NEED AN OIL CHANGE?
2 Peter 1:1-1:10
1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Making One's Calling and Election Sure 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
I see some puzzled looks on faces this morning – perhaps you’re asking what did that skit have to do with anything? – Well this morning we are starting a series on getting our faith lives running smoothly and in tune with God’s leading. At the end of this series is our all church retreat here at First Friends and we will be watching the movie “Flywheel” – the theme of the movie is exactly that – tuning our faith lives to run in top form so God can use us in his kingdom work.
There is a television commercial that compares two different motor oils – one is new synthetic oil that is claimed to have the capability of keeping the engine running cooler and smoother much longer than any other oil. One car has been filled with this synthetic oil and the other with a leading brand of regular oil. The two cars are side by side one treadmill type machines and are running at cruising speed as an odometer counts up the miles – finally one of the cars sputters and the engine seizes up while the car with the synthetic oil keeps right on running as smooth as can be. The idea is that you have to change this oil much less often or if your forgetful and don’t get your car in for a regular oil change on time you should still be safe.
Let me ask the mechanics here this morning – what happens if you ignore the oil in your cars engine – never change it – never check it – let it run low?
Exactly – the engine will stop functioning and seize up.
Faith is a lot like that…we need a fresh touch from God an oil change so to speak from time to time to keep our lives of faith running smoothly. So many things try to disrupt our faith - just as contaminants break down the oil in our cars. I ask you this morning – how is your faith engine running – are you due for an oil change – maybe a tune up – how about an engine rebuild?
Satan hates our faith. Why? Because foundational to his fall from heaven is the idea that he lost faith in his creator.
What amazes me is this: He pushes us…and often tries our faith…and most often pushes us right into the arms of God. He can’t seem to be able to control himself…and the result is that we grow in faith.
This is the catch: Even though our faith is shaken at times, even though our faith is disrupted…we must understand that behind it all…God is at work.
Now, before I get to the heart of this message, let me say this about faith …Foundational to faith is belief, trust, and most importantly…relationship.
So how do we grow in true faith? How do we increase our trust in God?
Body.
One of the answers to this question is that we must add something to our faith. I don’t care how good an engine…it is worthless if we don’t add oil!
Go to 2 Peter 1:1-10. Time won’t allow me to expound upon every verse here, but take notice of four things in verses1-4.
1. Peter was writing to those who had obtained faith – vs. 1
2. Grace and peace is multiplied when we know God – vs. 2
3. God’s power has given us everything we need pertaining to life – vs. 3
4. He has given us great and precious promises to help us partake of His nature and to help us overcome worldly lusts – vs. 4.
Now, because of these things, God tells us in verse 5 to apply diligence to our walk with Him.
He starts a parade. Faith leads the band…and love brings up the rear. And it is here that I want to focus today…on verses 5-7.
In the same way, a faith engine without fresh spiritual oil is dead. Faith without the ingredients in spiritual oil listed in these verses is dead.
We could summarize verses 1-9 like this…
“You have faith! Your knowledge of God increases grace and peace. The power of God helps you to live your life in victory. His promises help you to become like Him and to steer clear of worldly ways. Now, because of these things…be diligent! Since you have faith…add the following ingredients in your spiritual oil…
Moral Excellence,
Knowledge,
Self-control,
Perseverance,
Godliness,
Brotherly kindness,
Love.
If these seven things are in you and they are increasing…you will be fruitful…not barren. If you lack these qualities, you’re blind and you have left your first love…forgetting the forgiveness that you received at the beginning of your walk with God.”
Since you have faith…add…
Moral Excellence.
Since you have a relationship with God…be a person of character.
Character is the reality of who you really are and what you really do.
Many of you have heard the old quote that goes like this:
“Your ideal is what you wish you were.
Your reputation is what people say you are.
Your character is what you really are.”
Or…
“If we sow a thought, we reap an act.
If we sow an act, we reap a habit.
If we sow a habit, we reap character.
If we sow character, we reap a destiny.”
Knowledge.
It is notable that character precedes knowledge. The Bible says, “…the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” - 2 Corinthians 3:6
This is not to say that knowledge isn’t good. But, knowledge without character doesn’t impress God.
