Grace Covenant Church of Vista
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    • Sermons 2019 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THINK BEFORE YOU FIGHT Ephesians 6:17 Pastor Dennis Bone 2-17-19 >
        • February 17, 2019 Notes
      • FAITH: GOD’S SHIELD AROUND US Ephesians 6:16 >
        • February 10, 2019 Notes
      • THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR FIGHTING Ephesians 6:15 >
        • February 3, 2019 Notes
      • DRESS FOR SUCCESS Ephesians 6:13-19 >
        • January 27, 2019 Notes
      • The Mystery of our Religion 1 Timothy 3:14-16
      • ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? Ephesians 6:10-12 >
        • January 13, 2019 Notes
      • THE WAR AGAINST THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE Selected Verses >
        • January 6, 2019 Notes
    • Sermons 2018 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: POST ADVENT Titus 2:11-14 >
        • December 30, 2018 Notes
      • Christmas Eve Message 12/24/2018
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: ANGEL’S PEACE Selected Verses >
        • December 23, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: SHEPHERDS’ JOY Luke 2:8-17 >
        • December 16, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: BETHLEHEM’S FAITH Selected Verses >
        • December 9, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: PROPHECY’S HOPE Selected Verses >
        • December 2, 2018 Notes
      • A Proper Perspective on Thanksgiving Eph 5:19,20; 1 Thess 5:18
      • THE PATH TO MATURITY AND GLORY 2 Peter 3:14-18 >
        • November 18, 2018 Notes
      • GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON JUDGMENT 2 Peter 3:8-13 Pastor Dennis Bone 11-11-18 >
        • November 11, 2018 Notes
      • PROMISES, PROMISES 2 Peter 3:1-8 >
        • November 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Images of False Teachers 2 Peter 2:10-22 >
        • October 28, 2018 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL TERRORISM 2 Peter 2:1-10 >
        • October 21, 2018 Notes
      • REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER! 2 Peter 1:12-21 >
        • October 14, 2018 Notes
      • THE FRUIT OF ELECTION 2 Peter 1:5-11
      • THE POWER OF FAITH 2 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • September 30, 2018 Notes
      • OUR PRECIOUS FAITH 2 PETER 1:1, 2 >
        • September 16, 2018 Notes
      • The Staying Power of God's Grace 1 Peter 5:12-14 >
        • September 2, 2018 Notes
      • Do Not Feed the Lion 1 Peter 5:8-11 >
        • August 26, 2018 Notes
      • Humility Breeds Accountability 1 Peter 5:5-9 >
        • August 19, 2018 Notes
      • Accountability Partners 1 Peter 5:1-7 >
        • August 12, 2018 Notes
      • THE BEGINNING AND END OF JUDGEMENT 1 Peter 4:12-19 >
        • August 5, 2018 Notes
      • WHAT ARE WE SUFFERING FOR? 1 Peter 4:12-19
      • Live With The End In Mind 1 Peter 4:7-11 >
        • July 22, 2018 Notes
      • Living In the Light of the Gospel 1 Peter 4:1-6 >
        • July 15, 2018 Notes
      • The Victory of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22 >
        • July 8, 2018 Notes
      • Sharing Our Hope In Christ 1 Peter 3:13-17 >
        • July 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Motive For Christ-like Character 1 Peter 3:10-12 >
        • June 24, 2018 Notes
      • Christ-Like Character on Display 1 Peter 3:8-12 >
        • June 17, 2018 Notes
      • The Beautiful Principle of Submission 1 Peter 3:1-7 >
        • June 10, 2018 Notes
      • The Cost of Christ-Like Service 1 Peter 2:18-25 >
        • June 3, 2018 Notes
      • Submission in Service to God 1 Peter 2:13-17 >
        • May 27, 2018 Notes
      • Our Identity 1 Peter 2:9-12 >
        • May 20, 2018 Notes
      • God's Building Project 1 Peter 2:1-8 >
        • May 13, 2018 Notes
      • Trials & Troubles: friend or foe James 1:1-4
      • Living In Holy Fear 1 Peter 1:17-25 >
        • April 22, 2018 Notes
      • Hope: Promised, Practiced and Perfected 1 Peter 1:10-16 >
        • April 15, 2018 Notes
      • Living In The Hope Of The Resurrection 1 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • April 8, 2018 Notes
      • There is No Plan B 1 Corinthians 15:17-28 >
        • April 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Procession of the King Psalm 24:1-10 >
        • March 25, 2018 Notes
      • Confronting Little "gods" Acts 17:16-34 >
        • March 18, 2018 Notes
      • As for Me, I will call upon the Lord. Principal scripture Psalm 55:22
      • Turned Of or Turned On Acts 17:1-15 >
        • March 4, 2018 Notes
      • Concessions Without Compromise Acts 15:19-35 >
        • February 25, 2018 Notes
      • The Dilemma of Grace Acts 15:1-18 >
        • February 18, 2018 Notes
      • The Model of God's Church at Work Acts 14:21-28 >
        • February 11, 2018 Notes
      • Election Is For Gentiles Too! Acts 13:38-52 >
        • February 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Spirit-Led Church Acts 13:1-12 >
