to others?
- Did you express greater self-control?
- Were you a more stable, loving person this week?
- Where you a more stable and believable witness for Christ this year?
It is always important to stop and have a checkup. Looking at ourselves is something the apostle Peter expected us to do.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
2 Peter 1:5-9
Now, I know this is from Peters second letter but he still expects growth. He expects us to look for the marks of growing I highlighted above.
Go through this list and ask two questions.
- Are these things present?
- Are they increasing?
To fail here will render us useless and fruitless. Peter is asking you to look and see if you are becoming rock. Are you becoming the most loving, stable version of yourself, for Gods glory, you can be?
This Sunday I will finish the teaching from first Peter. Now is a good time to examine if you are growing and fruitful for Christ. I will teach the final passage and its four essentials for stability.
I am praying you will come and bring someone with you. Give someone a call or bring your relatives.
If you don’t grow in these things, you are not growing in Christ.
I can’t wait to see you
Blessings,
Joe
STEPS FOR PREPARING
- PRAY FOR YOURSELF, FOR ME, AND THE CHURCH AS WE PREPARE TO LEARN.
- PLAN TO ATTEND A WORSHIP SERVICE AND ATTEND A SMALL GROUP.
- PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES AND CONSIDER THE QUESTIONS BELOW.
- DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR FAMILY IF POSSIBLE.
- INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
Small Group Questions
Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
1Pe 5.12-14
- What was Peter’s re-stated purpose in writing this letter?
Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
1Pe 5.12
- How do we get the grace to not fall and compromise with all the pressure around us?
- How do others play a part in helping us stand firm and be stable? Share an example.
Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.
1Pe 5.12-13
you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2.5But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13
- Why can living in community be so hard for us to do?
- Are you from a family of huggers?
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
1Pe 5.14
- How can different cultures show affection differently?
- How can we better show affection in our culture and community?
- How can you be a more peaceful person who works towards peace?
- According to Peter, how should we measure spiritual growth?
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
2Pe 1.5-9