SPIRIT WORD MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE OF GRACE
TOPIC: Partakers Of The Divine Nature.
TEXT: 2Peter 1:3-8
INTRODUCTION: We struggle daily to serve our Lord because we do not realize the true power that He has given us—His divine power. He has given us everything we need for this life, in Christ, but we must learn how to share in His divine nature in our daily walk. When we do we will develop many Christian virtues, so that we will have a fruitful walk with the Lord.
(A) THE DIVINE POWER
There are several notable points in 2 Peter 1:3–4.
(i). His Divine Power:
First, God’s power has granted us the “very great promises” concerning our salvation. Second, it is through those promises that we are made “partakers of the divine nature.” Third, being partakers of the divine nature involves escaping the world’s decay and rising above sinful desires. Simply put, when we are saved, we receive a new nature, by which we do not perish with the world.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Rom 8:11).
– “divine” this is God’s power, not something we can work up naturally. -Power–“Dunamis”–God’s miracle working power, the power that makes God who He is, there is no lack to this power, it gets the job done.
(ii).Human “nature” in the Bible is what makes us “us.” A man’s nature is the sum total of qualities that makes him who he is. It is a person’s inherent character and that which constitutes his or her individuality. According to the Bible, every human being is born with Adam’s nature, which is sinful; we have a natural bent toward pleasing self (Romans 5:12; 7:14). Our natural selves cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Our sin nature keeps us from fellowship with God, keeps us in bondage to sin, and leads eventually to spiritual death (Romans 6:16, 23; 7:14; 2 Peter 2:19). We cannot free ourselves from sin because we cannot change our natures, just as a tiger cannot change its stripes.
(B). THE DIVINE NATURE OF THE CALLED
The Divine Nature of God has distinct characteristics to it that separate it from those of this world. As we grow in our walk with the Lord we will grow in holiness. We must add (develop) the characteristics of this Divine Nature to our life so that we can shine brightly for Him.
Let take a look on Divine Nature of The Called (Divine Nature of Successful or Fruitful Ministers),
(i).Diligence— “σπουδή-spoude”—earnestness, zeal, care, attention. This is the first thing we must establish—what we do for Christ, we will not do sloppily, but with earnestness, zeal, great care, and attention. We are in the King’s business and He deserves our diligence. If we do not have the zeal of the Lord, we will be careless in our walk and not strive after holiness.
(ii).Faith— “πίστις-pistis”—persuaded, belief, confidence, assurance, conviction, confirmation. “Add to your faith . . .” Faith is the foundation on which all the other characteristics are built upon. This confidence comes from our being indwelt by His Divine Nature. “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6), therefore, we must be sure we have a solid foundation to add all the other characteristics to.
(iii).Virtue—“ἀρέτη- arete”— Excellency, being pleasing to God, force or energy of the Holy Spirit accompanying the preaching of the gospel. Not only are we to display God’s glory, but also His Excellency of character. Our lives are to be pleasing to God in all that we do. When we walk in His divine power, our preaching of the gospel will be with Excellency and the Holy Spirit will give it the force necessary to change lives. His Word will not return void, but will accomplish all that God desires for it to do (Isa 55:11)
(iv). Knowledge—”γνῶσις-gnosis—fragmentary knowledge, enquiry, investigation, doctrine. The second floor is that we must always be seeking to know the truth. Because we are living our life pleasing to the Lord, we will seek His ways and learn to walk in His truth. Our enquiry into the things of God will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:18-23) as we seek God’s will and learn from Him. We will “know”—“eido”–understand–the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.
(v). Temperance—”ἐγκράτεια-egkrateia”—self-control, contentedness. The next floor shows us that we must put into practice the knowledge that God teaches us. As we exercise self-control, we see that our life is being led by the Holy Spirit and we gain strength to live this life pleasing to God. He is teaching us to master our passions and desires, so that we can “be holy as God is holy.”
(vi). Patience —”ὑπομονή-hupomone”—endurance, persistence, perseverance, steadfastness. This endurance and perseverance is based on all that has been laid previously.
a. If we are to persevere through the trials, we must have faith. Faith that God loves us and is in control of our life.
b. If we are to persevere through our trials, we must know that our life is pleasing to God—i.e. we are serving Him to the best of our ability—otherwise we will see these trials as punishments for our failures and turn our back on Him.
c. If we are to persevere through the trials, we must know the truth about God. We must know His great love for His children.
d. If we are to persevere through the trials, we must have self-control. Otherwise, we will want to give up when the going gets tough
vii. Godliness—”εὐσέβεια-eusebia“—practical religion. The next floor adds the fact that this endurance through trials is not just “a grin and bear it” mentality, but one that knows and accepts that God is in control of our lives. Because of His Divine Nature in us, we are aware of His Divine Power and Presence in our life no matter what we go through. Therefore, we can praise and worship Him no matter how hard it gets—“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. *(James 1:2 NASB)*
viii. Brotherly kindness —”φιλαδελφία-philadelphia” —love of the brethren, benevolence. As we go up to the next floor, we see that no matter how difficult life may be, we are able to help others when we are going through our pain and trials. This shows true maturity, that when we are suffering, we can reach out to others that are hurting and comfort them with the same comfort the Lord comforts us with (2Cor 1:4). As we say at Healing Hearts Ministry, you hurt . . . you heal . . . you help!
ix. Charity (Love): “ἀγάπη-agape”—God’s love. The roof to the building is God’s love. It covers everything below it and keeps it protected from the enemy. We can have all these virtues in our life, but without the love of God, the building is not finished. This is the love that reaches out to a lost world and invites them into the kingdom. It doesn’t hoard His Divine Power and His Divine Nature, but gives it freely to all men so they can share in what God has freely given to us.
Conclusion: “Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The reason that God fills us with His Divine Power and His Divine Nature and gives us His Divine Life is that God does not want us to be unproductive or unprofitable in the knowledge of our Lord. This is the goal for which all these virtues are given to us. This is the reason He has built this house; that we might by doing His will, become more like Christ in our thoughts and actions. That His Divine Power working mightily in us, through His Divine Nature helping us to grow in holiness, will give us His Divine Life full of abundance and fruitfulness, and all the world will see it and glorify God!
Prayer Points:
- Take a song of praise and worship as you are led.
- Father, thank You for Your blessings unto me in Christ Jesus.
- Let everything in me that is not of God (name them) be flushed out by the Blood of Jesus.
- Lord, make my life a living gospel; no more sorrow, pain, lack, oppression, infestation, sickness, weakness, barrenness, joblessness (name it) in the name of Jesus.
Gospel Of Christ Evangelical Ministry Int'l 