Trusting God Instead of Fears

Trusting God Instead of Fears

Psalm 62:1-2

Subject: Trusting God

Introduction:

Are you feeling inadequate or uncertain about yourself? Do you feel insufficient about your physical appearance, spiritual growth, relationships, financial stability, or even professional skills?

Failures can drive feelings of insecurity encouraging us to become too critical/extremely faultfinding of ourselves. Even though we may be talented and treasured, you tell yourself otherwise.

Fear in the form of insecurity can become a vicious circle. If you feel bad about how you look or doubt your value, you may shy away from social situations or shun experiences that would test your abilities. And in doing so, you cripple or even wreck your potential for effectiveness, victory, and interrelationship.

What is the further impact of being insecure? 1) You’ll have difficulty trusting others. 2) You may feel paranoid in many things and worry people are coming over to get you. 3) You may be mistakenly perceived as superior or conceited when trying too hard to cover up your insecurity. 4) You may feel at times like panicking over small issues and exaggerating the problems.

Relevance: We are often tempted to give in to our fears and insecurities, but the Lord presents Himself as the only viable alternative to our fears. Psalm 62 says trust God instead. The Psalm is a healthy reminder for troubled times…when we feel threaten as we live a God focused life. Psalm 62 is for us. David affirmed that the Eternal God of heaven is the Source of his personal security, therefore he could not be shaken! Likewise, He is our refuge, the place we run to hide.

Message:

Psalm 62:1, Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

“Truly” implies the presence of fears, worry and anxiety rooted in a measure of uncertainty. There appears to have been a battle with such fears, but the Psalmist emerges with a sense of affirmation. He is now asserting the reality of his exclusive confidence trust in the Lord.

I.               Fears are the Basis for These Challenges.

A.    Fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. To fear is to be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. (from Oxford Languages)

B.    Worry. Worry is a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Worry gives way to anxiety or unease; allows one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. (from Oxford Languages)

C.    Anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. (From MedlinePlus)

1.     Why do I feel the need to be in control?

2.     Several things can drive controlling behavior. The most common are anxiety and personality disorders. People with anxiety disorders feel a need to control everything around them in order to feel at peace. They may not trust anyone else to handle things the way they will. (from WebMD)

D.    Uncertainty. Uncertainty encompasses something that is uncertain or that causes one to feel uncertain. It is suspicion expressing a lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

1.     It is doubt, skepticism, suspicion, or mistrust pointing to a lack of sureness about someone or something. Uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result. (From Merriam-Webster)

2.     What brings uncertainty? Uncertainty is the result of having limited knowledge about an occurrence or event, making it difficult to control, plan, or predict a future outcome, which can often be distressing. (From umich.edu)

E.     Insecurity. Insecurity is uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; it is lack of confidence. It is a vulnerability, the mindset of being open to danger or a threatening condition. Insecurity is a perceived lack of protection. (from Oxford Languages)

1.     It is often a feeling of inadequacy (not being good enough) and uncertainty. It produces anxiety about your goals, relationships, and ability to handle certain situations. Everybody deals with insecurity from time to time. It can appear in all areas of life and come from a variety of causes. (from WebMD)

2.     The Lord called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” (Jud. 6:12) even though he was insecure and fearful. Jesus likened Peter a stable and steadfast rock even though he was a pebble and kept crumbling. God called Abraham “father of many nations” when he had no children. Sarah was called a “mother of nations” even though she “laughed” and mocked the Lord for being childless. (Based on Gen. 17 & 18 and Insight for Living)

3.     God knows that people are insecure for various reasons. Moses, Gideon, and Abram expressed their insecurities in different ways. But, what does God says about insecurities? We can conquer insecurity the same way we do any temptation rooted in our carnality and flesh. 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

                                                                        i.     God promises that we can, in the power of the Holy Spirit, respond to any given temptation by resisting it. Finally, Paul adds to this promise that God will always make a way of escape out of whatever temptation stands before us. So, we not only come to it, but we can go through it also!

                                                                      ii.     What is the prayer for 1 Corinthians 10:13? Father, forgive me O Lord for my past sin, and by your grace and through your Word, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I too may overcome the temptations that Satan uses to sever my fellowship with you. Through the name of my Protector and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, I ask this. Amen.

