Get Encouraged By Our 4 Session Course on 1 & 2nd Peter;

Peter encourages those persecuted and scattered abroad to persevere and grow through the trial.  “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ” 2 Peter 1:5-7

Peter takes us through a step by step progression of how the Holy Spirit walks us through trial to maturity by testing whether we are going to trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense. When we do choose to trust and act on our faith character is developed. The end result is a faith that is alive and active and one that stands the test of time in our relationship with God and others.

View and download each session by clicking the numbered steps below:

Download All For Sessions in one document  Grace in the Wilderness

Session #1 Our Faith is our Grace (unmerited favor) in the Wilderness, Yet it is also What is being Tested 

Faith: Complete Trust or Confidence in God

Vulnerable – The enemy’s strategy is to direct pain to cause you to slowly disengage (lose trust) withGod and others.

God wants our faith to be strong so that He can move freely through our  hard situation bringing Glory to God. Faith is tested not produced by trials.

“Learning to walk in Love with unlovely people and learning to be patient in trials are probably the two most important tools God uses to develop our Spiritual Maturity.” Joyce Meyers

Peter 

Title – Fisherman, Disciple, Apostle, Author, Husband

Personality – Out-spoken, flamboyant, raw, unfiltered, bold, brave, moldable and corrected often.

Time – Written between 65–68 AD – Peter was martyred, hung upside down on a cross in Rome around 68 AD by Nero. Peter references his approaching death in 2 Peter 1:14 “since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me”. It was possibly written right after or before Paul died (beheaded in Rome) and what prompted him  to write first and second Peter.

Writing To – Persecuted Christians (Jews and Gentiles), pilgrims of dispersion and God’s elect, living in five regions of Asia Minor (Turkey) and exhorts the readers to stay true to the example of Jesus Christ during persecution and the hope set before them. They are warned to not follow false teaching but stay true to what has been taught to them, to persevere to the end.

Persecution – Nero lost all sense of right and wrong and listened to flattery with total credulity. He was said to have seized Christians as scapegoats for the fire that burned down the city of  Rome so he could rebuild it. Christians were burned alive, seemingly motivated not by public justice but by personal cruelty.

We are being  Guarded or Garrisoned by God’s Power Through Faith 1 Peter 1:5

defend, guard, protect, preserve, fortify, barricade, shield, secure

Faith is More Precious than Gold

“In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1: 6,7

Our Faith is like a Muscle that needs to be Used to Grow Stronger

The Spirit

Add = danced with joined hands – Led to embrace the whole Gospel

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-9

The Holy Spirit does this work within us as we grow through the wilderness. Goodness, Knowledge of us and God, Self Control, Perseverance and Love ARE being Worked into our Character.  Humbly Surrender to His Plans and Workings.  Value Your Faith!

Faith Comes by Hearing The Word of God

“So faith comes by hearing (what is told), and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (The Messiah Himself).” Romans 10:17 Amp

The Holy Spirit is our helper and will bring His word to remembrance.“But the Comforter (Counselor Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, the Holy Spirit) Whom the Father will send in My name (in My place to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things.  And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told  you.” John 14:26 Amp

More FAITH is not “bigger faith” but more acting on the principles of His word in faith – faith that is continually used or living.

“…If you have faith that is living like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to a yonder place and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”  Matt 17:20

Testing of our Faith and Glory Go Together

Biblical faith takes into account the ability of God through whom all things are possible.  It also takes into account the sovereignty of God.  God is not controllable but is sovereign. We live in a fallen world which means our journey includes storms as well as still waters.  His Glory (presence) brings peace in the storm. It is why we are blessed when going through various trials. His presence also gives us authority, power and gifts to overcome the world. We get to experience His Nature through struggles increasing our understanding of Him and ourselves bringing His Kingdom to earth.  2 Peter 1:4

Faith is Intentional and Trusts in the Goodness of God and Glory follows.

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1