Category: Podcast Episode

Peter opens his second letter by writing:
2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3 NASB
God’s divine power is the ability that is uniquely his as the God of the universe.
He exercised this power to grant us something…
“granted” here translates the Greek word doreomai which means “to give or to bestow”
It is here in the perfect tense – meaning it was given in the past with ongoing effects into the present – this gift is already in your possession.
What is given? – “Everything that is needed for life and godliness…”
That is correct- you have everything needed to live an abundant life.
This provision is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The word “knowledge” here translates the Greek word “epignosis” which is intimate, full, integrated knowledge…like the way you know your best friend or closest family member.
God has given you all that you need to live for Him in His perfect personal provision for you in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Paul gives believers important advice in Colossians 3:15, writing:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…
“Let” here does not mean that this is optional – this is what the Holy Spirit wants for every believer.
Peace translates the word Iraynay. In the Bible, peace does not mean a simple absence of conflict, but a wholeness – a fullness –a total lack of want or need.
The total sufficiency of God is to “rule” in our hearts – which is our whole mental, emotional and volitional inner self – is what is in view here.
The word “rule” here translates the Greek “ βραβεύω “ which means to rule as a judge, or even as a umpire calls a game.
As we go through our time on this planet we will do best by submitting our thoughts, our feelings and our will totally to the absolute sufficiency of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The word Hope is used throughout the Bible, but often we think of it in a modern way that implies optimism towards a desired outcome. The idea carried in the scriptures in places like 1 Peter 1:13 where Peter tells us to, “…fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.“ is an idea of faith applied to a future outcome. It has a weight of certainty, not desire.

In John 14:6 Jesus makes a statement, saying:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Each of the three essence claims is preceded by the definite article – the Word “the”
In Greek, as in English, the definite article denotes specificity, and In cases such as this – exclusivity
Jesus is making specific and exclusive claim to be the only way, the only truth and the only life.
Notice:
Jesus Doesn’t show the way…He IS the way
Jesus Doesn’t know the Truth…He IS the truth
Jesus Doesn’t have the life…He IS the life
This verse closes with Jesus’ claim to be the only access point to God the Father.
Jesus is not just a good teacher to heed and obey…
He is the Savior, Whom we can know personally through faith in His sacrifice for us.

“[God], having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

In John 15, Jesus takes up a powerful metaphor – making the claim that HE is the true vine. In this word picture, Jesus identifies Himself as the source of spiritual life and blessing.
He identifies His followers as the branches and gives us a command: To Abide in Him.
“Abide” translates the Greek word MENO and means: to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy…
While the idea of staying put seems passive in nature it is here an active command. Believers are to be actively remaining, or abiding, in Christ. The most important thing in the life of any branch is clinging to the life-giving vine, so believers in Jesus Christ are to be actively clinging to Him as our continual source of spiritual life.
Abiding – not human effort – is the source of true spiritual growth and productivity – as Christ would say in verse 5:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”