II.           God Answers our Fears and Insecurities with Promises.

A.    What causes our insecurity? There is no one cause of insecurity; many factors can lead to the condition. Insecurity may stem from a traumatic event, crisis such as divorce or bankruptcy, or a loss. It can also result from one’s environment, as unpredictability or upset in daily life can cause anxiety and insecurity about ordinary, routine events.

B.    What Does the Bible say when I’m feeling insecure? Some Supportive Verses against Fears and Insecurity….

1.     Ephesians 1:4-6. Remember who you are in the Lord, your spiritual identity. 

2.     Romans 8:31-32. Count on the fact that God is for you. He is with, in, and for you! If he is for you, then nothing can stand against you. He's given his Son for you. And not just in the past. Jesus, the risen Son of God right now is at the right hand of God interceding for you. And nothing in this world can separate you from his love for you.

3.     1 John 3:1. Take God’s view of yourself as a person he loves and calls His child.

a.      What is the love of the father? The Father's love for us is nowhere clearer and more compelling than in the sending of his only Son—freely, unprompted, and undeserved. The same Scriptures proclaiming Christ's love in dying also reveal the immense love of the Father as the sending source. He so loved us that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16).

b.     How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

4.     1 John 4:18. Embrace the truth that God’s perfect love removes all kinds of fears. The ultimate punishment or fear is separation from God. Thankfully, for those who believe in Jesus, that fear has passed. We need to learn to accept the reality of His love for us, so that our fears do not control us. If you're afraid of facing a person or a situation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest.

5.     1 Corinthians 6:11. Take inventory of what you have in Christ as a person who is washed, sanctified, and justified.

6.     Matthew 10:29-31. Do not fear the circumstances because God values his people greatly. His involvement, power, control, meticulousness, and wisdom prove he highly values us.

7.     Psalm 139:13-14. Devote yourself to worship and praise God for victory. I will dedicate myself to God’s praise because he is my Creator and I marvel at his exploits.

III.        God Wants Us to Place our Faith in Him in the Most Unique and Complete Way.

A.    This Involves an Inner Trust. Psalm 62:1, says, “My soul waiteth upon God”….

1.     “My soul” speaks of the inner life or a person…the seat of our emotions and passions and the activity of the mind. Trusting God includes the essence of the real me. I cannot fake this or pretend with him…this must come from my soul…my heart and resolve are to be available NOW! My expectations, my inner life, my interior being is present instantly, attentively, and immediately! Fix your mind and heart on the Lord. Focus on him instead of your fears and insecurities. He provides a healthy place to concentrate your thoughts and emotions.

2.     “Waiteth” points to rest or finding rest. It is a silent, still, repose of still waiting quietly on the Lord for deliverance.

a.      To wait quietly entails believing God will triumph someday if not today. In his timing he will make thing right. I am to get out of the way but be responsible to trust him to exercise good judgment, fairness, and justice.

b.     Why wait on the Lord? The Psalmist speaks of the longings of his soul when he says, “My soul waiteth upon God” (Psalm 62:1). This recognizes God’s authority which helps me to be patient and to anticipate God’s work/timing with assurance. Waiting is also about what we will become as we wait. In calling us to wait, God is rescuing us from our bondage to our own plan, our own wisdom, our own power, our own control. Then we wait because the Lord has orchestrated our lives; our times are in the hands of the Lord, and we know it. We are hemmed in by God, totally given over to Him.

c.      What is the power of waiting upon the Lord? Waiting upon the Lord prepares us to receive the blessings He wants to give us. God will fulfill His promises in our lives, and as we wait patiently, we will receive what he promised (Heb. 6:15; Ps. 37:9; Matt. 5:5). Trust him to renew spiritual strength, the strength to endure, stand and carry on.

B.    This Involves a Complete Trust. Again Psalm 62:1, says, “upon God”

1.     “God” in this verse is viewed as our Creator, Ruler, and Judge. This is not merely waiting on anyone or anything, but our unique Creator, Ruler, and Judge, Elohim alone and only (see also verse 2, 5, 6-8). The one who created me for himself, rules over me by his standard, and who holds me accountable is worthy of our trust. Our help is the all-powerful eternal God of heaven!

