ADD TO OUR FAITH

2 Pet. 1:1-11

By David J. Riggs

(Note: This sermon has several charts which are listed below.)

Intro.
   A. The text for this lesson is 2 Pet. 2:1-11.
   B. Let us examine these verses carefully so that we can profit    
      from what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.

I. The Introduction: (1:1-2)
   A. The writer: The well-known, beloved apostle Peter.
      1. His message is the Lord's message.
   B. The recipients: "Those who have obtained like precious faith."
      1. We have a common faith with the apostles.
      2. By God's righteous acts, these wonderful blessings have
         come to all.
   C. The greeting:
      1. The elements: "Grace and peace"
      2. The blessings: "Be multiplied"
         a. May the blessings be made to abound.
      3. The realm: "In the knowledge of"
         a. Grace and peace abound as the result of having
            knowledge of God and Christ. 

II. The Spiritual Development:
   A. God's part: (1:3-4)
      1. God has granted all things that pertain to life and         
         godliness.
         a. The source: "His divine power"
            (1) The grant is from the wisdom and power of God,
                not from man.
         b. The items: "Life and godliness"
            (1) Through His revelation, all needful things have
                been given.
         c. The agency: "Through the knowledge"
            (1) He called us to His own glory and excellence
                through the power of the gospel.
      2. He has given exceedingly great and precious promises.
         a. The source: "By glory and virtue"
         b. The item: "Exceedingly great and precious promises"
            (1) They are the ones regarding heaven, eternal life.
         c. The result:
            (1) Positive: "May be partakers"
                (a) The promises move, change, and motivate us
                    to obtain the holy character which God has.
            (2) Negative: "Having escaped"
                (a) The corruption that is in the world comes
                    through evil, unlawful desires.
                (b) Only those who are partakers of the divine
                    nature escape worldly corruption.

III. The Spiritual Development: (1:3-11)
   A. Our part: (1:5-11)
      1. "Giving all diligence, add..."
         a. It takes a diligent effort on our part.
      2. Add the seven virtues, graces.
      3. We will return to define and discuss the seven graces in a
         moment but, for now, let us continue with our text.
   B. The reasons: (a comparison)
         a. "If these things are yours and abound" - "are yours and
            are increasing" ASV
      1. When added: "Will be neither barren nor unfruitful"
         a. We will neither be useless or not yield fruits.
         b. The trend of this effort is toward full knowledge.
      2. When not added: "Shortsighted, blindness, forgotten he was
         purged"
         a. He sees only this world and its affairs.
         b. He is spiritually blind, in spiritual darkness.
         c. He has forgotten the things which once had an influence
            on him.
      3. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent:
            (1) Let us be even more careful not the make the
                mistakes he has just described.
         a. "To make your calling and election sure"
            (1) The elect are those who, through diligence, add the
                virtues.
         b. Because, if you do these things:
            (1) "You will never stumble"
                (a) The security, the secret of success, is in our
                    diligence.
                (b) We fall short (sin) because we lack those
                    things.
            (2) "An entrance will be supplied"
                (a) God will provide a glorious and delightful
                    entry into heaven.

Add To Our Faith (Extra Notes)
All of the virtues (graces) are things we seek to develop on a
continual basis. One does not work on "virtue" and then say, "Now
that I have accomplished "virtue," I'll move on to "knowledge."
      1. Virtue - The best definition of "virtue" seems to be
         "courageous zeal."
         a. The rulers did not have virtue. John 12:42-43
      2. Knowledge - Paul prayed that the Colossians would be
         "increasing in the knowledge of God." Col. 1:10
         a. Paul said that the Israelites had zeal, but not according
            to knowledge. Rom. 10:1-3
         b. Hosea said that God's people were destroyed because
            they lacked knowledge. Hos. 6:4-7
      3. Self-Control - "The virtue of one who masters his desires
         and passions, especially his sensual appetites." (Thayer, p.
         166-167)
         a. It is not enough to know that something is wrong or
            evil. We must have the inner strength to overcome the
            evil; thus, adding to our knowledge: self-control.
      4. Perseverance - steadfastness, endurance
         a. We must bear up under pressures from within and from
            without. Matt. 13:20-22
      5. Godliness - reverence and respect toward God; a
         consciousness of God; striving to be like God.
         a. Godliness is profitable for all things. 1 Tim. 4:8
         b. Godliness coupled with contentment is great gain. 1
            Tim. 6:6-8
      6. Brotherly kindness - a kind heart toward our brethren.
         a. Often there is bitterness and malice where there ought to
            be love and concern.
         b. We need to put others above ourselves. Phil. 2:3-4
      7. Love - active good will; activity seeking the good of       
         others.
         a. This trait is the climax of Christianity. Col. 3:14; 1   
            Pet. 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:13

Concl.
   A. God, through His glory and virtue, has given to us exceedingly
      great and precious promises.
      1. His promises motivate and move us to escape the corruption
         that in the world through lust.
   B. Let us give all diligence to add the Christian graces.
      1. If we do not add them:
         a. We cannot see afar off - We see only what's in this
            world.
         b. We are in spiritual darkness.
         c. We have forgotten our former blessings.
      2. If we add them:
         a. We will never be barren nor unfruitful.
         b. Our calling and election will be sure.
         c. We will never fall.
         d. We will have a glorious entrance into heaven.

Chart #1
2 Peter 1:1-11
I. The Introduction: (1:1-2)
   A. The writer: "Simon Peter"
   B. The recipients: "Those who have obtained like precious faith."
   C. The greeting:
      1. The elements: "Grace and peace"
      2. The blessings: "Be multiplied"
      3. The realm: "In the knowledge of"

Chart #2
II. The Spiritual Development:
   A. God's part: (1:3-4)
      1. He has granted all things that pertain to life and          
         godliness.
         a. The source: "His divine power"
         b. The items: "Life and godliness"
         c. The agency: "Through the knowledge"
      2. He has given exceedingly great and precious promises.
         a. The source: "By glory and virtue"
         b. The item: "Exceedingly great and precious promises"
         c. The result:
            (1) Positive: "May be partakers"
            (2) Negative: "Having escaped"

Chart #3
III. The Spiritual Development: (1:3-11)
   A. Our part: (1:5-11)
      1. "Giving all diligence, add..."
         a. The seven virtues
   B. The reasons: (a comparison)
      1. When added: "Will be neither barren nor unfruitful"
      2. When not added: "Shortsighted, blindness, forgotten he was
         purged"
      3. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent:
         a. "To make your calling and election sure"
         b. Because, if you do these things:
            (1) "You will never stumble"
            (2) "An entrance will be supplied"