Growing as a Christian

II Pet 1:5-10

Character v5-7• Commencement (Faith)

– Foundation• Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for

he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• We must trust in God and His Word• Courage (Virtue)

– Stand for what is right-----must be firm• Paul

– Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

– 1Co 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

• Peter– Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and

said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Character • Comprehension (Knowledge)

– Not head knowledge---life knowledge• Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and

with all thy getting get understanding. – Spiritual discernment

• Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

• Control (Temperance)

– Being able to live in the world but not of the world---to hold oneself in– Discipline

• Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

• God is not a play toy (Gal 6:7-8)----do what you want and repent (I John 2:1-2)

Character• Commitment (Patience)

– Not waiting----but enduring– We must be committed to the cause of Christ

• 1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. • Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before

it hated you. • Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:

but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. – Are you a casual Christian or a committed Christian?

• Conformity (Godliness)

– We must change our lives • Let Jesus be the pattern for our lives (I Pet 2:21)---WWJD!• Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until

Christ be formed in you---means to morph– Strive to be God like at all times

• Read Matt 5:38-48

Character• Connection (Brotherly Kindness)

– Our relationship with one another is important• Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,

and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

• David and Jonathan (1Sa 18:1)• 1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood• 1Pe 1:22• 1Jn 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. • Charity

– This is the greatest of all• 1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the

greatest of these is charity. – Our love for humanity must be present and sincere

• Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

– 1Co 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Contract v8-9• Positive v8• Negative v9

Contingency v10• Continue v10a• Cease v10b