2.     Then in Psalm 62:2, it says, “He only is my rock and my salvation” then verse 5, says, “my soul, wait thou only upon God.” Rest in God alone, because “my expectation” or hope “is from him” that is it comes from Him. God is our only true refuge!

3.     Compare verse 2, “I shall not be greatly moved” with verse 6, “I shall not be moved”, and we immediately notice an improvement or a progression. The Psalmist moves from a more tenuous condition to a position of assurance and affirmation. We can expect to follow a similar pattern as we grow in our ability to trust God completely with our fears and insecurities. God is pleased with such growth.

 Conclusion:

As we end this thought, we are often tempted to give in to our fears and insecurities, but the Lord presents Himself as the only viable alternative to our fears. Whether insecurities related to physical appearance, spiritual growth, relationships, financial stability, or even professional skills, Psalm 62 says trust God instead. David asserted to us that the Eternal God of heaven is the Source of his personal security, therefore he could not be shaken!  

Finally, one more truth about trust should be observed. The evidence that we all have sinned is the fact that we die physically. Physical death is also indicative of a human condition of pervasive spiritual separation from God. Eternal death is suffering forever in the Lake of Fire.

God promises to save all who will acknowledge their sins to Him while trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior. You see, sin is defined as violations of God’s Laws. We have put idols before the true and living God. We are guilty of taking God’s Name in vain. We have not honored our parents fully and always. We have not treated people with real love and respect exclusively. We do not measure up to the perfection of God’s standard of morality. We NEED His forgiveness...He offers us forgiveness not condemnation. With this being the case...condemnation is something you chose by refusing Christ.

We are all guilty of transgressing God’s Law. We all have gone beyond the limitations established by God in the Bible, and as a result we must now be punished for our awful sin. We are all facing the death penalty. The only hope is God’s forgiveness made available to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Beloved, it was Jesus who died for our sins, was buried because he actually did die and satisfied the death penalty against sin. He also rose again the third day exactly as he repeatedly stated he would. Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, sin, and Satan through his cross and resurrection. He is alive to save you if you turn to him confessing your sin and receiving his sacrifice for you (Rom. 10:8-17). Trust the living Lord Jesus as Savior to be forgiven as God promised. 

Jesus is not motivated to condemn, but to help us see our incredible need for God’s forgiveness. Do not put your trust in a church, a membership, a denominational affiliation, a ritual or ceremony, a work of service, yourself, or a religious creed. These methods will only fail…. Trust Jesus, the Savior.

Now that's a Burden!

 

ROMANS 9:1-5 (Vs 14)

SUBJECT: ROMANS/ ISRAEL’S PAST

THEME: the basis of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon the foundation of his nature and character, therefore we can rest without any prospect of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

INTRODUCTION:

If God is fair in his dealings with Israel, then the rest of humanity can unreservedly entrust their eternal future with him.  However, if he was unfair in his dealings with the nation of Israel, then how can we as gentile Christians even begin to rest in him for our own eternal destiny?

There are several questions I hope to answer from this passage and this chapter in Romans:

1) Is salvation based on our good works or is it based on the calling and compassion of God?     

2) What does it mean when the God of love says he loved Jacob but hated Esau?

3) How can we reconcile God’s sovereignty with human responsibility?    

4) Have the promises of God failed Israel? Will they fail us also?   

5) After looking at his record, can God still be trusted today?

RELEVANCE: Basically, God exercises the prerogatives of a sovereign God and man functions within the orbit of God’s will as a free moral agent. In both instances neither violates the opportunities and choices of the other. It is this understanding that sets the stage as we come into Romans chapter nine.

MESSAGE:

God’s sovereignty and human free will (responsibility) are taught throughout chapters 9 -11 in Romans. Romans 8:29-30 is one of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture because it deals with the subjects of moral responsibility of mankind and sovereign prerogatives of God.  The key to unlocking this blessed passage is some understanding of the words “foreknow,” “predestinate,” “called,” “justified,” and “glorified.”  These words stretch all the way from eternity past through fleeting time and on into eternity future, but they assure the believer of God’s grace, governance, and consistency.  They focus the mind on the difficulty of reconciling divine election with human free will.  For humanity this is challenging but God has never been confused on this issue or any other. To be sure this is a topic of great difficulty, but both concepts are clearly taught throughout the Word of God, and both concepts should be embraced by our faith. 