        • January 28, 2018 Notes
      • What God's Church Should Look Like Acts 11:19-30 >
        • January 21, 2018 Notes
      • God Will Carry Us Through 2018 and Beyond Isaiah 46
      • Victory in Christ Psalm 98:1-9 >
        • January 7, 2018 Notes
    • Sermons 2017 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Yes! It's All Good!!! Psalm 73
      • What Love Is This? Psalm 89:1-4; 19-37 >
        • December 24, 2017 Notes
      • Advent: The Light of Joy Psalm 126:1-6 >
        • December 17, 2017 Notes
      • Christmas Story Psalm 85 and Matt. 1:18-25
      • Advent: The Light of Hope Psalm 80:1-7 >
        • December 3, 2027 Notes
      • Thanksgiving: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 26, 2017 Notes
      • To God Be the Glory Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 19, 2017 Notes
      • Christ Alone 1 Timothy 2:5-6 >
        • November 12, 2017 Notes
      • Justification: The Way God Forgives the Guilty Romans 3:21-26 >
        • November 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura - the rallying cry Selected Scripture Verses
      • Confronting Hypocrisy in the Church Galatians 2:1-16 >
        • October 22, 2017 Notes
      • Grace Trumps Race Acts 10:1-23 >
        • October 15, 2017 Notes
      • God's Amazing Transition Plan Acts 9:10-31 >
        • October 8, 2017 Notes
      • God's Strategic Conversion Acts 9:1-9 >
        • October 1, 2017 Notes
      • The Process of Evangelism Acts 8:26-40 >
        • September 24, 2017 Notes
      • Philip: The First Evangelist Acts 8:1-25 >
        • September 17, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: The First Dead Martyr Acts 7:1-60 >
        • September 10, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: God's Servant Leader Acts 6:8-7:53 >
        • September 3, 2017 Notes
      • Pride the Greatest Sin and Humility the Greatest Healer Selected Scripture Verses
      • Wednesday Meeting, No Pie
      • The Model for Servant Leadership Acts 6:1-7 >
        • August 13, 2017 Notes
      • Man Proposes But God Disposes Proverbs 16:1-9 >
        • August 6, 2017 Notes
      • Truth or Consequences Acts 4:32-5:11 >
        • July 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Witness of Prayer Acts 4:23-37 >
        • July 23, 2017 Notes
      • The Irrationality of Unbelief Acts 4:1-14 >
        • July 16, 2017 Notes
      • The Healing Power of Jesus Acts 3:1-11 >
        • July 9, 2017 Notes
      • June 18, 2017 Notes
      • The Marks of Christ's Church Acts 2:42-47 >
        • July 2, 2017 Notes
      • No Other Option Acts 2:34-41 >
        • June 25, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus: The Resurrected and Exalted King Acts 2:24-33
      • The Message of Pentecost Acts 2:14-24 >
        • June 11, 2017 Notes
      • What A Feast Acts 2:1-13 >
        • June 4, 2017 Notes
      • The Work and Words of the Spirit John 16:5-15 >
        • May 28, 2017 Notes
      • Our Love/Hate Relationship John 15:18-27 >
        • May 21, 2017 Notes
      • Rooted In Christ's Love John 15,:9-17 >
        • May 14, 2017 Notes
      • The Purpose Driven Spirit John 15:1-8 >
        • May 7, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Promise John 14:23-31 >
        • April 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Truth John 14:15-24 >
        • April 23, 2017 Notes
      • Song That the Angels Can't Sing 1 Peter 1:3,4:10-12 >
        • April 16, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus' March to the Cross John 12:12-19 >
        • April 9, 2017 Notes
      • THE IMPACT OF WORSHIPPING JESUS JOHN 12:1-11 >
        • April 2, 2017 Notes
      • The Reactions to Jesus John 11:45-57 >
        • March 26, 2017 Notes
      • The Compassionate Power of Jesus John 11:28-44 >
        • March 19, 2017 Notes
      • What kind of Retaliation is Best??? Matthew 5:28-42
      • The Focus of Faith John 11:17-27 >
        • March 5, 2017 Notes
      • The Hope of God's Glory John 11:1-16 >
        • February 26, 2017 Notes
      • Soli Deo Gloria: The Glory of God Alone >
        • February 19, 2017 Notes
      • Solus Christos: Through Christ Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 12, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Fidi: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 29, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura: Why It Matters Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 22, 2017 Notes
      • Doing What is Good Titus 3:8-15 >
        • January 15, 2017 Notes
      • The Quest for Wisdom Proverbs 4:5-9 >
        • January 8, 2017 Notes
      • REDEEM YOUR TIME Ephesians 5:15-21 >
        • January 1, 2017 Notes
    • Sermons 2016 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE GLORY OF THE INCARNATION Galatians 4:4-7
      • THE ANGEL’S SONG OF PEACE Luke 2:8-14
      • Good News of Great Joy Luke 2:10 >
        • December 11, 2016 Notes
      • Do We Have Joseph's Faith?
