Solid Steps of Christian Growth A Study of 2 Peter 1:1-11

God’s Call to Spiritual Growth The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23,24 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

Introduction The Audience Peter is Talking To God gave us three things to help us grow His Word His Holy Spirit and His local Church – we need each other! The Task Work very hard adding these things to your life ADDING things to our life than just doing more things. Constantly adding is going to be the key The Staring Point – Level Ground As Sinners, lost, without God, without hope Just believing the Gospel

The Steps to Take Add these things to your life Faith is believing God as He promised in His word Virtue is the inner strength to do right Knowledge is personally knowing something to be true, not just accepting it as true Temperance is submitting your self to God’s will and God’s Holy Spirit (allowing someone else to control your life) Patience is the ability to go through troubles without complaining Godliness is living and thinking like Jesus did Brotherly Kindness is loving believers like family Charity is living completely unselfishly

True Success “I am not afraid of being a failure True Success “I am not afraid of being a failure. I am afraid of being successful at something God is not interested in.” God Sin Everyone Faith Virtue Charity Jesus in Me Uncertainty Brotherly Kindness Knowledge Believers Godliness Temperance Patience Self World Promises of God

The Goal (2Peter 1:8-11) To be fruitful (John 15:8), successful in your Christian life! To stand instead of constantly falling (Ephesians 6:11,13) To hear “Well done!” at your entrance into heaven (Matthew 25:21)

The Dangers of Stagnation – staying in one place too long Success is Conditional Give all diligence (2Pet 1:5) “IF… these abound…” It is impossible to stay in one place Backslide Press forward No growth means… (1:8-11) You lose sight – spiritual awareness You lose memory – forgetting spiritual victories You lose progress – constantly fall back You lose heavenly rewards