Here’s the rub…Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
If you want to “keep running smoothly for God…you must add knowledge of God to your faith.
Please don’t tell me that you want to grow in God…love God…serve God…and then not show up or avail yourself to the training and growth opportunities that are available in this meeting. This includes:
Men’s Saturday morning Bible study
Wednesday GIFT night ministries
Sunday Services & Sunday School
Youth group & Bobcat Bible study
Diving Deeper studies - Tuesday night prayer meeting
Self-control.
Since you have faith…add self-control.
You might say, “Pastor Craig, I just can’t control myself.” Can I just say to you…WHATEVER! When did we begin to swallow that lie from the enemy?
Galatians 5:22-23 says:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Next time your tempted to lose control…remember that through God you have the power to walk in self-control…it is in you already. Access it and add it to your faith.
Perseverance.
Since you have faith…persevere. It is our faith and our trust in God that helps us to endure under trial.
Charlie Brown is at bat. STRIKE THREE. He has struck out again and slumps over to the bench. "Rats! I’ll never be a big-league player. I just don’t have it! All my life I’ve dreamed of playing in the big leagues, but I know I’ll never make it." Lucy turns to console him. "Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead. What you need to do is set yourself more immediate goals." He looks up. "Immediate goals?" Lucy says, "Yes. Start with this next inning when you go out to pitch. See if you can walk out on the mound without falling down!"
Point of the story? Do the next thing…persevere through the next storm. Hang in there and don’t worry about all that is to come…God’s grace is sufficient.
Godliness.
Godliness is a spirit of reverence and respect to God in all matters. It understands that He is a Holy God.
We must add Holiness to our faith. Not outward compliance to certain rules, but inward purity of heart.
We must reverence God enough to become Holy. As a matter of fact Leviticus 11:44 says, “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy.”
Holiness is not an old-fashioned idea…it is commanded.
Brotherly Kindness.
Because you have a relationship with God, because you have faith…exercise brotherly kindness to others.
Or, continue to walk in love toward the brethren. We so often judge one another and act in ways inconsistent with the Christian life.
We often abuse one another knowing that they have to forgive. Let’s be like the Thessalonians Church:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…”
Love.
This love is the highest form of love. It is agape love. Love that doesn’t add requirements to it.
- I’ll love you if… - I’ll love you when…
Agape love – the love of Christ is unconditional love. And we must add it to our faith. Faith and love go hand in hand:
1 Thessalonians 5:7
“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love…”
1 Corinthians 13:1-2
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
We need to add these seven things to our faith engine if we are to continue to run smoothly for the Lord and not break down. I close with the following …
Character without faith is cheap veneer.
Knowledge without faith is useless information.
Self-control without faith is straining unnecessarily.
Perseverance without faith is empty at the end.
Believing in God without faith is mere religion.
Brotherly kindness without faith is self-serving.
Love without faith is not true love.
Faith is a lot like that…we need a fresh touch from God an oil change so to speak from time to time to keep our lives of faith running smoothly. So many things try to disrupt our faith - just as contaminants break down the oil in our cars. I ask you this morning – how is your faith engine running – are you due for an oil change – maybe a tune up – how about an engine rebuild?
Satan hates our faith. Why? Because foundational to his fall from heaven is the idea that he lost faith in his creator.
What amazes me is this: He pushes us…and often tries our faith…and most often pushes us right into the arms of God. He can’t seem to be able to control himself…and the result is that we grow in faith.
This is the catch: Even though our faith is shaken at times, even though our faith is disrupted…we must understand that behind it all…God is at work.
Now, before I get to the heart of this message, let me say this about faith …Foundational to faith is belief, trust, and most importantly…relationship.
So how do we grow in true faith? How do we increase our trust in God?
Body.
One of the answers to this question is that we must add something to our faith. I don’t care how good an engine…it is worthless if we don’t add oil!
1. Peter was writing to those who had obtained faith – vs. 1
2. Grace and peace is multiplied when we know God – vs. 2
3. God’s power has given us everything we need pertaining to life – vs. 3
4. He has given us great and precious promises to help us partake of His nature and to help us overcome worldly lusts – vs. 4.
Now, because of these things, God tells us in verse 5 to apply diligence to our walk with Him.