      • A Panoramic View of Hope Romans 15:4-6;13 >
        • November 27, 2016 Notes
      • Who You Say We Are 1 John 3:1-3 >
        • November 20, 2016 Notes
      • Living Water John 4:1-42
      • Spiritual Oxygen in a Political Cesspool Titus 3:1-8 >
        • November 6, 2016 Notes
      • The Fruit of Justifying Faith Romans 5:1-11 >
        • October 30, 2016 Notes
      • Waiting for the Son Titus 2:11-15 >
        • October 23, 2016 Notes
      • Applying Sound Doctrine: Discipleship Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 16, 2016 Notes
      • The Beauty of the Church Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 9, 2016 Notes
      • Zero Tolerance: The Way of Sanctification Titus 1:9-2:1 >
        • October 2, 2016 Notes
      • BE FOR TRUTH AND AGAINST FALSEHOOD TITUS 1:5-16 >
        • September 25, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Faith Titus 1:1-4 >
        • September 18, 2016 Notes
      • September 11, 2016 Notes
      • Remember What is Always Important 2 Timothy 4:9-22
      • Finishing Well 2 Timothy 4:5-8 >
        • September 4, 2016 Notes
      • THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 4:1-5 >
        • August 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Work of God's Word 2 Timothy 3:14-17 >
        • August 21, 2016 Notes
      • THE LOVE OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 3:10-17 >
        • August 14, 2016 Notes
      • How long must the faithful live by sight? Habakkuk 2:4
      • RIVAL ATTRACTIONS 2 Timothy 3:6-17
      • Confronting Reality 2 Timothy 3:1-17 >
        • July 24, 2016 Notes
      • The Useful Christian 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • July 17, 2016 Notes
      • Should I Stay or Should I Go Selected Scripture Verses
      • Resurrection Perspective 2 Timothy 2:10-19 >
        • July 3, 2015 Notes
      • Our Strong Stand for the Gospel 2 Timothy 2:1-10 >
        • June 26, 2016 Notes
      • Our Confidence in the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:13-18 >
        • June 19, 2016 Notes
      • Our Courage From the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-12 >
        • June 12, 2016 Notes
      • Use What God Gives You 2 Timothy 1:1-7 >
        • June 2, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Godliness 1 Timothy 6:1-10 >
        • May 8, 2016 Notes
      • Be Good Stewards 1 Timothy 6:17-21 >
        • The Courage of Our Confession 1 Timothy 6:11-16 >
          • May 22, 2016 Notes
        • May 29, 2016 Notes
      • The Fight of Faith 1 Timothy 6:6-11 >
        • May 15, 2016 Notes
      • The Accountability to and of Elders 1 Timothy 5:17-25 >
        • May 1, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry - Part. 2 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • April 24, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • Know Your Mission; Keep the Faith 1 Timothy 1:18-20 >
          • January 31, 2016 Notes
        • April 17, 2016 Notes
      • Spiritual Diligence 1 Timothy 4:9-16 >
        • April 10, 2016 Notes
      • THE EXERCISE OF TRUTH 1 Timothy 4:1-8 >
        • April 3, 2016, Notes
      • The Glory of the Cross Selected Scripture Verses >
        • March 27, 2016 Notes
      • The Triumphant Entry
      • The Conduct and Confession of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16 >
        • March 13, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-13 >
        • March 6, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-7 >
        • February 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Principle of Authority and Submissions 1 Timothy 2:11-15 >
        • February 21, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship Service: Regulative or Relative? 1 Timothy 2:7-15 >
        • February 14, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship of Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-8 >
        • February 7, 2016 Notes
      • Know Yourself 1 Timothy 1:8-17 >
        • January 24, 2016 Notes
      • Contend For the Faith 1 Timothy 1:3-11 >
        • January 17, 2016 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL LEGACY 1 Timothy 1:1-2 >
        • January 10, 2016 Notes
      • God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year Selected Scripture Verses >
        • Audio - God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year
        • January 3, 2016 Notes
    • Sermons 2015 (Click for Teasers) >
      • For Christmas God wants…you! Selected Scripture Verses
      • PROMISES KEPT: LOVE 1 Corinthians 13:13
      • PROMISES KEPT: JOY Matthew 1:21 >
        • December 13, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: FAITH Romans 10:13-17 >
        • December 6, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: HOPE Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 29, 2015 Notes
      • Change: Proactive or Reactive? Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 22, 2015 Notes
      • REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! Psalm 33 >
        • November 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS Psalm 32 >
        • November 8, 2015 Notes
      • THE “C’S” OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 2 Cor. 5:17 >
        • November 1, 2015 Notes
      • SOLA FIDE: BY FAITH ALONE Romans 1:16-17 >
        • October 25, 2015 Notes
      • OUR GOD REIGNS Psalm 24 >
        • October 18, 2015 Notes
      • THE GLORY OF GOD REVEALED Psalm 19 >
        • October 11, 2015 Notes
      • A LIFE OF FAITHFULNESS Psalm 16 >
        • October 4, 2015 Notes
      • RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER: A LIFE OF INTEGRITY Psalm 15 >
        • September 27, 2015 Notes
      • PERSUASIVE SANCTIFICATION 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • September 20, 2015 Notes
      • WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO? Psalm 11 >
        • September 13, 2015 Notes
      • A PRAYER FOR DIRECTION Psalm 5 >
        • September 6, 2015 Notes
      • THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: LIVING IN CHRIST Psalm 1 >
        • August 30, 2015 Notes
      • GOD’S FOREIGN POLICY Psalm 2 >
        • August 23, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 16, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 9, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 2, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 26, 2015 Notes
      • THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 19, 2015 Notes
      • Does God watch the 5 o’clock news? Habakkuk 1:1-11
      • Still Trusting Selected Scripture Verses
