Standing Firm in the Faith:

Become Effective, Productive and Assured

II Peter 1:5-11

April 3, 2008

1:5-7 I. Our Faith Must Grow

A. Because of His Grace

“For this very reason …”

cf. Phil 2:12, 13

B. As the Top Priority

“…make every effort…”

C.  With fullness

“sorites”

cf. Rom. 5:3

1.  Start with faith

“…add to your faith goodness…”

2. Continue with character

• Goodness

“moral excellence” cf. 1:3

• Knowledge

cf. 1:2, 3; 3:18

• Self-control

cf. Gal. 5:23; I Cor. 7:29; 9:25; Titus 1:8

• Perseverance

cf. Rom. 5:3-4; 8:25; Col. 1:11; I Thess. 1:3-4; I Tim. 6:11; II Tim. 3:10;

Titus 2:2; Heb. 12:1; James 1:3-4; 5:11; Rev. 2:2-3:19

cf. II Peter 2:20-22

• Godliness

cf. 1:3; 3:11

• Brotherly kindness

cf. Rom. 12:10; I Thess. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; I Peter 1:22; 3:8; I Jn. 4:19-21

cf. II Peter 2:13-14, 17

3. End with love

“…and to brotherly kindness, love.”

cf. Mt. 5:43-48; Jn. 13:34, 35; I Cor. 12:31-13:13; Rom. 12:14-21

1:8-11 II. A Growing Faith Brings Great Benefits

“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure…”

1:8 A. We are effective and productive.

“…they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

cf. Mt. 20:3, 6; James 2:20

cf. Mt. 13:22; Jude 12; Col. 1:10

1:9 B. We are not blind and ungrateful.

“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he

has been cleansed from his past sins.”

1:10a C. We have assurance of salvation.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.”

cf. Jn. 6:47; I Jn. 2:3, 22-23; 4:20; 5:9; Rom. 8:15, 16

1:10b, 11 D. We will be saved.

“For if you do these things…”

cf. vs. 5-7

1.  We will never fall.

“…you will never fall…”

cf. I Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:21; Jude 24; II Peter 2:20-22

2.  We will enter the Kingdom.

“…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

AMEN Complete Handout – 4/3/08 Page 2 of 2