Our Spiritual Appetite

Our Spiritual Appetite

2003017

Subject: spiritual growth

Introduction:

A. 1 Pet. 1:22 – those to whom Peter’s letter had been addressed were reminded they had purified their so8uls through obedience to the truth.

1. 1:23 – born again…through the enduring word of God.

2. They had become God’s children.

B. Because of being a part of God’s family – their spiritual appetite was to change – for the better.

1. The life of a Christian should stand in sharp contrast to the person in the world.

2. This contrast has to begin somewhere – and he instructs them accordingly in 2:2-3

C. Christians ARE expected to grow. A proper appetite is necessary for good strong growth.

1. 2 Pet. 3:18

2. Col. 2:6-7

D. Where are our priorities? How is our appetite? Are we hungry for spiritual growth?

1. Yes…we’re busy! Yes…there’s not much time to “balance it all out!”

2. Yes…we have the best of intentions. Yes…we’re going to “get around to it…” (but then never do)

E. How can I increase my appetite for spiritual things?

1. By decreasing my appetite for the things I engaged in before becoming a Christian!

2. This expressed in 2:1

I. They were to lay aside all malice.

A. Malice – “badness in quality”

1. ASV: “wickedness” here.

2. Thayer: malignity; malice; ill-will; desire to injure.

3. Wickedness; depravity; evil; trouble

B. This appetite is deadly! It only gives the devil an opportunity to work against us and impede our spiritual progress.

II. They were to lay aside all guile.

A. Thayer: guile means “craft; deceit; & guile.”

1. Literally…to bait, snare, or to exhibit craftiness.

2. We’re to put such attitudes away!

B. Remember…we’re to be like Jesus! 2 :21-22; John 1:47

C. Possession of this kind of spirit – TOTALLY incompatible to be a Christian – 1 Pet. 3:10

III. They were to lay aside their appetite for hypocrisies.

A. Hypocrisy nothing more than play-acting or pretending.

B. We are to be real & genuine.

1. Gal. 3:26-27 – clothe yourself in Christ.

2. He should be seen in us! Mt. 5:14-16. We are a reflection of Him!

D. Hypocrisy is a detestable thing.

1. No one likes one.

2. Mt. 23:1-3

E. And yet…we fall prey to this so easily. Easy to hold others to a higher standard than self.

1. We need to get busy serving God. Living UP to the standard our selves.

IV. They were to lay aside envy.

A. This is the feeling of displeasure over the success or prosperity of others.

1. People of the world feast on this!

2. Contrast this to Phil. 2:3-4

B. Confusion and every evil work follow envy – Js. 3:14-15

C. Must be laid aside.

V. They were to lay aside evil speaking.

A. Ill will expressed here. Same word translated “back biting” in 2 Cor. 12:20.

1. Word also used in 1 Pet. 2:12 in describing the behavior of those not Christians.

2. See also Eph. 4:30-31. This kind of stuff grieves the Holy Spirit.

B. This is something we cannot tolerate. Can’t put up with it.

1. Some: “well…that’s just the way I am.” Like it’s a “badge of honor…”

2. Must be laid aside to be pleasing to Christ.

VI. We must adopt a taste for the milk of the word.

A. The things we have discussed to this point are nothing more than “fleshly lusts.” 1 Pet. 2:11

1. They war against the soul. We’re in a battle. Fought daily.

B. 2:2 – must have a taste for better things as Christians!

1. Shouldn’t we desire these things more?

C. Jesus mentions the importance of desire – Mt. 5:6 Where is our desire?

1. We’ll become so much better when we focus on our spiritual needs – Phil. 4:8

2. It must become the most important thing in life! GOTTA have it!

3. Think of OT attitudes: Psa. 119:97-98; 103-104; Psa. 1:1-6

Conclusion:

A. Is it time for examination w/you?

B. What do you hunger/thirst after?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Our Spiritual Appetite 2003017 Subject: spiritual growth Introduction: A. 1 Pet. 1:22 – those to whom Peter’s letter had been addressed were reminded they had purified their so8uls through obedience to the truth. 1. 1:23 – born again…through the enduring word of God. 2. They had become God’s children. B. Because of being a part of God’s family – their spiritual appetite was to change – for the better. 1. The life of a Christian should stand in sharp contrast to the person in the world. 2. This contrast has to begin somewhere – and he instructs them accordingly in 2:2-3 C. Christians ARE expected to grow. A proper appetite is necessary for good strong growth. 1. 2 Pet. 3:18 2. Col. 2:6-7 D. Where are our priorities? How is our appetite? Are we hungry for spiritual growth? 1. Yes…we’re busy! Yes…there’s not much time to “balance it all out!” 2. Yes…we have the best of intentions. Yes…we’re going to “get around to it…” (but then never do) E. How can I increase my appetite for spiritual things? 1. By decreasing my appetite for the things I engaged in before becoming a Christian! 2. This expressed in 2:1 I. They were to lay aside all malice. A. Malice – “badness in quality” 1. ASV: “wickedness” here. 2. Thayer: malignity; malice; ill-will; desire to injure. 3. Wickedness; depravity; evil; trouble B. This appetite is deadly! It only gives the devil an opportunity to work against us and impede our spiritual progress. II. They were to lay aside all guile. A. Thayer: guile means “craft; deceit; & guile.” 1. Literally…to bait, snare, or to exhibit craftiness. 2. We’re to put such attitudes away! B. Remember…we’re to be like Jesus! 2 :21-22; John 1:47 C. Possession of this kind of spirit – TOTALLY incompatible to be a Christian – 1 Pet. 3:10 III. They were to lay aside their appetite for hypocrisies. A. Hypocrisy nothing more than play-acting or pretending. B. We are to be real & genuine. 1. Gal. 3:26-27 – clothe yourself in Christ. 2. He should be seen in us! Mt. 5:14-16. We are a reflection of Him! D. Hypocrisy is a detestable thing. 1. No one likes one. 2. Mt. 23:1-3 E. And yet…we fall prey to this so easily. Easy to hold others to a higher standard than self. 1. We need to get busy serving God. Living UP to the standard our selves. IV. They were to lay aside envy. A. This is the feeling of displeasure over the success or prosperity of others. 1. People of the world feast on this! 2. Contrast this to Phil. 2:3-4 B. Confusion and every evil work follow envy – Js. 3:14-15 C. Must be laid aside. V. They were to lay aside evil speaking. A. Ill will expressed here. Same word translated “back biting” in 2 Cor. 12:20. 1. Word also used in 1 Pet. 2:12 in describing the behavior of those not Christians. 2. See also Eph. 4:30-31. This kind of stuff grieves the Holy Spirit. B. This is something we cannot tolerate. Can’t put up with it. 1. Some: “well…that’s just the way I am.” Like it’s a “badge of honor…” 2. Must be laid aside to be pleasing to Christ. VI. We must adopt a taste for the milk of the word. A. The things we have discussed to this point are nothing more than “fleshly lusts.” 1 Pet. 2:11 1. They war against the soul. We’re in a battle. Fought daily. B. 2:2 – must have a taste for better things as Christians! 1. Shouldn’t we desire these things more? C. Jesus mentions the importance of desire – Mt. 5:6 Where is our desire? 1. We’ll become so much better when we focus on our spiritual needs – Phil. 4:8 2. It must become the most important thing in life! GOTTA have it! 3. Think of OT attitudes: Psa. 119:97-98; 103-104; Psa. 1:1-6 Conclusion: A. Is it time for examination w/you? B. What do you hunger/thirst after? C. I N V I T A T I O N