I.               A Sincere Desire to See the Nation of Israel Saved. Vs 1-4

Paul’ s burden for the salvation of his kinsman, the nation of Israel.    

Rom 9:1, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

I must admit that the thoughts of Paul cause me to marvel at his Christ-likeness. I am not comfortable placing myself in this company at all; please do not mistake my efforts to treat this passage accurately with some measure of attainment on this level. That would be a gross mistake and miscarriage of the depth and power of this passage.

1. PAUL HAD AN AWARENESS OF HIS FEELINGS FOR ISRAEL

1. He was Motivated to Speak Truthfully in Christ

a.      He made an astonishing and remarkable statement about his feelings towards his fellow Jews who have rejected Christ.

b.     He desired to show the peculiar tragedy of the Jews rejecting their Messiah. As a Jew himself, he understands this tragedy in a unique way.

c.      He was motivated to refute charges brought against him that he has become indifferent or hostile to the Jews. He shows his deep concern for them.

d.     He hoped that by explaining the situation, some Jews may come to understand the truth and believe the gospel. 

2. His Conscience Witnessed on His Behalf

a.      Paul is attesting that his own conscience is a witness that what he is saying is true. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that a person’s conscience is an independent witness of that person’s declarations. “The extent to which the conscience is saturated with Scripture determines the extent to which one can depend on their conscience.”

b.     The conscience refers to a state of awareness or a sense that one's actions or intentions are either morally right or wrong, along with a feeling of obligation to do the right thing. Our conscience is only as good or as valid as the standard by which it measures and evaluations our thoughts, motives, decisions and actions.

c.      Dr. Sam Horn observed, “The conscience is an inner human faculty corrupted by sin and the Fall. And the Holy Spirit is the divine agent God uses to begin His redemptive work in a believer. The Spirit takes someone who is dead in sin and darkened in their understanding (Eph. 4:18) to someone who has life and the eyes of their heart enlightened (Eph. 1:17-18).”

3. His Conscience was Illuminated by the Holy Ghost

a.      Dr. S. Horn also said, “This transformation and renewal of our conscience is brought about as the Spirit takes residence in our heart and begins to influence our inner man.”

b.     The Spirit reveals God's truth, and God's truth renews our conscience. As the Spirit educates the believer's conscience with the things of God, the personal standard formed by the conscience begins to align with the standard of revealed truth.

c.      His conscience, in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, attests the truth of what he is saying.^[1]

d.     By repetition in positive and negative terms (internally attested by the witness of his own conscience [cf. comments on 2:15] in the presence of the Holy Spirit) Paul affirmed his deep anguish of heart over the rejection of the gospel by the vast majority of Jews. ^[2]

Our consciences must be captivated by the Word of God. As the Spirit of God continually impresses our consciences as yielded believers with the purposes of God, which are revealed through the Word of God, we can boldly live for God, confident that we are pursuing the will of God.

To grow in holiness, two things need to happen. First, our conscience needs to be recalibrated by God's Word so that it becomes a more accurate judge. Second, we need to live each day with a clear conscience, never going against what the inner voice is saying. A clear conscience is a beautiful thing.

In addition, we today must understand the goal is not merely to see the Nation of Israel in their own land or that they should persist as controllers to occupy the Land of Israel. We should be aware of their need for Christ as we seek to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not primarily interested in the nation occupying their land or God’s land; instead, we must be focused on seeing them saved through gospel presentations and sharing Christ.

        B.  PAUL HAD A TREMENDOUS CONTINUING BURDEN FOR ISRAEL

Rom 9:2, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Paul longs in extraordinary love for others to know Christ. In light of the cross of Jesus, we must be filled with compassionate resolve for others to hear the gospel and trust in Christ.

