July 18, 2010
Celebration or Dissipation 
John Sprecher

CELEBRATION OR DISSIPATION
Text: II Peter 1:1-4
Introduction: Last words are always important to us because they often contain a persons deepest desire for those who follow them on life’s journey.  This second book of Peter is no exception as the apostle wants believers who follow to be reminded of things that were important to him as an eyewitness of the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus.

1. THE PRECIOUS FAITH
1. Peter’s introduction of himself
1. First a bondservant or love slave
2. Second an apostle of Jesus Christ
1. His authority based on the call of Jesus
2. The faith we have received 
1. God has no grandchildren
1. Our faith relationship is always first generation
2. We have the same access to the Father through Jesus that Peter did
2. The grace we have received (I Peter 1:13-21)
1. Grace is expressed in God’s call to us (John 6:44)
1. Cannot come to God unless the Father draws us
2. The Holy Spirit awakens us to our spiritual reality (John 16:7-11)
1. He convicts of the sin of unbelief
2. He convinces of the reality of Christ and our own condemnation
3. We don’t initiate grace, we respond to it and receive it 
4. We can resist the grace of God by not believing (Acts 7:51)
5. We are to be obedient and holy
6. We are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, a lamb without blemish
7. He was always in God’s plan and our trust in Him as the One who died in our place allows us to have hope in God
3. Grace and peace increase in the understanding of who He is and what He has done for us
2. LIVING THE NEW LIFE
1. He provides the resources we need to live effectively for Him
1. The dunamis power
1. Same word that speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8
2. We are not dependent on our own power, but His
2. We put the flesh to death by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:12-13)
3. If we live according to the Spirit instead of the flesh we are free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1)
4. We have a new way of thinking that is Spirit directed (Rom. 8:2-10)
1. Christ did what we could not
2. We walk in the Spirit
3. Where do we focus our minds and thoughts?
4. He desires to redirect us through the Spirit
2. We need to grow in our knowledge of Him
1. To know how we should live
2. To understand what He has provided for us to live for Him
3. The superlative promises
1. So that we can partake of His divine nature
3. ESCAPING THE CORRUPTION
1. The whole world is in decay because of sin (Rom. 8:19-26)
1. Creation subjected in hope
2. Will be delivered from the bondage of corruption
3. We wait for the redemption of the body
4. We live in hope
2. We don’t lose heart because God is at work in us (II Cor. 4:16-5:10)
1. Outward man is perishing while the inward is being renewed day by day
2. What we see is temporary, the unseen is eternal
3. God has prepared us for eternity