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 28, 2915 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 21, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 14, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 7, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 31, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 24, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 17, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 10, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S SON AND OUR LORD Romans 1:1-6 >
        • May 3, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 26, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE FATHER ALMIGHTY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 19. 2015 Notes
      • WE BELIEVE AND WE KNOW: THE APOSTLES CREED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 12, 2015 Notes
      • THE PUPROSE AND GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION Hebrews 13:20-21 >
        • April 5, 2015 Notes
      • THE ANGER OF PALM SUNDAY Matthew 21:1-13 >
        • March 29, 2015 Notes
      • THE BOOK OF HEBREWS REVISITED >
        • March 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE Hebrews 13:15-19 >
        • March 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR UNCHANGEABLE SAVIOR Hebrews 13:7-14 >
        • March 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE PRACTICE OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 13:1-6 >
        • February 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE WAY OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 12:22-29 >
        • February 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE TALE OF TWO MOUNTAINS Hebrews 12:18-24 >
        • February 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE RACE Hebrews 12:12-17 >
        • February 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOURNEY OF FAITH HEBREWS 12:1-11 >
        • January 25, 2015 Notes
      • Tolerance or is it Intolerance: the word(s) for our age
      • THE DISCIPLINE OF FAITH Hebrews 11:39-12:3 >
        • January 11, 2015 Notes
      • THE DIVINE CONTENTMENT OF GODLY ACTION Phil 4:11-14 >
        • January 4, 2015 Notes
    • Sermons 2014 (Click for Teasers) >
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: GOD’S GOSPEL Romans 1:1-6; 16-17 >
        • December 28, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: CHRIST Selected Scripture Verses
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: ANGELS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • December 21, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20 >
        • December 14, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: BETHLEHEM Selected Verses >
        • December 7, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: PROPHECY Luke 2:25-35 >
        • November 30, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH TAKES A VISION Hebrews 11:32-39 >
        • November 23, 2014 Notes
      • THE CHOICES OF FAITH - Hebrews 11:17-31 >
        • November 16, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNCERTAIN CERTAINTY OF FAITH Hebrews 11:8-19 >
        • November 9, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD Hebrews 11:1-7 >
        • November 2, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STOP BELIEVING Hebrews 10:32-39 >
        • October 26, 2014 Notes
      • APPROACHING JUDGMENT Hebrews 10:25-31 >
        • October 19, 2014 Notes
      • “HOW TO” LIVE HOLY Hebrews 10:19-25 >
        • October 12, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS Hebrews 10:11-18 >
        • October 5, 2014 Notes
      • THE BODY OF CHRIST Hebrews 10:1-10 >
        • September 28, 2014 Notes
      • NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS Hebrews 9:15-28 >
        • September 21, 2014 Notes
      • THE REAL THING Hebrews 9:1-14 >
        • September 14, 2014 Notes
      • GOD’S COMMITMENT TO SAVE SINNERS Hebrews 8:1-13 >
        • September 7, 2014 Notes
      • Me and My Pain Selected Scripture Verses
      • ACCESS TO GOD Hebrews 7:20-8:6 >
        • August 24, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PRIEST MAKES US PERFECT Hebrews 7;11-22 >
        • August 17, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEW PRIESTHOOD Hebrews 7:1-11 >
        • August 10, 2014 Notes
      • THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISE - Hebrews 6:13-20 >
        • August 3, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STAY A BABY Hebrews 5:11-6:12 >
        • July 27, 2014 Notes
      • THE WAY TO ASSURANCE Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3 >
        • July 20, 2014 Notes
      • OUR EFFECTIVE HIGH PRIEST Hebrews 5:1-10 >
        • July 13, 2014 Notes
      • THE CONFIDENCE OF TRUE COMPASSION Hebrews 4:14-16 >
        • July 6,2014 Notes
      • OBEY GOD’S WORD Hebrews 4:12-16 >
        • June 29, 2014 Notes
      • RESTING IN CHRIST Hebrews 4:1-11 >
        • June 22, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNREST OF UNBELIEF Hebrews 3:7-19 >
        • June 15, 2014 Notes
      • OUR FAITHFUL AND PERFECT SERVANT Hebrews 3:1-6 >
        • June 8, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS STANDS FOR US AND WITH US Hebrews 2:14-18 >
        • June 1, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PERFECTS THE IMPERFECT Hebrews 2;10-18 >
        • May 25, 2014 Notes
      • THE DESTINY OF REDEMPTION - HEBREWS 2:5-9 >
        • May 18, 2014 Notes
      • LISTEN TO THE SON - Hebrews 1:10-2:4 >
        • May 11, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS: BEGOTTEN, NOT CREATED - Hebrews 1:1-9 >
        • May 4, 2014 Notes
      • THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST - Hebrews 1:1-4
      • HE IS RISEN - Matthew 28:1-20
      • Jesus Washes the Disciples's Feet - John 13:1-15
      • THE PURSUIT OF GREATNESS - Matthew 20:17-28
      • THE EQUALITY OF GOD’S GRACE - Matthew 20:1-15
      • Childlike Humility - Matthew 18:1-14
      • Job : A Man for our Times and all Times - Selected Verses from Job
      • A Hard but Happy Chain of Events - Romans 5:3-5
      • The Divine Confession - Matthew 17:1-13
      • The Reason for Discipleship - Matthew 16:13-28
      • The Blessed Confession - Matthew 16:13-20
      • The Food of Faith - John 6:22-29
      • Our Divine Focus - Matthew 14:22-33
      • Kingdom Patience - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
      • A Sure Comfort - Psalm 91
      • Purpose Driven Parables - Matthew 13:10-17
      • Relevant Resolutions -- Philippians 3:12-14
    • Sermons 2013 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Our Savior Speaks At Advent - Hebrews 10:5-10
      • The Praise of Advent - Luke Chapter 2
      • The Peace of Advent - Micah 5:2-5
      • The Proclamation of Advent - Isaiah 12:1-6
