Sunday School
May 14, 2023
Equipped With Hope
​(2 Peter 1:4-14)

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Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America

16705 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio  44112
(216)   692-0016


​Email: faithcpca@gmail.com
​Rev. Dr. Anthony Johnson, Pastor
Elder Greg Scruggs, Church Clerk

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Equipped With Hope
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(2 Peter 1:4-14)
 
This week’s lesson brings professors of faith into the spotlight. Is your living reflecting a lasting hope in Jesus Christ? Peter clarifies the truth of faith: true saints are armed to hope because God’s divine nature dwells within. Saints are recipients of forgiveness of sins, answered prayers, indwelling Holy Spirit, eternal life, and much more. Armed with these spiritual resources, how can saints neglect to grow in godliness? God delivered on His promises, and now saints must do their part in applying them. What role do saints play in validating their salvation? Can saints know they are saved? Is there evidence?
 
In our Text, Peter answers these questions, and awakens the hearts of saints spiritual truth; Peter teaches spiritual doctrine as saints grow weary in faith, and are at risk of abandoning eternal truth as persecutions mount; Peter clarifies character of eternal life.
 
First, saints are recipients of God’s divine nature and promises; saints are divinely armed to live soberly in the world; having God’s divine nature means salvation is more than our assenting the factual knowledge of faith; true saints’ daily life will result in holy living.
 
Second, saints are to exhibit divine qualities (virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and charity), which reflects the very character of God; understand, true saints will have these qualities; maturing in these qualities does not occur overnight.
 
Third, saints are bound to “make sure” their calling by yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit empowers saints to live godly, imparting power to forsake sin; when saints are devoted to obeying God, assurance of belonging to God is established.
 
Fourth, saints are urged to strive for godliness; in doing so, saints ensure their calling, and become effective ministers for edifying the body of Christ, and saving the lost.
 
Fifth, saints must edify one another in the truth of faith and godliness; after all, saints are subject to get tired and weak, waiver, and backslide, in the heat of persecution.
 
My friends, God equipped His saints with an unfailing hope. Let us not take our salvation for granted, being spiritually lax in love and ministry, or becoming idle in bearing spiritual fruit in the building of God’s Kingdom; our hope is to flourish and thrive; God be praised!
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Stay Blessed in Christ,

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Rev. Dr. Anthony W. Johnson
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