7 Ways To Increase Your Faith

3.08.2009 Sermon

By William Akehurst, HSWC

Increasing and Adding to our faith

Peter’s letters, 1st and 2nd as we struggle and suffer as Christians, Peter’s words are to encourage us that we remain steadfast and strong in our faith.

His faith was strong even to his death. Lets listen to what he instructs us, regarding our faith.

Luke 17:5 Increase our faith

2 Peter 1:1-14

2 Peter 1:5-7 Adding to our faith

Peter

Drama: The Living Lord’s Supper (staged as the picture by Leonardo da Vinci) I played the part of Peter. He is my favorite disciple, as I was most like him.

Peter lived a rough and tough life.

He was a fisherman, a sailor, if you will. Probably swore like one too.

Jesus told him to cast out his net on the other side of the boat and Peter caught so many fish that the boat began to sink.

Luke5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

When Jesus asked the disciples, who do you say that I am

Matthew 16:15-18

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter the rock, from a sinful swearing sailor, to a fisher of men, a preacher and founder of the church.

Peter’s letters, 1st and 2nd as we struggle and suffer as Christians, Peter’s words are to encourage us that we remain steadfast and strong in our faith.

His faith was strong even to his death. Lets listen to what he instructs us, regarding our faith.

2 Peter 1:1-14

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

DILIGENCE, we are to be meticulous to our faith.

Instruction toward diligence, or due diligence.

Wikipedia

Due Diligence is a term used by business regarding the performance of an investigation, or the performance of an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but is typically meant

towards a voluntary investigation. Typically, an example of due diligence in business is the process through which a potential buyer, or acquirer evaluates a target company or its assets for purchasing

and acquisition

Merriam-Webster

1 : the care that a reasonable person exercises under the circumstances to avoid harm to other persons or their property 2 : research and analysis of a company or organization done in preparation for a

business transaction (as a corporate merger or purchase of securities)

Peter is saying, to those who have the same faith (vs 1)

If you are going to be like us, and have faith like us, you need to seek out these things personally

To be Diligent is to be: hard-working, industrious, meticulouse, thorough, attentive and careful

To use diligence is to be diligent in this respect

Diligence=thoroughness, attentiveness, carefulness, meticulousness

Jude 1:3 (King James Version)

3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once

delivered unto the saints.

20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Luke 17: 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

FAITH

Faith = confidence, trust, reliance, assurance, belief, devotion, loyalty, commitment, dedication

Believing in Jesus Christ, John 3:16, that we might have eternal life. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Peter tells us to increase our faith by applying these things to our faith.

1. VIRTUE

Virtue = (N) good quality, good feature, desirable quality, good value, good worth, high merit, high caliber

Paul states this about Virtue

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if

there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge = information, facts, data, wisdom, learning, education, intelligence, experience, understanding, familiarity and expertise