            1.  It Was a Cosmic Burden “Great” (Big, Large, Huge, Mighty, Strong) and “heaviness” (Grief, Sorrow)

            2.  It Was a Continuous Burden “Continual” (Permanent or Without Ceasing) “Sorrow” (A Consuming Grief of Mind that would not go away)

When he thinks first of Israel’s glorious calling, and now of its rejection by God because it rejected the Messiah, his heart is filled with great sorrow and continual grief.^[3]

It is impossible for us to appreciate adequately the anguish of this great apostle for his own nation. His patience in the presence of their persistent persecution is an indication of it. He knew how they felt toward Christ and toward Christianity, for he once felt that way himself. He had been a Pharisee, a leader; he longed for them to come to Christ as he had.^[4]

        C.  PAUL HAD AN ALTRUISTIC COMPASSION FOR ISRAEL

Rom 9:3, For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

When Paul thinks of Israel’s glorious calling and the purpose for with God had chosen them, and now their rejection by God because they had rejected their Messiah, his heart is filled with sorrow and grief.

            1.   His Compassion Reminds us of Moses Regarding Israel's Sinful Condition.

Exod 32:30-32, And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. [31] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. [32] Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

            2.  His Compassion Reminds Us of Christ Regarding Israel's Sinful Condition.

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(Matt. 23:37)

That is a level of compassion and love; a selfless love that really is Christ-like. This is what Jesus has done for us as our all-sufficient, sacrificial, atoning substitute. He went to the cross.  He endured the wrath of the Almighty that we in turn might be saved. So that we might not experience God’s wrath. So, the only way we can love people who are unsaved and separated from Christ like this is if Christ produces this kind of love in us.

            3.  Paul’s Compassion Was So Great That He Was Willing to Be Cut off from Christ If His Forfeiture Would Result in the Salvation of His Kinsman Nationally.  I believe this is the highest form of Human love or should I say divine love working in a human heart.  Remember, these are the same people who wanted Paul dead for preaching the Gospel!

Accordingly, then (Romans 9:1-3) Paul had great anguish concerning reaching his Jewish brethren for Christ and he made an incredible, yet true, statement regarding this.  Paul clearly was willing to be accursed from Christ–devoted to perdition–if in exchange it would mean the salvation of the Jewish people.  He was not speaking merely about being excommunicated nor death, but actually being damned to Hell for all eternity if this were possible.  His declaration, the Lord Jesus Christ, his conscience, and the Holy Spirit all testified to the truthfulness of Paul’s statements about the Jewish people. This is a description of his soul-winning passion among his countrymen; he was honestly willing to suffer eternal separation from Christ if by so doing his Jewish brethren would be saved through faith in their Messiah.

        D.  PAUL HAD A NATIONAL FOCUS ON ISRAEL

Rom 9:4, Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, . . ..

Paul declared his great heartbreak that his people by birth, the Jews, have rejected Christ.

As Paul weeps over his people, their glorious privileges pass in review. They are Israelites, members of God’s ancient chosen people.^[5]

APPLICATION: Paul had a burden for all sinners that lead to being completely selfless. His yearning was for a specific ethnic group and there is nothing wrong with such today as long as we realize the world still needs to be reached with the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). We Christians are called to reach the world with the hope in Christ Jesus. But there is something else here that is noteworthy about Paul’s specific and special burden that all of us can glean.  I believe if we have a burden for someone in particular (an individual) and not only generally for everyone then we will witness to that person. We will also pray for that individual, and perhaps even see them saved. It matters what our primary focus is on. It is not wrong to witness to the masses, but a targeted burden is better for reaching a person with the gospel. If we don’t already have anyone specifically on our hearts to share Christ with, then think about family members, cousins, friends, and work associates, people at the grocery store and such. Go ahead and get out among the lost and ask God to provide opportunities, open your heart and speak to some lost sinner. Everyone can reach one and then move on to the next prospect.

 CONCLUSION:

God’s past dealings with the nation of Israel are based on two things, His grace and government.  His dealings with them in grace involved the privileges of being Israelites, the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, promises, the service in the tabernacle, and the fathers.  The most important blessing is Christ, the Messiah.  God’s governmental dealings with Israel involved His wisdom, will, and Word.  God was governed by fixed principles and not capricious whims.

The basis of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon the foundation of his nature and character, therefore we can be assured without any possibility of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

Furthermore, the Scriptures say that we all are sinners. Unless God, pure and righteous, take our place and suffered the penalty for our sin, we would have to bear that penalty ourselves. The apostle Paul explained this in Romans 3:10–18: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. [13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.   

