THE ABUNDANT ENTRANCE 2 Peter 1:1-11

7 BUILDING BLOCKS OF YOUR FAITH 2 Peter 1:1-11 These characteristics are not represented as a village of truth, but rather as a building of spiritual growth. Faith is the foundation. If we depart from faith, don’t expect any of these other truths to be present. Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, (so if we have this perspective) that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

7 BUILDING BLOCKS OF YOUR FAITH Colossians 2:6-10 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

BUILDING BLOCK #1 - VIRTUE Virtue – Greek word, “Arete”. Closely associated with, “Arren” which is translated as, “male”. “Arete” can then be understood as, “manliness” or “valor”. 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.

BUILDING BLOCK #1 - VIRTUE 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises[G703] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Virtue says that I will never give up or give in. Consider the example of Ruth. She did what was right no matter what. Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

BUILDING BLOCK #1 - VIRTUE Virtue is an intrinsic, guttural, beautiful unflinching, unmovable character. Consider the example of Reuben. Genesis 49:3-4 He was the firstborn. He had it all. And yet Jacob says he was unstable as water. Turn to Genesis 37:18-20 Instead of living in the hope and promise of his calling, Reuben blew it. He compromised.

BUILDING BLOCK #2 - KNOWLEDGE Knowledge – Greek word, “Gnosis”. Refers to a general intelligence. Knowledge without virtue is disastrous for the believer. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Knowledge without virtue will evoke NO positive change for the kingdom. Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

BUILDING BLOCK #2 - KNOWLEDGE Romans 12:16 [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.  Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

BUILDING BLOCK #2 - KNOWLEDGE Isaiah 47:10-11 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me. 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.

BUILDING BLOCK #2 - KNOWLEDGE Consider Apollos – powerful communicator, yet without knowledge. Too often Christians rely upon an experiential understanding of God and do not take advantage of knowing God on a deep literal way. Knowledge is the language of a zealous heart. My virtuous lifestyle has the potential to unlock hearts, but it is my knowledge of the most High that presents the terms. 1 Peter 3:15