1. Partakers Of The Divine Nature 2 Peter 1:1-4

2. In the Previous Sermon We saw how God is holy. Because: o He is perfect (doesn’t sin): we do. o What He does is holy. o How He does them is employed in a holy way.

3. God Desires Us To Be Partakers of the Divine Nature

4. God’s Desire… To take a vile sinner and make him like Him. o We’re ALL wicked. Rom. 3:9-10; Eph. 2:4-5a o But, God wants us to be holy – like Him – and accomplishes His desire by grace… through faith. Eph. 2:8 Let’s look at the process (of conversion) to accomplish God’s desire for us.

5. We Become… The Lord saves the lost and brings them into his heavenly kingdom. Acts 2:47 Synonymously, the newly saved become children of God! Rom. 8:14-15 As sons of God – we are “gifted” with His (Holy) Spirit. Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:9-11

6. In Christ There Is No Sin To be clear: Christians still sin. 1 Jn. 1:7-9 Because God has given us His Spirit as a guarantee (2 Co. 1:22), those in Christ do not have their sins counted against them. 1 Jn. 3:5; Rom. 3:21-27

7. …Partakers Thus, by the power of God, we can live like God. Matt. 5:48 That means what we do and how will be holy. Rom. 12:1-2 ; Phil. 2:12-13

8. The Divine Nature Unconverted: wicked; fleshly. Ps. 82 Converted: holy; divine. 2 Pet. 1:3-4 o We can love like God. Matt. 5:43-47 o We’re able to give up our lives. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:3-8; 1 Cor. 13:8 o Not only will we live like God, but we’ll also die like his son! Rom. 8:14-17, 18-19

9. Therefore, Be Diligent Brethren Add to your faith – that you may ever increase your partaking of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:5-8