Jesus’ death on the cross for us never needs to be repeated, and neither does anyone else ever have to suffer and die as He did. He is the sacrificial, substitutionary, all-sufficient atonement (Romans 5:20-21; 6:10-11). Yes, Christ died for us. Jesus came so that you and I might transfer our guilt to Him, and accept, by faith, that He is the guiltless One who has received our sin and taken it to Himself.

So, in this light, the only thing you need to do to receive salvation is to literally receive God’s forgiveness. And when you do, you truly have made a choice for life. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus or be forgiven for any reason though. We must believe the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, was buried, and God raised Him up again from among the remaining dead people the third day for our justification before The Father (see 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and Rom 3:21-31). I need you to understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us…that grant us eternal life through Christ (Rom. 1:14-17). Again, receive God’s salvation even now. You can experience God’s spiritual new birth right now!

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[2] John A. Witmer, “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 476.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[4] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 4 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 709–710.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

Awakened by Reminders

 

Awakened by Reminders

2Peter 1:12-15

Subject: Spiritual Growth 

Theme: submit to Bible instructions to continue growth in Christian character.

Introduction:

Peter transitions from a focus on the work of God in believers’ lives (1:3-11) to the Word of God as the mechanism for character cultivation (1:16-21).  He starts with his personal yearning for believers to retain all God has communicated through him (1:12-15). Peter knew his days were numbered; therefore, he urged these believers to hold on tight to the precious truth.  In fact, he uses the word “remembrance” (1:12, 13, 15) three times to signify this most vital need. 

He was not being critical, nor did he suggest they were wavering in their faith.  His purpose was preventive and not corrective. He wanted them to stay that way. Currently a major problem in many churches is not that believers do not know what God expects of them, but they either forget (2 Peter 1:9) or are unwilling to live out the truth they have.

Continuation in and adherence to God’s Word is absolutely essential to our spiritual progress (2Pet. 1:12-21). The Bible is the God provided instrument for nurturing continuous Christ-like living.  So how do we help believers learn the Bible and then practice what they know?  How do we impress believers with what is actually essential to spiritual growth? (Based on W. W. Wiersbe)

Message:

I.               Peter Repeatedly Emphasized the Need to Develop Christian Character (2Pet. 1:12-18).

As he considered the present and eternal implications of spiritual growth, Peter determined to keep on reminding believers of the importance of developing Christian character. Even if we already knew this, we needed to be constantly reminded. But why was Peter so adamant about this?

 

A.  To Awaken Believers from Spiritual Slumber (2Pet. 1:13-15). 

Peter not only had good intentions, but he believed it his duty to stir… up the saints through frequent reminders for the rest of his life (1:13). The phrase “stir you up” means “to wake up, to awaken, to arouse.” Peter desired to do a thorough job of arousing their minds and render them active. This same word is used to describe a storm on the Sea of Galilee! (John 6:18) Peter knew that our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to truth and then to take it for granted. We forget what we ought to remember, and we remember what we ought to forget!  But, Peter purposed to do this by reminding them of the things which they had been taught. He would arouse their minds to action by reminding them of the truth they had learned from the Word of God. (Based on W. W. Wiersbe)

                                        1.     By Means of Personal Reminders (1:13-14).

i.       Notice His Method (1:13).  Peter said, “Yea, I think it meet,” that is he personally felt the fitness of keeping them from spiritual drowsiness as he approached the close of his life (1:13).

a.      What was it that Peter wanted to accomplish? The answer is found in the word that is repeated in 2 Peter 1:12–13 and 15—remembrance. Peter wanted to impress his readers’ minds with the Word of God so that they would never forget it! “I think it meet... to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:13). –Wiersbe, Warren

b.     And so do we. Even though we are “established in the present truth” (1:12), there is always the danger of a preoccupied moment or a forgetful hour. So the truth must be constantly repeated.  Even when believers are grounded, there is need for motivation and exhortation (Rom. 15:14-15).

c.      Peter was a preacher with a passion for stirring believers out of their spiritual slumber and awakening them to the truths of God’s word and the related responsibilities.  I personally need someone in the pulpit, who is burning hot for Jesus Christ, filled with the love of God, and who takes the Bible and “stir me up!”