      • The Preparation for Advent - Malachi 3:1-4
      • The Promise of Advent - Jeremiah 33:14 – 16
      • Jesus: The Servant Who Saves - Matthew 12:15-21
      • Kingdom Authority - Matthew 8:23-27
      • Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-14
      • Resting in the Truth - Matthew 11:28-30
      • Rest for the Repentant - Matthew 11:20-30
      • Standing Upon Grace Romans 5:1-2
      • Prospecting For Sinners - Matthew 9:1-13
      • It’s easier to Covet than be Content - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Moved by Compassion - Matthew 9:35-38
      • Feasting Not Fasting - Matthew 9:14-17
      • Testimony to God's Grace - 1 Timothy 1:12-17
      • The Case for Following Jesus - Mathew 8:14-22
      • Two Foundations - Matthew 7:21-29
      • The Danger of Deception - Matthew 7:15-23
      • Jesus' Call to Enter the Kingdom - Mathew 7:13-14
      • Influence or Influenced? - Matthew 5:13-16
      • The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12
      • Persistent Prayer - Matthew 7:7-12
      • Right and Wrong Judgmens - Matthew 7:1-6
      • Freedom From Worry - Matthew 6:25-34
      • Choices of the Heart - Matthew 6:19-24
      • Biblical Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18
      • The Responsibility of Forgiveness - Matthew 6:12,14,15
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Content of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Approach to Prayer - Matthew 6:5-8
      • Bad Actors - Matthew 6:1-4
      • The Power and Shame of Divine Love - Matthew 5:38-48
      • Speak Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
      • Murdering Marriage - Matthew 5:27-32
      • The Indictment and Restitution of Anger - Matthew 5:21-26
      • Affirming God's Standards - - Matthew 5:17-20
      • The Happyness Quotient - Matthew 5:3-12
      • When Glory Meets Our Suffering - Isaiah 53:10-12
      • The Conundrum of Palm Sunday - Matthew 5:10-12
      • The Call and Challenge of Peacemaking - Matthew 5:9-10
      • Matter of the Heart - Matthew 5:8
      • The Way of Mercy - Matthew 5:7
      • The Pursuit of the Kingdom - Matthew 5:6
      • The Choice is Ours - Philippians 4:1-9
      • Be Meek, not Weak - Matthew 5:5
      • Kingdom Esteem - Matthew 5:3-5
      • A Sermon For the Ages - Matthew 5:1 - 7:29
      • Experiencing God's Kingdom - Matthew 4:12-25
      • You Said Yes, I Said No - Matthew 4:1-11
      • Salvation Through Sorrow - Matthew 2:13-16
    • Sermons 2012 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Standing Orders For A New Year - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Glory of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Love of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Joy of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Sufferinng: The Peace of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Hope of Avent - Selected Scpriture Verses
      • Thanksgiving for God's Compassion - Psalm 103:6-19
      • Does God watch the 5 o’clock news? Habakkuk 1:1-11
      • We Proclaim Christ! - Colossians 1:28-29
      • Crazy Days and Crazy Doctrines - 1 Timothy 4:1-10
      • The Good Reaper vs. the Grim Reaper - Galatians 6:7-10
      • Fact of Fiction? - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Tangled up in Blue (or red) - 2 Timothy 2:4
      • Order or Ordo - Salutis - Selected Scripture Verses >
        • sermons 2009 (Click for Teasers) >
          • The Gospel of Peace - Luke 2
          • He is Peace: The Peace of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
          • He is the Lamb of God: The Lamb of Advent - John 1:29-36
          • He is the Purifier: The Purifier of Advent - Malachi 3:1-4
          • He is our Shepherd: The Shepherd of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
          • He is Light: The Light of Advent - Isaiah 9:1-7
          • An Anniversary Charge - 2 Timothy 4:1-8
          • Jars of Joy - John 2:1-11
          • Always Remember God's Word - Psalm 119:169-176
          • Reformation Reflections - Romans 1:16-17
          • A Strong Defense - Psalm 119:153-168
          • Getting Things Right - Psalm 119:137-152
          • Divine Intervention - Psalm 119:121-136
          • Am I a Credible Witness - II Corinthians 13:1-6
          • Our Primary Source - Psalm 119:105-120
          • A Passion for Perfection - Psalm 119:89-96
          • Deliver Us From Evil - Psalm 119:73-80
          • The Discipline of Contentment - Psalm 119:57-64
          • Blessed are the Bold - Psalm 119:41-56
          • Understanding and Accepting God's Ways - Psalm 119:25-40
          • The Strength of My Life - Psalm 119:9-24
          • A Tribute to the Word of God - Psalm 119:1-8
          • The Greatness of Our God - Psalm 48
          • Love One Another (Part. 2) - 1 John 4:7-21
          • Love One Another - 1 John 4:7-21
          • John Calvin: Servant of Christ and His Church - Various Scripture Verses
          • Live Free; Not Fake - Galatians 5:1-11
          • The Trouble With the Truth - Acts 17:1-15
          • The Glory Road - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
          • The Work of the Word - I Thessalonians 2:10-16
          • Model Church: Motive and Manner - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
          • The Impact of Pentecost: Then and Now - I Thessalonians 1:2-10
          • Change You Can Really Believe In - Acts 2:37-41
          • The Accountability to and of Elders 1 Timothy 5:17-25
          • The Testimony of David - Acts 2:25 -36
          • The Explanation of Pentecost - Acts 2:14-24
          • The Spirit of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-13
          • Preparation for Impact - Acts 2:12-26
          • After the Resurrection - Acts 1:1-11
          • Hope That Never Disappoints - Romans 5:1-5
          • Passover: Revisited and Revised - Mark 14:12-26
          • Presence, Power and Persecution - Acts 5:17-41
          • Watch Out! - Mark 13:1-37
          • Close to the Kingdom - Mark 12:28-32
          • Greatness in God's Eyes - Matthew 20:17-27
          • The Wrong Side of Mercy - Mark 11:12-33
          • Making the Impossible Possible - Mark 10:17-22
          • Commitment, Not Convenience - Mark 10:1-16
          • The Sabbaath and the Superbowl - Isaiah 58:13-14
          • The Work of the Shepherd - John 10:1-21
          • Celebrating Life - Psalm 139:13-18
          • Jesus: Friend of Sinners - Mark 2:13-22
          • Pointing People to Christ - Mark 1:1-13
      • The Lord Reigns - Zechariah 14
      • The Lord Reigns - Zechariah 14
      • The Striking Blow For Sinner's Forgiveness - Zechariah 13
      • Two Types of Sorrow - Zechariah 11:12-13:1
