1. “Getting Ready” 2 Peter 3:14-18 March 28, 2010

2. Ephesians 5:27 “And to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

3. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

4. I. Make every effort to be diligent (14-15a) Make every effort to be found spotless. Make every effort to be found spotless. The Lord wants to present us to the Father without blemish. The Lord wants to present us to the Father without blemish. He wants us to be blameless. He wants us to be blameless. Make every effort to be at peace with God. Make every effort to be at peace with God. We have peace with God because we are justified by faith. We have peace with God because we are justified by faith. Peace is interrupted when we do things that displease God. Peace is interrupted when we do things that displease God.

5. II. Make every effort to avoid distortion (15b-16) Paul instructed on these matters. Paul instructed on these matters. His writings were widely read in the first century. His writings were widely read in the first century. His writings were far from “simplistic.” His writings were far from “simplistic.” Some have misused Scriptures and distorted their meaning. Some have misused Scriptures and distorted their meaning. Not grounded in Biblical teaching Not grounded in Biblical teaching Have been led astray and lead others astray Have been led astray and lead others astray

6. III. Make every effort to be determined (17) It is important to be on guard. It is important to be on guard. We have been amply warned. We have been amply warned. We would be irresponsible to ignore warnings. We would be irresponsible to ignore warnings. It is important to be able to identify error. It is important to be able to identify error. It is imperative that we study the Scriptures for ourselves. It is imperative that we study the Scriptures for ourselves. It is critical that we do not swallow everything we hear. It is critical that we do not swallow everything we hear.

7. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

8. IV. Make every effort to develop (18) We need to grow. We need to grow. Grow in grace Grow in grace Grow in knowledge Grow in knowledge When we grow we glorify God. When we grow we glorify God. We glorify Him in this life. We glorify Him in this life. We will glorify Him for ever and ever. We will glorify Him for ever and ever.

9. NEXT STEPS Will you make every effort to be diligent for the Lord’s return? Will you make every effort to be diligent for the Lord’s return? What is one thing you start doing to be more diligent? What is one thing you start doing to be more diligent? Will you make every effort to avoid distortion of God’s Word? Will you make every effort to avoid distortion of God’s Word? How can you avoid listening to teaching that is not Biblically based? How can you avoid listening to teaching that is not Biblically based?

10. Next Steps Will you make every effort to be determined not to be carried away by error? Will you make every effort to be determined not to be carried away by error? What will you do when you sense the Holy Spirit “checking” your spirit when you hear something that does not ring true? What will you do when you sense the Holy Spirit “checking” your spirit when you hear something that does not ring true?

11. Next Steps Will you make every effort to develop your spiritual life? Will you make every effort to develop your spiritual life? What can you do to grow in grace? What can you do to grow in grace? What can you do to grow in knowledge? What can you do to grow in knowledge? How are you glorifying God in this life? How are you glorifying God in this life?