ii.     Notice His Motive (1:14).  Life is short.  The “Lord Jesus Christ” 1:14) had already revealed to Peter the fact that he would die and the manner in which he would die (John 21:18, 19). Many years had elapsed since then. The aging apostle knew that in the normal course of events, his death was near. This knowledge gave added impetus to his determination to care for the spiritual welfare of God’s people during whatever time remained. The fact is none of us have very long to serve the Lord because time is running out.

a.      Death is a putting “off this my tabernacle,”(1:14) a laying aside of our earthly dwelling or putting off our physical body (1:14). Just as a tent is a temporary dwelling for travelers, so the body is the structure in which we dwell during our pilgrimage on earth. In death the tent is taken down. At the Rapture, the body will be raised and changed. In its eternal, glorified form the body is portrayed as a permanent dwelling—a building and a house (2 Cor. 5:1).

b.     Both Peter and Paul used this expression when referring to the body. Paul wrote, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). A tent is a pretty flimsy sort of thing, and if you don’t believe that your little tent is flimsy, you step out on one of these rainy days and allow yourself to get soaking wet.

c.      Paul also says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). That is the way both Peter and Paul speak of death. This little tent we live in is put down into the grave. It goes to sleep, but the soul never dies. And, of course, the soul is never raised from the dead since it never dies. The word resurrection refers to the body. In the Greek it is anastasis, which means “to stand up,” and obviously that refers to the body.

d.     Peter uses the word “decease” (1:15) and it is related to the word exodus. It is the same word used to describe the death of Christ in Luke 9:31. Death is not the cessation of being but the departure from one place to another. Simon Peter knew that shortly he would move out of his body and into God’s presence, he had spoken of the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and longed to be with Him there. 

e.      Therefore, we cannot afford to keep putting off serving the Lord and touching other lives with His Word.  Life is short, and we need to always be preparing and serving others because we are running out of time. (Based on Dr. W. McDonald)

iii.   Notice His Manner (1:14).  Peter is referring to what Jesus had told him that morning when He had prepared breakfast for them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection. He had said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” Then John comments, “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God …” (John 21:18–19).

a.      This passage in 2 Peter has been one of the most important sections in the entire Word of God.  It is his deathbed statement. When a man is on his deathbed, he is apt to say something of importance. It is interesting that the Word of God attaches some importance to deathbed statements. Let me illustrate this from the Old Testament.

b.     When Moses knew that he would not enter the Promised Land but would die on Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, he gathered the twelve tribes about him and blessed each of them before his death. It was a very important discourse that he gave to them at that time.  The Book of Deuteronomy is the message.

c.      When Joshua was old and ready to depart from this life, he also gathered the tribes of Israel together and delivered to them his final charge. Then he challenged them to follow God and gave the testimony of his own life: “… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

d.     Then, in the New Testament when the Lord Jesus came into Jerusalem for that last Passover, He made it very clear to His own in His Upper Room Discourse that it was His last time with them—before He would die and rise again in a glorified body. Oh, what tremendous truths He gave to them on that last evening! (Based on Dr. W. McDonald)

e.      The apostle Paul, as we have seen, gave his final epitaph in 2 Timothy. Notice what he said: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6–8).

f.      Now Simon Peter says, “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle.” He knows that he has come to the end of his earthly life. Tradition tells us that he was crucified with his head down. Peter felt himself unworthy of dying in the same manner his Lord died; so he died upside down.

 

                                        2.     By Means of Permanent Reminders (1:15).  Not only did the apostle determine personally to remind the saints of the importance of spiritual progress, he also arranged to leave a reminder behind in permanent written form (1:15). Through his writings, believers are able to remind themselves at any time.

i.       He Gave Us Scripture. Resultantly, Peter’s Letters have shed light on the path of men and women encouraging them to spiritual growth now for over nineteen centuries, and will continue doing so till the dawn of the eternal age.

a.      In addition, reliable ancient tradition says that the Gospel of Mark is essentially the eyewitness account of the Apostle Peter.

b.     The importance of written ministry is clear here. It is the written word that lasts. Through the written word, a man’s ministry goes on while his body is lying in the grave.

ii.     He Gave Us a Priority.  These verses have special value to us because they show what is important to a man of God who is living in the shadow of death. Believers must frequently expose themselves to the Word of God; participate in private and family devotions, the teaching, preaching, and Bible study opportunities of the church, and good Christian literature as good approaches to spiritual development.