      • A Crisis of Leadership - Zechariah 11
      • Sheep, Shepards and a Savior - Zechariah 10
      • War and Peace - Zechariah 9
      • Culture and You Today: How can we live? - Various Scripture Verses
      • You Can Count On God - Zechariah 8
      • A Deadly Substitute - Zechariah 7
      • Access to Peace - Zechariah 6:9-15
      • Vision Alignment - Zechariah 6:1-8
      • The Reality of Sin and Judgment - Zechariah 5
      • The Work of God's Gospel - Zechariah 4:1-13
      • A Cleansed Priesthood - Zechariah 3:1-10
      • Thy Kingdom Come - Zechariah 2:1-13
      • The Fruit of Repentance - Zechariah 1:7-21
      • Restoration Through Repentance - Zechariah 1:1-6
      • Caught In A Trap - John 8:1-11
      • Pentecost: A Feast Like No Other - Acts 2
      • Christ's Ascennsion: What Jesus Left Behind - Acts 1:1-11
      • The Equality of God's Grace - Matthew 20:1-16
      • The Source of Truth and Spiritual Growth - 2 Peter 3:15-18
      • Preparing For Our Future - 2 Peter 3:10-14
      • Time is on God's Side - 2 Peter 3:1-9
      • The Rejection of False Teachers - 2 Peter 3:4-22
      • The Presence, Practice and Punishment of False Teachers - 2 Peter 2:1-40
      • The Worst News Becomes the Best News - Acts 13:26-41
      • The Best and Worst Sunday in History - John 12:12-46
      • It's Not Fair! - Various Scripture Verses
      • The Certainty of the Gospel - 2 Peter: 19-21
      • Remembering God's Truth - 2 Peter 1:12-21
      • Blessed Assurance - 2 Peter 1:10-11
      • Our Faith: Irreplaceable and Active - 2 Peter 1-11
      • The Roar of Satan: Standing Frim in a Noisy World - 1 Peter 5:8-14
      • Living in the Joy of Humility - 1 Peter 5:5-9
      • The Strength of Humility - 1 Peter 5:1-7
      • Surprised by Suffering - 1 Peter 4:12-19
      • Practical Eschatology - 1 Peter 4:7-11
      • Done With Sin? - 1 Peter 4:1-6
      • Christ's Victory March - 1 Peter 3:18-22
      • Immanuel: God With Us - Selected Scripture Verses
    • Sermons 2011 (Click for Teasers) >
      • What Child Is This? - Selected Scripture Verses
      • God's Love Secured - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Joy of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Pieces of Peace - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Advent: The Renewal of Hope - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Celebrating Our Sue Hope in Christ - 1 Peter 3:15-18
      • Loving Life - 1 Peter 3:8-14
      • The Beauty and Strength of Submission - 1 Peter 3:1-7
      • The Sufficiency of Christ's Suffering - 1 Peter 2:24-25
      • The Suffering of Service - 1 Peter 2:21-25
      • The Service of Submission - 1 Peter 2:13-25
      • Significant Strangers - 1 Peter 2:9-12
      • A Stoned Church - 1 Peter 2:4-8
      • The Holiness Diet - 1 Peter 2:1-3
      • Redeemed Living - 1 Peter 1:17-35
      • When Towers Fall - Luke 13:1-5
      • The Focus of Our Hope - 1 Peter 1:10-16
      • The Joy of Hope Refined - 1 Peter 1:3-9
      • Holy Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-5
      • Our Covenent Connection - Hebrews 10:19-25
      • Our Spiritual Debt Crisis - Matthew 18:21-35
      • The Work of God's Word - Hebrews 4:12-16
      • No More Shame - Hebrews 2:10-18
      • We See Jesus - Hebrews 2:5-13
      • The Savior Seeks Sinners - Luke 19:1-10
      • Freedom: Automony or Theonomy - Luke 15:11-24
      • The Right Kind of King - Psalm 110
      • The Greatest Father's Day Ever - Hebrews 1:5-13
      • Jesus Christ: The End of the Story - Hebrews 1:1-6
      • Never Read a Bible Verse -- Selected Scripture Verses
      • A Life of Hope -- Romans 8:18-39
      • The Pride of the Gospel - Galatians 6:12-16
      • Don't Spoil the Fruit - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Self-control - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Hannah: Obedience and Faithfulness - 1 Samuel 1 & 2
      • The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Surprised by the Obvious - Luke 24:1-8
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Meekness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Kindness and Goodness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Patience - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action - Joy - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action - Love- Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of Freedom - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Advantage: Holy Spirit - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Freedom of the Gospel - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Controversy Over the Grace of the Gospel - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Guarding the Gospel of Grace - Galatians 2:1-10
      • The Call of Grace - Galatians 1:11-24
      • Wisdom in Action - Proverbs 2 and James 3
      • Words Matter - Selected Proverbs
      • Wisdom: Found and Applied - Proverbs 3:13-35
      • Old Truths for a New Year - Proverbs 3:1-12
    • Sermons 2010 (Click for Teasers) >
      • The Day After - Matt 2:1-18
      • The Angel's Message to the Shepherds - Luke 2:10-14
      • The Angel's Message to Joseph - Matt 1:18-25
      • The Angel's Message to Mary - Luke 1:26-38
      • The Angelic Message of Preparation - Luke 1:11-21
      • Angels of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
      • Identity Crisis - 1 Peter 2:9-12
      • The Heart of Tradition - Mark 7:1-23
      • Who we are (or should be) as Christians - John 17:13-26
      • THE “TREAT” OF THE REFORMATION - Various Scripture Verses
      • Fatherly Guidance - Various Scripture Verses
      • Children of the Heavenly Father - Various Scripture Verses
      • God Keeps His Promises - Hebrews 6:13-20
      • Signs of God's Covenant Grace - Various Scripture Verses
      • Emotional Rescue - 3 John 2-4
      • Certain Truths for Uncertain Times - Various Scripture Verses
      • Two Words From God: Law and Gospel - Various Scripture Verses
      • Amazing Grace: Common and Saving - Various Scripture Verses
      • Philemon & Onesimus: What a Pair - Philemon 12-25
      • Philemon & Onesimus: What a Pair - Philemon 1-11
      • Methodology Matters - Various Scripture Verses
      • Pictures of Faithful Service - 2 Timothy 2:2-7
      • A Prayer of Faith - Habakkuk 3:1-19
      • Living by Faith - Habakkuk 2:4-20
      • Lessons on Faith - Habakkuk 2:2-4
      • The Struggle of Faith - Habakkuk 1 - 2:4
      • Battle Accessories - Ephesians 6:16-17
      • The Good News of the Battle - Ephesians 6:14-15
      • The Illusiveness of Truth - Ephesians 6:13-14
      • Prepared for the Battle - Ephesians 6:10-13
      • Authority that Liberates - Ephesians 6:1-9
      • The Model of Marriage - Ephesians 5:21-33
