Emphasize the importance of continually growing and building upon our faith, as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7, and the spiritual benefits that come from this growth.
Good morning, Church family! Isn't it a blessing to gather together this morning to dig into God's Word? Today, we'll be exploring a foundational passage from 2 Peter 1:5-7 that speaks to us about the importance and necessity of building upon our faith, the benefits we reap when we do so, and the potential consequences if we choose not to.
A.W. Tozer once wrote, "True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie." Our faith, dear friends, isn't a one-time event, but a journey of growth and maturation that we embark on with our Heavenly Father.
Here's what the Scripture passage reads:
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Lord, as we open Your Word today, we ask that You guide our hearts and minds. Help us to understand the necessity of adding to our faith, not out of obligation, but out of a desire to grow closer to You. Show us the benefits that come from a faith that continually grows and evolves, and help us see the dangers in stagnation. May we be receptive to Your teachings and apply them to our daily walk with You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
So buckle up, folks! We're about to embark on a deep dive into what it truly means to grow in our faith. Let's get started!
It is not enough to merely profess faith in Christ; our faith must be a living, growing entity that continually evolves and matures. This is not a suggestion, but a divine mandate. The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, underscores this point by urging believers to make every effort to add to their faith. This implies that faith, in its initial stage, is just the beginning, the foundation upon which we are to build.
The original Greek: The Greek word used for "add" in this passage is "epichoregeo," which means to supply or provide. It was often used in the context of a wealthy benefactor providing all the necessary funds for a city's public event. In the same way, we are called to fully supply or add to our faith. This is not a passive process, but an active and intentional effort on our part.
Faith is not meant to be static: Just as a tree grows from a seed, so too our faith should grow from its initial seedling stage into a strong, mature tree that can withstand life's storms. A static faith is a stagnant faith, and a stagnant faith is a faith that is not fulfilling its God-given potential.
It deepens our relationship with God: Each attribute that Peter mentions - goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love - brings us closer to the character of Christ. As we add these qualities to our faith, we become more like Christ, which is the ultimate goal of the Christian journey.
It equips us to better serve others: As we grow in our faith, we become better equipped to show Christ's love to those around us. We become more patient, more understanding, more compassionate. We become better listeners, better encouragers, better friends. In essence, we become better reflections of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.
It prepares us for eternity: The qualities that Peter encourages us to add to our faith are not just for our earthly journey; they are qualities that will be part of our eternal existence. As we add to our faith, we are not just growing for today; we are growing for eternity.
The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, provides us with a clear roadmap for spiritual growth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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