2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Wow, that is quite a mouth full coming from someone who fishes for a living.
After Simon Peter met Jesus, he was left with two choices.
Stay where he was or follow Jesus.
To follow simply means “come”.
Sure, you can love Jesus and stay where you are.
Sure, you can be a Sunday Christian and maybe make it to heaven after you make it through all that life will throw at you.
But to a man like Simon, to a man who would become Peter, there was only one choice, and that was to follow, to come and be-come the kind of Christian who lived a life of excess.
Wait a minute, live a life of excess?
Jesus never lived a life of excess.
Didn’t Jesus preach against excess?
Didn’t Jesus talk about how important it is to be content with what you already have?
Isn’t that one of the 10 commandments?
Didn’t Jesus say stuff like don’t take extra shoes and coats with you when you go out into the world?
How can a life of excess reflect Christ properly when we have fake TV Christians with gold pianos and expensive jewelry, wearing designer suits and pink hair while flying in private jets, while living in multiple mansions with more than 5,000 square feet?
Is it really God’s blessings that they are talking about when they tell you to look at what they got, and say ain’t God good, because my cup runneth over and hey, God wants you to be rich too, so keep sending in your seed faith money?
How can living a life of excess be a good witness?
Well, before you write out a check to me because you want all of that stuff I just mentioned we need to take a look at what excess means.
Excess is a going beyond what is regarded as customary or proper.
Hmmm, is it possible to be a status quo Christian?
For that matter, what is the status quo for a Christian?
Is it godly to be politically correct?
Excess, the way we see it portrayed by so called born again Christians is not only wrong, it’s sinful.
Yes, I said it, so deal with it.
God doesn’t want us to come to Him because we want to be like Donald Trump or Bill Gates, think about this from God’s perspective, when have you ever wanted someone to love you because of what you could give them?
You know that’s not love, so do you think that God thinks that’s love?
Let’s assess God here.
God already has all the power.
God already has tens of thousands of angels worshiping Him.
God already holds all of creation in His hands.
God is love and joy and peace so He surely doesn’t need what He already is.
God created everything in the world which means that He already owns everything in the world, so how do you get more excessive than that?
Should a believer live a life of excess?
First, let’s clarify what a “believer” is.
A believer is one who has faith, confidence and trust.
To believe is to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
You got that?
For the Christian its kind of like the verses in Luke 12:11 When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Granted, it may be exciting to think that the Holy Spirit will speak through you, but you need to understand that if you are in this situation, then you are in some kind of trouble with authority, and doesn’t opening your mouth without thinking first usually lead to more trouble?
Doesn’t it make sense to try and figure out how to defuse the situation? Wouldn’t you think it wise to use your head and not your faith when it comes to being in the hands of the unfaithful?
According to God, the answer all depends on if you are a believer or not.
Being a believer sounds a lot like having faith doesn’t it?
Guess what, being a believer is a result of faith.
And guess what else; and you may disagree with me on this but,
you don’t need much faith to be a believer and we are not specifically talking about being a Christian.
Jesus says in Matthew 17:20 if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
Now let’s take this story from Matthew 17 into perspective.
What was happening was that the Apostles could not cast a demon out of a boy. They had to have Jesus cast it out with a single command. The apostles then asked Jesus privately why they couldn’t cast it out and He told them Because of the littleness of your faith, littleness means weakness, and then Jesus adds “if you have the faith of a mustard seed you will say”…
This makes us think that the work performed is equal to the faith possessed, but this is not true.
Jesus said “if you have the faith of a mustard seed you will say”…
Catch that? IF you have FAITH you will SAY…
Remember the definition of “believer”?
to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
And the definition of faith?
Hebrews 11:1 NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
What did Jesus mean by “if you have faith you will say”
and what didn’t the apostles understand?
First of all faith is important, but even more important is the who that you place your faith in and draw your faith from.
Think about the situation that the apostles were in.
Who can understand a demon? Who can know its power?
Who wants to stand against something that can beat the living tar out of you?
Who wants to cast a demon out when its purpose is to possess a living being and bring pain and suffering to that person?
Who wants to cast a demon out when its purpose is to possess a living being and bring pain and suffering to that person?
Guess what that kind of thinking is not?
It’s not the way a believer thinks.
Remember what a believer is?
to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
Remember what faith is?
Hebrews 11:1 NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
When the Holy Spirit speaks through you in a tough, possibly life threatening situation and when you are called on to cast out demons, you will be fully aware, just like the apostles were that you are weak and you are but dust.
But, faith and belief will tell you a very different and important truth.
What is that truth?
Two words,
God can.
You know you can’t do it, but do you believe God can?
You know you can’t live it, but do you believe God can?
Isn’t that what faith is? Assurance?
Isn’t that what a believer does? Have confidence when you have no proof?
If you are struggling with the thoughts of “I know God can, but I am not sure that God wants too”, then you don’t know the love of God.
Let me suggest you ponder something…
John 3:16 says that God so loved that He gave.
What did God give?
God gave the only thing that He had one of, His son…
And He gave that only son for you.
Think about that for a while, seriously.
God traded Jesus for you.
