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
Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
His Knowledge comes from His WORD
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him
We have Got to KEEP in HIS Word, Studying, reading, meditating upon it.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
3. TEMPERANCE
Temperance = (n) restraint, control, self-control
Self Control - A fruit of the Spirit
4. PATIENCE
Patience= endurance, staying power, tolerance, lack of complaint, persistence, fortitude, serenity
We are to be self controlled and patient through times of tribulation
Romans 5:1-5
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
A Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
5. GODLINESS
Godliness = religiousness, devoutness, holiness, goodness, saintliness, righteousness, piousness
1 Timothy 4:7-9 (King James Version)
7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
6. KINDNESS
Brotherly Kindness = towards other: compassion, sympathy, gentleness, kindheartedness, benevolence, thoughtfulness, humanity, consideration, helpfulness
Colossians 3:12-13
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
7. LOVE
Charity (Love) = aid, help, assistance, tolerance, kindness
(Love) affection, adoration, friendship, tenderness, fondness, devotion, passion
1 Corinthians 13:13
Romans 12:9-10
9Let love be without dissimulation. (Let your love be REAL) Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
We must add to our faith, that it will remain rock steady. WE are headed for times of tribulation and only the LORD will provide for us.
Keep looking up.
Psalm 37
Of David.
1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
SONG: HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT
The LORD Bless you, and keep you and make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, and giv
