PETER GIVES TO US AN INESCAPABLE ULTIMATUM! WE MUST BEWARE OF FALLING, AND DELIBERATELY GROW!

1. Peter reminded his readers of the great facts of Eschatology- end of the age, sequence time
2. He warned them about being led away by wickedness, & urged them to grow in Grace & Knowledge
3. But we are the ones to see the "end of the age", and this is even more for us than them!

Let us read, beware, & determine to grow! The way to grow is spelled out in Scripture

I. - BEWARE LEST YE FALL ! II Pet. 3:17 a,b

Bible preachers have always warned, & men have ignored & fallen in easier days- but NOW-end!

A.- PETER WARNS US INDIRECTLY NOT TO CHANCE TAXING GOD'S WONDERFUL LONGSUFFERING - v.9-10

1. We today see the awful destructive forces of fiery atoms & Laser beams- super nova of sun
2. When Jeane Dixon writes, people grow fearful; University scholars take leap of faith-fear
3. The awful powers of Anti-Christ are ready to fall- But God is holding them back-for YOU!?

B.- PETER WARNS US NOT TO BE LED AWAY WITH THE ERROR OF THE WICKED - v.17

1. Moral restraints are down today- nothing to hold up YOU but YOUR OWN PURPOSE- watch out.
2. False teachers were led astray by their wicked lusts- II Pet 2:143,14 -eyes full of adultery
3. If you allow "World, Flesh,& Devil" will entrap you, & cause you to fall into terrible sin

C.- PETER PLEADS "DO NOT FALL FROM YOUR OWN STEADFASTNESS" V.17c - AND WE MUST TAKE CARE

1. Make sure you are saved- The only ones that can fall are those climbing-can't fall from Hell
2. If you know these things- v.17a- there is no excuse for you being careless & falling!
3. With Many witnesses- Heb 12, and power of Resurrection- I Cor 15-be steadfast- v.58

The advantage of being in church -like Mountain climbing roped to experts- will keep you from falling.

II.- BUT GROW IN GRACE ! II Pet 3:18a

Not mountain climbing -but carried up in chair lift- secure, safe, carried by God's grace!

A.- WHAT IS GRACE? GRACE IS GOD'S WAY OF SALVATION, AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN!

1. "For by Grace are ye saved through faith"-Eph 2:8,9 Grace is something God does through you
2. And we receive of His fullness, Grace for Grace - John 1:16,17 -One mercy builds on another
3. God's grace is what makes us "accepted in the beloved"- Eph 1:6 -unmerited mercy-God's love

B.- GRACE IS NOT ONLY GOD'S WAY OF SALVATION, IT IS ALSO OUR OWNLY WAY OF LIFE AND SERVICE.

1. We are no longer under the law- Romans 6:14- a mystery; law is not done away with, fulfilled
2. Because we are free-- we can grow, unencumbered by our weight of sin- Rom 6:22 free -fruit
3. We are no longer under the law- Gal 5:4, 13-14 -given position above the law in Love!

C.- GRACE IS GOD'S WAY OF LIFTING YOU ONE LEVEL AT A TIME TO PERFECTION ACCEPT IT!

1. Even our ministry is according to the Grace given unto us- Rom 12:6- so trust God-be yourself
2. It is God's grace that makes us what we are- & so Paul- I Cor 15:10- so trust in His grace!
3. When in great stress or disappointment- II Cor 12:9-10-"My grace is sufficient" rejoice in it

And my own life verse- II Tim 2:1 B Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus"- trust Him

III.- AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD II Pet 3:18b

Grace is God's gift; Knowledge we work for -We are in an age of Super Smarties-& Know nothing

A.- WE MUST START WITH THE FIRM KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOUR - WE CAN KNOW WE ARE SAVED

1. I John 5:13- written so that you can KNOW that you have eternal life! Not guess, but Know!
2. II Tim 1:12- Paul rejoiced in "I know whom I have believed"-written in song! make sure!
3. I Cor 2:2 - And as far as the confusion & gossip of world-"know nothing but Christ crucified"

B.- A CHRISTIAN IS TO GROW IN HIS KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST ! 18b

1. Phil 3:7-10, 13,14 gives us Paul's compelling drive! Let curiosity drive you this direction
2. Eph 3:16-19 -to Know the love of Christ- which passeth knowledge -This is a challenge-
3. In this area of Knowledge- you can dig deeply into hidden wisdom, study, experiment, search

C.- BUT THIS KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS MUST BE FOUNDED DEEPLY IN HIS WORD, NOT ON MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES

1. You cannot know Jesus apart from the discipline of His Word- False christs - Matt 7.23 & Christ says, Never Knew You
2. We must strive for knowledge of His Will,& increasing in Knowledge of God -Col 1:9,10
3. Use the agencies of the Church, use your own imagination, use every idle moment-to Know Him

And someday when we see Him We shall know as we are known!- I Cor. 13:12 -of His Grace-
But until then- Let's hit THE BOOK, and Study to know God, & His will!

BUT MANY IN OUR AGE WILL FALL, FOR THEY WILL NOT KNOW HOW TO REST IN GRACE, NOR GROW IN KNOWLEDGE

1. You can't be saved unless you are willing will you accept God's Grace now! trust it?
2. You can't grow in Knowledge without conscious effort- take time in the Word!
3. It helps to join the church-where you are schooled in grace & knowledge- & be faithful