Jen Ervig is sitting in for Erica this week! Sit back and soak in a week long series on what it takes to live for Christ… Do we have it or don’t we? Because isn’t that the question that plays on repeat in our minds so often as Christ followers? Do I have what it takes to follow Jesus? We have good news for you, and it starts with reading 2 Peter 1:1-4!
Show Notes:
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- Book: Help! I’m Saved
- Who Is Jesus? Let us introduce you!
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Transcription:
Guest Host: Jennifer Ervig
Hello all. I’m Jen, author of ‘Help! I’m Saved’, and buddy of my friend, and yours, Erica. I want to thank her for trusting me with sharing the Bible with you busy people on this amazing podcast, and today we’re going to start with a week long series on what it takes to live for Christ. Do we have it or don’t we? Because isn’t that the question that plays on repeat in our minds so often as Christ followers? Do I have what it takes to follow Jesus? I have good news for you, and it starts with reading 2 Peter 1:1-4,
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…
By the way, I love that this is written by Peter. That’s going to be special to us as we visit a subsequent podcast in this series this week. Peter’s a great guy and he’s full of chutzpah. I also love that word. Chutzpah is a Yiddish word that comes from Hebrew, and its meaning is usually defined by a series of synonyms, including nerve, gaul, audacity, supreme self-confidence and conspicuous boldness. And boy did Peter have chutzpah. But he didn’t always have enough to stand for Jesus until the Holy Spirit empowered him. But like I said, more on that later, for now, some truth bombs of encouragement from Peter. So here we go again.
Simon 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:
That means, this message, what he’s about to share is for all of us that are now a part of God’s family after saying the sinner’s prayer, he goes on.
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Now, pause. When you read through the knowledge, I want you to know that that simply means getting to know God. Okay. So abundant grace and peace to you as you get to know Jesus.
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
If you’re a note taker or a Bible highlighter and you’re not driving right now, please underline or highlight the words, divine power, everything, and knowledge.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Right from the get go, I want to back up and remind you that 2 Corinthians (11) says,
For we are not ignorant of his schemes.
This means that we won’t be taken advantage of by the enemy because we are well aware of his schemes, and we know that one of his schemes is to try to infiltrate our minds. He gets in our heads with lies to derail us from mission. We tell ourselves in moments of letting God down or not meeting the standards of perfection that we’ve set up for ourselves. “Ah geez, I’ve blown it. I obviously don’t have what it takes,” but Peter is telling us truth to combat that he says,
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him.
Let’s dissect that simple sentence for a minute. His divine power. What is his divine power? Well, I’ll tell you this. It’s the very spirit of God that lives in you. The same powerful spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That power Peter says has given us everything we need to live a godly life. Everything means we lack nothing. We have enough. We’re fully equipped, and it comes through the knowledge of his glory and goodness. In other words, it comes through getting to know Him, becoming intimately acquainted with Him, becoming precious friends with Jesus. Peter encourages us after blessing us with peace and grace, which again he says, comes to us through getting to know Jesus, that God’s divine power, that same power that raised Christ from the dead, wow. Nothing can stand against or be a power like that. That power gives us all we need to live a God life here and now. We’re going to take a deeper look at all that entails tomorrow, but for today, hold that sweet promise and take it with you throughout the day. You are fully equipped to live for Jesus by his divine power that comes through getting to know Him, the friendship you build with him.
Thank you for making time for the Bible for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God… I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find, and thrive, in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.
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