Formula For Growing In Christ - For If These Things Be In You And Abound

2023.03.19.Sermon Notes. For if these things be in you and abound. A formula for Growing in Christ

William Akehurst, HSWC

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:5-11

Scriptures Referenced: Galatians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Ephesians 5:8-11, Luke 9:23-27, Romans 1:16-17, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 3:16-17, Acts, 16:30-31, Acts 4:10-12, Psalms 34:1-3, 1 Chronicles 26:01-14

DIVINE POWER IN US

Galatians 4:6 (NLT) And because we are HIS children, GOD has sent the SPIRIT of HIS SON into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

BIG IDEA: What is the formula for Growing in Christ? Peter said, Grace and Peace be multiplied in YOU in the Knowledge of GOD and JESUS our LORD. Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Brotherly Kindness + Love = FRUITFUL GROWTH IN FAITH

GOD’s LIGHT has shone in our hearts to give the LIGHT of the KNOWLEDGE of the GLORY of GOD, in the face of JESUS CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS

FAITH COMES BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS

2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV)

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

FRUITFUL GROWTH IN THE FAITH

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Brotherly Kindness + Love.

SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT IN GALATIANS 5:22-23

SEARCH OUT THESE THINGS, FIND WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD

Ephesians 5:8-11 (NKJV)

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

JESUS never said…

Listen to your heart.

Be true to yourself. (Remember the poem “to thine own self be true”. That’s not what JESUS said)

Trust your gut.

Feel good about who you are.

Happiness is what matters.

Just be a good person.

JESUS actually said…

Luke 9:23-27 (NKJV)

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?