Attaining the Knowledge of Christ
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: II Peter 1:1-4
I. Christianity is the life of following Christ
A. To follow anyone, you need to know who you are following
B. Jesus prayed that his followers would know the only true God and His Son - John 17:3
1. He told his disciples that if they knew Jesus, then they would know the Father as well - John 14:6-11
2. That is because Jesus is the expressed image of God - Colossians 1:15
3. He is the exact representation of God’s nature - Hebrews 1:3
4. The light of God’s glory is seen in the knowledge of His Son - II Corinthians 4:6
C. Thus, it is essential for Christians to attain the knowledge of Christ - Ephesians 4:13
1. It is why Jesus came into this world - I John 5:20
2. It is worth more than anything in this world - Philippians 3:8
3. Unity in love results in a full assurance of the knowledge of Christ - Colossians 2:2
D. The Greek word epignosis (ep-ig’-no-sis) means to be thoroughly acquainted, to know accurately, or to know well.
II. Grace and peace is multiplied - II Peter 1:2
A. A common Hebrew greeting was to wish another peace - I Samuel 25:5-6; Luke 10:5
B. A common Greek greeting was say “rejoice” or “greetings” - Luke 1:28; Matthew 28:9
C. Paul and Peter often started their letters with both greetings, showing a unity of Jews and Greeks under God.
D. But II Peter 1:2 says that these greetings and what they wish for are multiplied in the knowledge of Christ
1. All experience God’s favor to some degree - Matthew 5:45
2. But in Christ we experience the fullness of God’s favor - Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:6-7
III. Gives us everything we need for live and godliness - II Peter 1:3
A. “Life” refers to the things we need to know to live life properly
B. “Godliness” refers to how we can live more like God (God likeness)
C. The knowledge of Christ changes us and improves our outlook - II Peter 1:4
1. Precious and Magnificent Promises
a. Make certain of his calling by practicing the things we learn - II Peter 1:10-11
b. We anticipate with joy what comes next - II Timothy 4:6-8
2. Partakers of the Divine Nature
a. We can become like Christ. How? - II Peter 1:5-8
b. These are the qualities we need to develop to have knowledge of Christ
c. These qualities make us useful in the knowledge of Christ
3. Having escaped the corruption of lust
a. It is through these qualities that we remember and don’t lose sight of the fact that we were purified from sin - II Peter 1:9
(1) Our objective is to become like Christ - Romans 8:29
(2) Renewed according to the image of Christ - Colossians 3:9-11
b. And as the next verse tells us, we won’t stumble
(1) “stumble” means to fall into misery, to become wretched
(2) Thus, we don’t fall so far into despair that give up our salvation
IV. Are you growing in the knowledge of Christ?
A. Does it show in the way you live?
B. There is an opportunity today to start on the path of salvation.
based on a lesson by Mark Copeland
