GROWING AS A NEW CONVERT 2 Peter 3:18

Why grow in Christ? To give the Father the glory – 2 Peter 3:18 To bear fruit for the Lord Spiritual myopia and amnesia avoided 2Pe 1:9 We will never stumble 2Pe 1:10 We will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ 2Pe 1:11

2 Peter 1:2-11 INGREDIENT for growth... Start with trust, conviction (Faith) Strive for excellence (Virtue) Increase understanding (Knowledge) Discipline mind and body (Self-Control) Bear up under trials (Perseverance) Do all to please God (Godliness) Love the brethren (Brotherly Love) With active good will toward all (Love)

FAITH persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation [Strong Definition] a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth, [Vine Expository Dictionary] Hebrews 11: 1,6

VIRTUE properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, intrinsic eminence, moral goodness [Vine Expository Dictionary] manliness ( befitting a man ) [Strong Dictionary] Philippians 4: 8

KNOWLEDGE to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand,” or “to understand completely. [Vine Expository Dictionary] 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 1 Peter 2:1-2

TEMPERANCE [SELF DISCIPLINE] Thayer – “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites.” 1Corinthians 9v27 Colossians 3v5

PATIENCE Webster - enduring pain, trouble, etc. without complaining or losing self control; refusing to be provoked or angered; able to wait calmly for something desired Romans 5v3,4

GOODNESS Vine - devout; “that piety (devotion) which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 1 Timothy 6:5,6

BROTHERLY LOVE This is translated from “philadelphia” which means love of brother. Brother refers to a fellow Christian. 1 John 3: 15- 17

LOVE [charity - KJV] Agape love is completely selfless. love that we make up our mind to have and that includes the sincere and selfless desire for the good of others, even if they do evil to us. 1 John 4: 7-11

How many things are we to add to faith? 2. The difference between brotherly love and charity 3. What will happen if one lacks these graces? 4. Why should you grow?

CAN ON LOOSE HIS SALVATION Yes Because we are still creatures of choice we choose to come to Christ and there fore we can fall off. Gal. 5:4 , 2 Peter 2:20-22 1 Cor 9: 27(cast away), 10: 12, Revelation 3:5, 2 Tim 4: 10

OBSTACLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

FALSE TEACHERS AND THEIR TEACHINGS 2 Peter 2 :1-2 Jude 4 1 Timothy 4:1

LAZINESS 2 Peter 1: 8 The word barren comes from the word “argos” meaning idle , laziness. Eccl. 10: 18

FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS Hebrew 10:25 Acts 2:44-47

SIN Hebrew 12:1 2 Peter 2: 20-22

EXERCISES THAT ENHANCES GROWTH. 1. Church attendance Hebrews 10: 24- 25 a. Fix them in your schedule b. Listen to announcement for any changes c. Remind yourself when you wake up in the morning d. Cultivate the habit of punctuality

PRAYER Luke 18:1; 1 Thes. 5v17 ; Prayer is not all Exodus 14: 15 Ephesians 6 the armor of God

Growing In The Knowledge Of Christ “giving all diligence...be even more diligent”