 

B.  To Impress Believers with the Need for Fundamental Teachings (2Pet. 1:12, 15). 

                                        1.     Notice His Focus.  “These things” occurs four times—verses 8, 9, 12 and 15. 

i.       On Growth and Commitment (1:8).  Failure to persevere in the development of Christian character leads to barrenness, unfruitfulness, blindness, shortsightedness, and forgetfulness (1:8-10). Saints must grow in grace, lest spiritual senility set in. There are Christians today—and I am sure you have met some of them—who are actually spiritually senile. They are shuffling around without all of their faculties. When this happens we know we are failing to grow. We must commit ourselves to growth.

ii.     On Belief and Behavior (1:12).  “These things” relates to both Christian character and fundamental teachings.

a.      Peter connects beliefs with behavior, convictions to conduct, and commitment to character. 

b.     Fundamental teachings provide the fuel for character transformation.  Think about the basic teaching on the “blood of Christ” as the full payment for sin, the fact that Jesus Christ is the “Son of God,” or the truth that the Bible is “inspired.” All three truths provide confidence, cleansing, power, and grace for Christian living!

iii.   On Living and Dying (1:15). “These things” refer to the great, basic truths of the Christian faith, which still have enormous value even when seen from the borders of the eternal world (1:15).  Peter didn’t need a new teaching as he was preparing to die, no, the same doctrines that proved sufficient to live by are sufficient to die by! When we have proved the value of the truth in life, it is easier to rest in those same truths when facing death! Peter’s focus did not change, it was strengthened even while facing death.

                                        2.     Notice His Diligence. “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance.” (1:12) (See Eccl. 9:10; Rom. 12:11; 1Cor. 15:10; Col. 3:23)

i.       To Provide an Example.  The importance and advantage of progress and perseverance in grace and holiness made the apostle to be very diligent in doing the work of a minister of Christ, that he might thereby excite and assist them to be diligent in the duty of Christians. If ministers be negligent in their work, it can hardly be expected that the people will be diligent in theirs; therefore Peter will not be negligent (that is, at no time or place, in no part of his work, to no part of his charge), but will be exemplarily and universally diligent, and that in the work of a remembrancer. This is the office of the best ministers…. From Matthew Henry

ii.     To Provide the Word.  Peter was diligent to complete Letters (Scripture) to provide ongoing written testimony of the truths so close to his heart.

iii.   To Provide Preachers. 

a.      Clearly his own life and ministry was extended into the lives of others, as Silas (1Pet. 5:12) and Mark, who would carry on his work after he died. And certainly Peter wanted to be sure that the Lord’s people would not forget God’s work and God’s Word.

b.     When David was about to die, he called Solomon to him. David said to Solomon, “I go the way of all the earth.” (What a picture that is of death! I don’t know who you are or where you are, but I can tell you the road on which you are traveling. You are going the way of all the earth, and that is to the cemetery. I realize that this doesn’t sound very good, but all of us are on that route.) Then David charged Solomon with the responsibility of building the temple of God, and he exhorted all Israel to help him, for “… Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God” (1 Chron. 29:1).

c.      Through their preaching and teaching, the Apostles and New Testament prophets laid the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20) and we in later generations are building on that foundation. However, the men were not the foundation; Jesus Christ is the Foundation (1 Cor. 3:11). He is also the chief Cornerstone that ties the building together (Eph. 2:20). If the church is to last, it cannot be built on mere men. It must be built on the Son of God. –The Bible Exposition Commentary

                                        3.     Notice His Emphasis.

i.       Peter constantly calls attention to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  I too want to be a Jesus preacher and a Word of God preacher!

ii.     In fact, it is challenging to distinguish between the written Word (the Bible) and the incarnate Word (Christ) in Peter emphasis throughout the remainder of the chapter. They are both major avenues of God’s revelation (Ps. 19:7-11; John 1:18; Heb. 1:2) and therefore both come into focus throughout the remainder of this chapter.

 

Conclusion:

The preacher and teacher should be an intense student of the Word, bringing to the church fresh, new truth with the dew of heaven upon it. But there is a place for the repetition of the old truths which the saints know well. Much of it has not yet been put into practice, and the fact that it is repeated gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to make it experiential in the life of the believer.

Submit to Bible instructions to continue growth in Christian character.