Sermon Central
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A Faithful People
Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Dec 18, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: 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.
A Faithful People
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 as we will see in our lesson this morning ...and if we notice in particular,,,
2 Peter 1:5-7 It talks about 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,,,and it scared Peter so bad until he wanted Jesus to get from around him...
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.Luke5:8
When Jesus asked the disciples, who do you say that I am...
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.
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
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