He starts a parade. Faith leads the band…and love brings up the rear. And it is here that I want to focus today…on verses 5-7.
In the same way, a faith engine without fresh spiritual oil is dead. Faith without the ingredients in spiritual oil listed in these verses is dead.
We could summarize verses 1-9 like this…
“You have faith! Your knowledge of God increases grace and peace. The power of God helps you to live your life in victory. His promises help you to become like Him and to steer clear of worldly ways. Now, because of these things…be diligent! Since you have faith…add the following ingredients in your spiritual oil…
Moral Excellence,
Knowledge,
Self-control,
Perseverance,
Godliness,
Brotherly kindness,
Love.
If these seven things are in you and they are increasing…you will be fruitful…not barren. If you lack these qualities, you’re blind and you have left your first love…forgetting the forgiveness that you received at the beginning of your walk with God.”
Since you have faith…add…
Since you have a relationship with God…be a person of character.
Character is the reality of who you really are and what you really do.
Many of you have heard the old quote that goes like this:
“Your ideal is what you wish you were.
Your reputation is what people say you are.
Your character is what you really are.”
Or…
“If we sow a thought, we reap an act.
If we sow an act, we reap a habit.
If we sow a habit, we reap character.
If we sow character, we reap a destiny.”
Knowledge.
It is notable that character precedes knowledge. The Bible says, “…the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” - 2 Corinthians 3:6
This is not to say that knowledge isn’t good. But, knowledge without character doesn’t impress God.
Here’s the rub…Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
If you want to “keep running smoothly for God…you must add knowledge of God to your faith.
Please don’t tell me that you want to grow in God…love God…serve God…and then not show up or avail yourself to the training and growth opportunities that are available in this meeting. This includes:
Men’s Saturday morning Bible study
Wednesday GIFT night ministries
Sunday Services & Sunday School
Youth group & Bobcat Bible study
Self-control.
Since you have faith…add self-control.
You might say, “Pastor Craig, I just can’t control myself.” Can I just say to you…WHATEVER! When did we begin to swallow that lie from the enemy?
Galatians 5:22-23 says:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Next time your tempted to lose control…remember that through God you have the power to walk in self-control…it is in you already. Access it and add it to your faith.
Perseverance.
Since you have faith…persevere. It is our faith and our trust in God that helps us to endure under trial.
Charlie Brown is at bat. STRIKE THREE. He has struck out again and slumps over to the bench. "Rats! I’ll never be a big-league player. I just don’t have it! All my life I’ve dreamed of playing in the big leagues, but I know I’ll never make it." Lucy turns to console him. "Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead. What you need to do is set yourself more immediate goals." He looks up. "Immediate goals?" Lucy says, "Yes. Start with this next inning when you go out to pitch. See if you can walk out on the mound without falling down!"
Point of the story? Do the next thing…persevere through the next storm. Hang in there and don’t worry about all that is to come…God’s grace is sufficient.
Godliness.
Godliness is a spirit of reverence and respect to God in all matters. It understands that He is a Holy God.
We must reverence God enough to become Holy. As a matter of fact Leviticus 11:44 says, “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy.”
Holiness is not an old-fashioned idea…it is commanded.
Brotherly Kindness.
Because you have a relationship with God, because you have faith…exercise brotherly kindness to others.
Or, continue to walk in love toward the brethren. We so often judge one another and act in ways inconsistent with the Christian life.
We often abuse one another knowing that they have to forgive. Let’s be like the Thessalonians Church:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…”
Love.
This love is the highest form of love. It is agape love. Love that doesn’t add requirements to it.
- I’ll love you if… - I’ll love you when…
Agape love – the love of Christ is unconditional love. And we must add it to our faith. Faith and love go hand in hand:
1 Thessalonians 5:7
“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love…”
1 Corinthians 13:1-2
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
We need to add these seven things to our faith engine if we are to continue to run smoothly for the Lord and not break down. I close with the following …
Character without faith is cheap veneer.
Knowledge without faith is useless information.
Self-control without faith is straining unnecessarily.
Perseverance without faith is empty at the end.
Believing in God without faith is mere religion.
Brotherly kindness without faith is self-serving.
Love without faith is not true love.