      • God's Design for Marriage - Ephesians 5:21-33
      • The Movement of Love - Ephesians 5:8-21
      • Imitator or Imitation? - Ephesians 5:1-7
      • Kindness in Action - Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2
      • Truth Exchange - Ephesians 4:25-29
      • Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ -- Romans 13
      • The Rejected, Yet Resurrected Savior - Acts 4:8-12
      • The "Off and On" Christian - Ephesians 4:20-24
      • Delivered From Depravity - Ephesians 4:17-24
      • God's Building Project - Ephesians 4:7-16
      • Theology is Practical - Ephesians 4:1-6
      • Prayer and Praise - Ephesians 3:14-21
      • God's Surprise Ending - Ephesians 3:1-13
      • Becoming a Legal Alien - Ephesians 2:14-22
      • Faith That Works - Ephesians 2:8-13
      • Our First Resurrection - Ephesians 2:1-10
      • Eye Opening Prayer - Ephesians 1:15-23
      • Our Inheritance in Christ - Ephesians 1:11-14
      • God's Eternal Resolution Accomplished - Ephesians 1:5-10
      • God's Eternal Resolution - Ephesians 1:1-6
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THE PATH TO MATURITY AND GLORY            2 Peter 3:14-18

Pastor Dennis Bone

11-18-18
​

It could be said that there are three kinds of people in the church: Squatters who come to church but never move forward spiritually; campers who move around a lot, and at times seem to be making spiritual progress but just want to be comfortable; and climbers who are always pressing ahead spiritually, and are moving upward toward the goal of maturity for which Christ has called us all to strive for as Christians.  What kind of person are you?  In 2 Peter 3 Peter asks the question, “What kind of people ought you to be?”  Peter’s answer is, “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the Lord’s coming.”  We are not to be squatting or camping, but climbing our way towards spiritual maturity by striving to live holy and godly lives as God’s people and as Christ’s church in this world.
Peter concludes this letter by giving us a spiritual road map to follow on this pilgrimage of the Christian life.  Like those pilgrims we have been reading about in Bunyan’s book – Pilgrims Progress – we are to be making progress as we travel the path to the celestial city.  Thus we need to be encouraged and exhorted, as well as warned and instructed, in order to stay on the path; even when it is difficult, even when we get tempted, even when we get tired and discouraged, because of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus has saved us, Jesus has called us; Jesus is leading us and Jesus is waiting for us at the end of the journey, thus through His Word He gives us our marching orders so that we can be effective and successful in this journey.
So let’s first hear what Peter tells us to do in verses 14 – 18:  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to these things, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. 
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.  He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.  His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which some ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.  Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of wicked men and fall from your secure position.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever!  Amen.
In these verses Peter concludes by instructing us to do eight things on this spiritual path to maturity and glory as Christians.  The passage begins with Peter saying that we are to be “looking forward” – vs. 14 – “Therefore, friends, since you are looking forward to these things.”  Thus the first thing we are to do is be Focused.  Be focused on Christ and the things He has done, is doing and will do in the future.  We are looking forward to a person, not a time.  We are to be focused on Jesus.  He is the person we are looking forward to when it comes to these things to come.  Peter has told us throughout his letters that it’s God’s promises to us in Christ which have trailblazed this path of the Christian life that we are now on.  Jesus has gone before us as our Savior and He is the one who has put us on this path.
This is why we read in Hebrews 12: “Let us run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”  Be focused on Him as you look forward to what is ahead.  Look to Him so that you don’t get diverted from the track or the path on the way.  We look to Him because He has also shown us how to live on the path – holy and godly – looking to Him as our model and our example. 
As Paul says in Titus chapter 2: “We should live righteous and godly in this present age, looking forward to the blessed hope of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”  So first, we must be focused; and second Peter says, “make every effort” or be Diligent.  In other words, we are to be working hard to be like Jesus in the way we live.  Peter uses the same word here as he did in chapter 1 when he wrote, “Be diligent to make your calling and election sure.”  We have a responsibility to work out our salvation through sanctification, especially since the path is not easy.  There will be times of trials and suffering, thus Peter tells us that we must diligently pursue peace in all of our relationships along the path.  At the end of verse 14 we read: “Make every effort to be at peace with Him,” thus as we live in peace with Christ, we can work at being at peace with ourselves and with others.
Only Jesus was spotless and blameless, thus Peter’s call for us as Christians to live holy and godly lives must come from Him.  As Paul says, “He is our peace” – it’s Jesus who enables us and empowers us to live in peace, thus we must be diligent about it.  Third, Peter writes at the beginning of verse 15: “Consider the longsuffering of Christ,” so that we will be Patient.  What is Christ’s longsuffering?  It’s His patience that brings salvation.  Not only did Christ patiently endure suffering for our sake, but His continued patience with us as sinners led to our repentance.  As Peter said back in verse 9, “The Lord is longsuffering towards us.”  So now, he is calling us to reflect upon this as those who have come to repentance and have received salvation; and as a result to be patient in our Christian lives.
Salvation is past, present and future, thus we need endurance on the path of the Christian life. 
It’s this patient perseverance or endurance, which comes from our salvation, that keeps us focused and diligent as we live out our salvation in world where many people doesn’t value patience, but want everything “now” and often question the Lord, and/or turn away from the path when the Christian life becomes hard or challenging.
