Temple Baptist Church - 11-13-2022
2 Peter 1:5-7
Introduction:
A. This morning, I want to preach part 2 in the mini-series “Three Sevens In The Christian Life”.
B. In Part 1, we saw “Seven Things God Left The Saints.” Seven wonderful things! These seven things accompany our salvation and are freely given to us when we get saved. God is so good to His children and many times we take these blessings for granted with the world’s entitlement mindset.
C. This morning, I want to look at the second of the sevens mentioned in this chapter. “Seven Things We Are To Add To Our Faith”
D. Salvation is free but sanctification is something that we, in our love for Him, give back. The Bible defines sanctification as “your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
E. I believe that we should be as excited about the 7 things that we are to give to God as we are with the 7 things that God gave to us. Though we are saved by grace and not by works, good works should follow salvation. Our text says that we are to add to our faith.
F. Saving faith will get you to heaven but it will not influence anyone else to want to go with you without seeing a difference.
1. Paul speaks of a faith without works being a form of godliness that denies the power thereof and that power is the power of change. Paul gives a list that fits today’s “Christianity” well. 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2. James said that faith without works was dead faith. James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
G. Peter gives us 7 things in verses 5-7 that we have a responsibility to add to our foundation of faith. These are noteworthy because of their importance in our being salt and light in this present evil world that we live in. God has given us the ability to add these things.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
H. They will make our lives different from the masses of humanity that surround us. They will give us a godly testimony as we witness to these masses of humanity that surround us;
J. Here they are, a very simple list.
1. Virtue – moral excellence or standard of right. Virtue is inward which produces virtuous which is outward.
a. Virtue in our actions. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
b. Virtue in our associations. John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (19) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
2. Knowledge – spiritual truth. We are to study and rightly divided the Word of Truth.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
a. A lack of knowledge destroys us. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
b. A love of knowledge grows us. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
3. Temperance – self-control. Our passions, out appetites, our actions.
a. Because God sees us! 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
b. Because the world sees us! Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
4. Patience – quality in endurance. The Christian’s prayer: “Lord, give me patience right now.”
a. Patience in our trials. Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
b. Patience in our disappoints and discouragements. Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
5. Godliness – the divine attribute of being Christ like. I find it of interest that the Bible differentiates between virtue and godliness. A lost person can be virtuous but only the child of God can be godly.
a. Godly inside. 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
b. Godly outside. 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
6. Brotherly Kindness – treating your brother as you would have your brother treat you.
a. Brotherly Kindness should be our priority. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
b. Brotherly Kindness should be our pleasure. 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (17) But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
7. Charity – love for the brethren. Once more we find a differentiation between to similar statements or words. You can be kind to the brethren and not love them right.
a. Charity, one of the three remaining gifts. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
b. Charity, the greatest gift. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Conclusion: Along with our salvation comes our responsibility and obligations. We are in the world, but it is a certainty that we are not to be of the world.
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