2 Peter . 1: 1 – 4

Text: His divine Power has given us everything we need…through OUR KNOWLEDGE of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (v.3)

Introduction:
The emphasis here today is on Knowledge.
We read in John 8:31 that we shall know the truth and thereby be set free.  In John 14:6 Jesus told us that He’s the...truth…
This follows that our knowledge is so very important

I.Our Relationship with Christ
From Peter, the writer of this letter, we understand our relationship with Christ, knowledge of which helps us to be able to handle all other areas of our life and ministry very well. What does Peter mean by calling himself a SERVANT of JESUS?
a. The slave was owned by his mater; he was totally possessed by his master. This is what Peter meant.  Peter was purchased and possessed by Christ. Christ had looked upon him and had seen his degraded and needful condition. And when Christ looked, the most wonderful thing happened: Christ loved him and bought him; therefore, he was mow the possession of Christ
b. The slave existed for his master and he had no other reason for existence.  He had no personal rights whatsoever.  The same was true with Peter: he existed only for Christ. His rights were the rights of Christ only.
c. The slave served his master and he existed only for the purpose of service. He was at the master’s disposal any hour of the day.  So it was with Peter: he lived only to serve Christ – hour by hour and day by day.
d. The slave’s will belonged to his master.  He was allowed no will and no ambition other than the will and ambition of the master. He was completely sub-servient to the Master and owed total obedience to the will of the master. Peter belonged to Christ.
e. There is a fifth and most precious thing that Peter meant by “a slave of Jesus Christ”.  He meant that he had the highest and most honored and kingly profession in all the world.  Men of God, the greatest men of history, have always been called the servants of God.  It was the highest title of honor. The believer’s slavery to Jesus Christ is no cringing, cowardly, shameful subjection.  It is the position of honor-the honor that bestows upon a man the privileges and responsibilities of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Not only did he call/identify himself as a servant of Jesus, he’s writing to those (we) who have received a faith as precious as theirs, such that we may received the needed grace for our life journey, which only comes through our knowledge

II. Knowledge Liberates
Yes, knowledge liberates and lack of it enslaves, impoverishes or even kills
When John 8:32 says we shall know the truth and it shall set us free, how has knowledge or lack of it affected people

1. Hagar (21: 14 – 20)
She and her son Ishmael was sent out of home
She wandered in the desert
The water given at home got finished
She began to cry, not willing to see the boy die of hunger and thirst
God showed her a well of water
Note: God OPENED her eyes
That is, the well water had been there, only she did not know it How impoverished we could be for lack of knowledge of God’s prevision for us

2. Jacob (Gen. 28:10 – 17)
In his wilderness experience, Jacob got to Luz
He didn’t know that the place was the presence of God
“Surely the Lord is in this place…”
But he did not know it, “and I was not aware of it
Note: Our ignorance of the provisions of God cannot make God a liar
Do you know that?
Angels of God were even there to minister to him
In his dream, the angels of God were ascending and descending (read v.12)
Meaning what?
Angels of God are right there with him
They are connected with heaven
Carrying your burdens to heaven
Bringing grace down to you
Hence where you are (even here, your house, office, market, school, farm, even the darkest place) God is there
Hence, no arm of the enemy shall be able to touch you

3. Elisha Surrounded By Hoses and Chariots of Fire ( 2 Kings 6: 8 – 17)

War between the Arameans and the Israelites
The Aramean king sent his own force to Israel.  Elisha’s servant was afraid by  what he saw. He didn’t see the greater army of God around their tent.
Elisha prayed that his eyes be opened to see the horses and chariots of fire
Know this:
In the face of every and any battle, “those who are with us (you) are more than those who are with them (your enemies)
Please bear in mind, when the battles of life seem fiercer, know that the Lord is near you and such battles can never over power you.

4. The Widow’s Oil ( 2 Kings 4: 1 – 7)
The widow didn’t know the gravity or the greatness of her “little oil”
She did not know the power of her neighbours
She did not know the great potentials in her sons
She did not know that God can bring something out of nothing
But thank God, she knew the man of God
She knew the way to get to him
She knew she had a little oil
She knew she must tell the man of God the truth
She knew that she needed to report back to the man of God who said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts.
Somebody said wealth is on Nigeria’s streets but Nigerians don’t see it.  How true!

5. David’s Letter To Kill Uriah (2 Samuel 11:11-17)
King David wanted cover his sin of adultery
Uriah refused all the hypocritical advances of David
King David sent a letter to Joab in he hands of Uriah
Uriah didn’t know the letter he delivered was his death warrant
Joab carried out King David’s instruction
Uriah was put in the battle front where he was killed
Uriah carried his own death letter without knowing

Conclusion:
The point we are making today is, you can never operate outside or beyond your knowledge.  Your relationship with God depends on your knowledge of Him
The way you access his blessings on your life and situations depends on your knowledge of his provisions
So as said earlier:
1. Knowledge liberates us from error (John 8:31 – 32)
2. Knowledge gives to us what God has (2 Peter 1:3)
3. Knowledge leads us to eternal life ( John 17:3)
4. Knowledge establishes us in God’s will ( Gen. 37: 6 – 11)
5. Knowledge prevents us form  snares that will lead us against God (Gen. 39:6-9)
6. Knowledge helps us to keep our holiness in this sinful world ( 1 Cor. 6:15 & 19
7. Knowledge keeps us victorious always (Rm.8:28; 1 John 5: 4 & 5)
Do you know all this?
Will you like to operate at this level?
Remember Jesus said “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”. (John 13:17)