It’s almost as if God looked at Jesus while they were up in Heaven and said to Jesus, Son, you know I love you but right now that guy or girl down there is more important to me than you are. I want you to abandon your position here with me and go be one of them so if they choose to, they can spend eternity with me. And Jesus said, Father, I have noticed your sadness as you watched your creation live unfulfilled and fruitless lives. I know you want them to know the joy of salvation, the peace of faith and the love that only you can give them.
Tell me what would please you Father, and I will do it.
Tell me what would please you Father, and I will do it.
Isn't that what you want to do?
Please the Father?
Please the Father?
God gave up Jesus to gain your life and you’re not sure that “God wants to?”
John 14:1 says,
Do not let your heart be troubled;
believe in God,
believe also in Me.
Troubled means agitated.
It implies turmoil and a shaking of the heart.
What is the cure for an agitated shaking heart in turmoil?
You’re not going to like this.
Truthfully, I don’t like it either, but the cure is belief.
You need to realize that belief means that you are putting your full trust in God when your brains are telling you that is a crazy thing to do!
Don’t go overboard here and believe God for a million dollars or believe that God will make you fly, that’s believing in you.
Believing in God, is knowing that if God wants you to experience pain, you will experience pain.
Believing in God, is knowing that if God wants you to die, you will die.
Believing in God, is knowing that if something bad happens to you, then God is doing it for His glory and your good.
Come on, let’s get real, John 14:1 is talking about a heart that is agitated and in turmoil.
Turmoil means extreme confusion and according to Jesus, internal turmoil takes place in your heart.
Turmoil means extreme confusion and according to Jesus, internal turmoil takes place in your heart.
Jesus then says “believe”.
Believe in what?
Let’s look at the following verses.
I think if you ever wanted to know what was going on in Jesus’ mind, here is the place where He opens up and we get to see the thoughts of a Son towards His Father.
John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
In times of turmoil we know that Jesus went away and prayed, but look at what He says to His disciples.
In My Fathers house…
Ever miss your family so badly it hurt?
Did you ever long to be with someone or somewhere that you miss?
Ever miss your family so badly it hurt?
Did you ever long to be with someone or somewhere that you miss?
Is it possible that Jesus is a little homesick here?
When you are in turmoil, don’t you want to be home among people whom you love and who love you?
Life was hard on the earth for the Son of God, sure Jesus related to us, but how many people really related to Jesus?
Ever feel like you were alone while in a room full of people?
Jesus knows that feeling.
Ever feel like you were alone while in a room full of people?
Jesus knows that feeling.
Think about it,
In My Fathers house…
Can’t you see Jesus with His face waxing over with the memories of being back home with God in the Throne Room?
Can’t you hear the trembling in His voice as He puts into words the pictures of heaven that are flashing through His memory?
And then, Jesus’ voice starts to gain an excited tone, His face lights up and His voice gets louder, His speech gets faster, His body becomes a flurry of movement as He gives the disciples a guided tour through their future home.
And with passion and excitement Jesus with full confidence says…
2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Guys, My Fathers house is like a place you have never been to.
It has countless rooms and each one makes you feel like you are at home.
My Fathers house is not a place where the furniture is covered with plastic and the floors are cold and the walls are colorless!
There are pictures of you guys up on the walls already! Matter of fact, My Father planned it so that my earthly father would be a carpenter, so that I would learn the trade because when I go home to Him, He wants me to remodel the place so you will feel even more at home!
My Fathers house is not a place where the furniture is covered with plastic and the floors are cold and the walls are colorless!
There are pictures of you guys up on the walls already! Matter of fact, My Father planned it so that my earthly father would be a carpenter, so that I would learn the trade because when I go home to Him, He wants me to remodel the place so you will feel even more at home!
I am getting to know you right now so I can get a real feel for you and what you like, what makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, and when I am finished preparing a place for you that is when I will come back for you, that where I am, there you may be also.
I mean, come on!
Who is supposed to be excited about this future event?
You, or Jesus?
I mean, come on!
Who is supposed to be excited about this future event?
You, or Jesus?
According to what Jesus was saying, what is on Gods mind?
It’s you and just like we would clean our house before company comes, Jesus is preparing a place for you…
Even so, on earth our hearts become troubled and agitated and according to Jesus, what is the cure for a troubled agitated heart?
Believing that God can and God will and God wants to.
Just like the Jews in captivity in Egypt
Can God lead you, Will God lead you, does God Want to lead you, out of captivity to your future home in heaven with Him?
Which is easier for you to believe? That God is preparing a place for you in heaven, or that God is preparing you for a place in heaven?
If we could only begin to understand that we already possess a future and a hope. Just like the Jewish people when they were brought into captivity for 70 years and it was never God’s intention that they would lose hope…
Jeremiah 29:10 says, For thus says the LORD, "When seventy years have been completed for Babylon
11 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Has your life been riddled with fears and failures?
Have the seeds of regret not only been planted in your heart, but have they taken root?
Read Jeremiah 29 with me again, and then permit me to point out a simple truth…
Jeremiah 29:10 For thus says the LORD, "When seventy years have been completed for Babylon
11 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Think something through for a minute or two.
Has God made a promise to you that He has not yet kept?
Has God dropped you off in a strange land and have you lost your way?
Do you believe, even when your brain tells you that it’s foolish to do so, that God will fulfill His promises to you?
You need to really trust Him on this.
God works on faith, and not God’s faith in you, but your faith in God.
God knows the plans that He has for you…