Fourth, Peter tells us to “remember our brother Paul’s writings.”  In his epistles or writings, Paul has told us about these same things.  He too has told you to live holy and godly lives by considering the longsuffering of the Lord and by following His Word.  Peter’s point is to be Wise.  You will be wise when you listen to the words of Paul, whose writings are the Scripture, just like Peter’s writings.  At the end of verse 15, and then verse 16 we read this: “Paul wrote according to the wisdom God gave him . . . speaking in his letters of these same matters.”  Some of these things are hard to understand, thus ignorant and unstable people distort the truth, even as they do other Scriptures.  Not only is Peter confirming that Paul’s letters are Scripture, and on par with the Old Testament Scriptures, but this wisdom that God gave him is given to us so we too can be wise. 
As Paul said to Timothy, “You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”  The Scriptures make you wise; and he goes on to say that all Scripture is inspired by God and is given to instruct us, correct us, encourage us, so that we will be wise.  The principle we learn from Peter is that truth is often hard to understand and apply, thus trust God’s Word on the path of the Christian life.  God’s Word is designed to make you wise for salvation and in salvation.  We may not understand every doctrine or truth in the Scripture, but we can trust that it is true because it’s God’s Word. 
So be wise, by not turning away from it, but instead continue to learn from it in order to apply its truth in your life.  Peter reminds us in this passage that it’s not just his words, or even Paul’s words that guide us in our pilgrimage as Christians, but it’s God’s Word.  Through the Scriptures God calls us to be focused; to be diligent; to be patient and to be wise.  For as Peter tells us in verse 16, there will be people around us who will attack God’s truth and seek to convince us to believe falsehoods or deny Scripture; and if possible lead us to walk along another path – the path of destruction.
So we see a fifth point: Be aware of “ignorant and unstable people.”  This is a reference back to the false teachers, whose goal is not “holy and godly lives,” but deception and self-gain, thus we must be Discerning.  Discernment is a fruit of wisdom; it gives us the ability make good decisions or judgment.  We need to be aware and on guard for those in the church, but also in the world around us who seek to persuade us to conform to unbiblical world views and lifestyles.  Thus you must guard your heart and mind with the Scripture as you walk in the path of the Christian life.  Ignorant and unstable people are foolish people because they lack wisdom by distorting or denying the Scripture; they twist the truth to fit their own views and beliefs.
As Christians we must be discerning so that we see can see this, call it out when we can, and avoid being influenced by it.  Peter believes that this is so important and dangerous to the church that he spent much of this letter warning us about it; and as the letter ends he continues to put emphasis on this in verse 17: “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of wicked men and fall from your secure position. 
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  Peter again says that this is something we already know, but nevertheless is can impact us and even cause us to stumble and fall.  So we see here a sixth point: Avoid being led astray by “the errors of the wicked.”  Not only do we need to be aware that this is happening and be discerning about, but we have to also be Growing.  We need to be proactive as Christians, not reactive.  We must guard our hearts and minds with the Scripture, thus defend ourselves against falsehood and wickedness, but also we must be growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.  We must be moving forward in our faith; maturing in our spiritual lives so that we will be more effective in the battle of the Christian life.
In his first letter Peter said that we must be vigilant against our adversaries; and Paul calls us to not only stand firm but to also put on the armor of God to fight the good fight; so as to not stumble or fall on the path to glory.  Thus the principle Peter is again reminding us of, and which Paul reinforces throughout his letters is this: Stand steadfast in what you know – remember that truths about Christ and His gospel, stand firm and do not deviate from what you know is true – and then continue to learn more about Christ and His truths on this path of the Christian life.  We can’t become lazy in the Christian life; we must not stop growing in our faith and progressing in our sanctification.  For if we do, we are susceptible to errors; we prone to give into temptations; and we can become less effective as a witness for Christ.
I read a story about Pablo Casals, considered by many as the greatest cellist to ever live.  When he was 95 years old someone asked him, “Why do you continue to practice 6 hours a day?”  His answer was, “I think I am making progress.” 
It sounds humble but it makes a great spiritual point: It’s only as we continue to practice our Christian faith that we will make progress and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.  As Christians we want to get better in our lives, not because of our job or profession, nor because we want to have status or recognition, but primarily because we want to glorify God.  Thus Peter makes a seventh point: “To God be the glory.”  The ultimate reason to live holy and godly lives is to glorify God, thus we must be Worshipping.  Everything we are doing in our lives as Christians should be an act of worship.  This is our motive as Christians to be focused, diligent, patient, wise, discerning and growing in our lives.
This is the conclusion or benediction that Peter wants us to walk away from after reading or studying his letter: “To God be the glory.”  We are on the path to glory; the end result of spiritual maturity is glorification.  It’s when we see God’s glory in its fullness and become like Christ.  It’s the ultimate goal of the Christian life, thus as Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 10: “Whatever you do in word and deed, do all to the glory of God.”  This is the path of the Christian life.  Worship is not just what we do in church or in a service or in singing songs; it’s what we do in life.  This is why Paul says in Romans 12 that we are to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him, for this is our reasonable worship.  This is the right and appropriate response for those of us who have been redeemed by Christ and brought into the family of God.  Thus this great statement and closing blessing to Peter’s letter: “To God be the glory.”
I want to conclude this message with on final point of emphasis: “Grow in grace.”  This is a reminder to be Thankful. 
As Christians we should be thankful for the amazing grace of God that has allowed us to grow in grace.  Apart from God’s grace in Christ there is no Christian life and this is no way to live holy and godly lives.  Peter reminds us of this from the beginning to the end of his letter; as does the whole of Scripture.  Thus we learn and we leave this study be remembering and hopefully continuing to repeat this biblical principle:  Grace is the foundation to our spiritual lives; grace is what develops our Christian lives; and grace is what completes our Christian lives.
Grace leads the way to live holy and godly lives as God’s people and as Christ’s church on our pilgrim’s progress to maturity and glory.
 
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