Discipleship Ladder #2 (Knowledge)

2 Peter 1:3 – 11

Discipleship Ladder #2 (Knowledge)

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to^[c] his own glory and excellence,^{[d] 4} by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,^[e] and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[f] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers,^[g] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 (“knowledge” 161x in 158 verses ESV)

“Knowledge”

1. acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition:

2. familiarity or conversance, as with a particular subject or branch of learning:

3. acquaintance or familiarity gained by sight, experience, or report: [dictionary.com]

Knowledge as a negative:

                1. It may be an opportunity to sin.

Gen_2:17  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

                2. It is may become a burden. 

Ecc_1:18  For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

                3. It is may spin us around.

Isa_47:10  You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, "No one sees me"; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me."

                4. It is may destroy us.

1Co_8:1  Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.

1Co_8:11  And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

                5. It is may be the occasion for arguments.

1Ti_6:20  O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"

                6. It is spiritual warfare.

2Co_10:5  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

               

The dangers of the lack of knowledge:

                1. God takes it personally.

Job_38:2  "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

                2. It exposes our true heart.

Pro_1:22  "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Pro_1:29  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

                3. It makes us impatient.

Pro_19:2  Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

                4. It destroys us.

Hos_4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

                5. It sends people to hell.

Luk_11:52  Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."

What is necessary to acquire knowledge:

                1. The healthy fear of the LORD.

Pro_1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

                2. Deliberate consistency.

Pro_19:27  Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Pro_23:12  Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

                3. God’s will.

Dan_2:21  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

                4. By asking.

2Ch_1:10  Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?"

Where do we get knowledge:

                1. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Isa_11:2  And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

                2. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Psa_19:2  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

                3a. Through the Pastor.

Jer_3:15  "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

                3b. Through the Pastor.

Mal_2:7  For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

                4. Together as a church.

Col_2:2 – 3  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, [3]  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Why is Peter so concerned?

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. [2 Peter 2:20 – 21]

Acts 2:1—3 Gifts of the Will

Acts 2:1—3

Gifts of the Will

[Appeal to the will of the individual]

I.          Sign gifts… demand an immediate judgment/decision.

            A.         “Tongues”

                        1.         Greek: “glossolalia” – the fluid vocalization of another language                                                    previously unknown to the speaker.  (Possibly the hearing/understanding    in the native language of the listener when the speaker speaks in their native language.)

                        2.         Two understandings:

                                    a.         Acts 2… speaking an actual language.

                                    b.         Speaking a “heavenly” language.

            B.         Miracles [1 Cor. 12:28]

                        1.         A miracle is something that cannot happen naturally or be explained                                             naturally (or scientifically).

                        2.         Miracles by nature are RARE.

            C.         Healing [1 Cor. 12:28]

                        1.         Healing is change of a physical condition to health… sometimes to a state                                                of health completely previously unknown.

                        2.         e.g. man born blind.

            D.         Martyrdom [1 Corinthians 13:3]

                        1.         Martyrdom is when someone lays down their life in such a way that Jesus                                     is made known. [Acts 7:56]

                        2.         This is the Greek word that eventually became translated as “witness” in                                      the English language.

                        3.         Courage, commitment, and audience response.

II.         Position gifts [Ephesians 4:11 –13]

            A.         Positions of leadership (power).

                        1.         Apostles NO LONGER EXIST.  Qualification… eye witness to the life of                                           Jesus.  (Some claim the title, but it’s meaning is NOT Biblical…. It’s more                                       in line with claiming to be “Bishop” or some other level of                                                                     ordination/administration.)

                        2.         Evangelist are both “traveling” and personal.  (e.g. Philip) [Acts 8:5]

                        3.         “Catch-all” category including “leadership” (Romans 12:8) and                                                      “administration” (1 Cor. 12:28)

            B.         Pastoral image:

                        1.         “Pastor” comes from the image of shepherd… image is that the “pastor”                                       is one who has the heart of Jesus for the people.

                        2.         It is a “lead” position as opposed to a “drive” position.  (above gifts).

                        3.         It is a “care” position NOT a “dare” position. (above gifts).

            C.         Nurturing image:

                        1.         “Teachers” comes from the Greek word more commonly known as                                                 “deacon” (servants)  [Different word than “slave” (“doulos”)]

                        2.         Information… the practical “how to.”

Wesley: “A prophet testifies of things to come; an evangelist of things past...”

(Implying) Then the pastor testifies to things that are of the present. (Dan Waite)

III.        What does this mean?

            A.         Those who posses these gift are few.

                        1.         They are those who lead (position gifts).

                        2.         They are those who are special occasion (for a reason) gifts (sign gifts).

            B.         However, the universal responsibilities exist in all of us.

                        1.         For instance: martyrdom…

                                    a.         Dying to self every day.

                                    b.         Giving of one’s life in an actual death.

                        2.         For instance: pastor…

                                    a.         Opportunity to show the heart of Jesus to someone outside the                                                      church.

                                    b.         ties in with evangelism/witness… “Preach the gospel, use words if                                                            necessary.”

[NOT inclusive list/example of the gift/universal obligation principle…]

            C.         Reality of American Christianity (from my perspective)

                        1.         We’ve created a consumer mentality… we go to where we get the best                                          service.  (No truth necessary)
                        2.         Result: we want a religion we can agree with NOT one we can own.

 [Agree means we think it should be done… by someone.  Own means we sacrifice for it.]

                        3.         These gifts cause us to understand we may not remain in agreement.

                                    a.         Christianity is either REJECTED.

                                    b.         Or it is intentional CROSS-CARRYING death to self, alive to God in                                                  service to others.

