THE ABUNDANT ENTRANCE 2 Peter 1:1-11

REWARDS and CONSEQUENCES  Revelation 3:17-18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I AM FIRST A SERVANT OF GOD  Greek word, “Doulos” = slave  One who gives up their own will for the advancement of another.  What are you enslaved to?

I AM SECONDLY AN APOSTLE  A “sent one”. A missionary.  Where are you going?  Or better yet, where is God sending you?  And have you obeyed his leading?

OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH  The faith is precious. It’s honorable or valuable.  This can’t be attributed to anything of merit that I am bringing before the Lord.  This faith is also something that we “obtain”.  So even our faith in God is a gift that God has given us THROUGH (not my ability or righteousness) the righteousness of God’s character and the sacrifice of his Son.  Ephesians 2:8-9 For by (God’s) grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God : 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH  Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.  Ephesians 2:1-5 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, (he) hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

WHERE DOES THE PROCESS BEGIN?  Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD IN OUR WITNESS  Faith comes from hearing God speak.  Our faith is activated by the Word of God.  The Word of God must be central to your witness.  It is the Word of God that awakens the deadness of man’s hearts.

GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING  Even beginning with our faith.  To obtain faith we must hear from God.  Faith is not simply you mustering will power to follow God’s precepts.  You and I are simply exercising the substantial merit and evidential proofs that are found in God’s Word.  Hebrews 11:1