ADD - ADD - ADD
April 24, 2005 PM
Sermon Outline
2 PET 1:5-7
INTRO: In 1 Pet 2:2 Peter wrote, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. He understood and encouraged spiritual growth. He recognized that the world and its attractions and persecution with its discouragements were a real threat to immature Christians. In the second letter he has stressed a deeper knowledge. He has spoken of the divine nature which clearly separates us form the corruption in the world. Then he proceeds to urde adding - another clear reference to growth.
I. THE NEED OF DISCIPLESHIP? GROW (EQUIP)
A. Note 1 Cor 13:11 - ...but when I became a man...
1. here is a subtle way of saying, Youve not grown as you should
2. in the absence of growth, maturity? often there is division
3. old habits die hard - and this church had not grown beyond the habits of its past
B. Or Gal 5:7 - ...who did hinder you...
1. in Gal 4:19 he is having birth pains again for them
2. coming into Gods grace, one must grow in grace
3. and, apparently, failing to grow is not all that rare in disciples
C. Eph 4:15 - Here is the need - ...grow up into him in all things...
1. it will keep Christians stable - settled (cf. v. 14a)
2. it will assist Christians with discerning (cf. v. 14b)
3. it will strengthen the body, the church (cf. v. 16)
II. THE SPIRIT OF DISCIPLESHIP? DILIGENCE!
A. What does it mean?
1. painstaking, eager, earnest, careful, urgent
2. a diligent person has desire to do; is careful about the doing, gets on with the doing
B. Heb 6:11,12 - A comparison?
1. diligence versus slothfulness
2. only by diligence does one inherit the promises!
3. compare Heb 2:1,2 - ...give the more earnest heed...
4. or, Phil 3:14 - I press... - here is diligence
III. THE NEEDED QUALITIES?
A. And beside this...
1. he refers back to all things pertaining to life, godliness
2. he refers back to precious promises which are formative
3. he refers back to the divine nature
4. the following things, things to add, enhance, reflect the divine nature
B. Begin with faith (Rom 10:17)
1. conviction about truth
2. everything in growth goes back to this (Heb 11:1)
C. Virtue
1. excellence - courage (Ps 31:24)
2. faith does not retire - it goes forward in a life devoted to God; unafraid, unashamed of Whose I am
D. Knowledge
1. knowledge, obviously, of Gods word and will
2. knowledge is essential for discernment, deciding, acting in faith
E. Temperance
1. here is self control - self mastery
2. mastery of desires, passions - Gal 5:23 (a fruit of the spirit)
F. Patience
1. steadfastness - endurance - courageous acceptance
2. Heb 12:2 - ...endured... - the event He endured was another step of progress
G. Godliness
1. piety with reference to both God and man
2. religion in the practical aspects of worship, service
H. Brotherly kindness
1. this is philadelphia - brotherly affection
2. thus, care for, concern for others - discipleship is relationships, not monasticism
I. Charity (love)
1. this love extends beyond brotherly love
2. so, Mt 5:43-45
CLOSE: These virtues equip us for day to day life - for the totality of lifes challenges and choices. Indeed, they do contribute to our being holy people ... saints!
Cecil A. Hutson
April 24, 2005