***** How do I know this?  It is what Jesus did. *****

John 16:5 – 16 “Who’s That?”

John 16:5 – 16

“Who’s That?”

            Last week was Pentecost (we celebrated Memorial Day).  This week is “Trinity Sunday” when the church explores the concept of the Trinity and what that means.

            The most confusing thing in theology for many people is the Holy Spirit.  In practice the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood concept in the church.

I.          What’s what?

            A.         Misunderstandings:

                        1.         Misunderstanding #1: The Holy Spirit is a “force” or “power.”

                        2.         Misunderstanding #2: The Holy Spirit’s presence is emotional.

                        3.         Misunderstanding #3: The Holy Spirit shows up in “signs” or “sign gifts.”

            B.         The result of our misunderstandings:

                        1.         We have a fuzzy image of the Trinity.

                        2.         We judge “worship” in the style that we feel is “presence.”

                        3.         We reduce the Holy Spirit’s work to an experience.

II.         What does Jesus say?

            A.         The reality of the Trinity:

                        1.         [v 5] Jesus talks about “Father” and “Son” as distinct yet one entity.

                                    a.         Entity – “being or existence, especially when considered as                                                            distinct, independent or self-contained” [dictionary.com]

                                    b.         Person – “The composite of characteristics that make up an                                                           individual personality; the self.” [The American Heritage®                                                               Stedman's Medical Dictionary from dictionary.com]

                                    c.         Legally speaking, a person has rights and obligations.

**** A human is a person but God is the only one who can be independent or self-contained.  Therefore, God is three in one, one in three.  Each person of the Trinity has distinct place and obligations.  None act independently of the others.

            B.         What are the duties and responsibilities of the Holy Spirit?

                        1.         CONVICT [v 8]

                                    a.         Convict (to impress with a sense of guilt… dictionary.com) of sin.

                                                1.)        The goal is to bring belief [v 9].

                                                2.)        We are uncomfortable with a sense of guilt and will react…

                                                3.)        We will repent or reject this action of the Holy Spirit.

                                    b.         Impress the need for righteousness.   [v 10]

                                                1.)        Righteousness is both a right standing before God.                                                                                      (Forgiven and cleansed)

                                                2.)        Righteousness is also the life experience of ACTING like we                                                           are forgiven and cleansed.

                                                3.)        This comes ONLY through the INDWELLING presence of                                                                  the Holy Spirit.  (a.k.a. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”)

                                    c.         Impress the results of the final judgment.

                                                1.)        The future is set…

                                                2.)        Satan and his minions are judged.

                                                3.)        Question: who are you aligned with?

                        2.         GUIDE [v 13]

                                    a.         Truth.  (Independent of the person determining “what is truth”…                                                    based ONLY on God.)

(Ill. Baseball play… players look to the umpire Bill Klem and asked “what is it?”  His famous answer “It ain’t nothin’ till I call it.)

                                    b.         The Holy Spirit does NOT speak on His own.  (The Bible.)

                        3.         GLORY [v 14]

                                    a.         Make Jesus known. 

                                    b.         Jesus makes the Father Known.

***** God the Father gave Jesus (God the Son) the center stage.  What Jesus does is reflect back the glory to the Father while behaving and acting the way the Father would act.  The Holy Spirit is then sent as the indwelling presence of the Father and the Son in a real and meaningful way.

III.        What is this supposed to do for and to us?

            A.         Conviction creates emotions…

                        1.         There is an awful feeling of battle or helplessness as the Spirit wages war                                                on our sinful nature and it’s desires.

                        2.         It is a very difficult line to cross to repent and abandon our sin.

            B.         Once we surrender/yield to the controlling power and administration of the                                     Holy Spirit there is a sense of joy.

                        1.         The joy comes from being clean.

                        2.         There is also a sense of power that comes from faith that God can and                                          will do anything without the struggle against God.

            C.         The Holy Spirit guidance gives us the confidence of a light house.

                        1.         The fixed point of direction.

                        2.         The fixed point of unwavering and unchanging truth.

***** Youth played a game of “stock market.”  They were given different pieces of paper with different symbols.  The values kept changing, randomly.  Finally they started to get mad at me for changing the values.  Object lesson: the values of this world are constantly changing.

            D.         Knowing God’s glory will result in:

                        1.         Awe and gratefulness.

(Ill. We have a new dog.  He’s very smart.  He’s figured out two things… First, he’s dependent on me for his food, water, and attention.  Second, he’s safe when he obeys me.  Last week he started to run across the road in front of a car.  I called him back in time.  He looked up to me, body shaking, as if to say “thank you.”

                        2.         Worship.

IV.        What does this mean?

            A.         The Holy Spirit is a radical revolution of our lives (not gradual evolution).

                        1.         CHANGE in the temper of the mind.

                        2.         CHANGE in the disposition of the heart.

                        3.         CHANGE in the bent of the will.

***** The indwelling and overcoming power of the Holy Spirit is NOT a slow struggle BUT the free gift for the surrendered and believing heart, mind, and will.

            B.         The Holy Spirit institutes a “two-step” process.

                        1.         Salvation through faith.  (Conviction à repentance)

                        2.         Growth in salvation to living a Christ-centered life. (Salvation à                                                    sanctification)

            C.         Small detail.  While God has taken the initiative you must co-operate.

                        1.         Grace is resistible.  (God does not create mindless slaves or robots.)

                        2.         The Bible says “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”                                     [James 4:10 CEB]

                        3.         Grace can be wasted… disobedience has a way of resetting us back to                                          “square one.”  (Ill. Playing the childhood game “Chutes and Ladders”

                        4.         Yielded means filled and at peace. 

(Christ-centered life rather than a self-centered life)